Reciprocal effects of apolipoprotein E alleles (ε2 AND ε4) on plasma lipid levels in normolipidemic subjects

A significantly lower frequency of the epsilon 2 allele and a significantly higher frequency of the epsilon 3 allele were found in the normolipidemic Japanese population than those in the normolipidemic Caucasian populations. We have compared plasma lipid variables among the apolipoprotein (apo) E phenotype groups and estimated the average effects of the three common alleles (epsilon 2, epsilon 3 and epsilon 4) on plasma lipid levels in normolipidemic subjects. Plasma triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG, VLDL-cholesterol (C) and apo E levels were high in the apo E3/2 group, intermediate in the apo E3/3 group and low in the apo E4/3 group, whereas plasma total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-C levels were low in the apo E3/2 group, intermediate in the apo E3/3 group and high in the apo E4/3 group. Furthermore, the epsilon 2 allele had an effect to increase the TG, VLDL-TG, VLDL-C and apo E levels and decrease the TC, LDL-C and HDL-C levels, whereas the epsilon 4 allele had an effect opposite to the epsilon 2 allele. These results indicate that the epsilon 2 and epsilon 4 alleles have the reciprocal effects on plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apo E levels.     

MALLORY BODY-LIKE STRUCTURES IN THE LUNG

Mallory body-like structures (MBLs), which resemble Mallory body (MB) in the liver, were observed in lungs of 4 cases showing interstitial pneumonitis. MBLs were found in the cytoplasm of especially swollen alveolar epithelial cells. MBLs and MBs had almost similar characteristics morphologically and tinctorially under the light microscopy. MBLs were composed of intermediate type fine fibrils which were positive for anti-keratin antibody. These findings suggested that MBLs were a kind of pathological keratinization of alveolar epithelial cells. Although the origin of MBL containing cells could not be clarified, they were closely related to type 2 alveolar epithelial cells.     

Localization of T lymphocytes and macrophages expressing IL-1, IL-2 receptor,IL-6 and TNF in human aortic intima. Role of cell-mediated immunity in human atherogenesis

Recent observations have demonstrated the presence of activated T lymphocytes and macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions. Cells found within these lesions produce cytokines that alter vascular homeostasis in a manner that promotes atherogenesis. To elucidate the role of these immunocompetent cells in human atherosclerosis, the localization of various cytokines with an analysis of immunophenotypic features of the cellular infiltrates was studied in normal aortas from children; and in later phases of the disease (including fatty streaks and fibrous or atheromatous plaques). Semi-quantitative analysis of cytokine-expressing cells was also investigated with serial sectioning. In 4 of 9 young subjects, the grossly normal aorta contained relatively cell-rich areas which were located preferentially around the ostia of intercostal arteries and were composed of isolated or layered T lymphocytes and macrophages. In these prelesional areas, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) were detected in the cytoplasm of the infiltrating cells, whereas no detectable reactivity was noted for IL-2, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or lymphotoxin (LT). In fatty streaks and full-grown atheromas including “cap” and “shoulder” regions, various numbers of T lymphocytes, macrophages and macrophage foam cells were present. In these lesion areas, especially where the cellular infiltrates were numerous, macrophage foam cells and smooth muscle cells expressed not only IL-1 and TNF but also IL-6. The ratio of IL-2R positive cells showed a tendency to decrease with advance of the disease process. Electron-microscopic examination of lesion areas demonstrated ultrastructural aspects of the cognate cellto-cell interaction, as shown by the direct apposition of lymphocytes to macrophages or macrophage foam cells. These results suggest that a specific in situ, cell mediated hypersensitivity plays a pivotal role in the nascent as well as the progression stages of human atherosclerosis.     

The effect of partial splenic embolization (PSE) on liver function test in patients with liver cirrhosis

Five patients with hypersplenism associated with liver cirrhosis were treated by PSE and the changes of peripheral blood cells and liver function tests were observed. After PSE, all patients had a high fever and abdominal pain continued for a few weeks without severe complications. Peripheral blood cell counts improved soon after PSE and liver function tests (hepaplastin test and ICGR15) grew transiently worse, but they also improved within two months. During 4.5 to 10 months, the levels of albumin and total cholesterol of three patients increased, although the changes of bilirubin level and HPT were not shown. For other two patients, it was difficult to estimate the effect of PSE, because one patient was treated at the same time with lipiodol chemoembolization for HCC and another patient had a progress of nephrotic syndrome. On the other hand, ICG levels were stable after PSE but RI-uptake on liver scintigram increased in the liver. These results suggest that PSE may be able to improve not only hypersplenism but also liver function in the patients with compensated liver cirrhosis without severe complication.     

Epitope-specific impairment of production of antibody against merozoite surface glycoprotein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum in symptomatic patients with malaria

We analyzed the relationships between levels of antibody specific for merozoite surface glycoprotein-1 (MSP1) of Plasmodium falciparum and clinical manifestations in humans. We prepared recombinant MSP1 proteins representing block 3 (M3), block 6 (M6), blocks 1–6 (M1/6), and block 17. When we divided the slide-positive individuals in Guadalcanal into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, the former group showed lower IgG levels against M6 and block 17, but not against M3, than did the asymptomatic group (P < 0.01). The possibility of nonspecific suppression was unlikely, given that the levels of antibody against poliomyelitis virus observed in the two groups were almost the same. Among the IgG subclasses tested, production of cytophilic IgG₃ seemed to be dominant. When we analyzed epitopes recognized by antibodies against block 17, a peptide (SSSNFLGIS) was preferentially recognized by sera from asymptomatic individuals. These results suggest that clinical symptoms occurring during falciparum malaria seem to be associated with the development of levels of antibody against particular epitopes on MSP1, which is under the control of an immunoregulatory mechanism. Received: 1 October 1999 / Accepted: 21 October 1999     

Effects of ruthenium red on membrane ionic currents in urinary bladder smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig

 Three major ionic currents, Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ current (I _K-Ca), delayed rectifier type K⁺ current (I _kd) and Ca²⁺ current (I _Ca), were activated by depolarization under whole-cell clamp in single smooth muscle cells isolated from guinea-pig urinary bladder. Externally applied ruthenium red (RuR) reduced the amplitude of I _K-Ca and I _Ca at 0 mV (IC₅₀ values were 4.2 and 5.6 μM, respectively), but did not affect I _Kd. Spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) and caffeine-induced outward currents (I _caf) at –30 mV were reduced by external 10 μM RuR. When 10 μM RuR was added to the pipette solution, I _K-Ca during depolarization, STOCs and I _caf significantly decreased with time. RuR did not change the unitary current amplitude of the large-conductance Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ (BK) channels, but reduced the open probability of the channel under excised patch-clamp recording mode. RuR reduced the channel activity more effectively from the cytosolic face than from the other. This inhibition decreased when the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration was increased. These results indicate that RuR blocks BK and Ca²⁺ channels in urinary bladder smooth muscle cells. The decrease in I _K-Ca, STOCs and I _caf by RuR is attributable to the direct inhibition of BK channel activity, probably in addition to the inhibition of Ca²⁺ release from storage sites. The direct inhibition of BK channel activity by RuR may be related to the interaction of RuR with the Ca²⁺-binding sites of the channel protein. Received: 15 October 1997 / Received after revision and accepted: 25 November 1997     

Epidemiological Analysis of Salmonella enteritidis Isolates from Humans and Broiler Chickens in Thailand by Phage Typing and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

To determine the phage types (PT) of Salmonella enteritidis found in Thailand and to clarify the potential for human infection by S. enteritidis in broiler chicken meat, human and poultry isolates taken from Thailand between 1990 and 1997 were phage typed and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Ten different PT were found among the 302 isolates phage typed, with PT 4 being the most frequent in human (73.9%) and poultry (76.2%) isolates, followed by PT 1 (8.0%), 8 (3.6%), and 7a (2.2%) in human isolates and by PT 7a (4.9%), 1 (3.7%), and 12 (2.4%) in poultry isolates. Of the 53 isolates analyzed by PFGE, 45 showed an indistinguishable pattern (pattern A) by BlnI-digested PFGE and the other 8 isolates showed a very similar pattern that differed by only a few bands. These results indicate the spread of a genetically identical clone of S. enteritidis in humans and poultry in Thailand.     

小儿热性惊厥的脑电图

本文对296例小儿热性惊厥脑电图进行分析。结果:小儿热性惊厥脑电图(EEG)异常率48.65％,主要以阵性高幅慢波为主(77.78％)。小儿癫痫脑电图异常率(89.61％)。主要以阵发性棘慢波和局灶性改变为主(62.78％)。二周后EEG复查热性惊厥EEG大部分恢复正常(83.35％)。而小儿癫痫EEG未有恢复正常的。热性惊厥发作次数愈多,发作持续时间愈长EEG改变愈明显,二周后脑电图恢复正常的愈少。这对小儿热性惊厥的诊断和预后判定有重要价值。     

Two dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms at the D8S1442 and D8S1443 loci

Two polymorphic dinucleotide (CA) repeat clones were isolated from cosmids, cCI8-1121 and cCI8-1199, mapped to chromosome 8p11.2-p12.     

Aberrant insulinoma of the duodenal bulb

A rare insulin-immunoreactive neuroendocrine tumor of the duodenum in a 54 year old male is reported. The incidentally identified tumor was located on the anterior free wall of the duodenal bulb and measured approximately 6 mm in diameter. Uncomplicated endoscopic resection of the tumor was carried out. The lesion exhibited classic histologic features of insulinoma of the β-islet cell type with stromal amyloid deposition. In addition to positive reactivities of chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, Leu 7 (CD57), cystatin C, CA15–3 and cytokeratin, the non-argyrophilic tumor cells were strongly immunoreactive for insulin and C-peptide. The stromal amyloid was clearly labeled for amylin. A few cells were stained for somato-statin, whereas other hormones were negative. Interestingly, a few isolated insulin-positive cells were identiii in the non-neoplastic duodenal mucosa in the proximity of the tumor. lmmunoelectron microscopy using paraffin sections disclosed insulin-immunoreactive secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The patient exhibited no signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia. Serum insulin levels were not measured prior to resection. No tumors were demonstrated in the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1 cm asymptomatic pituitary mass, in association with moderately elevated serum prolactin levels. The patient is currently being followed up in the outpatient clinic.