Four cases of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis with negative gluten cap-rast score]

BACKGROUND: Either omega-5 gliadin or high molecular weight glutenin is known to be a major allergen in wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). It is generally considered that gluten specific IgE score is more reliable than that of wheat specific IgE score for the diagnosis of WDEIA. Our aim was to verify the significance of gluten specific IgE in the diagnosis of WDEIA. METHODS: We evaluated the result of gluten CAP-RAST score and omega-5 gliadin specific IgE score on four WDEIA patients who visited our hospital during the years 2004 and 2005, whose diagnosis were onfirmed by prick tests, immunoblot tests and provocation tests. RESULTS: Contrary to our expectations, all four patients showed negative gluten CAP-RAST scores, however all patient's omega-5 gliadin specific IgE scores were positive. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that gluten specific CAP-RAST score is unreliable in the diagnosis of WDEIA. On the other hand omega-5 gliadin specific IgE score is possibly a better candidate as a diagnostic tool for WDEIA.     

Strain differences of the light-dark preference in inbred rats

he present study examined strain differences in the light-dark preference among four strains of rats. The test was done in the home-cage situation under 12L:12D cycles. Data from four strains were compared: BN/Kyo, BDIX/Nem, Wistar/Nu, and F344/NSlc. These strains differed in the light-dark preference measured by the ratio of the time spent in the field area of the home cage during the light period. BN/Kyo and BDIX/Nem spent the most time (approx. 23%) in the field during the light period, while F344/NSlc spent the least time (approx. 5%). Wistar/Nu fell between the two (approx. 12%).This study was conducted as partial fulfillment for the master's degree, submitted to Nagoya University by the first author. It was presented at the 47th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Animal Psychology.     

Myelin Degeneration in Multiple System Atrophy Detected by Unique Antibodies

A rabbit antiserum (anti-EP), induced against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 68 to 86 of guinea pig myelin basic protein, powerfully immunostained abnormal-appearing oligodendrocytic processes and cell bodies in demyelinating areas associated with multiple system atrophy (MSA). However, as we reported previously, the antiserum, which is highly specific for the sequence QDENPVV corresponding to human myelin basic protein residues 82 to 88, failed to recognize any structures in normal human brain. QD-9, a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against human myelin basic protein residues 69 to 88, which also recognizes specifically the epitope QDENPVV, gave the same results as did anti-EP. The unusual epitope recognized by anti-EP/QD-9 antibodies appears to be accessible in areas of myelin degeneration, and the antibodies have been shown to detect such areas in multiple sclerosis and infarcted brains. These antibodies detect myelin degeneration more widely than previous conventional methods. The present study emphasizes the importance of myelin degeneration in the pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy.     

Intracerebroventricular injection of brain natriuretic peptide inhibits vasopressin secretion in conscious rats

The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a novel peptide purified from the porcine brain, on arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion was studied in conscious, unrestrained rats and was compared with that of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP). I.c.v. administration of BNP (0.01, 0.1 or 1 nmol) significantly inhibited basal AVP secretion and the effect of BNP was comparable to that of ANP. The AVP secretion induced by i.c.v. injection of angiotensin II (0.1 nmol) was significantly suppressed by the pretreatment with BNP (0.1 or 1 nmol). These results suggest that BNP is involved in the central control of AVP secretion either alone or in combination with brain ANP.     

Evaluation of specificity of EIA kit (ED-007)

EIA (Eitest: Eisai) and Gelatin Particle Agglutination: PA (SERODIA: Fujirebio) assays were performed for the detection of HTLV-I antibodies with 10,780 sera from patients since 1986. Eleven point five percent were reactive by both EIA and PA, while 1.1% was PA(+), EIA(-), these PA false positive occurred on low titer. Conversely 0.2% on EIA positive seems PA false negative because of Western blot (WB) positivity. Zero point nine percent was EIA(+), PA(-), of these 80.6% were not inhibited by EIA confirmatory test. The main cause of EIA false positive was due to reactivity of auto antibody with MT-2 cell lysate. We used new EIA (ED-007: Eisai) coated with HTLV-I antigen purified from supernatant of culture medium of MT-2 cell. The results completely matched with EIA confirmatory test and WB. Cut off index value of sera from SLE patients were down to 0.2 (mean +/- SD) from 0.7 +/- 0.4 of Eitest ATL. EIA (ED-007) are probably useful and more specific assays for the detection of HTLV-I antibodies, especially, the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">GPC5</Emphasis> is a possible target for the 13q31-q32 amplification detected in lymphoma cell lines

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analyses have detected gains of copy number on 13q, especially at 13q31-q32, in cell lines and primary cases of various types of lymphoma. Since amplification of chromosomal DNA is one of the mechanisms that can activate tumor-associated genes, and because 13q amplification had been reported in various other types of tumors as well, we attempted to define by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) a common region at 13q31-q32 in which to explore genes that might be targets for the amplification events. Although the commonly amplified region we defined was relatively large (approximately 4 Mb), only one true gene, GPC5, was found there. GPC5 was over-expressed in lymphoma cell lines that had shown amplification, in comparison with those that had not. Our findings suggest that GPC5 is a likely target for amplification, and that over-expression of this gene may contribute to development and/or progression of lymphomas and other tumors.     

Osteoclast-type giant cell tumor of the endometrium. An immunohistochemical study

We present a rare case of a 55 year old female with an osteoclast-type giant cell tumor of the endometrium associated with leiomyoma and adenomyosis. Multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells reacted with vimentin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) using the immunoperoxidase method. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and keratin exhibited negative immunoreaction in these tumor cells. Our immunohistochemical results do not support the epithelial origin of an osteoclast-type giant cell tumor and mesenchymal derivation appeared more likely, suggesting histiocytic origin.     

A CASE OF MYCOSIS FUNGOIDES

The clinical history and pathological findings of a 68-year-old female with mycosis fungoides were described.
Clinically she developed cutaneous eruptions, and plaques to nodules appearlng within the next 4 months. Histopathological examination at biopsy revealed mycosis fungoides. At autopsy, extensive visceral involvement was disclosed (lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, esophagus, left adrenal gland, lumbar vertebral bone marrow, and lymph nodes). Acute exacerbation of pulmonary tuberculosis was thought to be a terminal event.     

Spinal projections to the cerebellar nuclei in the cat

Summary Projections from the spinal gray matter to the cerebellar nuclei in the cat have been studied using Nauta's silver technique. Following unilateral section of the ventrolateral cord at the cervical level, heavy degeneration is seen in the nucleus medialis on both sides. Scanty degeneration is present bilaterally in the nucleus interpositus. The degeneration is most intense on the contralateral side. Scanty degeneration is also present bilaterally in subnucleus medialis parvicellularis (SMP) (Flood and Jansen, 1961). No degeneration is seen in nucleus lateralis. Following unilateral section of the dorsolateral cord at the cervical level, scanty degeneration is present bilaterally in nucleus medialis and nucleus interpositus anterior. The degeneration is more pronounced ipsilaterally and is also seen in SMP on both sides. No degeneration is present in nucleus lateralis. Fibers from the ventral and dorsal spinocerebellar tracts (VSCT and DSCT) terminate bilaterally in nuclei medialis and interpositus, with the VSCT as the most important connection.     

Evidence of allosteric conformational changes in the antibody constant region upon antigen binding

We have addressed the question of whether antigen binding induces a conformational change in the heavy chain constant (C(H)) domain of antibodies using staphylococcal protein A or streptococcal protein G as probes, since these proteins are known to bind to IgG domains such as C(H)1 and C(H)2-C(H)3 domains. Biosensor assays on interactions between these proteins and mouse IgG specific to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) or their enzymatic fragments conducted in the presence or absence of the hapten, NP-epsilon-aminocaproic acid (NP-Cap), showed that the binding of IgG to these proteins was inhibited by the binding of NP-Cap. The results of isothermal titration calorimetry also revealed that the association constant for the interaction of protein A with IgG2b decreased by the addition of NP-Cap. These results suggested that antigen binding induced conformational changes in binding sites for protein G or protein A located at C(H)1 and C(H)2-C(H)3 domains, respectively.