Immunohistochemical study of the proliferation modality of synovium in rat adjuvant arthritis

 To investigate the proliferative potencies of the two types of synovial lining cells (types A and B), we used immunohistochemical techniques under light and electron microscopy to survey the complete process of arthritis in a rat model system. Complete Freund's adjuvant (0.1 ml) containing 5 mg of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium butyricum was administered intradermally into the right hind paws of 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Five animals were killed at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the immunological challenge, respectively, and the infrapatellar adipose synovium was removed from each animal. Using proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a cell proliferation marker, we quantified the locations of proliferative cells under light microscopy and then identified the cell type with immunoelectron microscopy. The number of PCNA-positive cells was high in the deep layer at week 2, and most of them were determined to be B cells. At week 3, the number of PCNA-positive cells increased in the superficial layer, and most were identified as A cells. Our results support the idea that cells of the synovial lining proliferate in situ during the course of arthritis. Received: August 27, 2002 / Accepted: December 9, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" Offprint requests to: M. Kamimoto Acknowledgments. We are grateful to K. Inose and M. Yatabe for their excellent support for this study.     

Hb Himeji or beta 140 (H18) Ala----Asp. A slightly unstable hemoglobin with increased beta N-terminal glycation

A fast-moving abnormal hemoglobin found in a diabetic patient was identified as beta 140 (H18) Ala----Asp. It comprised about 40% of the total hemoglobin. The beta N-terminal glycation in the abnormal hemoglobin was estimated to be 3 times as much as that in Hb A in the same blood sample. The abnormal hemoglobin was slightly unstable. Oxygen affinity of the stripped hemoglobin was decreased, but that of red cells from the carrier was slightly higher than normal because of the reduced effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate.     

A new therapeutic strategy for streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: a key target for cytokines

We searched for innovative treatments specifically targeted to the cytokines of three critically ill patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber improved the hemodynamics in all three patients who had developed shock at presentation. Continuous hemodiafiltration coupled with plasma exchange for simultaneous removal of several mediators of the inflammatory cascade improved outcome in case 2 and lessened the aggressive clinical course and prolonged survival in case 3. The application of these technologies appears to open new and interesting therapeutic options and may lead to improved survival in STSS.     

AN UNUSUAL CASE WHICH BEGAN WITH SUBCUTANEOUS PANNICULITIS FOLLOWED BY FEVER, SEVERE HEPATIC INVOLVEMENT AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA

A 25-year-old man was at first dermatologically suspected as suffering from Weber-Christian syndrome because of subcutaneous panniculitis, but his skin lesions disappeared completely during the course. Hyperlipidemla, disturbances In liver function, and leukemoid reaction became remarkable, and he died of subarachnoid hemorrhage eleven months after onset. Necropsy revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage at the base of the brain, lipogranulomatous and inflammatory lesions in the upper lobe of the left lung, a remarkable fatty liver, splenomegaly, pericarditis, and foam cells in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. A comparison with 57 autopsy cases of Weber-Christian syndrome reported in the literature showed our case to be an exceptional instance of Weber-Christian syndrome, If the present case is not to be regarded as a different disease entity. ACTA PATH. JAP. 27:213–224, 1977.     

Glycation of cataractous lens in non-diabetic senile subjects and in diabetic patients

Early- and advanced-stage products in the Maillard reaction, glycation, were measured in patients with diabetic or senile cataracts. Early-stage products were measured by means of furosine, which is an acid-hydrolysis product derived from fructose-lysine. Advanced-stage products were measured by fluorometry using high-performance liquid chromatography. Furosine levels were high (listed in descending order) in capsule, cortex and nucleus in both diabetic and senile cataracts. The advanced-stage products were also high (listed in descending order) in nucleus, cortex and capsule in both diabetic and senile cataracts. These results suggest that advanced-stage products might accumulate in larger amounts in the nucleus and cortex than in the capsule, resulting in the formation of cataracts. The study also revealed that the Maillard reaction plays an important role in causing not only diabetic cataracts but also senile cataracts.