Synaptic actions of the ventral root afferents on cat hindlimb motoneurons

Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) with long latencies were evoked in cat hindlimb motoneurons by stimulation of the distal stump of a cut ventral root. Measurements of their latency and the threshold in the responsible afferent fibers showed that they were produced mainly by the activity of the unmyelinated fibers in the ventral root that enter the spinal cord through the dorsal root. Patterns of PSPs evoked in flexor and extensor motoneurons by ventral root stimulation were similar to those observed in the flexion reflex.     

Phylogenetic analyses of the matrix and non-structural genes of equine influenza viruses

Summary.  Matrix (M) and nonstructural (NS) genes of thirteen equine H3N8 and H7N7 influenza viruses were sequenced and analyzed from an evolutionary point of view. The M and NS genes of H3N8 viruses isolated between 1989 and 1993 evolved into two minor branch clusters, including isolates from Europe and the American continent, respectively. It was noteworthy to reveal that the nucleotide sequences of the M and NS genes of an earlier American strain showed highest homology to those of recent European viruses. “Frozen evolution” was observed in the M and NS genes of A/eq/LaPlata/1/88. It was also evident that the NS gene of an H7N7 virus from 1977 was very similar to that of a 1979-H3N 8 virus, while the M gene was closest phylogenetically to that of the earliest H7N7 virus isolated in 1956. Furthermore, the M2 protein of A/eq/Newmarket/1/77 virus contained a carboxyl terminal deletion of three amino acids. The evolutionary rates of the M and NS genes of H3N8 equine influenza viruses were estimated to be 5.4 × 10⁻⁴ and 5.1 × 10⁻⁴ substitutions per site per year, respectively, which were slower than those of human viruses. Received November 21, 1997 Accepted March 9, 1998     

Soluble Fas and soluble Fas L levels in patients with acute pancreatitis

The FasL-Fas system is an apoptosis induction system and plays an important role in homeostasis and biophylaxis. The present study was conducted to investigate soluble Fas (sFas), soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with acute pancreatitis. As acute pancreatitis became severe, the levels of sFas in the serum increased significantly, while those of sFasL decreased significantly. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the serum levels of sFas and those of sFasL. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between the levels of TNF-alpha and sFas. A greater increase in serum sFas and decrease in serum sFasL levels was observed in patients with complicating multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) than in those without it. The results of the study suggest that the pathological aggravation of acute pancreatitis could be related to changes in the Fas-FasL system.     

Mixed ductal-endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas presenting as gastrinoma with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: an autopsy case with a 24-year survival period

We report an autopsy case of mixed ductal-endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas presenting as gastrinoma with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. A 38-year-old Japanese male was found to have Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and pancreatic gastrinoma, and gastrectomy and resection of the pancreatic tumor were performed. However, hypergastrinemia persisted, and the patient died of disseminated carcinomatosis at 62 years of age, 24 years after the onset of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. At autopsy, the main tumor was present in the residual pancreas, and metastases were noted in many organs. In the pancreas and other organs, ductal and endocrine carcinoma areas were mixed and there was a gradual transition between the two. No acinar differentiation was noted. The ductal elements were positive for mucins and carcinoembryonic antigen but negative for neuroendocrine markers, while endocrine elements were positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin and to a lesser extent for gastrin, but negative for mucins and carcinoembryonic antigen. The ductal elements comprised about 30% of the tumor cells, and endocrine elements 70%. According to the revised World Health Organization classification, our case was diagnosed as mixed ductal-endocrine carcinoma. Our case is rare because the tumor manifested as gastrinoma with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and the patient survived for 24 years. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has been reported. Our case suggests that pancreatic endocrine tumors may evolve into mixed ductal-endocrine carcinomas. Received: 14 April 1999 / Accepted: 7 July 1999     

A study of human interstitial lung diseases with special reference to immune complexes and hyaline membrane

To evaluate the pathogenetic roles of immune complexes and alveolar hyaline membrane in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), immunohistological and ultrastructural studies of the kidney and lung were performed in 23 cases of IIP, 19 cases of autoimmune diseases, 17 cases of interstitial pneumonia other than IIP, and 11 cases of bronchopneumonia as a control group. None of the cases of IIP or interstitial pneumonia other than IIP showed immune complexes in the alveolar and glomerular capillary walls. On the other hand, one case of SLE was positive for IgG and components of complement along the alveolar and glomerular capillary walls. The alveolar hyaline membrane in the present cases revealed immunoglobulins as well as components of complement, which were poorly soluble in chaotropic solution or acidic buffer. These results indicate that circulating immune complexes play a minor role in the pathogenesis of IIP and other types of interstitial pneumonia, and that there is no relationship between immune complex deposition in alveoli and the alveolar hyaline membrane. It is necessary to further investigate factors other than immune complexes involved in alveolar tissue damage and to clarify the significance of the hyaline membrane in the processes occurring from acute changes to pulmonary fibrosis in IIP.     

Serum-manganese-superoxide dismutase: normal values and increased levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction and several malignant diseases determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for human manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), using a specific monoclonal antibody raised against the purified enzyme. The Mn-SOD molecule comprises four identical sub-units and this permitted the development of a symmetrical assay, using the same monoclonal antibody as both capture and detector. The assay offers a specific, sensitive and convenient means of measuring immunoreactive Mn-SOD in human sera. Under optimum conditions, the sensitivity of the assay permits the detection of 2-200 ng of purified Mn-SOD from human liver. The mean serum Mn-SOD levels of normal healthy males and females were 99.8 +/- 24.8 (mean +/- SD) and 88.8 +/- 20.8 (mean +/- SD), respectively. A high level of the enzyme was found in the sera of patients with acute myocardial infarction as well as malignant diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia, primary hepatoma and gastric cancer. This is the first report of an ELISA using a monoclonal antibody specific for a distinct epitope of Mn-SOD.     

MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF A CASE OF MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS II (HUNTER'S SYNDROME)

An autopsy case of a 19-year-old boy who had shown typical gargoyle features, strictly consistent with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome) was reported. Histologically, cytoplasmic vacuolar change was found In hepatocytes, sinusoidal epithelium of spleen, follicular cells of thyroid, Sertoli cells of testis, chromophobe cell of pituitary and generalized fibroblast-like cells including meninges, cardiac valve and periosteum. The vacuoles consisting of membrane-bound structures with flocculus protein-like material and occasional electron dense bodies on electron microscopy, were considered to be the site of mucopolysaccharide deposition by histochemical analysis. Deposition of lipid material consistent with so-called membranous cytoplasmic body was observed in the neurons of central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Hepatosplenomegaly could be explained by cytoplasmic deposition, but the cause of cardiomegaly remained further to be studied. Biochemically hepatic mucopolysaccharide was identified as heparan sulfate, while in the kidney dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate were detected. The correlation between morphology and biochemistry, and between deposition and degeneration was discussed.