Case of Parkinson's disease presenting with unique dyspneic attacks caused by oromandibular dystonia and sleep apnea syndrome]

A 79-year-old woman with a 4-year history of Parkinson's disease was admitted due to unique dyspneic attacks with cyanosis while eating. Dyspneic attacks with cyanosis occurred mainly during actions such as taking meals or rehabilitation. Due to increased tonus of the orbicularis oris muscle, she was unable to open her mouth and breathe out, and finally experienced hypoxemia as revealed by pulse oxymetry. Dystonic hypertonus was relieved by touching the mandible with the fingers, and she was able to open her mouth again. These symptom was compatible with the sensory trick. Based on these findings, we considered that dyspneic attacks were produced by focal oromandibular dystonia. Polysomnography also showed central sleep apnea. We report herein a rare case of Parkinson's disease presenting with respiratory insufficiency caused by focal dystonia and central sleep apnea.     

Lipid analysis of normal dermis and hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars (HS) are a consequence of abnormal wound healing. We examined fatty acids that are contained within, and participate in, every reaction through the membrane; then, we analyzed the percentage composition of the fatty acids in deepithelialized normal dermis (ND) and HS. In vivo HS samples were obtained from six patients undergoing surgical excision, and ND samples from five patients undergoing skin grafting surgery for excess. In vitro, cultured fibroblasts from HS and ND were also analyzed. The percentage composition of fatty acids extracted from all the samples was analyzed. In vivo, arachidonic acid (20:4) was significantly more abundant in HS than in ND, in the phospholipids from both whole tissue and cell membranes. In vitro, there were no significant differences among ND, HS, and 10% fetal calf serum. The results suggest that HS formation does not necessarily involve simple excess of 20:4; however, there are considerable differences in the percentage composition of 20:4 between ND and HS. Arachidonic acid probably participates in the formation and maintenance of HS, whereas in vitro cultured fibroblasts are affected largely by fetal calf serum.     

Detection of chromosomal alterations affecting the 1cen-1q12 region in irradiated granulocytes and lymphocytes by multicolour FISH with tandem DNA probes

A multicolour tandem labelling fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) procedure was used to compare the frequencies of radiation-inducedchromosome breakage and hyperdiploidy of chromosome 1 occurringin non-cultured granulocytes and Go lymphocytes with those observedin cultured metaphase and interphase lymphocytes. Whole blood,obtained from healthy male donors, was exposed in vitro to 0,100, 200, 300 and 400 cGy of ionizing radiation from a ¹³⁷Cssource. Aliquots containing granulocytes and Go lymphocytesfrom each dose were treated immediately with hypotonic KCl onice and harvested. Cells were hybridized with     

Serum creatine kinase B subunit in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

We determined the serum levels of the creatine kinase B subunit (CK-B) by an enzyme immunoassay method in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and benign renal diseases. Eighteen of 76 patients with RCC (24%) had elevated serum CK-B levels. The positive rates were 29% in stage I, 13% in stage II, 15% in stage III, and 27% in stage IV. In all 9 patients whose serum CK-B levels were serially measured and had been elevated before operation, the CK-B levels were reduced to the normal range after nephrectomy. These findings indicate that serum CK-B is a useful biomarker for monitoring the clinical course for a limited number of RCC patients, but is not a marker for diagnosis and staging. Concentrations of CK-B in RCC tissues were significantly lower than those of normal kidney. A high rate of cell turnover in tumor tissues might entail the higher level of serum CK-B in patients with RCC.     

Cloning and analysis of a gene (sms13) encoding sannamycin B-glycyltransferase from Streptomyces sannanensis and its distribution among actinomycetes.

A gene encoding sannamycin B-glycyltransferase (sms13) of Streptomyces sannanensis IFO 14239 was identified by cloning and complementation of S. sannanensis mutant SN13 which is blocked at the interconversion of sannamycins B and A. The cloned DNA fragment also permitted the conversion of fortimicin B to A both in S. sannanensis SN13 and Streptomyces lividans TK23. DNA sequences similar to sms13 were detected in all five producers of the fortimicin-group antibiotics, Micromonospora olivasterospora ATCC 21819 (fortimicin-producer), Micromonospora sp. strain SF-2098 ATCC 31580 (SF-2052), Dactylosporangium matsuzakiense ATCC 31570 (dactimicin), Streptomyces tenjimariensis ATCC 31603 (istamycin), and Saccharopolyspora hirsuta ATCC 20501 (sporaricin). This suggests that these genes of similar function from different genera were derived from a common ancestral gene.     

Application of in vivo microdialysis to pineal research in birds: Measurement of circadian rhythms of melatonin

Circadian rhythms of pineal melatonin release were measured in free-moving pigeons, Japanese quails, and chickens under light-dark cycles followed by constant dim light. Although melatonin levels differed among individual birds, circadian rhythms of melatonin were observed in all of them. Using this technique, we could examine phase shifts of melatonin rhythms and suppression of melatonin release by photic stimulation in pigeons. We could also examine effects of norepinephrine infusion on melatonin release. These results indicate that microdialysis is useful for the study of pineal melatonin rhythms in birds.     

Olopatadine hydrochloride suppresses the rebound phenomenon after discontinuation of treatment with a topical steroid in mice with chronic contact hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND: Olopatadine hydrochloride (olopatadine; Allelock) is one of the second-generation antihistamines that are treated for allergic disorders such as rhinitis, urticaria and eczema dermatitis. Olopatadine has recently been shown to have inhibitory effects on the chronic contact hypersensitivity induced by repeated application of oxazolone in mice. Although topical steroids have widely been prescribed for atopic dermatitis, a relapse often occurs within several days after discontinuation of their prolonged use. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the possible efficacy of olopatadine against the relapse after discontinuation of prolonged use of topical prednisolone in the Balb/c mice with oxazolone-induced chronic contact hypersensitivity. METHODS: Mice with the chronic contact hypersensitivity induced by repeated application of oxazolone were treated with olopatadine as a sequential therapeutic agent. The effects of olopatadine were quantified by measurements of ear-swelling, and levels of cytokines and histamine in the lesioned ear. Results Topical prednisolone (0.05 mg/ear/day) significantly inhibited the increases in ear swelling and production of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-18, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and histamine. However, after discontinuation of the treatment with topical prednisolone, the inflammation relapsed and the IL-4 level exceeded the control one. The sequential treatment with olopatadine (10 mg/kg/day) after discontinuation of the treatment with topical prednisolone alone, or topical prednisolone with olopatadine, significantly inhibited the increases in ear swelling and levels of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-18, GM-CSF, nerve growth factor and histamine. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that olopatadine is an antihistamine agent having inhibitory activities against the rebound phenomenon following the discontinuation of topical steroid therapy. Olopatadine is thus expected to be a sequential therapeutic agent after discontinuation of the chronic treatment with a topical steroid.