A case of primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery.

A 39-year-old male was admitted complaining of nonproductive cough and dyspnea on exertion. Death occurred eight months after onset of the symptoms. Autopsy examination showed that the pulmonary trunk and left main pulmonary artery were markedly dilated and completely occluded by a tumor. The tumor had infiltrated into the left upper lobe and mediastinal lymph nodes, and metastatic nodules were found in both lungs and in the left adrenal gland. Small foci of infarction were noted in the lower lobes of both lungs. The tumor cells were of two types; pleomorphic spindle cells and bizarre multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemically, they were positive for vimentin, myosin, and lysozyme, but negative for desmin and muscle-specific actin. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells was showed by electron microscopy to contain microfilaments, dense bodies, and pinocytotic vesicles. We diagnosed this case as undifferentiated sarcoma of the pulmonary artery. Approximately 100 cases of pulmonary artery sarcoma have been reported. Histopathologically, almost all of the reported cases showed both spindle cells and pleomorphic giant cells, indicating a biologically anaplastic neoplasm.     

The evolutionary origin of the major histocompatibility complex: Polymorphism of class II α chain genes in the cartilaginous fish

T cells recognize antigen (Ag) in the form of peptides bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. One of the important issues in evolutionary immunology is to identify the stage in phylogeny when this mode of Ag recognition emerged. At present, there is a considerable controversy as to whether the cartilaginous fish have the bona fide MHC. In our previous study, we showed that the nurse shark, a member of the cartilaginous fish, has (a) gene(s) capable of encoding MHC class II a chains. In the present study, we examined the polymorphism of nurse shark MHC class II a chain genes designated Gici-DAA and Gici-DBA using the polymerase chain reaction. The Gici-DAA and Gici-DBA genes had six and five alleles, respectively, and individual alleles usually differed by multiple nucleotides. In addition, most of the nucleotide substitutions were located at the putative Ag-binding sites, where non-synonymous substitutions occurred more frequently than synonymous substitutions. The fact that the Gici-DAA and Gici-DBA genes display a polymorphism pattern essentially similar to that of mammalian MHC genes playing a major role in Ag presentation suggests that the cartilaginous fish have the bona fide MHC. Thus, the MHC-peptide-based T cell recognition system appears to have arisen at or before the emergence of the cartilaginous fish.     

The polypeptides of adenovirus. V. Young virions, structural intermediate between top components and aged virions

The turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) RNA-replicase bound to the chloroplast fraction of a participate cell-free preparation isolated from TYMV-infected Chinese cabbage leaves catalyzes the synthesis of RNA of the viral type, “plus” RNA, in the absence of added “minus” RNA template. Addition of TYMV-RNA does not stimulate RNA synthesis. The complex formed by the replicase bound to “minus” RNA template can be removed from the chloroplast fraction by solubilization with a non-ionic detergent, Lubrol W, and separated from insoluble material by centrifugation. The resulting supernatant contains the template-bound replicase as well as a small proportion of template-free replicase molecules. Treatment of this preparation with a polyethylene glycol-dextran two-phase aqueous system at high salt concentration removes the replicase from the template and yields, after centrifugation, a polyethylene glycol upper phase containing the template-free replicase molecules (PEG-enzyme) and a lower dextran phase containing a small proportion of replicase molecules still bound to their template. The soluble PEG-enzyme is markedly stimulated by added RNA. With TYMV-RNA as the added RNA, the product synthesized by the enzyme is RNA complementary to TYMV-RNA, i.e., “minus” RNA, indicating the enzyme uses the viral RNA as template. The “minus”-RNA synthesized remains hydrogen bonded to the viral RNA template and forms a RNase resistant, double-stranded structure. Chromatography on cellulose CF 11 column reveals two different double-stranded structures, one, fully double-stranded, in which the synthesized “minus” RNA strand is hydrogen bonded to template RNA of equal length, and one partly double-stranded and partly single-stranded in which probably the template RNA is very much longer than the synthesized “minus” RNA. The PEG-enzyme seems to be sensitive to high ionic strength since its activity can be completely suppressed by various salts; removal of the salts restores the activity.     

Congenital spongiform change in the brain stem nuclei of a domestic kitten

This report describes a novel spongiform change in the brain stem nuclei of a 9-month-old mixed breed kitten with neurological signs. Histologically, vacuoles were found in perineuronal spaces and neuropil, with mild to moderate astrocytosis in the brain stem nuclei. Vacuoles were not observed in the cytoplasm of neurons and no evidence of neuronal loss was found. Ultrastructurally, there were intramyelinic vacuoles with separation of lamellae at intraperiod lines and larger spaces formed by coalescence of ruptured vacuoles. Immunohistochemically, abnormal accumulation of prion protein (PrP) was not detected in the brain stem lesions. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a feline spongiform change localized in the brain stem nuclei.     

The action of BDNF on GABAA currents changes from potentiating to suppressing during maturation of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

During the development of the hippocampus, the action of GABA shifts from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has important roles in GABAergic transmission. We demonstrate that BDNF (20 ng ml⁻¹) rapidly and reversibly potentiates postsynaptic GABA_A receptor-mediated currents (by 80.5 ± 14.3 %, n = 10) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons isolated from postnatal day (P)6 rats, using nystatin-perforated patch-clamp recordings. This potentiation is caused by an elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ that occurs in response to the activation of Trk B receptor tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-γ. The modulation of the GABA_A responses by BDNF in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons isolated from P10 rats was more diverse (from potentiating to inhibitory), and at P14, BDNF induced a long-lasting inhibition. In addition, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 plays important roles in the potentiating, but not in the inhibitory effect, of BDNF on the GABA_A responses. These results suggest that changes in the intracellular signalling pathway could contribute to the developmental shift of the actions of BDNF on inhibitory systems.     

Abnormalities of fecal flora in patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica

Fecal flora in two female patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) were investigated in connection with the efficacies of zinc sulfate and Entero-Vioform (EV). The following results were obtained.

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Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy

The androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are essential for a variety of systemic functions in mature males. Alteration of these hormones results in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The fruit bodies of fungi of the genus Cordyceps have been regarded as folk medicine or health food with tonic and antifatigue effects. The extract from the fruit body of Cordyceps militaris parasitizing Samia cynthia ricini (CM) was evaluated as a novel-candidate natural product for ameliorating male andropause symptoms. To explore the effects of CM on LOH and BPH, CM was applied to rat models and cultured testicular cells and prostate cells. The concentrations of androgens in the serum and culture media were determined by ELISA. Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and androgen-related genes was evaluated by qPCR, and prostatic cell proliferation was assessed with the cell-viability assay. CM maintained the serum levels of testosterone and DHT, but inhibited testosterone-induced prostate hypertrophy. CM also increased the secretion of testosterone and DHT by primary testicular cells, with no changes in the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes, but decreased the growth of prostatic cell lines. Our data suggest that CM could improve both LOH and BPH in males.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Abductor Muscles Shortly After Curved Periacetabular Osteotomy

BackgroundCurved periacetabular osteotomy (CPO) is performed via an anterior approach without detachment of the hip abductor muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the abductor muscle status shortly after CPO on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 38 hips in 38 patients 1 week and 3 months after CPO between October 2017 and July 2019. The status of the abductor muscles was assessed on MRI using the following criteria: grade 0, normal; grade I, strain/edema; grade II, partial tear; and grade III, complete tear. We also evaluated associations between muscle status and patients’ characteristics.ResultsOne week after CPO, the gluteus maximus was classified as grade 0 in all patients. The gluteus medius was grade 0 in 84.2% of patients and grade I in 15.8%. The gluteus minimus was grade I in 55.3% of patients and grade II in 44.7%. Three months after CPO, both the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius were grade 0 in all patients, while the gluteus minimus was still grade I in 47.4%. There were no significant differences between patients with a grade 0 and grade I gluteus minimus at 3 months after CPO in patients’ characteristics (age and body mass index) or clinical scores (Harris Hip Score and Japanese Orthopedics Association score).ConclusionBoth the gluteus minimus and medius showed abnormal appearances on MRI 1 week after CPO, whereas only the gluteus minimus showed abnormalities 3 months after CPO. This abductor muscle status did not affect the postoperative Harris Hip Score or Japanese Orthopedics Association score.     

A comparative study of portal vein embolization versus radiation lobectomy with Yttrium-90 micropheres in preparation for liver resection for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundPortal vein embolization before liver resection is considered the therapy of choice for patients with inadequate future liver remnants. The concept of radioembolization with Yttrium-90 to achieve the same goal has limited data.MethodsWe retrospectively compared patients who underwent portal vein embolization and Yttrium-90 lobectomy before resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease.ResultsSeventy-three patients underwent portal vein embolization and 22 patients underwent Yttrium-90. Forty-seven percent of patients before portal vein embolization required additional procedures for tumor control, and 27% of patients after Yttrium-90 required additional procedure to mainly induce further hypertrophy. Both therapies achieved the goal of future liver remnants >40%, but the degree of hypertrophy was significantly higher in Yttrium-90 patients (63% for Yttrium-90, 36% for portal vein embolization, P < .01). Tumor response was significantly better with Yttrium-90, achieving complete response in 50% of patients. Resectability rate was higher after portal vein embolization (85% for portal vein embolization, 64% for Yttrium-90, P = .03). Tumor progression was the most common reason precluding surgery. Complete tumor control was the reason not to pursue surgery in 18% of patients after Yttrium-90.ConclusionBoth preoperative portal vein embolization and Yttrium-90, increases liver resectability rates by inducing hypertrophy of future liver remnants in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease. Yttrium-90 lobectomy achieved better tumor control and provided more time to assess therapy response, optimizing the indication for surgery.