Ultrastructural studies of hepatocyte cytoskeleton in experimental cholestasis by quick-freezing and deep-etching method

The ultrastructural association between the cytoskeleton and other organelles was studied by the quick-freezing and deep-etching method in rats treated with alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), or phalloidin, and in rats with obstructive jaundice. Cytoplasmic filaments were classified by measuring their diameters, and actin filaments were identified by specific decoration with myosin subfragment 1 (S1). S1-positive actin filaments and S1-negative intermediate filaments (12-14 nm in diameter) were observed to form a three-dimensional network around bile canaliculi, and were more numerous than in controls, not only in phalloidin-treated rats and rats with obstructive jaundice, but also in ANIT-administered rats. In all cholestatic rats, vesicular structures were also more numerous than in controls in the pericanalicular regions, and were closely associated with the microfilaments and the intermediate filaments. Filaments of a new type were localized between the lamellae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and between the lamellae of Golgi sacs and vesicles. Other thin filaments were also observed within the network of actin filaments. These filaments were 4-6 nm in diameter on replica membranes and were never decorated with S1. They were also directly connected with the canalicular membranes. Cytoskeletal components associated with membrane-bound organelles, including these new filaments, were suggested to be involved in the localization and migration of organelles.     

The detection of clonal proliferation in granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders of natural killer cell lineage

Summary. The clonal proliferation of large granular lymphocytes can be detected in patients with T-cell-lineage granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders (T-GLPD) by Southern blotting T-cell receptor genes. However, this cannot be applied to patients with natural killer-cell-lineage GLPD (NK-GLPD) as it lacks a clonal marker. We therefore investigated the use of two other diagnostic techniques in evaluating clonal proliferation in Japanese patients with NK-GLPD (n = 4) and T-GLPD (n=3) by chromosomal analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with either interleukin-2 or phytohaemaggluti-nin, and Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) genomic DNA analysis. Chromosomal analysis revealed abnormal karyotypes in the PBMC of three of four patients with NK-GLPD, whereas EBV analysis showed a monoclonal terminal configuration in the PBMC in the fourth patient. Southern blots revealed rearrangements of the TCR genes in all three patients with T-GLPD but in none of those with NK-GLPD. It is suggested that these methods may be useful in detecting the abnormal proliferation of large granular lymphocytes in NK-GLPD.     

Evaluation of Splenectomy in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Fifteen patients with CML who have undergone splenectomy havebeen presented. Our results would suggest that when splenectomyis performed during remission significant benefits in survivaland the quality of the survival can be offered to the patient,with minimal operative risk. On the other hand when splenectomyis performed during non-remission period a more operative riskand poor prognosis must be weighed.     

Brain processing of proper names

Proper names are of practical importance for verbal communication. For instance, they are indispensable for transmission of autobiographical information concerning a person. Recent studies have revealed that proper names are neuropsychologically and anatomically processed in a manner that differs from the processing of common nouns. The current review described proper names, which are labels attached to referents, as being without semantic meaning. The clinical data are presented regarding comprehension and retrieval of people's names, and memory of their unique properties. The validity of a cognitive neuropsychological model of people's name processing is also evaluated. The review suggests that after the initial memory consolidation of a name and a person by the left hemisphere's hippo/parahippocampus, the memory become established in the adjoining fusiform gyrus. Consequently, it is hypothesized that the fusiform gyrus forms a processing network for people's names with the temporal pole and postero temporo/occipital lobe. The research on geographical names, topographical names, and therapeutic approaches for deficits of proper names is also reviewed.