Localization and expression of phospholipases A2 in Trimeresurus flavoviridis (habu snake) venom gland

The localization and expression profiles of phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s) in Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom gland were studied by means of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Venom gland cells are tightly arrayed in a single layer along the inlet-like lumens in which venom proteins are stored. mRNAs for PLA₂s were detected at the high level in cytoplasm. Using the immunohistochemical technique with polyclonal antiAsp-49-PLA₂ antibody, Asp-49-PLA₂ and, possibly, its isozymes were detected in intracellular granules and in venom lumens. The intracellular granules containing PLA₂ proteins appear to be transferred from the nucleus towards the outer membrane facing the lumen, and then to be secreted.     

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in childhood strokes

The significance of antiphospholipid antibodies was examined in patients with childhood strokes. Eight patients, aged 2–13 years, who presented with acute hemiplegia were studied. On the basis of magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, single photon emission computed tomography, and cerebral angiographic findings, 3 children were diagnosed as having infarctions due to moyamoya disease, and the others as having idiopathic infarctions. Serologic studies revealed elevated anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) IgG in 3 of the 5 patients with idiopathic infarction; no such elevation was revealed in patients with moyamoya disease. Values for all other tests, including ACA IgM and lupus anticoagulant, were within normal limits or negative in all patients. ACA IgG, therefore, may be a more important causative agent of childhood strokes than was previously considered.     

Influence of PSK (Krestin) on resistance to infection ofPseudomonas aeruginosa in tumor-bearing mice

Summary C3H/He mice were inoculated withPseudomonas aeruginosa by various routes 1 day after X5563 transplantation or 4 days after cyclophosphamide (CY) administration. Administration of PSK (Krestin) i.p. or p.o. to the tumor-bearing mice or CY-treated tumor-bearing mice resulted in an increase in survival rates. ViableP. aeruginosa were inoculated i.v. on day 0 into mice inoculated with tumor cells on day -12 and vaccinated with killedP. aerouginosa on day -10, or into mice inoculated with tumor cell on day -15, treated with CY on day -14 and vaccinated on day -10. Resistance to infection, which is enhanced by vaccination, was depressed by tumor burden or treatment with CY, but such depression was prevented by PSK administration.Abbreviations used CY cyclophosphamide - i.p. intraperitoneally - s.c. subcutaneously - p.o. orally - i.v. intravenously     

Changes in electrophysiological properties and noradrenaline response in vas deferens of diabetic rats

The purpose of this study was to study changes in the sympathetic nerves of the vas deferens in 10-week-old streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. To assess the activity of autonomic neurons, we recorded the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous junction potentials in vasa deferentia from age-matched controls and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. No change in the resting membrane potential of the smooth muscle of the vas deferens was found in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The frequency of spontaneous junction potentials was significantly increased in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and their amplitude was also markedly increased. The dose–response curve for the contractile response of the vas deferens to noradrenaline was significantly shifted to the right and the apparent affinity (pD₂ value) was significantly decreased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These results suggest that degeneration of sympathetic neurons may occur in the vas deferens of 10-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and that the greater amplitude of the spontaneous junction potentials may be related to an increase in Ca²⁺ mobilization, though the increase in Ca²⁺ mobilization does not lead to an enhanced contractile response.     

Neurocalcin immunoreactivity in the rat main olfactory bulb

The morphological characteristics and distribution of neurocalcin (NC)-immunoreactive elements were studied in the rat main olfactory bulb (OB) using a polyclonal antibody and the avidin–biotin immunoperoxidase method. NC-positive elements were abundant in the glomerular layer (GL), where numerous immunostained external tufted cells and periglomerular cells were detected. Other less abundant NC-immunolabeled populations included middle and internal tufted cells, Van Gehuchten cells, horizontal cells, vertical cells of Cajal, deep short-axon cells and granule cells. This study demonstrates the presence of NC immunoreactivity in subsets of different neuronal types in the rat main OB. This calcium-binding protein has been found in interneurons, and no evidence of immunoreactivity to NC is detected in projecting neurons. Despite the large population of labeled external tufted cells, most of them belong according to morphological criteria to the local circuit group and some others to those with interbulbar and/or intrabulbar connections. The identification of neuronal subpopulations expressing NC provides a further characterization and shows the existence of biochemical differences within morphologically identical neurons. Thus, this marker may be a useful tool in unravelling the circuitries of the rodent OB in both normal and experimental conditions. The exact physiological function of NC in the olfactory system remains unknown. On the basis of similarities to recoverin, it could be involved in mechanisms responsible for sensory adaptation. Additionally, its calcium-binding abilities may contribute to improve the temporal precision of stimuli transmission, or be concerned with general calcium-related events occurring in specific interneuronal groups.     

Novel estimation of histologic activity in human glomerulonephritis by detection of complement component C3 messenger RNA

Background The histologic diagnosis and clinical findings of glomerulonephritis are very important for determining the treatment strategies. Contrary to expectation, some patients with glomerulonephritis get worse and progress into endstage renal disease. Renal deposition of C3 cleavage products are significant in the pathogenesis and development of glomerulonephritis. Recently, some investigators have reported local C3 synthesis in human renal tissue, and have suggested that it contributes to local inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore further the clinicopathologic significance of renal C3 mRNA expression. Methods We examined C3 mRNA expression in kidney tissues (2 normal and 18 diseased) by using nonradioactive, in situ hybridization, and compared results with clinicopathologic findings. Results In all diseased kidney specimens, proximal tubules had C3 mRNA-positive cells. In some cases of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome, lupus nephritis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, C3 mRNA-positive cells were found in the glomerulus. Specimens from patients with lupus nephritis showed C3 mRNA expression not only in in their tubules and glomeruli, but also in invasive, inflammatory cells. However, no signal was observed in the normal kidney specimens Cases with severe nephrotic conditions and/or with tubular injury showed strong expression. Conclusions These data indicate that renal C3 mRNA that could not been detected by routine immunohistologic methods is, in fact, detectable during the active stage of disease. Therefore detection of renal C3 mRNA may give us new information for assessing pathologic activities, and may be an effective means for determining the prognosis of patients with glomerulonephritis.     

Regional Proteus syndrome: Report of an autopsy case

An uncommon autopsy case involving Proteus syndrome with multiple hamartomatous lesions in a 52 year old woman is reported. At birth, hemihypertrophy was noted on the right side of the face. Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder was extirpated at 37 years of age. She died of sepsis due to a brain abscess. At autopsy, diffuse asymmetrical lipomatosis was noted on the right side of the face, scalp, lip, oral mucosa, tongue and on the left side of the cerebellar peduncle. Muitiple meningiomas, cavernous hemangiomas and osseous hypertrophy overlapped in the intracranial regions. The present case is considered as a regional type of Proteus syndrome displaying a somatic mosaicism.     

UNDIFFERENTIATED NEUROECTODERMAL TUMORS INDUCED BY HUMAN ADENOVIRUS TYPE 31 IN SYRIAN HAMSTERS

Human adenovirus type 31 was inoculated intraperitoneally into 18 and intracranially into 98 Syrian hamsters within 24 hours of birth. Intra-peritoneal tumors developed multicentrically in 94.4%, 93 days on an average after virus inoculation, while brain tumors developed in 6.1%, 154 days. Intraperitoneal tumors primarily developed in the subserosal tissues and protruded into the peritoneal cavity. Some of five enlarged brain tumors seemed to have extended from the paraventricular regions to the neighboring structures, and one microtumor was located in the subependymal layer. Twenty-six of the 98 hamsters inoculated with virus intracranially unexpectedly developed tumors in the subcutaneous tissue of the skull. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron micrscopic studies revealed that the tumors which developed in the different sites had essentially the same features and were composed of undifferentiated small cells of primitive neuroectodermal nature. The incidence and the characteristics of the tumors were discussed in comparison with those of adenovirus type 12-induced tumors described previously. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 34: 1313–1326, 1984.