MALIGNANT LYMPHOEPITHELIAL LESION

A case of undifferentiated carcinoma arising from benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLEL) of the parotid gland was studied by light and electron microscopy. Histopathologically, the carcinoma was composed of pleomorphic anaplastic cells showing an undifferentiated type among abundant lymphoid tissue forming germinal center. Among the prominent lymphoid tissue, epithelial hyperplasia, dysplasia, and squamous metaplasia of the duct epithelium were found. Dysplastic epithelium revealed a transition with carcinomatous component in some areas. On the electron microscopic observation, the tumor cells were poorly differentiated, possessing desmosomes and intracytoplasmic filaments. The patient is alive and well 2 months after resection of the tumor, but has a high titer of serum Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen in IgG. Eighty five cases of the malignant lymphoepithelial lesion (MLEL) including the present case are summarized.     

The fertilizing ability of human epididymal sperm

Purpose: Membrane cofactor protein (MCP), CD46, whose primary function is to protect host cells from homologous complement, has been presumed to serve as a sperm adhesion molecule for oocytes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the properties of MCP expressed on epididymal sperm and their fertilizing ability in a recently developed strategy for assisted reproduction. Methods: We collected ejaculated sperm from normal subjects and epididymal sperm from vasectomized subjects and patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens. Western blotting and cofactor activity assay were performed to investigated the structural and functional properties of MCP. Results: Epididymal spermatozoa which showed a reduced fertilizing ability tended to react poorly with antibodies against MCP and also showed low cofactor activity, indicating weak complement regulatory activity compared to that of ejaculated spermatozoa. Conclusions: MCP is sufficiently expressed in ejaculated sperm in men with a normally developed epididymis but is diminished in epididymal sperm from men with congenital or acquired obstruction of the vas deferens.     

Infrared Thermometry for Rapid, Noninvasive Detection of Reflux of Spermatic Vein in Varicocele

Purpose

We evaluated infrared thermometry for measurement of reflux of blood via the internal spermatic vein.

Materials and Methods

The change in scrotal temperature in patients with varicoceles and controls with different positions was measured with an infrared thermometer.

Results

Scrotal neck temperature in the patients increased during Valsalva's maneuver with upright position (mean plus or minus standard deviation 34.62 plus/minus 1.20 to 36.05 plus/minus 1.42C), while no statistically significant increase occurred in the controls (32.91 plus/minus 0.92 to 33.42 plus/minus 1.15C). Two weeks after high ligation of the internal spermatic vein the scrotal temperature in the patients decreased to the same level (0.59 plus/minus 0.84C) as in the controls. Using this method 2 subclinical varicoceles were also found on the right side in patients with a left varicocele.

Conclusions

Infrared thermometry is noninvasive, rapid and simple for documenting varicoceles, including subclinical disease.     

Genetic Aspects of Male Infertility

Abstract Genetic factors affecting male infertility are reviewed. Male infertility is classified under four general causes: spermatogenic disorder, obstruction of the seminal tract, inflammation, sexual disorders. Idiopathic spermatogenic disorder accounts for more than 50% of all of them. The cause of spermatogenic disorder is not yet identified. In recent years it has become obvious that some of the crucial genes expressed during male germ cell differentiation exist on the long arm of Y chromosome (Yq). Identification of a gene specifically involved in sperm production could provide a more rational basis for the treatment of male infertility. In this paper I review the history of azoospermia factor (AZF), which is involved in sperm production, and describe our research on a novel AZF candidate. In 1993 Ma and coworkers isolated an AZF candidate named YRRM; and in 1995 Reijo and coworkers reported another AZF candidate known as DAZ. The existence of additional genes on Yq is strongly suspected. We are now seeking a novel AZF candidate using positional cloning and an exon trapping method. The candidate should be included in the YAC yOX21 covering microdeleted portion of Yq found by analyzing DNA obtained from many infertile men. Several unknown sequences were identified by the analysis. Ongoing studies on AZF will prove useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. E-pub: 14 August 2000     

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 31 Exacerbated by Anti-amino Terminal of Alpha-enolase Autoantibodies

We herein report a 61-year-old woman who was genetically diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 whose symptoms were modified by anti-amino terminal of alpha-enolase (NAE) antibodies, known as a biomarker of Hashimoto''s encephalopathy (HE), and ultimately responded to immunotherapy. The relative titers of anti-NAE antibodies increased when her cerebellar ataxia showed acute deterioration and decreased after immunotherapy. This is the first report of cerebellar ataxia associated with genetic spinocerebellar ataxia with concomitant cerebellar type HE. Physicians should be mindful of measuring anti-NAE antibodies to prevent overlooking patients with genetic spinocerebellar ataxia with treatable simultaneous ataxic diseases.     

Effect of lead on electrophoretic mobility of rat erythrocytes

Lead often affects the erythrocyte membrane. The relationship between the changes in erythrocyte membrane and the anemia caused by lead is still unclear. Initially, the effect of lead injected intraperitoneally on the electrophoretic mobility of rat erythrocytes was investigated in order to study the relationship between them. As indices of lead exposure, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, hematocrits (Ht), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activities and blood lead (blood Pb) levels in the injected rats were also examined. Exposure to lead significantly decreased the mobility of rat erythrocytes. The changes in mobility seemed to be less sensitive than those in ALA-D activity, however, the decreases in mobility were simultaneous with or prior to those in Hb level and Ht. The decreases in mobility were evident to some extent below a blood Pb level of 100 μg/100 ml and generally present at a level of 100 μg/100 ml and over. In the rats exposed to lead a significant negative correlation was found between the mobilities and the logarithms of blood Pb level.