Three dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms at the D8S1217, D8S1220, and D8S1221 loci

Three polymorphic dinucleotide (CA) repeat clones were isolated from a CEPH mega-YAC clone (936F7), and were localized to chromosome 8 using a panel of 13 mouse/human somatic cell hybrids.     

A case of multiple myeloma producing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

A case of multiple myeloma (IgA-Λ) with marked granulocytosis, which measured up to 9.9×104/mm³, Is described. Matured neutrophiles were predominant and blasts were not found in the peripheral blood. The serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was notably elevated. The disease ran a chronic course and granulocytosis and elevated serum G-CSF continued. The patient developed atelectasis and bronchopneumonia, and died of respiratory failure. At autopsy, bone marrow showed marked myeloid hyperplasia in varying states of differentiation. The enlarged spleen also disclosed numerous myeloid cells of varying differentiation. Small aggregations of atypical plasma cells were present in the marrow and spleen. Immunohisto-chemically, atyplcal plasma cells were positive for anti-G-CSF antibody, which Indicated G-CSF secretion from the myeloma cells. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of G-CSF-producing multiple myeloma.     

Relationship between neurovirulence and temperature sensitivity of an attenuated western equine encephalitis virus

Summary An attenuated strain of western equine encephalitis virus which arose spontaneously during a persistent infection was compared with the virulent parent strain for its growth potential over the temperature range 32° to 42° C. At 42° C, the attenuated strain proved unable to grow in a one-step growth experiment and failed to produce plaques. The temperature sensitivity was found to be due not to inactivation at 42° C of the attenuated virus particles, but to some temperature sensitive step occurring late in the replicative cycle. When the attenuated strain was passaged at 41 °C and clones selected for growth at this temperature, the resulting population did not regain the neurovirulence of the wild-type virus. In contrast, when virulent-revertants were selected from the attenuated, temperature-sensitive virus, temperature sensitivity remained unchanged. These findings indicated a lack of covariation of the temperature sensitivity and neurovirulence of western equine encephalitis virus, and suggest that mutation to avirulence and temperature sensitivity probably occurred independently.     

Association and crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide)

The discontinuous change of the lamellar thickness with crystallization temperature was studied for low molecular weight fractions of OH-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). IR analyses demonstrated that almost all of the molecular chain ends were associated in the molten state, whereas a large part of their ends were free in dilute solution. Discontinuous changes were observed for low molecular weight PEO fractions crystallized from the melt, whereas continuous changes were found both for PEO's crystallized from dilute solution and those with phenylated end groups crystallized from the melt. Accordingly, it was pointed out that the association of the end groups could play an important role in the crystallization mechanism and the conformation of the resultant PEO crystals.     

Immunohistochemical localization of glomerular basement membrane antigens in various renal diseases

Summary The immunofluorescent localization of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens was examined in 52 specimens from normal kidneys and in various renal diseases using antisera to human GBM HGBM), IV type collagen (IV Col) and P3 antigen, a rat nephritogen. Anti-HGBM serum normally stained the GBM and the mesangium in a restrictive pattern, anti-IV Col serum stained the GBM and the mesangium in a wider pattern and anti-P3 serum stained only the GBM. In mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, including IgA nephropathy pathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis, the widened mesangial areas were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera. In membranous nephropathy, the punched-out lesions of thickened GBM were demonstrated with the three antisera in moderate cases and a double linear distribution with fine granulation with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera were revealed in one severe case. In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, the expanded mesangium and thickened capillary walls were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera, while the outer line of glomerular capillary walls was only positive with anti-P3 serum. In crescentic glomerulonephritis, the collapsed glomerular tufts were stained normally with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera and weakly with anti-IV Col serum. In diabetic nephropathy, anti-HGBM serum stained the GBM in a double linear distribution without reacting with the expanded mesangium; anti-IV Col serum stained the mesangium and the GBM in a less clear double linear fashion while anti-P3 serum stained the GBM as single line. Thin membrane disease and Alport's syndrome had normal reactivity with all antisera. However, in one case of Alport's syndrome anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera stained the GBM in a focal and segmental pattern, while normal staining with anti-IV Col serum was found. In lesions with adhesions and crescents the staining was positive for HGBM and IV Col and negative for P3; obsolescent glomeruli were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera, and had diminished staining with anti-IV Col serum.The identification of the various structural glomerular antigens is useful in the classification of certain types of glomerular diseases. Further insight into the mechanisms underlying these conditions may be obtained in this way.     

DETECTION OF HBsAg IN THE PANCREAS

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been reported to be present in other organs than the liver.^3,9 So far as our knowledge is concerned, however, any report of cases dealing with pancreatic diseases induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not been described in the English and Japanese literature. We report an autopsy case with a pancreatic lesion characterized by damage of both exocrine and endocrine epithelial cells with inflammatory response, which were immunohistochemically found to be positive for HBsAg, and electron-microscopically to possess core-like particles In the nucleus and cytoplasm.     

NECROTIZING MYOPATHY AS A REMOTE EFFECT OF GASTRIC CANCER ACCOMPANIED WITH HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

An autopsy case of a 74-year-old male who had shown clinically hypothyroidism due to chronic atrophic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), and pathologically necrotizing myopathy as a remote effect of gastric cancer was reported.
Morphological features of this necrotizing myopathy was those of carcinomatous myopathy rather than those of hypothyroid or diabetic myopathy.
As for the pathogenesis of the necrotizing myopathy (as a Group IV of polymyositis of Walton and Adams), the malignancy might have played an important role as a trigger of the secondary immunological abnormality upon a pre-exizting longstanding immune disorder of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Pseudomembranous colitis, which was thought to be related to antibiotics (Lincomycin), was also briefly discussed.