Spermidine/Spermine N-Acetyltransferase, a New Biochemical Marker for Epithelial Proliferation in Rat Bladder

We examined the activity of spermidine/spermine N ¹-acetyltransferase (SAT), a rate-limiting enzyme of the biodegradation of polyamines, in N -butyl- N -(4–hydroxybutyI)nitrosamine-induced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and melamine-induced papillomatosis of rat bladder, and compared the activity to that of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Both activities were higher in both lesions than in control rats. The difference between SAT and ODC activities in cancerous tissue and papillomatosis was not significant. Cells stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were abundant in papillomatosis. TCC had areas with much PCNA. The results indicated that an elevation of SAT activity occurs in both reversible and irreversible proliferation of bladder epithelium and could be important in bladder carcinogenesis.     

A case of rheumatoid arthritis complicated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Hashimoto's disease

A 37 year old nurse with the rare combination of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Hashimoto's thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was reported. In 1983, six years before her final diagnosis was made, she presented with purpura over her extremities and swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Laboratory findings showed the following: platelet count 15 x 10(3)/microliters, the number of megakaryocyte without platelet production in bone marrow was increased, platelet life span (T1/2) 11 min. A diagnosis of ITP was made. In 1984 goiter was noticed. Laboratory data were as follows: T3 502ng/ml, T4 27.0 micrograms/dl, thyroid test x 1,600, microsome test x 409,600. She was diagnosed as having ITP and Hashimotoxicosis. She had been uneventful except temporary hyperthyroidism until 1989 when she developed morning stiffness, polyarthralgia, swelling of PIP joints, contracture of elbow joints and hallux valgus. Laboratory investigation were reported as follows. ESR 111mm/h, platelet count 31 x 10(3)/microliters, platelet associated IgG 800ng/10(7) pl, antinuclear antibody x 2,560, rheumatoid factor 1+, microsome test x 1,600, anti-DNA antibody 3U/ml. Anti-Sm antibody and anti-RNP antibody were not detected. The LE cell test was negative. Schirmer test and sialography were interpreted as normal. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of RA in addition to ITP and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The combination of RA, ITP and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is extremely rare although these three disorders are classified as autoimmune disease.     

Type-II collagen gene expression is transiently upregulated in experimentally induced degeneration of rabbit intervertebral disc

To clarify phenotypic alterations of intervertebral disc cells during the repair process, we cloned partial type-II collagen cDNA from rabbits and analyzed the level of expression of type-II collagen mRNA in disc degeneration. An animal model was created by surgical denucleation of rabbit intervertebral discs through, an extraperitoneal approach. Eight animals each from an experimental and a control group were killed at 2, 4, 8, or 16 weeks postoperatively, and the disc samples were used for this study. Round chondrorcyte-like cells that filled the herniated space showed intense signal of type-II collagen mRNA and significant pericellular immunostaining of type-II collagen but no clear staining of type-I collagen. Northern. blot analysis revealed that the expression of type-II collagen mRNA of the repair disc cells was transiently increased at 4 weeks postoperatively. The cells were able to change their morphology in response to mechanical stimulation by surgical denucleation and to induce a significant increase in the gene expression of type-II collagen at an early phase of disc degeneration. The present results indicate the transient enhancement of repair activity in the degenerative process of injured fibrocartilage.     

A case of pulmonary aspergillosis presenting pulmonary bulla and eosinophilic pneumonia

A rare case of a 25-year-old man with pulmonary aspergillosis is reported. Pulmonary bulla and eosinophilic pneumonia in the right upper lobe were diagnosed by chest roentgenogram and transbronchial lung biopsy. Because the patient developed infective bullae during steroid therapy, we performed transcutaneous thoracic drainage and right upper lobectomy. The resected lung tissue contained numerous hyphae of Aspergillus. Around the hyphae of Aspergillus, granulomatous reaction and eosinophilic infiltration were observed. Antibodies against Aspergillus were detected in the serum of the patient. The number of peripheral blood eosinophils decreased after right upper lobectomy. These findings suggest that pulmonary bullae and eosinophilic pneumonia may be a rare manifestation of pulmonary aspergillosis.     

Distribution of radiolabeled 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitros ourea hydrochloride in rat brain tumor: intraarterial versus intravenous administration

To assess the rationale of intraarterial (i.a.) 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea chemotherapy, distribution of 14C-labeled 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)- 3-nitrosourea in rat glioma was studied after i.a. or i.v. infusion. Immediately after infusion, the tumor located in the hemisphere of intracarotid infusion received 4.6-fold higher radioactivity than the tumor located contralaterally to intracarotid infusion and 2.8-fold higher radioactivity than i.v. infusion. The difference was kept up to 30 min after i.a. infusion. Autoradiographic observation indicated rather uniform distribution of the tracer in the central portion of i.a. infusion. However, in the periphery of i.a. infusion, distribution of the tracer was nonhomogenous. The results indicate that i.a. 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea chemotherapy is useful when the tumor has high blood flow and is located in the center of an infused area.     

Radiotherapy for malignant fistula to other tract

Radiotherapy was applied to 14 esophageal carcinomas with respiratory tract fistulas using various treatment regimens. Closure of the fistulas was observed in four cases after irradiation at a daily dose of 1.5 Gy. The period of closure was transient in two cases but long-term in the other two. One long-term closure case underwent low-dose rate telecobalt therapy (LDRT)(1 Gy per hour, 7 Gy per day; a total dose of 28 Gy) as a boost. His cancer has been well controlled and he is still alive without recurrence at 74 months after fistula formation.     

Response of postapoplectic hemichorea/ballism to GPi pallidotomy: progressive improvement resulting in complete relief.

We report on a 66-year-old woman in whom GPi pallidotomy produced progressive and eventually complete relief of hemichorea/ballism (HCB) after a subthalamic hemorrhage. Although choreoballistic movements were unchanged during and immediately after the surgery, the symptoms were gradually improved and consequently abolished by 5 days postoperatively. HCB has never recurred up to the present (9 months follow-up period). This note is the first report describing detailed postsurgical process in HCB relief after pallidotomy.