AN AUTOPSY CASE OF PRIMARY ANGIOSARCOMA OF THE PERICARDIUM MIMICKING MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

The pathology of a rare case of primary diffuse angiosarcoma of the pericardium is reported. Grossly, the heart was entirely encased by the pericardial tumor, and the myocardium was only superficially invaded by the tumor. The tumor tissue extended directly to the mediastinum, where the great vessels were embedded in the tumor. A few minute distant metastases were found only in the bilateral lungs and pulmonary hilar lymph nodes. Microscopically, the tumor tissue was composed of malignant cells forming vascular channels admixed with solid areas. Histo- and immunohistochemically, no mesothelial characteristics were evident. Factor VHI-related antigen and Ulex'europaeus I lectin were positive, implying that the tumor was of vascular origin. Grossly, and in part microscopically, this case resembled malignant diffuse mesothelioma, indicating that pericardial angiosarcoma may sometimes mimick malignant mesothelioma. ACTA PATHOL JPN 38: 1345-1351, 1988.     

A comparison of three bioelectrical impedance analyses for predicting lean body mass in a population with a large difference in muscularity

This study tested the hypothesis that, as compared to whole-body bioelectrical impedance (BI) analysis, segmental BI analysis can estimate lean body mass (LBM) more accurately in a population with a large difference in muscularity. In addition to whole-body BI, which determines impedance (Z) between the wrist and ankle, two segmental BI analyses which determine the Z value of every body segment in each of (1) the arms, legs and trunk (distal BI) and (2) the upper arms, upper legs and trunk (proximal BI) were applied to a group of 125 male athletes and 75 non-athletes. The subjects were divided into validation and cross-validation groups. Simple and multiple regression analyses were applied to (length)²/Z (BI index) values for the whole-body and each body segment, to develop the prediction equations of LBM measured using air-displacement plethysmography. In the validation group, the SE of estimation was similar in the whole-body (3.4 kg, 5.4%), distal (3.4 kg, 5.5%) and proximal BI (3.3 kg, 5.2%) analyses. However, the whole-body and distal BI analyses produced systematical errors in the estimates of LBM. Moreover, the residuals in the two methods significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the ratios of BI indices of the upper arms and upper legs to those of the arms and legs, respectively, calculated as variables approximating the relative development of lean tissues at the proximal area of limbs. On the other hand, the proximal BI analysis was validated and cross-validated. Thus, the accuracy of estimating LBM was similar in the whole-body and the two segmental BI analyses. However, the prediction equations derived from the use of the whole-body BI index and a combination of the arms, legs and trunk BI indices produced a systematical error relating to the difference between the limb segments in lean tissue development.     

Local thermal sensation and finger vasoconstriction in the locally heated hand

Summary The effects of local heating on finger blood flow (BF) and local thermal sensation (Sens _w ) were studied. Finger BFs in both hands were measured simultaneously; one hand was immersed in water the temperature (T _w ) of which was raised from 35° C to 43°C by steps of 2° C every 10 min, while the other hand was kept atT _w 35°C. FingerBF in the locally heated hand decreased atT _w 37 to 41°C, while fingerBF in the control hand did not alter. Sens_w, in the heated hand showed a dynamic response, initially increasing concomitantly with an increase inT _w , then gradually returning and adapting to a new level of Sens_w. The dynamic response of Sens_w, was not perceived during mental calculation even whenT _w was raised to 40°C, and the reduction in finger blood flow was not observed. These results suggest that finger vasoconstriction caused by local heating closely relates to the dynamic response characteristic of local thermal sensation atT _w above core temperature, and that the perception of local thermal sensation in the central nervous system is involved in the mechanism of this vasoconstrictor response.     

Genome types of adenovirus types 19 and 37 isolated from patients with conjunctivitis in Hiroshima City

A total of 74 strains out of 33 strains of adenovirus type 19 (Ad19) plus 103 strains of type 37 (Ad37) isolated from patients with conjunctivitis at two ophthalmology clinics in Hiroshima City during the period March 1983 to December 1986 were analyzed by eight DNA restriction endonucleases in comparison with their prototype strains. All 27 Ad19 isolates examined displayed identical DNA cleavage patterns with all enzymes used (HindIII, KpnI, PstI, XhoI, BamHI, SacI, EcoRI, and SmaI), but their cleavage patterns were different from those of the prototype except with HindIII. The genome type of these isolates was tentatively named Ad19a. Forty-seven Ad37 isolates examined were divided into three genome types. They were tentatively named Ad37p, Ad37a, and Ad37b: 16 isolates (Ad37p) displayed DNA cleavage patterns identical with those of the prototype with all eight enzymes described above. Thirty isolates (Ad37a) showed the same patterns as the prototype except with EcoRI. One isolate (Ad37b) showed the same patterns as the prototype except with SmaI. The most frequently isolated genome type during the period studied was Ad37a, but the change of the predominant genome type in yearly incidences was observed.     

Changes in VEGF expression and in the vasculature during the growth of early-stage ethylnitrosourea-induced malignant astrocytomas in rats

 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic and vascular permeability factor, may be important as a mediator of brain tumour progression. However, it is still not clear whether VEGF plays a causative role in the early stage of glioma development. We investigated the relationship between VEGF protein expression (as assayed by immunohistochemistry) and different morphological parameters reflecting tumour progression (tumour diameter, vascular density and vascular diameter) in tumours at various stages. As a tumour model, ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-induced rat malignant astrocytoma was used. Tumours were classified by size and level of vascularity estimated by the von Willebrand factor (vWF) staining. Tumours less than 10 mm in diameter were designated early stage neoplastic lesions. All 34 early astroglial tumours were found to be VEGF positive. Increase in the VEGF immunopositive rate of tumour cells correlated significantly with increase in vascular density and vascular diameter. We suggest that VEGF induces angiogenesis and growth of microvessels, promoting growth of the early stage malignant astrocytoma. Received: 7 October 1997 / Accepted: 9 June 1998     

Relationship between muscle fatigue and oxygen uptake during cycle ergometer exercise with different ramp slope increments

Summary The surface electromyogram (EMG) from active muscle and oxygen uptake ( ) were studied simultaneously to examine changes of motor unit (MU) activity during exercise tests with different ramp increments. Six male subjects performed four exhausting cycle exercises with different ramp slopes of 10, 20, 30 and 40 W · min^–1 on different days. The EMG signals taken from the vastus lateralis muscle were stored on a digital data recorder and converted to obtain the integrated EMG (iEMG). The was measured, with 20-s intervals, by the mixing chamber method. A non-linear increase in iEMG against work load was observed for each exercise in all subjects. The break point of the linear relationship of iEMG was determined by the crossing point of the two regression lines (iEMG_bp). Significant differences were obtained in the exercise intensities corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake ( ) and the iEMG_bp between 10 and 30, and 10 and 40 W · min –1 ramp exercises (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were obtained in and corresponding to the iEMG_bp during the four ramp exercises. With respect to the relationship between and exercise intensity during the ramp increments, the -exercise intensity slope showed significant differences only for the upper half (i.e. above iEMG_bp). These results demonstrated that the and at which a nonlinear increase in iEMG was observed were not varied by the change of ramp slopes but by the exercise intensity corresponding to and the iEMG_bp was varied by the change of ramp slopes. In addition, the significant differences in the exercise intensity slopes for the upper half of the tests would suggest that the recruitment patterns of MU and/or muscle metabolic state might be considerably altered depending upon the ramp slope increments.     

Dermatoglyphs in duplication of the thumb.

The dermatoglyphs of 13 Japanese (eight males and five females) with duplication of the thumb were studied. The dermal patterns on the thumb were compared with those on the extra digit. A whorl on the thumb was associated with a whorl on the extra digit in two cases, a radial loop in four cases, and an arch in two cases. Where the thumb pattern was a loop the pattern on the extra digit was a loop in all three cases. Where the thumb and extra digit are both well developed the pattern tends to be the same on both digits. When the extra digit is poorly developed it tends to have a different pattern from the thumb.