Glial localization of four‐repeat tau in atypical progressive supranuclear palsy

In the present case, a patient in whom limb apraxia and asymmetrical parkinsonism developed suggesting corticobasal degeneration, is reported. Neuropathologic examination revealed numerous tufted astrocytes in the precentral cortex in addition to the characteristic pathologic findings of PSP. Therefore, on the basis of clinicopathologic features, atypical progressive supranuclear palsy was diagnosed. In addition, the brain tissue of the present patient was investigated with an antibody specific for four‐repeat tau (4R‐tau). In the precentral cortex, numerous tau‐positive tufted astrocytes, pretangles, and threads were positive for 4R‐tau. Using a confocal microscopy we demonstrated that tufted astrocytes positive for 4R‐tau were adjacent to astrocytes positive for GFAP. The present findings suggest that accumulation of four‐repeat tau in astrocytes is a degenerative process rather than a reactive process.     

Nationwide investigations of intestinal obstruction in Japan

Two nationwide questionnaire surveys of intestinal obstruction in Japan were undertaken, covering two two-year periods, from January, 1975 to December, 1976 and from January, 1985 to December, 1986, respectively. The findings of a comparative review of these two surveys indicated that although the overall mortality of intestinal obstruction had not changed between 1975/76 and 1985/86, being 6.8 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, simple adhesive obstruction had decreased from 3.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 2.0 per cent in 1985/86. The main cause of adhesion was laparotomy and in cases of both simple adhesive obstruction and strangulated adhesive obstruction, the rate of adhesion secondary to laparotomy of the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon and rectum had increased between 1975/76 and 1985/86. Obstructions caused by neoplasms had increased from 8.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 10.0 per cent in 1985/86, while those caused by adhesions had incresed further still, from 42.5 per cent in 1975/76 to 60.8 per cent in 1985/86. Among the latter group, nonoperatively treated cases had increased, which may be accounted for by the fact that facilities which adopt non-operative treatment using intestinal decompression as the first choice for simple adhesive obstruction cases have increased. In both surveys, the mortality of cases receiving nonoperative treatment was lower than that of operative cases.     

Characterization of adenosine deaminase (ADA)-negative B-lymphoblastoid cells cocultured with ADA-positive fibroblasts

Abstract: A cell line, BAD05, derived from B lymphocytes of an adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3,5,4,4)-deficient patient could not proliferate in a serum-free medium containing 100 μmol/l deoxyadenosine. When BAD05 was cultured with ADA-positive fibroblasts, the proliferation of BAD05 was improved. BAD05 cell density increased when the initially mixed ratio of fibroblasts/BAD05 was 1/10 or higher, but decreased when the ratio was 1/20 or lower. Deoxyadenosine concentrations in the medium and ATP and deoxyATP (dATP) levels in the BAD05 were measured after 4 hours of coculture at initial BAD05 cell densities of 1 × 10⁵and 1 × 10⁶cells/ml. Deoxyadenosine concentrations in the medium decreased as the density of fibroblasts increased. The dATP level decreased as the mixed ratio rose. The ratio of fibroblasts/BAD05 rather than the cell density of fibroblasts had a larger effect on the dATP levels in BAD05. Under our experimental conditions, ADA-negative cells proliferated well when the ratio of ADA-positive cells/ADA-negative cells was over 1/10.     

Phenotypic and Genotypic Lineage Switch of a Lymphoma with Shared Chromosome Translocation and T-Cell Receptor γ Gene Rearrangement

A case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma showed a phenotypic and genotypic cell lineage switch twice during nine years of his clinical history; first, T-cell type, pleomorphic small cell lymphoma developed, followed by B-cell type, diffuse centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma, and finally T-zone lymphoma without follicles again developed, from which AST-1 cultured cell line was established. Karyotype analysis demonstrated a shared abnormal chromosome, der(1)t(1;?)(p36;?), among the first relapsed B-cell tumor, the second relapsed T-cell tumor and AST-1 cell line. Furthermore, T-cell receptor (TCR) γ gene rearrangement bands of the same size were observed in the first relapsed B-cell tumor and the second relapsed T-cell tumor as well as AST-1 cell line. These results suggested that both relapsed tumors of different cell lineages are derived from a common malignant clone, presumably a committed lymphoid stem cell. A unique translocation, t(2;14)(q37;q11.2), which may involve TCR δ/α gene complex, was observed in the second relapsed tumor and AST-1 cells. To attempt to isolate the breakpoint of this translocation, the configuration of TCR δ/α gene complex was studied. The result showed that two rearrangements of TCR α gene detected with J_α probes were the products of the normal TCR rearrangement process, and were not involved in the translocation at this region. This patient, together with the AST-1 cell line, provided us a unique opportunity to study the development and clonal evolution of malignant lymphoma.     

A nonspecific colonic ulcer occurring after hepatectomy: Report of a Case

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man with a nonspecific acute colonic ulcer whose liver function deteriorated after he had undergone hepatectomy. He was referred to our hospital for a hepatoma caused by hepatitis B virus and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. His liver function was poor after the operation, and minor complications such as pleural effusion and biliary fistula developed. A large amount of melena was seen 29 days after the hepatectomy and he developed hemorrhagic shock. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed pooling of blood in both the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon and the cecum. An emergency right hemicolectomy was performed. There was a 5 x 1-mm ulcer 18 cm distal to the ileocecal valve. Numerous erosions were observed to be scattered throughout the colonic mucosa. The patient recovered slowly and was discharged 6 months after the hepatectomy. This is the first report of an acute colonic ulcer that could have been caused by liver dysfunction.     

Accentuated antagonism by angiotensin II on guinea-pig cardiac L-type Ca-currents enhanced by β-adrenergic stimulation

 To examine mechanism(s) underlying the accentuated antagonism by angiotensin II (A-II) on twitch tension, we recorded L-type Ca²⁺ currents (I _Ca,L) using conventional patch-clamp techniques in single, guinea-pig, ventricular myocytes. I _Ca,L was recorded by a step-pulse protocol after eliminating K⁺ conductances (internal Cs⁺ plus tetraethylammonium chloride and K⁺-free extracellular solution). A-II (100 nM) did not affect basal I _Ca,L, but inhibited I _Ca,L that had been enhanced (approximately 200% of control) by (ISO, isoproterenol 100 nM). The inhibitory action of A-II was concentration dependent (concentration eliciting 50% inhibition 88±9 pM, n=41) and the ISO-enhanced component of I _Ca,L was completely blocked by A-II at concentrations above 10 nM. CV-11974 (500 nM), an A-II type-1 receptor (AT₁) antagonist, prevented the inhibitory action of A-II. Pre-incubation with pertussis toxin (PTX) abolished the inhibitory effect of A-II. A-II also inhibited the I _Ca,L enhanced by histamine (500 nM) and forskolin (1 μM), but failed to affect I _Ca,L enhanced by intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (1 mM). The inhibitory action of A-II may therefore involve AT₁ receptors/PTX-sensitive, guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins (Gi)/adenylate cyclase and partially explains the A-II-dependent accentuated antagonism of inotropy.     

The relation between EEG and mental development following cardiac surgery performed under simple deep hypothermia in children

In order to assess the accuracy of electroencephalography (EEG), in children who have undergone cardiac surgery under simple deep hypothermia, the relation between IQ or schoolwork achievement and the duration of circulatory arrest was investigated in 75 such children. Abnormal preoperative EEG's were found in 16 per cent of the children while abnormal postoperative EEG's were found in 17 per cent. The children were divided into 4 groups, according to pre- and postoperative EEG results. Schoolwork achievement scores ranged between 3.0 and 3.2, the difference among the groups being insignificant. Moreover, no significant shift in IQ was found among the groups. Finally, regarding the number of children who were able to go on to a higher level of education, including high school the college or university, again no significant differences were found among the 4 groups. In a comparison with the number of such children in neighboring Nagasaki prefecture able to continue on to a higher level of education, no significant differences were seen either. The findings and statistics of this investigation therefore indicate that pre- and postoperative EEG's are not always a reliable reference for assessing the prognosis of cerebral activity.