Influence of polymorphisms in the genes for cytokines and glutathione S-transferase omega on sporadic Alzheimer's disease

We studied promoter region polymorphisms in the interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 genes in Japanese patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 172) and normal controls (n = 163). We also examined an association of a polymorphism located in the glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO-1) gene region with AD patients. None of these genotypes or allele frequencies showed a significant difference between AD patients and controls. We also failed to detect any difference in the disease onset between each genotype of the seven polymorphisms. Although AD patients carrying high producer alleles of TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta or TGF-beta1 and IL-6 showed a tendency for an early onset of the disease, neither of these combined effects reached a significant level after multiple comparisons. Our findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the cytokines and GSTO do not play a major role in Japanese AD patients.     

Three Kinds of Foamy Cells in the Spleen: Comparative Histochemical and Ultrastructural Studies

By light and electron microscopy, we observed foamy cells in the spleens from a patient with hemolytic anemia due to red cell adenosine deaminase (ADA) overproduction, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with gold, and patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

The foamy cells associated with red cell ADA overproduction were essentially similar to Gaucher-like cells described in patients with thalassemia, and it was suggested that the accelerated destruction of red cells was one of the factors responsible for the development of foamy cells. Foamy cells in ITP and RA were closely associated with an increased destruction of platelets in the spleen. Morphologic transitions between phagocytosed platelets and myelinlike materials were traced in these disorders. In RA, however, foamy cells were heterogeneous from an ultrastructural standpoint, with different cytoplasmic inclusions. In addition to myelinlike materials, dense bodies, vacuoles with flocculent materials, and gold were noted in most of foamy cells. As gold compounds are known to inhibit lysosomal enzymes, we surmise that an acquired disturbance in lysosomal digestion is partially responsible for the accumulation of intermediate metabolites.

In the pathogenesis of foamy cells associated with blood cell dyscrasia, the accelerated destruction of blood cells and/or acquired disorders in catabolic pathways within the macrophages are suggested to be the underlying mechanism of an intralysosomal accumulation of incompletely degraded cellular debris.     

Malignant Cystosarcoma Phyllodes Of Prostate

A case of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes of the prostate is reported in a 45-year-old male. This tumor was composed of benign columnar or squamous cystic folds and sarcomatous stroma including rhabdomyomatous elements. The prostatic origin of the tumor was clearly proved by the unlabeled immunoperoxidase method. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 34: 663–668, 1984.     

The chitosan prepared from crab tendon I: the characterization and the mechanical properties

Crystalline chitosan was prepared from crab tendon consisting mainly of chitin, including various proteins and calcium phosphates. The crab tendon has high mechanical properties due to its aligned molecular structure. Crab tendon components, i.e. proteins and calcium phosphates, were removed by deacetyl treatment using 50wt% NaOH aqueous solution at 100 degrees C, and a subsequent ethanol treatment. As judged from microscopic observations using an optical polarizer, the treated chitosan remained intact regarding its aligned molecular structure, and had a high tensile strength of 67.9+/-11.4MPa. The tensile strength was further enhanced to 235+/-30MPa by a thermal treatment at 120 degrees C, corresponding to the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Hostility and sex differences in the magnitude, duration, and determinants of heart rate response to forehead cold pressor: Parasympathetic aspects of risk

Recent models hypothesize that hostility confers increased risk of CHD through weaker parasympathetic dampening of cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). We tested this possibility using the forehead cold pressor task, a common maneuver which elicits the “dive reflex” characterized by a reflexive decrease in HR presumably through cardiac-parasympathetic stimulation. Participants were initially chosen from the outer quartiles of a sample of 670 undergraduates screened using the hostility subscale of the Aggression Questionnaire ([Buss, A.H., Perry, M., 1992. The Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 452-459.]). The final sample of 80 participants was evenly divided between men and women and high and low hostility. Following a 10-min baseline, participants underwent a 3-min forehead cold pressor task. The task evoked a significant HR deceleration that was mediated by PNS activation, as assessed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Replicating prior research, men displayed greater decrease in HR. More important, low hostiles maintained larger HR deceleration over time compared to high hostiles although the autonomic basis for this effect was unclear. The findings broaden understanding of hostility and sex-related cardiovascular functioning and support the task as a method for evoking PNS-cardiac stimulation.     

Foamy cells in itp spleens and in granulomas induced by murine platelets, commercialized phospholipids, and erythrocyte membrane. Histological and ultrastructural studies

A large number of foamy cells were noted in the spleens from fourteen ITP patients, and two patients who received a large amount of platelet rich plasma. Using the unlabelled immunoperoxidase method, these foamy cells were shown to contain platelet antigen. Platelets in varying stages of intracellular digestion, from intact-appearing forms to myelin-like materials, were disclosed in foamy cells. Foamy cells were experimentally induced in granulomas by subcutaneous injection of platelets with or without accompanied administration of steroid, the platelets reacted with anti-murine platelet antibody, commercialized phospholipids (PE, PC, SM, PS, and the mixture of them), and the red blood cell membrane. The foamy cells induced by the subcutaneous injection of platelets are similar to those in the spleens of ITP patients. The lipid in foamy cells is chiefly derived from the membrane phospholipid of injected platelets. Concentric myelin-like materials were also noted in the foamy cells after injection of erythrocyte membrane. The myelin-like materials in these foamy cells are similar to those appearing in macrophages following injection of PC and SM. This suggests that these phospholipids derived from cell membrane are more resistant to intracellular digestion by lysosomal enzymes. We conclude that the foamy appearance of the cordal macrophage in ITP spleens results from incomplete intracellular degradation of platelet membrane.     

Two familial cases of Jordans' anomaly. Ultrastructural studies and the development of fat-containing vacuoles in the neutrophilic series

A study was conducted on two brothers with Jordans' anomaly. Fat-containing vacuoles were noticed in all leukocytes of the peripheral blood and cells of the myeloid series including myeloblasts, but the serum lipids showed no abnormalities. However, cells of the erythroid series, megakaryocytes and platelets did not contain these vacuoles. An increase in vacuole number was observed as the leukocytes matured. Histochemically, it was suggested that these vacuoles contained neutral fat based on staining with Sudan III and Nile blue sulfate. Ultrastructurally, these vacuoles were unassociated with lysosomes or other cell organelles. Although the etiology of Jordans' anomaly could not be clarified by this study, genetic factors may be involved.