Goblet cell mucins of four genera of the subfamily Cricetinae with reference to the protective activity against Strongyloides venezuelensis

Goblet and mast cell responses in the jejunum of four genera, Mesocricetus auratus (Syrian hamster), Phodopus campbelli, Cricetulus griseus (Chinese hamster), and Tscherskia triton, belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae, were examined after infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Parasite eggs became detectable in faeces of all four genera on Day 7. Faecal egg count peaked around Day 8 in C. griseus and T. triton and around Day 14 in M. auratus and P. campbelli. In M. auratus and P. campbelli, faecal egg production persisted over 40 days, whereas that in C. griseus and T. triton rapidly terminated within 14 days. In all four genera examined, goblet cell hyperplasia and mastocytosis were observed at the time of expulsion of S. venezuelensis. However, in the comparative study of all four genera, neither the degree of goblet or mast cell hyperplasia nor the phenotype of mast cells correlated to the rapidity of the expulsion of S. venezuelensis. On the other hand, the rapidity of expulsion closely correlated with the degree of sulphation of goblet cell mucins because two genera, C. griseus and T. triton, having highly sulphated goblet cell mucins showed faster expulsion of S. venezuelensis than the other two genera, P. campbelli and M. auratus, having less sulphated mucins. These results suggest that physicochemical nature of mucins is critical for the expulsion of S. venezuelensis from the subfamily Cricetinae.     

A longitudinal study of blood pressure,cholesterol and left ventricular muscle volume in children: The Shimane Heart Study

Three hundred and forty-four healthy schoolchildren living in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, were assessed at 3 year intervals from 6 to 15 years, starting in 1978 (Cohort 1) or 1981 (Cohort 2). Tracking indices (Ti) were calculated as follows: Ti = (2x + y - z)/N/0.89, where x, y and z refer to the total number in the same, adjacent and remote trisections, respectively, and N = x + y + z. If Ti > 1, there is positive tracking. For systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements (except at 6 years old) and serum cholesterol levels, all Ti were greater than 1.0 regardless of the time when tracking was commenced. Tracking indices were slightly greater in the serum cholesterol levels than in the SBP measurements. Left ventricular muscle volume indices (LVMVI) were calculated by echocardiographic measurements. In girls, the LVMVI was larger only in the above-median SBP group at the age of 12 years (P < 0.01), but the LVMVI of the higher SBP (above median) group was larger than in the lower (below median) group at every age in boys; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 12 and 15 years of age. Left ventricular mass enlargement may occur in the prehypertensive stage in humans as well as in rats.     

Effects of daytime activity upon the timing of REM sleep periods during a night

Abstract The effects of mental and physical daytime activities upon REM sleep cycle (REM cycle) during 1 night was studied in five university students (aged 19–25 years). Mental activity with high tension has effects upon the timing of REM sleep periods in the later part of the night. Physical activity has effects upon the timing of REM sleep in the early part of the night. The result suggests that mental and/or physical activities during daytime modulate REM cycle during the night.     

Leukemia cutis in a patient with acute monocytic leukemia presenting as unique facial erythema

A 67‐year‐old woman was referred to our department with a 1‐month history of facial exanthemas. She had been diagnosed as having acute monocytic leukemia (French–American–British classification, M5b) based on the histological findings of bone marrow. Physical examination revealed diffuse edematous erythema on her cheeks, eyelids and glabella with scattered reddish papules. Histological examination demonstrated dense infiltration of atypical mononuclear cells in the dermis. Specific cutaneous lesions could occur in acute monocytic leukemia more frequently than in other types of leukemia, but rarely show symmetrical edematous erythema limited to the face.     

Reduced expression of thrombopoietin is involved in thrombocytopenia in human and rat liver cirrhosis

It is widely accepted that thrombocytopenia associated with liver cirrhosis is caused by increased platelet destruction in the enlarged spleen, but this issue has not yet been analysed sufficiently in terms of platelet production. Thrombopoietin is produced mainly in the liver and strongly promotes platelet production. We studied serum thrombopoietin and the levels of its mRNA in liver tissue of cirrhotic patients and also in a rat model of liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, to clarify the influence of the spleen, we investigated thrombopoietin mRNA in splenectomized rats. The serum thrombopoietin level in humans with liver cirrhosis was not significantly reduced instead of thrombocytopenia. The expression of thrombopoietin mRNA in liver tissue decreased with the progression of liver cirrhosis in both patients and the rat model and no compensatory expression was observed in other organs or nonparenchymal cells. The level of thrombopoietin mRNA did not differ significantly in splenectomized cirrhotic rats before or after administration of dimethylnitrosamine, but was lower than that in splenectomized rats without cirrhosis. We conclude that thrombocytopenia in liver cirrhosis is caused not only by platelet destruction but also by decreased platelet production, perhaps due to reduction of thrombopoietin mRNA in the liver.     

A case of obstructive sleep apnoea with anterior cervical osteophytes

Summary  Osteophytes of the cervical spine are usually seen in elderly adults. When prominent, they have been blamed for dysphagia, cough, dysphonia and dyspnoea. This paper reports on an obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patient with cervical spinal osteophytes, one cause of airway obstruction. A 75-year-old male complained of pronounced snoring. The diagnosis was mild OSA, apnoea hypopnoea index was 9·4. Patient reported no restrictions in neck movements, experiences of neck pain or neck trauma. Previously, patient underwent a tonsillectomy due to discomfort in the pharyngeal region. A lateral cephalometric image was taken to observe airway before oral appliance therapy. The image revealed the presence of large osteophytes or sclerotic enthesopathy, lying on anterior surfaces from the fourth to seventh cervical vertebrae. A computed tomography (CT) image revealed the relationship of airway position to the spine. In the reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) image, the airway appeared displaced to the right of the craniomandiblar bone, with the hyoid bone similarly displaced in a manner to that of the airway. The spine also appeared displaced to the left side ofcraniomandiblar bone. Additionally, the 3D image revealed calcification of the stylohyoideum ligament and ligamentum nuchae. This present case highlights the necessity of CT examination for OSA patients. There were several ligament calcifications in the head and neck region. Cervical spine osteophytes, as a component of Forestier's or cervical spine disease, have been associated with dysphagia and dysphonia. It was reported that bilateral vocal cord paralysis was caused by osteophytes compressing the post-cricoid area of larynx.     

Successful percutaneous closure of a coronary artery fistula with a detachable balloon

Precutaneous transcatheter closure technique of a coronary artery fistula with a detachable balloon was performed for a 14 year old male student. Complete closure of the fistula without any complications was confirmed by angiography after the procedure. When the patient underwent a second angiography 6 months after the closure, it was confirmed that the position of the balloon had not changed, that the interruption of the flow of the fistula had been maintained and that the diameter of the left coronary artery and the fistula were reduced. Percutaneous closure technique using a detachable balloon may become the primary treatment for a coronary artery fistula in place of surgical ligation.