Albumin gene encoding free fatty acid and β-amyloid transporter is genetically associated with Alzheimer disease

Abstract  Alzheimer disease (AD), the major cause of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by β-amyloid deposition in senile plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles. Since albumin, binding and transporting free fatty acids is also the major transporter of β-amyloid, we examined the association between the albumin ( ALB ) gene and the occurrence of late-onset AD (LOAD). We found that the allele distribution of the intron 4 microsatellite of the ALB gene showed a significant difference ( P  < 0.05) between LOAD ( n  = 285) and control group ( n  = 656). An allele with 11 CA repeat, termed (CA)₁₁ allele, was significantly predominant in the control group ( P  < 0.005), and the odds ratio carrying the (CA)₁₁ allele was 0.43 ( P  < 0.01, 95% CI = 0.24–0.79). Logistic regression indicated that this effect was independent of age and the ɛ4 dose of the apolipoprotein E gene ( P  < 0.01), while the ALB gene was supposed to be related to aging. Our results indicate that the ALB gene is genetically related with the occurrence of LOAD, supporting the link between fatty acid and β-amyloid transport in the development of LOAD.     

Clinical Features of Congenital Ankylosis of the Digital Joints of the Hand

ABSTRACT: Clinical features and roentgenographic findings of 37 patients (65 hands) with congenital ankylosis of the digital joints, including symphalangism and other types of congenital ankylosis of the joints, were analyzed. Congenital ankylosis of the digital joints was divided into four types according to the clinical features as follows; Type A (typical symphalangism), 13 cases, Type B (symphalangism without associated anomalies), 6 cases, Type C (symphalangism associated with hypoplasia of the affected digit), 10 cases and Type D (symphalangism as a part of syndrome), 8 cases. Roentgenographic findings of the affected joints were divided into 4 types, such as normal type (Type I), narrow type (Type 2), flat type (Type 3) and bony ankylosis (Type 4). There seems to be 4 types of joint development in congenital ankylosis of the digital joints. In Types 1 and 2, the joint space of the affected joint and the secondary ossification center looks normal. The joint seems to develop normally in Type 1, but the condyle of the affected joint becomes flat in Type 2. In Type 3, the joint space is narrow in infancy, the secondary ossification center fuses with the proximally located phalanx and finally the affected joint develops bony ankylosis. In Type 4, there is osseous fusion of the affected joint at birth. Key words: hand, joint, symphalangism, tarsal coalition, carpal coalition     

α-HUMAN ATRIAL NATRIURETIC POLYPEPTIDE REDUCES THE PLASMA ARGININE VASOPRESSIN CONCENTRATION IN HUMAN SUBJECTS

The synthetic alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) was infused into six normotensive, euvolaemic, healthy volunteers to examine the effect on the plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration. The intravenous administration of alpha-hANP (0.1 microgram/kg/min, 20 min) led to a remarkable reduction in mean blood pressure (-10 mmHg, P less than 0.05), and there was an increase in pulse rate (+10 bpm, P less than 0.05), in each subject. The urinary volume, sodium excretion and cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cyclic-GMP) excretion were increased to 3.5 (P less than 0.05), 2.5 (P less than 0.05) eight-fold (P less than 0.01), respectively, during the alpha-hANP infusion. The dose and duration of the synthetic alpha-hANP in the present study was sufficient to induce these cardiovascular and renal effects. The plasma AVP concentrations decreased from 0.39 +/- 0.09 pg/ml to the undetectable level during the alpha-hANP administration. After infusion, the plasma concentrations of the AVP promptly returned to preinfusion levels (0.46 +/- 0.14 pg/ml). However, there was no significant change in plasma AVP concentration during placebo infusion. The marked suppression in plasma AVP concentration may account for the remarkable diuresis, in addition of the direct renal effects of the synthetic alpha-hANP.     

A Case Report of Anomalous Pancreaticobiliary Duct Connection with Choledocholithiasis and Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract: A 25-year-old man was admitted to hospital with epigastric pain. He had had a history of episodic abdominal pain since early childhood. An anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct connection was seen by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In many cases, this type of abnormality is caused by an anomaly in the ventral pancreas. In this case, however, the common bile duct, with calculi, was joined to the pancreatic duct which did not arise from the ventral pancreas but from the dorsal pancreas. The pancreatic duct arising from the ventral pancreas was absent in this case. The patient underwent a prophylactic cholecystectomy, a transduodenal sphincteroplasty, a choledocholithotomy, a partial resection of the common bile duct, and a hepaticojejunostomy, performed by a Roux-en-Y anastomosis. His postoperative recovery was satisfactory. An anomalous pancreatobiliary duct connection allows pancreatic juices and bile to mix. This is considered to be an etiological factor in pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis.     

Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity of the Mucosa of the Gastric Remnant Using Endoscopic Biopsy Specimen,Comparison Between B-I and B-II.

Abstract: In this study, the stomal portion of the gastric remnant mucosa following a gastrectomy for gastric cancer was examined endoscopically and histopathologically. The ODC activity was assayed from biopsies from the stomal portion of the gastric remnant and from the greater curvature. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: 1. Endoscopic changes in the stomal mucosa (redness) were found significantly more often in patients following a B-II than in patients who had had a B-I. Histopathological changes consisting of glandular dilatation and an irregular glandular structure were detected in many of the stomal mucosal specimens. 2. The ODC activity was significantly higher in the stomal portion of the remnant stomach tlian in the greater curvature. As for the stomal portion, ODC activity was significantly higher following a B-II titan following a B-I. In summary, the present findings suggest that active cell proliferation occurs in the gastric remnant mucosa, particularly in the region of anastomosis, and that an enhancement of cell proliferation kinetics plays a role in the pathogenesis of primary cancer in the stomal portion of the remnant stomach.     

Growth of patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Japan

BACKGROUND: The growth of patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Japan was investigated. The data investigated were obtained from Medical Aid Program for Chronic Pediatric Diseases of Specified Categories registered in 2002. METHOD: The present study included 2341 patients (1030 male, 1311 female) registered as having congenital hypothyroidism. To investigate the growth of these patients, their heights plotted on cross-sectional growth charts for boys and girls, their bodyweights expressed as percentage of bodyweight for height and the frequency distribution of percentage of bodyweight for height were assessed. RESULTS: Cross-sectional growth charts of both male and female patients showed that the heights of the majority of the patients with congenital hypothyroidism were within +/-2SD. Approximately half of the patients with heights below -2SD, had some complications. The mean percentages of ideal bodyweights for height were 103.0 +/- 12.9% for both sexes (+/-SD, n = 2033), 103.3 +/- 12.7% for boys, and 102.7 +/- 12.9% for girls. The frequency distribution of percentage of bodyweight showed no tendency of shifting to either ends in comparison with normal distribution curve. CONCLUSION: Patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening had normal growth in general, suggesting that the neonatal screening system is being performed efficiently from detection to treatment of the disease in Japan. However, it remains unclear whether some uncomplicated patients with a height below -2 SD are sufficiently treated or not. Close observation of these patients may be needed.     

Involvement of suppressor cells induced with membrane fractions of trypanosomes in immunosuppression of trypanosomiasis

We showed that infection with Trypanosoma congolense in mice led to suppression of listeria-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). Mice were pre-treated with irradiated T. evansi, which caused rapid and effective suppression of DTH. A membrane fraction obtained by homogenizing T. evansi variant in a hypotonic buffer solution and centrifuging it at 150,000g produced suppression of listeria-induced DTH when injected i.p. into mice as early as 1 day before listeria immunization. Furthermore, we demonstrated by an adoptive transfer system that the suppressor cells involved in this suppression had developed in the spleen and that the activity of the splenic suppressor cells was due to the presence of a macrophage population.     

CMV viraemia demonstrated in the serum of a patient with cytomegalovirus pneumonia

Summary. We attempted to demonstrate the expression of cytomegalovirus (CMV) particles in the serum of an acute lymphocytic leukaemia patient with CMV pneumonia. The serum sample was applied to an affinity column coupled with human monoclonal antibody C2 3 which recognizes the envelope glycoproteins of CMV virus and neutralizes the viral activity. The DNA obtained from each fraction was amplified by double polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analysed by gel electrophoresis. Bands were clearly observed in the eluted fraction. These results strongly suggest that CMV particles exist in the sera of patients with CMV pneumonia.     

Erosion of a penile prosthesis due to an indwelling urethral catheter as a late complication

A case of erosion of a penile prosthesis caused by indwelling of a catheter in the urethra is reported. A 73-year-old man had maintained sexual intercourse with penile prostheses (Jonas prosthesis, 19 cm) for 11 years without any complications until he developed cerebral infarction. One month after starting an indwelling urethral catheter in a neurosurgery clinic, the left-side penile prosthesis eroded from the area of the fossa navicularis, and was immediately removed. This type of complication is not unusual in patients with a neurogenic bladder. However, it is not well recognized in patients who suddenly develop a neurogenic bladder following a long-term uneventful period after the implantation of penile prostheses. Therefore, urologists should inform patients who receive this type of treatment that erosion of the prosthesis may develop when they need an indwelling urethral catheter as a late complication.