DNA-synthesizing enzyme activities and the immunohistochemistry in proliferation of bone marrow cells in rats]

Thymidylate synthetase (TS) and thymidine kinase (TK) are know to catalyze the methylation of dUMP for the de novo synthesis of dTMP and the phosphorylation of thymidine for the salvage synthesis of dTMP in the pyrimidine pathway, respectively, and both enzyme activities are high in rapidly proliferating tissues. In the present study, these enzyme activities and the immunohistochemistry using monoclonal anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) were investigated during the period of proliferation of bone marrow cells after the hypoplastic period induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy) treatment in rats. Right after Cy treatment, nucleated cell count (NCC) of bone marrow cells, BrdU labelling ratio and TK activity were abruptly decreased. On the other hand, TS activity peaked at day 5 followed by an increase of TK activity, NCC and BrdU labelling ratio from day 7 after Cy treatment. These results indicate that, in the proliferation of bone marrow cells, the DNA de novo synthesis rises at first, and secondly, the DNA salvage synthesis predominantly increases with the increase of bone marrow cells labelled with BrdU, i.e., increase of the cells in the S phase.     

Ballistocardiogram of avian eggs determined by an electromagnetic induction coil

As an avian embryo grows within a eggshell, the whole egg is moved by embryonic activity and also by the embryonic heartbeat. A technical interest in detecting minute biological movements has prompted the development of techniques and systems to measure the cardiogenic ballistic movement of the egg or ballistocardiogram. (BCG). In this context, there is interest in using an electromagnetic induction coil (solenoid) as another simple sensor to measure the BCG and examining its possibility for BCG measurement. A small permanent magnet is attached tightly to the surface of an incubated egg, and then the egg with the magnet is placed in a solenoid. Preliminary model analysis is made to design a setup of the egg, magnet and solenoid coupling system. Then, simultaneous measurement with a laser displacement measuring system, developed previously, is made for chicken eggs, indicating that the solenoid detects the minute cardiogenic ballistic movements and that the BCG determined is a measure of the velocity of egg movements.     

The anterior choroidal artery syndrome

We reviewed 12 cases of infarcts in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) on CT and/or MRI. In each case vascular occlusion in the region was verified angiographically. Although the extent of the lesion on CT/MR images was variable, all were located on the axial images within an arcuate zone between the striatium anterolaterally and the thalamus posteromedially. The distribution of the lesions on mutiplanar MRI conformed well to the territory of the AChA demonstrated microangiographically. The variability of the extent of the infarcts may be explained by variations in the degree of occlusive changes in the AChA or the development of collateral circulation through anastomoses between the AChA and the posterior communicating and posterior cerebral arteries. The extent of the lesion appeared to be closely related to the degree of neurological deficit.     

Autoradiographic Analysis of Radiolabeled Anti-carcinoembryonic Antigen Monoclonal Antibody CEA102 in Colorectal Cancer Using Computed Radiography

Anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody (MAb) CEA102 was produced by immunization with purified CEA and the specific accumulation of radiolabeled CEA102 in colorectal cancers was investigated by autoradiography of surgical specimens using Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR). Five patients with colorectal cancer were injected intravenously with ¹³¹I-labeled intact CEA102 or its F(ab')₂. Primary tumor and liver metastases were successfully detected by external scanning with a gamma camera in 4 cases. Autoradiographic study of the surgical specimens using FCR showed predominant localization of ¹³¹I-labeled CEA102 in primary tumors and liver metastases in all cases. Even a small liver metastasis (0.5 cm) was clearly visualized in the autoradiogram by FCR. The pixel distribution curves of the density of the respective tissues in the autoradiograms by FCR showed the heterogeneity of the distribution of administered radiolabeled MAb in individual tumors, but the density of the tumors was higher than that of the normal tissues. In the quantitative distribution analysis of CEA102, the uptake of the primary tumor (mean 1.10%ID/kg) was ten-fold greater than that of the normal colon mucosa (mean G.10%ID/kg). These results revealed that the application of MAb has great potential in radioimmunodetection as well as in antibody-directed therapy.     

Electron microscopic study of monkey retina after photodynamic treatment

The purpose of this histological study was to determine the effects of photodynamic treatment, using a hematoporphyrin derivative and argon laser, on normal retinas of monkeys. Ten cynomolgus monkeys were treated with a hematoporphyrin derivative, given intravenously at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Forty minutes or 1 or 3 days after the injection, argon laser photoradiation was given over a 2.0-mm-diameter with a 10-min exposure and at an intensity of 40, 100, or 200 mW. The eyes were enucleated 1, 3, 4, 15, 18, 21, 35, or 38 days after the photoradiation and tissue samples were observed under a transmission electron microscope. The most fragile regions in the retina were the retinal nerve fibers, the outer segments of the visual cells, and the retinal pigment epithelium. Vascular endothelial cells were also fragile. The retinal capillary was easily obstructed, and the choriocapillaris was also occluded in an animal with severe retinal damage. The Mueller cells had the highest tolerance to the photodynamic treatment. Thus, exposing the normal part of the retina to light during photodynamic therapy should be avoided.     

Different pattern of chromosomal allele loss in multiple hepatocellular carcinomas as evidence of their multifocal origin.

One of the most problematic aspects of surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the frequent development of multiple tumors. Determination of the origin of multiple tumors, i.e., multifocal or metastatic, is important for predicting the clinical course of the disease after surgery. In order to clarify the origin of multiple tumors of HCC genetically, we examined patterns of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 16 for DNA isolated from 43 HCCs resected from 19 patients by analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism. The cases were classified macro- and microscopically into 3 groups: multifocal origin; metastatic origin; and undetermined. Classification based on morphological features was shown to be well correlated with patterns of LOH in multiple tumors of HCC. Different patterns of LOH on chromosome 16 were detected in 8 of 11 patients with tumors of morphologically multifocal origin, whereas they were detected in none of 5 patients with tumors of morphologically metastatic origin. Among five patients with tumors of morphologically undetermined origin, a difference of LOH pattern among the tumors was detected in two, whereas in the other three, the pattern was identical between the tumors. A different pattern of LOH among HCCs arising in situ showed that they were composed of different clones, strongly suggesting their independent clonal origin and multifocal development. These results show that not only appropriate morphological observation but also examination of the LOH pattern on a particular chromosome is useful in diagnosis of multifocal HCC.     

Preoperative evaluation of endometrial carcinoma by selective hysterography: a preliminary report

Using a new instrument designed by the Authors having two cannulas to allow filling of a contrast medium exclusively in the cervical canal and uterine cavity, selective hysterography was performed for 22 cases of endometrial carcinoma. This method was useful not only for evaluation of the size, location and growth patterns but also for estimation of the cervical involvement of endometrial carcinoma.     

Jarcho-Levin Syndrome Associated with Atrial Septal Defect and Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: A Case Report

A bstract A 61-year-old woman suffering from Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) was associated with atrial septal defect and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and underwent corrective surgery. Pressure controlled postoperative ventilator therapy is preferred in patients with JLS.     

CT and MR findings in diastematomyelia, with embryogenetic consideration.

Diastemstomyelia is an extremely rare disorder that is seldom found among the Japanese. This paper presents two Japanese patients, a newborn male and a newborn female, with diastematomyelia. CT demonstrated bony spurs more clearly than plain film, and magnetic resonance images indicated split cords and associated anomalies. Although the embryogenesis of diastematomyelia has not been clearly elucidated, the coincidence of levels of associated anomalies and diastematomyelia in our cases and in the literature supports Bremer's embryogenetic explanation of persistent accessory neurenteric canal.