Acute renal dysfunction by cadmium injected with cysteine in relation to renal critical concentration of cadmium

In order to study the critical concentration of cadmium (Cd) in acute renal dysfunction following Cd, male mice were injected IV with Cd complexed with cysteine. The critical concentration was 10 g Cd/g wet weight in whole kidney and it was the same as that for Cdthionein (Cd-Th), which may suggest that the toxicity of Cd-Th is due to Cd ions liberated from Cd-Th in the kidneys. Renal Cd concentration was at first higher than the critical concentration, but decreased to the critical concentration by 24 h after administration. As an index for renal dysfunction, the uptake of p-aminohippurate (PAH) by renal cortical slices in vitro was sensitive, and showed the different time-course from those of urinary protein and glucose levels. The results suggest the usefulness of PAH uptake as an index. Incidental to the renal dysfunction, renal calcium levels exhibited a marked increase.     

Vascular and metabolic reserve in a case of hypoplasia of bilateral internal carotid arteries]

We report a 64-year-old right-handed man who presented with a hypoplasia of bilateral internal carotid arteries (ICAs). The patient complained of a vertigo and was diagnosed as having a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Upon neurological examination, he was completely free from neurological deficits. MR angiogram revealed an occlusion of both ICAs. On conventional angiogram, the right ICA was occluded about 3 cm distal from its origin, and the left ICA was occluded at the precavernous portion. There was an abundant collateral blood flow to the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes through the posterior communicating arteries. Both carotid canals were hypoplastic on 3D-CT. The patient was then diagnosed as having a hypoplasia of both ICAs. Using a positron emission tomography (PET), cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and vascular transit time (VTT) were measured during resting state, and the vascular reactivities to carbon dioxide inhalation (VRCO2), and to the intravenous administration of Acetazolamide (VRACZ) were also evaluated. There was no global or focal reduction in CBF and VTT was within normal limit, whereas a global reduction of CMRO2 caused mild decrease in OEF. Moreover, VRACZ was significantly decreased and an intracerebral steal phenomenon was observed in the parietal cortical areas, whereas VRCO2 was preserved. The discrepancy between VRACZ and VRCO2 observed could be related to the differences in the mechanisms underlying the vasodilating effects of carbon dioxide and ACZ.     

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and pancreozymin secretin test

Eighy cases with carcinoma of the pancreas were divided into 10 groups according to the location and size of the tumor. Drip infusion cholangiography, percutaneous transphepatic cholangiography, hypotonic duodenography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were employed for this classification. Comparison of cholangiopancreatograms (ERCP) with results of the biliary and pancreatic secretory function assessed by pancreozymin secretin test (PS test clarifies secretory capacity of the exocrine pancreas. But combination of ERCP and PS test with cytology is necessary for the correct diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer and it is hoped that the combination may excavate the disease in the early stage.     

Molecular analysis of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin genes among group A Streptococcus isolates from Japanese patients with pharyngitis and skin infections

Group A Streptococci (GAS) from patients with pharyngitis and skin infections were examined for T serotypes, emm types, and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin gene types. The results were summarized as follows: 1) T and emm types were determined in 130 GAS isolates obtained between 2000 and 2004. Among 85 throat isolates, predominant T/emm types were T12/emm12 (25%), T4/emm4 (19%), and T1/emm1 (14%). Among 45 skin isolates, predominant T/emm types were T28/emm28 (13%), TB 3264/emm89 (13%), Tnontypeable/emm58 (13%), T1/emm1 (11%), and T12/emm12 (11%). Predominant T/emm types of skin isolates in 2000-2004 slightly differed from those during 1990s in our previous report. 2) The presence of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin genes in 292 GAS isolates obtained between 1990 and 2004 was examined. Significantly lower proportion of skin isolates, compared with throat isolates, was found to harbor the speA gene (12 versus 26%, respectively; p<0.01), or the speC gene (40 versus 65%, respectively; P<0.01). All but one of tested isolates carried the speB gene. The speB-negative isolate was identified as S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis with the group A antigen. 3) Types of the speA alleles were determined in 59 speA-positive GAS isolates. Among 44 throat isolates, 37 (84%) were speA lineage I (speA1-speA2-speA3-speA6), and 7 (16%) were lineage II (speA4-speA5). Among 15 skin isolates, 11 (73%) were lineage I and 4 (27%) were lineage II. The pairwise associations were observed between emm type and speA allele: emm1 and speA2, emm3 and speA3, emm6 and speA4, emm11 and speA2, emm18 and speA1.     

Remarkable improvement of myocardial metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake after surgery in a patient with pheochromocytoma-a case report

A patient with pheochromocytoma showed remarkable improvement of myocardial metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake within a short time after surgical resection of the tumor. Myocardial MIBG findings in this case may contribute to an interpretation of the kinetics of MIBG in the human heart.     

Chronic demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy associated with malignant histiocytosis

A case of malignant histiocytosis (MH) presenting with peripheral nerve involvement is described. A 67-year-old man initially noted left facial weakness on July 20, 1986. The symptom was improved within a week, however, two weeks later he noticed numbness in his fingers and a burning pain in his legs, which was followed by double vision and progressive weakness in all four limbs. On examination, he was found to have total ophthalmoparesis of the right eye and a trace of the left facial palsy. There was severe weakness of the leg muscles, as well as mild weakness of the arms. This was accompanied by wasting of his limbs. All tendon reflexes were absent. Planter responses were flexor. Although cutaneous sensation was intact, vibratory sense was markedly impaired in the legs below the knees. The sphincter function was mildly disturbed. The sedimentation rate was 32 mm/hr. The hemoglobin was 11.9 g/dl and the leukocyte count was 5,700/mm3. The platelet count fell to 60,000/mm3. Results of routine biochemical and radiological studies were unremarkable. The cerebrospinal fluid protein level was 129 mg/dl with a normal cell count. Motor nerve conduction study revealed marked reduction in amplitude of the compound muscle action potential, slow motor nerve conduction velocities and multifocal conduction blocks along the nerve trunks (the left ulnar nerve in the forearm, the bilateral tibial nerve in the lower leg). F-wave was absent or elicited with prolonged latency and with increased chrono-dispersion. Sensory nerve had normal or nearly normal conduction. EMG sampling showed an impaired interference pattern during voluntary contraction and a few denervation potentials at rest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Akinetic mutism from recurrent hydrocephalus: successful treatment with levodopa, bromocriptine and trihexyphenidyl

A case of akinetic mutism was reported with reference to a marked improvement by levodopa, bromocriptine and trihexyphenidyl. A 39-year-old male, first seen on February 2, 1981, had an occipitalgia, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. For several months before this consultation, the patient had suffered from asthenopia. Brain CT scan and cerebral angiogram demonstrated internal hydrocephalus due to aqueduct stenosis of unknown etiology. After a ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation on February 20, 1981, he completely recovered. Two years and a half after the shunt insertion he had no difficulty in his daily life. He reentered the hospital on December 21, 1983, because of personality change, mental deterioration and bradykinesia. Brain CT scan showed recurrent hydrocephalus resulting from shunt blockage. Following the shunt revision, hydrocephalus was resolved. Nevertheless, the patient did not return to his previous state. And he became bed-ridden, incontinent of urine, and unable to take fluids or foods, following which he went into a state of akinetic mutism. Other neurological findings were as follows: upward gaze palsy, impaired convergence, convergence nystagmus, plastic rigidity of neck and all four limbs, and diffuse hyperreflexia with right Babinski's sign. Abnormal involuntary movement was not seen. On March 27, 1984, levodopa therapy was instituted and on April 2, trihexyphenidyl was combined with levodopa. Shortly after administration of levodopa and trihexyphenidyl, akinetic mutism began to improve, but upward gaze palsy was not affected. He began to speak and could walk unassisted by the end of July.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

cDNA cloning and primary structure of yellow tail (Seriola quinqueradiata) pregrowth hormone

Full-length cDNA of yellow tail (Seriola quinqueradiata) growth hormone (GH) was cloned from the pituitary gland and nucleotide sequence was analyzed. The cDNA clone contained one open reading frame to encode a preprotein consisting of 204 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence shows two possible sites for signal peptide cleavage, suggesting that the mature forms of yellow tail growth hormone consist of 185 or 187 amino acids. Yellow tail growth hormone exhibits a typical structural feature as growth hormone, including four cysteine residues to form two disulfide bonds and other identical amino acids with other vertebrate GHs. Amino acid sequence of yellow tail growth hormone shows homology of approximately 66, 42, 37, and 34% with those of salmon, eel, bovine, and human GHs, respectively. Nucleotide sequence of the coding region of yellow tail growth hormone cDNA shows approximately 58 and 40% homology with those of salmon and human growth hormone cDNAs, respectively.