3D Turbo Spin-echo MRI-based Mechanical Thrombectomy at Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcations

We describe three cases with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. From the pre-operative MRI, including three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequences using T1WI and T2WI, we assessed both thrombus configuration and arterial anatomy at the MCA bifurcations. For efficient endovascular thrombectomy, we identified the applied MCA segment 2 (M2) branch, in which the main thrombus was buried. Sufficient recanalization after a single pass was achieved and the patients made a marked recovery. Although mechanical thrombectomy for M2 occlusion has not been of proven benefit, the endovascular procedure based on three-dimensional turbo spin-echo imaging is useful for more complete thrombus removal at MCA bifurcations.     

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Liver: Diagnostic Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Abstract: A small primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver detected in a 58-year-old man is presented in this paper. In addition to the findings obtained by gray scale ultrasonogruphy and computed tomography, the possible diagnosis of this very rare tumor was suggested by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The characteristic findings of leiomyosarcoma of the liver obtained by ERCP were skipping strictures at the intrahepatic bile ducts. The ERCP findings and diagnosis were verified bv pathological studies of the resected material. This appears to be the first report discussing the usefulness of ERCP in vnaking a diagnosis of primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver.     

Characterization of the Gene Encoding the MPB51, One of the Major Secreted Protein Antigens of Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and Identification of the Secreted Protein Closely Related to the Fibronectin Binding 85 Complex

The secreted protein MPB51 is one of the major proteins in the culture filtrate of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) and is a protein immunologically cross-reacting with the fibronectin binding 85 complex secreted by this bacterium. The gene encoding MPB51 ( mpb51 ) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coll. The mpb51 gene was mapped downstream of the gene for 85A component with 179 bp spaces. The mpb51 gene encoded 299 amino acids, including 33 amino acids for the signal peptide, followed by 266 amino acids for the mature protein with a molecular mass of 27807.37 Da. This is the first complete sequence of MPB51. MPB51 showed 37–43% homology to the components of 85 complex. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of culture fluids of BCG and Western blotting indicated the existence of the other novel protein(s) which strongly cross-reacted with the α antigen (85B) and MPB51.     

Long-Lasting Immune Response Induced by Recombinant Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) Secretion System

The recombinant bacillus Calmette–Guérin (rBCG) secretion system utilizing an extracellular α antigen of Mycobacterium kansasii (α-K) was characterized biochemically and immunologically. The human immunodeficiency virus type1 (HIV-1) p17 ^gag B cell epitope fused to α-K was secreted in extremely large amounts. At least three mice out of seven inoculated with rBCG generated high titres of antibody to the epitope. The long-lasting antibody production persisted more than 14 months.     

Immunoglobulin G subclass distribution of human anticolon antibodies in ulcerative colitis

Abstract Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses of anticolon antibodies were studied in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentrations of total serum IgG subclasses were also measured by ELISA. The values for total serum IgG subclasses in patients with UC were not significantly different from those in normal controls, while the ratio of IgG₁ to IgG₂ in the patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls. All four IgG subclasses of autoantibodies were demonstrated in the sera of the patients. IgG₄ anticolon antibodies were detected most frequently (15 out of 18 patients, 83%). IgG₂ was the next most prevalent (9 of 18 patients, 50%). The activity of anticolon antibodies in each subclass did not correlate with the concentration of the corresponding serum IgG subclass. Seven cell lines producing anticolon antibodies were obtained from the colonic mucosa of the patients by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation. IgG subclasses of anticolon antibodies secreted by these cell lines were also varied. IgG₄ subclass was secreted by three EBV transformed cell lines, all of which produced IgG₄ anticolon antibodies. These results suggest that all four different IgG subclasses could respond to the colon antigens and that various antigens in colonic mucosa or lumen may contribute to the induction of those autoantibodies. In addition, the prominence of IgG₄ anticolon antibodies may support the pathogenic role of this subclass in UC as in other autoimmune diseases.     

FOLLOW-UP STUDIES ON THE SLEEP EEG AFTER PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY –Polygraphic Investigations during Spontaneous Nocturnal Sleep–

By taking polygraphic recordings of EEG throughout spontaneous nocturnal sleep of the chronic schizophrenics with prefrontal lobotomy, the patterns of their EEG and sleep course were briefly described. It was found that the two cases who have had only lobotomy as the special psychiatric treatment showed somewhat less frequent REM stages as compared with the controls. In contrast, in other cases who have received special psychiatric treatments inclusive of frequent ECTs, insulin and fever therapy, it is worthy of note that there were observed somewhat different characteristics in the sleep course and in the appearance of the REM stage as compared to those of the two foregoing cases. As for the pattern of EEG, all the five cases revealed some unusual sleep patterns, showing slow waves of slightly low voltage in the deep stage, and spindle waves of alpha band overlapped on delta waves, appearing from the beginning of sleep course. There was seen irregular derangement in the relationship between the degree of depth of sleep and pulses as generally observable in the autonomic nervous function, and also a similar disorder in the relationship of the REM stage to pulses. That is to say, there was often observed a phase which cannot be construed as an inseparable factor between the REM stage and pulses. In this paper, we have discussed about the follow-up studies of the lobotomized schizophrenic patients by polygraphic investigations, and assumed that there might persist some latent organic changes of the brain, especially in the cases who underwent lobotomy plus frequent ECTs, etc. treatments.