[Amylase-producing extramedullary plasmacytoma with multiple cutaneous metastasis following a solitary plasmacytoma of bone]

A 65-year-old woman was admitted because of multiple cutaneous tumors in the left lumbar area in March 1983. In 1979, she had been diagnosed as solitary plasmacytoma (IgG, kappa) of the left femur and amputation of the left leg had been performed. In 1981, the tumor relapsed in the left ilium in association with an increased level of serum IgG with M-component and normal activity of serum amylase. The serum M-protein had been disappeared after resection of the tumor. On admission laboratory examinations showed a slightly high level of serum IgG and elevated activities of serum and urine amylase. Amylase isoenzyme analysis revealed a predominance of the S-isozyme. Bone marrow aspiration revealed no atypical plasma cells. The supernate of cultured plasma cells obtained from the cutaneous tumor contained high amylase activity consisting exclusively of S-type. Thereafter serum amylase activities changed approximately in parallel with serum M-protein levels and total tumor volumes after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. At the terminal phase in 1986, however, serum amylase activities became extraordinarily high compared with serum M-protein levels, suggesting a clonal change of the plasmacytoma cells.

[A case of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the chest wall]

A case of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma arising in the chest wall of a 15-year-old male is reported in this paper. His complaint was chest and back pain. Physical examination and laboratory data disclosed no abnormality. Radiographs and computed tomography revealed chest wall tumor, and resection of the tumor with a portion of the eighth rib was performed. Histologically, there was no involvement of the rib at all. The tumor tissue was composed of solidly packed tumor cells which were uniform in size and shape. Individual tumor cells were small, round-shaped, and had scanty, ill-defined cytoplasm. The diastase-digested, PAS positive material was found in the cytoplasm. NSE (neuron specific enolase) was positive, but EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) LCA (leucocyte common antigen), and keratin were negative. With these results, we got a diagnosis of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma. Combination chemotherapy with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, actinomycin D was administered after operation, and there is no evidence of recurrence after 12 months of follow-up.

Amygdala kindling and associated changes of entorhinal responses in suckling rats

Entorhinal field potential with amygdala stimulation in suckling (16-18 days old) and adult rats was recorded with a tungsten wire electrode (tip diameter 2-5 microns) to study the developmental changes in behavioral seizures and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the responses to amygdala kindling stimulations. Stimulating (twisted enamel-coated wires) and recording electrodes were implanted in anesthetized rats 2-3 days before kindling. The mean amplitude of the responses to test pulses (600 microA, 0.3 Hz) in the sucklings (0.58 mV) was smaller than in the adults (1.32 mV), and latency was about 3.3 ms longer. Kindling stimulations consisted of 0.5-ms monophasic rectangular pulses of 10 Hz with a 10-s train duration; the intensity was the afterdischarge (AD) threshold. Kindling stimulation in the sucklings usually increased the amplitude of the test responses evoked 10 min or 1 h after the kindling stimulation. The increased amplitude persisted for at least 24 h, showing LTP in the synaptic transmission. The LTP was especially prominent in the first kindling stimulation, and the LTP gradually increased with successive stimulations, with gradual progression of AD and the behavioral seizure stage as well. The mean number of kindling stimulations to cause generalized seizures in the suckling rats (10.5) was less than that for adults (12.5), and the continued evolution of LTP over the course of kindling was more or less easier in the sucklings than in the adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Three cases of thyroid cancer, including a component of squamous cell carcinoma]

A squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland is rare and its prognosis is poor. Three cases of a rare thyroid cancer are reported, the first case being an adenosquamous cell carcinoma of a 75-year-old male and the second case being a pure squamous cell carcinoma of a 64-year-old male. These two cases were pathologically diagnosed on autopsy. The overall duration of these two cases was 6 months. The third case involved a 62-year-old male. His pathological diagnosis was a mixed squamous cell carcinoma and an undifferentiated carcinoma. Postoperatively 50 Gy of irradiation was performed. This patient is still alive and has shown no evidence of recurrence for 16 months.

[Changes in plasma estradiol, progesterone and LH level in the menstrual cycle of the adult female Japanese monkey during the mating season]

Adult 15 female Japanese monkeys showing regular menstrual cycles were subjected to the daily blood sampling for the measurement of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and biological LH in the mating season. Monkeys were maintained under controlled conditions in a standardized environment. Of the 35 cycles observed, 18 (51.4%) were estimated as anovulatory cycles and 17 (48.6%) were ovulatory cycles. The anovulatory cycles were classified into three types according to the peak level of E2 (Type I: E2 less than 50 pg/ml 3 cycles, Type II: E2 less than 170 pg/ml 7 cycles, Type III: E2 greater than 170 pg/ml 8 cycles). The ovulatory cycles were classified into two Types according to the peak level of P (Type IV: P less than 5.0 ng/ml 5 cycles, Tyep V: P greater than 5.0 ng/ml 12 cycles). The menstrual cycle was 27.5 +/- 7.8 days. The differences between mid cycle LH surge and P level in Type IV and in Type V were statistically significant. It was revealed that female Japanese monkeys kept under controlled condition in the mating season showed high incidence of various types of anovulatory cycles and that the ovulatory cycles with low P elevation in the mid luteal phase showed low LH and P secretions on the mid cycle date.

Human serum immuno-reactive copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase assayed with an enzyme monoclonal immunosorbent in patients with digestive cancer

Two types of monoclonal antibodies, N4 and N6, were raised against human copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Cu,Zn-SOD was developed in sandwich method using these monoclonal antibodies. The measurable assay range was 1.0-100 micrograms/l and the coefficient of variation within and between series were 7.5% and 8.1%. Sera of 154 healthy control subjects displayed a low level (14 micrograms/l) of immunoreactive Cu,Zn-SOD with a logarithmic normal distribution. On the other hand, serum Cu,Zn-SOD levels were significantly elevated in patients with various digestive cancers.

A N-methyltransferase in human brain catalyses N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline into N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, a precursor of a dopaminergic neurotoxin, N-methylisoquinolinium ion

N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) present in human brain was found by a N-methyltransferase in human brain homogenate. Formation of N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (NMTIQ) from TIQ was quantitatively assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The reaction required S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor and in terms of SAM the value of the Michaelis constant, Km, and of the maximal velocity, Vmax, were 5.11 +/- 1.69 microM and 7.31 +/- 0.21 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The value of Km and Vmax in terms of TIQ were 20.9 +/- 5.5 microM and 7.98 +/- 1.21 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The optimal pH of the reaction was 8.25. A major part of the N-methyltransferase activity was found in the cytosolic fraction of human cortex. Enzymatic formation of NMTIQ indicates that in human brain this compound may be an intermediate of biosynthesis of a potent neurotoxin of dopamine metabolism, N-methylisoquinolinium ion, from naturally-occurring TIQ.

Human adenylate kinase deficiency associated with hemolytic anemia. A single base substitution affecting solubility and catalytic activity of the cytosolic adenylate kinase

Adenylate kinase deficiency in the erythrocyte is a rare genetic disorder associated with hemolytic anemia. To determine the molecular basis of this disorder, we first cloned the normal gene encoding human cytosolic adenylate kinase (AK1) and determined the structure. The gene was 12 kilobase pairs long and was split into 7 exons. The structures of 5'- and 3'-flanking regions were determined by primer extension and RNA blot analysis. The results showed that two species of mRNA with 0.9 and 2.5 kilobases, which differed at the 3'-end portion, were generated by the AK1 gene. Alu sequences were found in the largest intron (intron 5) and in the noncoding region of exon 7. Next, both alleles of the AK1 gene were cloned from DNA of a patient bearing the adenylate kinase deficiency and their nucleotide sequences determined. A transition (C----T) was found in exon 6 on an allele, which resulted in an Arg to Trp (CGG----TGG) substitution at the 128th residue of AK1. Since chicken AK1 is highly homologous to human AK1 with respect to the amino acid sequence, we introduced an Arg to Trp substitution to chicken AK1 at the same position by oligodeoxynucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The mutant chicken AK1 expressed in Escherichia coli showed a reduced catalytic activity as well as a decreased solubility and a change in affinity to phosphocellulose. Thus it was considered that the observed C----T transition was a cause of the decreased AK1 activity of the patient's erythrocyte. Analysis on phosphocellulose chromatography of erythrocyte AK1 of the patient and parents revealed that the patient's mutant allele was derived from the mother.

Radiographic measurements of metacarpophalangeal lengths in Japanese children

The lengths of 19 tubular bones of the hand were measured on radiographs of 1,585 Japanese children aged 0 to 17 years. The means and standard deviations related to age and sex were calculated and presented in tables. Using the standards, examples of the metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis are presented.

Developmental study of hippocampal kindling

The critical susceptibility to seizure in immature hippocampus of rat brain was investigated using the kindling model of epilepsy. Hourly electrical low-intensity stimulations applied to the left dorsal hippocampus of suckling rats induced longer initial AD duration (p less than 0.01) with faster development of kindling seizure than in that of adult rats. In contrast to the marked reduction of wet dog shakes (WDS) in adult rats, in suckling rats persistent and prolonged WDS were observed as kindling progressed. The faster development of hippocampal kindling in suckling rats than in adult rats was explained by the different excitability of the stimulated brain site and the different extent of neural connections in many brain structures, which participate in generalization of seizures arising from a stimulated site.

[Autopsy findings in 255 cases of head and neck cancer]

Two hundred and fifty-five autopsies of patients with head and neck cancers were performed at Gunma Cancer Center between 1972 and 1986. This figure accounts for 27.8% of the total number of autopsies at the Center which was 917 cases during the period. The autopsies discussed are as follows: 1) Fifty-five cases (21.6%) were oral carcinomas, 43 cases (16.9%) maxillary carcinomas, 39 cases (15.3%) laryngeal carcinomas, 32 cases (12.5%) hypopharyngeal carcinomas and finally 22 cases (8.6%) of malignant lymphomas. 2) The incidence of visceral metastases in 200 cases of squamous cell carcinoma numbered 83, including 70 cases (84.3%) of lung metastases, the most frequently observed. 3) The causes of death in head and neck cancer were primarily of two types: Twenty five cases were due to major hemorrhage as a result of carotid rupture owing to tumor invasion and its intensive irradiation. The remaining 14 deaths resulted from interstitial pneumonitis occurring during bleomycin systemic chemotherapy. The brevity of survival from the onset of symptoms would seem to indicate that, by the time head and neck cancer manifest themselves clinically, they are already at a astage of development beyond the scope of treatment.

[Qualitative and quantitative changes of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary glands in female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) during the menstrual cycle and after castration]

The present study was designed to investigate qualitative and quantitative changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary glands of female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) during the menstrual cycle and after castration. The pituitary glands were removed from 10 intact cycling Japanese monkeys and 3 castrated ones: The former sacrificed in the early, late follicular phase, and mid luteal phase, and the latter 8 weeks after castration. All 13 pituitary glands were fractionated by isoelectrofocusing (IEF). The mid cycle peaks of estradiol (E2) and bioactive LH occurred simultaneously in 11 out of 13 monkeys. No animals showed luteal phase peaks in the plasma E2 concentration. Bioactive LH content (IU/mg wet weight) in the pituitary gland was significantly correlated with plasma E2 levels in the cycling monkeys (R2 = 0.974) and it was the highest in monkeys in the late follicular phase. Bioactive LH in the pituitary gland was separated into 6 distinct species in terms of pI values by IEF; A(9.31 +/- 0.19), B(8.88 +/- 0.17), C(8.36 +/- 0.17), D(7.92 +/- 0.18), E(7.32 +/- 0.16) and F(acidic LH). Among alkaline LH species, the most predominant ones were Fractions B, C and D in the early follicular phase, Fraction A followed by B in the late follicular phase and Fraction B followed by C in the mid luteal phase. The neutral and acidic LH (Fraction E and F) was increased more in the early follicular phase and in the castrates. In conclusion, LH species separated by IEF may correspond to the stage of molecular maturation of pituitary LH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oxidation of N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline into the N-methyl-isoquinolinium ion by monoamine oxidase

N-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (NMTIQ) was found to be oxidized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) into N-methylisoquinolinium ion, which was proved to inhibit enzymes related to the metabolism of catecholamines, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, and MAO. NMTIQ was oxidized by both types A and B MAO in human brain synaptosomal mitochondria. Oxidation was dependent on the amount of MAO sample and the reaction time. Enzyme activity with respect to NMTIQ reached optimum at a pH of approximately 7.25, as was the case with other substrates. Type A MAO had higher activity for this substrate than type B. The Km and Vmax values of the oxidation by types A and B MAO were 571 +/- 25 microM and 0.29 +/- 0.06 pmol/min/mg protein, and 463 +/- 43 microM and 0.16 +/- 0.03 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The Vmax values of types A and B MAO for NMTIQ were much smaller than those for other substrates such as kynuramine. NMTIQ was the first tetrahydroisoquinoline shown to be oxidized into the isoquinolinium ion by MAO in the brain.

Biopterin and neopterin in human saliva

Presence of biopterin and neopterin in human saliva was investigated by HPLC after iodine oxidation in acidic medium. Concentrations of biopterin and neopterin (M +/- SEM) were 1.271 +/- 0.254 and 0.358 +/- 0.075 ng per ml, respectively, in saliva of apparently healthy young male adults, ages 20 to 22 years (n = 9). Nearly identical value of the neopterin/biopterin ratio (0.29 +/- 0.07) was obtained for each of these specimens. Monapterin, the L-threo-isomer of neopterin (0.084 +/- 0.022 ng per ml saliva), and other unconjugated pterins such as xanthopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin and pterin were also found in the saliva. These pterins were all detectable in saliva of young female adults with similar levels to those of male saliva. Another fluorescent compound which was identical with 7-iso biopterin in retention time on HPLC was observed in all specimens of normal saliva examined.

Migration of tetrahydroisoquinoline, a possible parkinsonian neurotoxin, into monkey brain from blood as proved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) was quantitated by use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in brains and livers of marmosets which showed parkinsonism after daily subcutaneous injection of TIQ. TIQ showed greatly increased levels in the brains and livers of the TIQ-treated marmosets, with no detectable metabolites of TIQ. TIQ was present as an endogenous amine in the brains and livers of saline-treated marmosets at very low concentrations. It thus seems that TIQ can pass easily through the blood-brain barrier but cannot be metabolized in the brain or the liver. It is possible that TIQ accumulated in the brain may produce parkinsonism.

Voltage-clamp analysis of taurine-induced suppression of excitatory postsynaptic potentials in frog spinal motoneurons

1. The depressant actions of taurine applications on lumbar motoneurons in the isolated frog spinal cord were studied using conventional intracellular recordings and the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. 2. With microelectrodes containing K+-acetate, 0.75-2 mM taurine mostly induced a hyperpolarization that often faded or turned into depolarization during the continuous application. A higher concentration (5-7.5 mM) depolarized a majority of cells. The effects on the membrane potential were associated with an increase in input conductance (approximately 285%). 3. The reversal potential of the taurine-induced currents was approximately -70 mV, with microelectrodes containing K+-acetate. In recordings using KCl-filled electrodes, taurine (less than or equal to 2 mM) produced a large depolarization (greater than or equal to 20 mV) at resting potentials near -50 mV, thereby indicating that the reversal potential was positively shifted by loading the cell with Cl-. These results suggest that the taurine potentials were mediated predominantly by an increased Cl- permeability. 4. Voltage-dependent relaxations of taurine currents were observed in 10 of 14 neurons. 5. A linear relation was found between the input conductance and the amount of current required to generate a 1-mV increment in EPSP at resting potential. 6. Polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and currents (EPSCs) were more susceptible to taurine than the monosynaptic responses. Taurine (less than 1 mM) seemed to suppress the interneurons mediating polysynaptic pathways. 7. Monosynaptic EPSPs and EPSCs were decreased with higher concentrations of taurine (greater than 1 mM). The percent reduction of EPSPs and that of the corresponding EPSCs had a positive correlation (r = 0.95), whereas, there was no significant correlation between changes in EPSPs and in input conductance, and between changes in EPSCs and in input conductance. The amount of current required to produce a 1-mV increment of EPSP was increased in the presence of taurine, in association with the increased input conductance. 8. Taurine suppressed synaptic potentiation of EPSPs evoked by paired stimuli, at an interval of 60-180 ms. Gamma-D-glutamylglycine, an antagonist of receptors for excitatory amino acids, greatly reduced the amplitude of EPSPs, but had little effect on synaptic potentiation. 9. Taurine suppressed glutamate currents evoked at membrane potentials, clamped near rest in low Ca2+, high Mg2+ solution. 10. These findings suggest that the taurine-induced reduction of EPSPs is due mainly to suppression of EPSCs, through both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of electrical stimulation on intracranial pressure and systemic arterial blood pressure in cats. Part II: Stimulation of cerebral cortex and hypothalamus

This experimental work was carried out to examine whether activation of autonomic cortical and hypothalamic areas by electrical stimulation is related to changes in the intracranial pressure (ICP) in cats anaesthetized lightly with sodium pentobarbital. Electrical stimulation was performed using a concentric electrode with a train of electrical pulses (pulse duration, 0.4 ms; frequency, 40 Hz; intensity, 50-400 microA). Stimulation of sites in the anterior cingulate gyrus produced a rise in ICP associated with a fall in systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) or with no change in BP. Stimulation of sites in the anterior hypothalamus produced a fall in BP with an increase in ICP. Stimulation of sites in the area extending from the anterior hypothalamus to the posterior hypothalamus produced rises in BP and ICP. These observations suggest that activation of autonomic cortical and hypothalamic areas is involved in changes in ICP.