Effective treatment by glycolic acid peeling for cutaneous manifestation of familial generalized acanthosis nigricans caused by FGFR3 mutation

BACKGROUND

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) can occur as a cutaneous manifestation of genetic diseases, one of which is associated with activating mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3).

OBJECTIVE

We explored familial AN patients with FGFR3 mutations and examined the effectiveness of glycolic acid (GA) peeling in improving their skin manifestations.

METHODS

Sanger sequencing was performed for the genomic DNA extracted from leucocytes of the family members involving familial AN. GA peeling was carried out for the two patients of familial AN once every 2 weeks.

RESULTS

Heterozygous c.1949A>C (p.K650T) mutation in FGFR3 was identified for the affected family members examined, whereas the wild-type sequence was found for two unaffected individuals. Hyperpigmentation and coarseness of the skin were improved by GA peeling at regular intervals with few adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

We diagnosed our cases as familial generalized AN caused by heterozygous c.1949A>C (p.K650T) mutation of FGFR3. We propose that GA peeling is a useful and safe therapeutic option to treat familial AN.

Arrival time parametric imaging of the hemodynamic balance changes between the hepatic artery and the portal vein during deep inspiration, using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography: A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome

This case report concerns a 40-year-old male who had previously been treated for an esophageal varix rupture, at the age of 30 years. The medical examination at that time revealed occlusion of the inferior vena cava in the proximity of the liver, leading to the diagnosis of the patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome. The progress of the patient was therefore monitored in an outpatient clinic. The patient had no history of drinking or smoking, but had suffered an epileptic seizure in 2004. The patient's family history revealed nothing of note. In February 2012, color Doppler ultrasonography (US) revealed a change in the blood flow in the right portal vein branch, from hepatopetal to hepatofugal, during deep inspiration. Arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI), using Sonazoid-enhanced US, was subsequently performed to examine the deep respiration-induced changes observed in the hepatic parenchymal perfusion. US images captured during deep inspiration demonstrated hepatic parenchymal perfusion predominantly in red, indicating that the major blood supply was the hepatic artery. During deep expiration, the portal venous blood flow remained hepatopetal, and hepatic parenchymal perfusion was displayed predominantly in yellow, indicating that the portal vein was the major source of the blood flow. The original diagnostic imaging results were reproduced one month subsequently by an identical procedure. At-PI enabled an investigation into the changes that were induced in the hepatic parenchymal perfusion by a compensatory mechanism involving the hepatic artery. These changes occurred in response to a reduction in the portal venous blood flow, as is observed in the arterialization of hepatic blood flow that is correlated with the progression of chronic hepatitis C. It has been established that the peribiliary capillary plexus is important in the regulation of hepatic arterial blood flow. However, this case demonstrated that the peribiliary capillary plexus also regulates acute changes in portal venous blood flow, in addition to the chronic reduction in blood flow that is observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Arrival time parametric imaging using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography is useful for the detection of spoke-wheel patterns of focal nodular hyperplasia smaller than 3 cm

It is considered difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of <3 cm when using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities. Typical FNH imaging findings are: i) central scar formation, ii) nutrient vessels extending radially from the center and iii) the presence of Kupffer cells. In a clinical setting, identification of a spoke-wheel pattern formed by nutrient vessels extending radially is a key feature in the diagnosis of FNH. In this study, we investigated the detection rate of spoke-wheel patterns of FNH <3 cm using arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI) technology with Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography (US). Five patients with FNH <3 cm who had undergone Sonazoid-enhanced US at the Toho University Omori Medical Center between February 2008 and March 2009 were included in the study. The mean tumor diameter was 20.2±7.2 mm. Lesions were enhanced with 0.5 ml Sonazoid US contrast agent and a video of the procedure was saved and used for At-PI analysis of contrast agent dynamics in FNH. Three ultrasonographic specialists examined the images and made a diagnosis of FNH based on the findings of spoke-wheel patterns. Similarly, micro-flow imaging (MFI) was performed to evaluate the contrast agent dynamics in FNH. Using MFI, FNH was diagnosed in 3 of the 5 cases by the three specialists, whereas At-PI enabled the identification of spoke-wheel patterns in all 5 cases. At-PI using Sonazoid-enhanced US is superior for detecting spoke-wheel patterns of FNH <3 cm.

Visualization of segmental arterialization with arrival time parametric imaging using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography in portal vein thrombosis: A case report

A 55-year-old male was admitted in mid-April 2011 with a fever of >39°C and pain in the lower right abdomen. A medical examination revealed sepsis originating from colonic diverticulitis. Abdominal B-mode ultrasonography (US) performed on admission detected thrombi in the superior mesenteric vein and in the right branch of the hepatic portal vein. Arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI) using Sonazoid-enhanced US showed arterialization of the entire right lobe of the liver. The treatment for the sepsis and portal thrombi that had been started upon admission dissolved the thrombi by day 22, with the exception of one thrombus in the P8 branch of the portal vein. At-PI performed on the same day confirmed arterialization in segment 8, but portal vein dominance was restored elsewhere. When the blood inflow from the hepatic portal vein was reduced, the hepatic arterial blood flow was increased to compensate for the reduction in the total blood supply. The At-PI functions used in the Sonazoid-enhanced US were simple yet effective in visualizing the changes in the hepatic hemodynamics caused by the portal thrombus.

Hepatic parenchymal hemodynamics of cholangitis with portal trunk thrombus using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid: delineation of so-called central and peripheral zonal differentiation by arrival-time parametric imaging

We carried out contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid for a patient who had portal thrombosis due to choledocholith and cholangitis, and the video images were analyzed by an offline procedure using arrival-time parametric imaging. Colors were changed with the time course from red to orange, yellow, green, light blue, and blue, with the time the contrast agent reached the right hepatic artery as the starting point. The central part of the liver was primarily colored blue, and the peripheral part primarily yellowish-green. In other words, we confirmed the central and peripheral zonal differentiation observed in the arterial phase of dynamic computed tomography by color mapping image of arrival-time parametric imaging. Particularly, real-time changes in the hemodynamics of the hepatic parenchyma could be captured by color mapping image using arrival-time parametric imaging.

A case of poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma with intriguing ultrasonography findings

A 60-year-old female was referred to the Toho University Omori Medical Center due to ultrasonography findings revealing a notable hepatic mass. The 44×32 mm isoechoic mass had a high-echo band along the margin in the liver. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid detected an enhancement pattern extending from the outer periphery to the inside of the mass in the vascular phase and a pattern similar to that of surrounding hepatic tissue in the post-vascular phase. High-flow hepatic hemangioma was suspected due to the hyperechoic rim-like high-echo band, the oval shape and the CEUS findings. However, computed tomography revealed a hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pattern and the patient underwent surgery. Histopathological findings revealed poorly differentiated HCC. As poorly and moderately differentiated HCC types are conventionally classified as 'hypervascular HCC', few detailed ultrasonography (US) studies of poorly differentiated HCC are available. US characteristics of hypervascular HCC include the presence of a halo (hypoechoic band) around the lesion and reduced signal intensity in the post-vascular phase of CEUS. US in the patient revealed a mass with a hyperechoic band and a signal intensity in the post-vascular phase of CEUS that was almost identical to that of the surrounding liver parenchyma. These findings suggest poorly differentiated HCC and indicate that further research on hypervascular HCC is required.

Usefulness of arrival time parametric imaging in evaluating the degree of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C infection

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the degree of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C infection can be evaluated by arrival time parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced sonography with Sonazoid (perfluorobutane; GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway).

METHODS

In this study, 60 patients with liver disease in chronic hepatitis C infection were examined and compared with 10 healthy volunteers who served as controls. A recommended dose of the sonographic contrast agent Sonazoid was intravenously infused, and the S5 or S6 region of the liver and right kidney were observed concurrently while movies of the procedure were saved. Arrival time parametric images of liver parenchymal blood flow were created, with red pixels to indicate an arrival time of 0 to 5 seconds and yellow pixels to indicate an arrival time of 5 to 10 seconds. From the obtained images, the ratio of the red area to the entire enhanced area of the liver was calculated using image-processing software. Each participant was subsequently subjected to liver biopsy for liver fibrosis staging according to Metavir scores, and the determined fibrosis stage was compared with the ratio of red. The serum albumin level, platelet count, and prothrombin time were also compared with the ratio of red for each participant.

RESULTS

The ratio of red increased significantly as liver fibrosis stage advanced (P < .01 for F1 versus F2; P < .01 for F1 versus F3; P < .01 for F1 versus F4; and P < .01 for F2 versus F4). As the ratio of red increased, significant decreases were observed in the serum albumin level (r = -0.29; P = .027), platelet count (r = -0.46; P = .0003), and prothrombin time (r = -0.46; P = .0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Arrival time parametric imaging using Sonazoid-enhanced sonography enables noninvasive evaluation of the degree of progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C infection and is thus considered clinically useful.

Solvent extraction of trivalent actinides with di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid

We carried out solvent extraction on the trivalent actinides of Am, Cm, Cf, and Fm and the lanthanides (except Pm) using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in benzene by a batch method. The extraction constants of the HDEHP complexes for these elements were determined systematically under identical conditions. The tetrad effect was clearly observed in the variation of the extraction constants of the lanthanide series. We found that the extraction constant for Fm(III) is much smaller than that for Dy(III), which have similar ionic radii. The extraction constants for Am(III), Cm(III), and Cf(III) are similar to those for corresponding Ln(III) having similar ionic radii. Two possibilities that account for the lower extraction constant of Fm(III) is suggested.

Diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma by parametric imaging using sonazoid-enhanced US

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Comparison of Parametric Imaging (PI) using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography (US) and microflow imaging (MFI) to determine the possibility of hepatic hemangioma diagnosis using PI.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-two hepatic hemangioma nodules (mean±SD diameter: 31.6±19.1mm) undergoing Sonazoid-enhanced US between February 2008 and March 2009. After Sonazoid-enhanced US, COMMUNE ultrasonographic image analysis software was used for analysis of tumor imaging dynamics in the vascular phase using PI and MFI. In PI, 0s was set as the time contrast agent reached the tumor. Imaging within the tumor after 0s was color-coded according to time, and the images were displayed in color. In MFI, 0s was set as the time contrast agent reached the tumor. The path of microbubbles as it flowed through blood vessels was superimposed on the original B-mode images. Three trained physicians used these methods to analyze tumor imaging dynamics.

RESULTS

All physicians concluded all cases were hepatic hemangioma regardless of method used. However, compared to MFI, PI allowed determination of more detailed blood flow dynamics in high-flow hepatic hemangioma, where blood flow speed was faster than in normal hepatic hemangioma.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to diagnose hepatic hemangioma using PI using sonazoid-enhanced US.

Drinking status of heavy drinkers detected by arrival time parametric imaging using sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography: study of two cases

Chronic heavy consumption of alcohol is associated with increased risks of developing liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and esophageal varices. Cessation of alcohol consumption is the most important requirement in treating these diseases. However, judging whether patients have actually maintained abstinence from alcohol requires reliance on their reports, which vary substantially across individuals using the test methods currently available. Arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI) using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography is regarded as a useful approach for assessing the progression of lesions that have developed in liver parenchyma. In this study, we report two cases for whom this approach was successfully applied to indicate the drinking status of a heavy drinker. At-PI enables approximate and objective assessment of the drinking status of patients, independent of their reports; therefore, it is a promising method for providing information about drinking status.

Sputtering of Lead-Based Ferroelectrics

PbTiO3(PT), Pb1-xLaxTi1-x/4O3(PLT) and PbZrxTi1-xO3(PZT) thin films were prepared by rf magnetron sputtering. It was found that the thin films have remarkably large pyroelectric effect and high figures of merit for infrared sensors without poling treatment. High performance pyroelectric infrared sensors (single element and linear array) were fabricated by using the PLT(x=0.1) thin films with the new structures and the device process. This type of sensor is carried on the air conditioner to detect a thermal environment. The PZT thin films with x=0.9 showed a large remanent polarization of 46μC/cm2 and small coercive force of 28kV/cm. In addition, good endurance behavior (no degradation of Pr after 1011 cycles) was observed. Recent activities of ferroelectric thin film research in Japan is also reported.

Evaluation of local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid: comparison with dynamic computed tomography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid for the diagnosis of the local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing it with dynamic CT.

METHODS

Seventy-one patients with 87 HCC lesions (mean +/- SD; 19.5 +/- 9.6 mm) underwent CEUS using Sonazoid and dynamic CT after radiofrequency ablation (n = 55), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (n = 22), or radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (n = 10). Two hepatologists (observer 1; 10 years of experience, and 2; 20 years of experience) reviewed the CEUS and dynamic CT images independently and evaluated presence or absence of the local recurrence. Diagnostic performance for the local recurrence was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The Az value for dynamic CT was significantly lower in observer 1 than 2 (p < 0.05). The sensitivity of CEUS was 79% in observer 1 and 83.9% in observer 2, and that of dynamic CT was 83.9% and 90.3%, respectively. The specificity of CEUS was 96%, and that of dynamic CT was 92%, in both observers.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that CEUS using Sonazoid is less affected by the observer's experience and is more accurate in the diagnosis of local recurrence after treatment for HCC than dynamic CT.

Recurrence incidence of small HCC in cirrhosis patients by ablation versus injection

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The incidence of local recurrence of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (15 mm or less) was compared retrospectively between a group treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using cool-tip (Radionics, USA) 10-mm electrodes and a group treated with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI).

METHODOLOGY

There were 23 patients who were treated for a total of 25 tumors during a 3-year period at our hospital. Ten of the tumors (11.1 +/- 2.7mm) were treated with RFA using cool-tip 10-mm electrodes and 15 tumors (10.6 +/- 2.7 mm) were treated with PEI. After treatment, progression was evaluated in enhanced CT scans every 3-6 months to confirm presence or absence of local recurrence.

RESULTS

The number of recurrences, mean observation period, and mean recurrence period in the RFA group were 2 (20%), 6.6 months, and 6 months. The number of recurrences, mean observation period, and mean recurrence period in the PEI group were 2 (13.3%), 19.1 months, and 18 months. The period between treatment and recurrence tended to be longer in the PEI group than in the RFA group to be significant p < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that PEI treatment is more effective in local treatment of hypervascular HCC with tumor diameters of 15 mm or less.

Cool-tip 10-mm electrode useful for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Whether a cool-tip 10mm electrode is useful for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been established. Accordingly, the present study goal was to determine this electrode is indicated for RFA of HCC.

METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted with 30 HCC patients who were treated with a cool-tip 10-mm electrode over a period of about 3 years. Ten had hypervascular HCC nodules and 20 had hypovascular HCC nodules; mean tumor diameter was 10.5 +/- 1.8mm. Patients underwent follow-up CT scans every 3 to 6 months to detect local progression.

RESULTS

Of the 30 lesions, 4 (13.3%) showed local progression. Enhanced CT imaging of the four cases with local progression revealed that two had hypervascular HCC. The remaining two cases had hypovascular HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study results suggest that, RFA with a cool-tip 10-mm electrode is indicated in cases of hypovascular HCC nodules if the lesion diameter is no more than 10mm. In addition, in order to avoid skin burns, only lesions at a depth of at least 16mm below the liver surface are suitable for this treatment. Because of its lesser invasiveness, the cool-tip 10-mm electrode appears to be more useful than other, more powerful, devices in patients with hepatic carcinoma.

Serum REG4 protein in pancreatic cancer as a tumor marker: A prospective study

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Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) shows the worst mortality rate in common malignancies, with 5-year survival rate of 4%. The only way to cure the disease is surgical resection of early stage PC. Establishment of a screening strategy to detect early stage PC is eagerly expected. REG4, a member of the regenerating islet-derived (REG) family, are secreted proteins that play a role in tissue regeneration and inflammation in digestive organs. We reported overexpression of REG4 in PC cells and serum, and preliminary data of the serum REG4 level of pancreatic disease patients including PC patients. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of serum REG4 in PC. Methods: The series included 57 patients diagnosed pathologically as PC between November 2004 and December 2005. Serum REG4 was quantified by standard sandwich ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) using original kit (MBL116: provided by Medical and Biological Laboratories Co., LTD, Japan) before treatment. The upper limit of the test was set at 3.52ng/ml and was based on studies of serum from 48 healthy control subjects. Results: With a specificity of 100%, the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy were 63.2% and 80.0%, respectively. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis showed that area under the curve was 0.91. REG4 levels were a significant differences between PC and control (p<0.001), between each T stage and control (T1,T2, T3 or T4 v control), and between each TMN stage and control (stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 or stage 4 v control), but were not a statistical significance with T stage (T1 v T2 v T3 v T4), M stage (M0 v M1) or TNM stage (stage 1 v stage 2 v stage 3 v stage 4) in PC patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA>5.0ng/ml) and carbohydrate antigen19–9 (CA19–9>50U/ml) was 56.5% and 68.4%, respectively. No significant correlation was demonstrated between REG4 and CA19–9 (coefficient of correlation [rs]=0.45). Conclusions: This study shows the potential of serum REG4 as a screening test for PC, especially for early PC. REG4 is considered to be a more useful marker in combination with CA19- 9.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in semiconductors via biexciton coherence

We report an experimental demonstration and theoretical analysis of electromagnetically induced transparency in a GaAs quantum well, in which the absorption of an exciton resonance is reduced by more than twentyfold. The destructive quantum interference in this scheme is set up by a control pulse that couples to a resonance of biexcitons. These studies illustrate that many-particle interactions, which are inherent in semiconductors and are often detrimental to quantum coherences, can also be harnessed to manipulate these coherences.

Evidence for intervalence band coherences in semiconductor quantum wells via coherently coupled optical Stark shifts

We report the experimental observation of coherently coupled heavy-hole-light-hole Stark shifts, i.e., light-hole exciton shifts under heavy-hole exciton pumping conditions, in InGaAs quantum wells. The theoretical analysis of the data is based on a full many-body approach (dynamics-controlled truncation formalism) in the third-order nonlinear optical regime. It is shown that the Stark shift data can be interpreted as strong evidence of suitably defined nonradiative intervalence band coherences in a semiconductor quantum well. Hence, the observations establish a semiconductor analog of Raman coherences in three-level atoms.

[Electroencephalographic characteristics during maintenance and emergence from propofol-ketamine-fentanyl anesthesia]

Spectral edge frequency 90 (SEF 90) and relative power in four frequency bands (beta, alpha, theta, delta) of the processed electroencephalogram were recorded in 20 patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery under total intravenous anesthesia (propofol-ketamine-fentanyl) (group PKF, n = 10) or nitrous oxide-oxygen-isoflurane (group GOI, n = 10) anesthesia. During anesthesia, mean SEF 90 and relative beta power increased more significantly in group PKF than in group GOI. At emergence from anesthesia, SEF 90 was 21.8 Hz in group PKF and 20.5 Hz in group GOI. These results suggest that it is difficult to evaluate the depth of anesthesia using pEEG under PKF anesthesia.

Chemopreventive effects of S-methylcysteine on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by concurrent administration of sodium nitrite and morpholine

The aim of the present study was to examine the chemopreventive efficacy of S-methylcysteine (SMC) on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by concurrent administration of sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) and morpholine (Mor) using a medium-term rat liver carcinogenesis bioassay (Ito test). Administration of SMC caused significant reduction in the areas of glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci along with a significant decrease of hepatocyte 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling indices. These results demonstrated potent chemopreventive effects of SMC against hepatocarcinogenesis due to concurrent administration of Mor and NaNO(2). SMC could thus be an effective chemopreventive agent for decreasing the risk of carcinogenicity from environmental precursors of N-nitroso compounds.

Neuronal pathways from foot pad afferents to hindlimb motoneurons in the low spinalized cats

Experiments were performed on 16 adult spinalized (L2) cats. Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) produced by electrical stimulation of afferent nerves innervating foot pads were recorded from hindlimb motoneurons innervating the following hindlimb muscles: the posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt), anterior biceps and semimembranosus (ABSm), lateral gastrocnemius and soleus (LGS), medial gastrocnemius (MG), plantaris (P1), tibialis anterior (TA), popliteus (Pop), flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus (FDHL) and peroneus longus (Per.l). The rate of occurrence of different types of PSPs (EPSPs, IPSPs and mixed PSPs), the size of the PSPs and their central latencies were analyzed for each group of motoneurons to identify the neural pathways from the afferents innervating foot pads to hindlimb motoneurons. The rates of occurrence of different types of PSPs did not depend on the foot pad stimulated in PBSt, ABSm and LGS motoneurons, but for other groups of motoneurons their rates of occurrence depended on the foot pad stimulated. It was often noted that the size of PSPs in the same motoneurons differed according to the foot pad stimulated. Measurements of the central latencies of the PSPs indicated that the shortest neural pathways for EPSPs and IPSPs were disynaptic (central latencies < 1.8 ms). The functional role of neuronal pathways from afferent nerves innervating foot pads to hindlimb motoneurons could be to maintain stability of the foot during different postural and motor activities.

Polysynaptic neuronal pathways from group I and group II afferents innervating tail muscles to hindlimb motoneurons in the cat

Postsynaptic potentials evoked in motoneurons innervating m. posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt) and m. triceps surae (GS) by low threshold afferents from various tail muscles located at the level of the second-third caudal vertebrae were investigated in the non-anesthetized and spinalized cat. Afferent inputs from tail muscles on both sides predominantly evoked depolarizing potential in PBSt motoneurons and hyperpolarizing potential in GS motoneurons. The findings suggest that in general, tail muscle afferents facilitate flexor and inhibit extensor hindlimb motoneurons through polysynaptic pathways, so that the pelvic girdle is kept in a low position to maintain the stability of the body irrespective of different movements or posture of the tail.

Polysynaptic neuronal pathways from tail cutaneous afferents to hindlimb motoneurons in the spinalized cat

Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) were recorded in motoneurons innervating the m. posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt-MN) and m. triceps surae (GS-MN) in 19 spinalized adult cats, after electrical stimulation of the dorsal and ventral tail cutaneous nerves (TDC and TVC). With stimulation at 1,5-5 time threshold, inhibitory PSPs (IPSPs), excitatory PSPs (EPSPs), and mixed PSPs (IPSP/EPSPs, EPSP/IPSPs) were recorded in approximately 90% of PBSt-MN and 70% of GS-MN. IPSPs (IPSPs, IPSP/EPSPs) after stimulation of the contralateral TVC and TDC were observed in 54% and 52% of PBSt motoneurons, respectively. EPSPs (EPSP, EPSP/IPSPs) were recorded after stimulation of ipsilateral TVC in 56% of PBSt motoneurons. IPSPs produced after stimulation of ipsilateral TDC and TVC were observed in 65% and 63%, respectively, of GS-MN showing PSPs after stimulation of tail cutaneous nerves. Measurement of segmental latencies of the earliest PSPs (PBSt-MN, IPSPs: 2.1-7.4 ms, EPSPs: 3.1-18.9 ms, GS-MN, IPSPs: 2.5-17.1 ms, EPSPs: 4.2-19.4 ms) suggested that most of the neural pathways from tail cutaneous afferents to hindlimb motoneurons are at least trisynaptic in the L7 spinal segments. Hemisection of spinal cord at S1-S2 indicated that neural pathways from both the ipsilateral and contralateral low threshold cutaneous afferents pass through the ipsilateral spinal cord at S1-S2. The neural pathways from tail cutaneous afferents to hindlimb motoneurons to maintain the balance of the pelvic girdle were discussed.

Descending pathways from the medial longitudinal fasciculus and lateral vestibular nucleus to tail motoneurons in the decerebrate cat

Responses of motoneurons supplying two tail muscles (m. extensor caudae lateralis [ECL] and m. flexor caudae longus [FCL]) to stimulation of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) and lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) were studied using intracellular recording in the decerebrate cat. Stimulation of the MLF and the LVN produced mainly excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) or mixed PSPs (EPSP/IPSPs), but inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were also observed in a few motoneurons. The segmental latencies of early PSPs produced by MLF or LVN stimulation were distributed over a wide range, and PSPs with a segmental latency of mono- or disynaptic origin were observed in ECL and FCL motoneurons. The spatial facilitation technique indicated convergence of the descending pathways from MLF and LVN on a common interneuron.

Postnatal development of tail motoneurons and muscles in cat

The postnatal development of motoneurons in two tail muscles, the extensor caudae medialis (ECM) and extensor caudae lateralis (ECL), and that of ECL muscle fibers were studied in cats 1 week to 2 months old. The location of ECL and ECM motoneurons in cats of different ages did not change postnatally. Somal size (average of maximal and minimal diameters) of ECL and ECM motoneurons gradually increased, and the size distribution of ECL was bimodal at 2 months. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were studied to determine oxidative and glycolytic activities in ECL growth. SDH activity rapidly decreased between 1 week and 2 weeks of age, while PFK activities increased gradually.

Improved chromatographic purification of human and bovine type V collagen sub-molecular species and their subunit chains from conventional crude preparations. Application to cell-substratum adhesion assay for human umbilical vein endothelial cell

Two human type V collagen sub-molecular species, designated [alpha 1(V)]2 alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(V)alpha 2(V)alpha 3(V), were purified chromatographically from a commercially available preparation, in which cystine-rich collagenous contaminants were contained, with a column packed with Fractogel EMD SO3-. From bovine crude preparations, the [alpha 1(V)]2 alpha 2(V) form free from the collagenous contaminants was purified. Type V collagen subunit chains were isolated from each type V collagen molecule by anion-exchange HPLC with a Bakerbond PEI Scout column. The highly purified human type V collagen molecules and their subunit chains were used to examine the inhibitory effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation. It was confirmed that the alpha 1(V) chain has inhibitory activity and it was found that the inhibitory effect of the [alpha 1(V)]2 alpha 2(V) form is stronger than that of the alpha 1(V)alpha 2(V)alpha 3(V) form and that the alpha 3(V) chain has no inhibitory activity.

Clinico-pathological studies of Amyloid-P component in human glomerulopathies

Renal tissues from 171 patients with different glomerulopathies and 6 normal controls were examined by an immunofluorescent technique. Specimens were stained in particular with anti-Amyloid P (AP) antisera, and were also stained for immunoglobulins and complement. The intensity and distribution pattern of AP staining were studied. The AP staining revealed a faint/linear pattern in normal controls, and was granular and linear in pathological specimens. The distribution of AP was found to be mesangial, capillary and mesangiocapillary. According to the degree of AP intensity, the patients were divided into two groups: group I (56 patients) exhibiting a faint intensity as seen in the normal controls, and group II (115 patients) with a strong intensity. The histological findings and laboratory data were compared between the two groups as well as among patients with different diseases. The incidence of sclerotic lesions and the amount of proteinuria were significantly higher in group II than in group I. Increased amounts of AP deposition in different glomerular diseases thus appear to be related to a diminished renal function or glomerular damage.

Comparative study of IgA nephropathy with acute and insidious onset. Clinical, laboratory and pathological findings

In order to clarify the difference of clinical and pathological features between the IgA nephropathy patients with acute and insidious onset, 427 patients were examined in this study. Seventy-eight patients with acute onset (group 1) were often associated with mucosal system infections at the abrupt onset. This group revealed macroscopic hematuria, more severe microscopic hematuria (more than 20/hpf), higher glomerular filtration rate (p less than 0.01) and lower serum levels of C3 (p less than 0.01). It had also a significantly higher incidence of exudative lesions (p less than 0.001). On the other hand, the onset of 349 patients (group 2) was noticed to be insidious without preceding infections. This group showed a more severe increase in mesangial cells (p less than 0.01) and a significantly higher incidence of adhesion, arterial sclerosis and tubulointerstitial changes. Deposition of Clq, C4 and IgM and detachment of visceral epithelium from the basement membrane were more frequently seen in group 2. Twenty-seven of 345 patients followed for at least 1 year after the biopsy were on maintenance hemodialysis: 1 patient was in group 1 and 26 were in group 2. These results clarified that there was a difference in clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings between the patients with IgA nephropathy with acute and insidious onset.

Improvement of blood compatibility on cellulose dialysis membrane. 2. Blood compatibility of phospholipid polymer grafted cellulose membrane

The blood compatibility of a cellulose haemodialysis membrane whose surface was grafted with a methacrylate having a phospholipid polar group, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, was evaluated with attention to platelet adhesion to the membrane surface and complement activation induced by the membrane. When the original cellulose membrane came in contact with platelet-rich plasma for 30 min, numerous platelets adhered to the surface and aggregated. On the other hand, the membrane grafted with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine effectively suppressed platelet adhesion and activation. This effect became more pronounced with increasing surface distribution. Especially, the 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine grafted membranes, whose distribution exceeded 0.27, completely inhibited platelet adhesion, even when the contact time was 180 min. Moreover, the complement activation was also reduced with increased 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine distribution on the surface of the membrane.

[A case of reflux nephropathy associated with pheochromocytoma]

A 26-year-old female patient complicated with reflux nephropathy and pheochromocytoma is reported. We could not find either intrinsic or extrinsic factor of urinary tract obstruction. The open bilateral renal biopsy was performed at the time of resection of the tumor. The renal biopsy specimen demonstrated minor glomerular change, severe tubular "thyroid-like" appearance and cast formation in the obvious reflux side. Otherwise focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS) lesion was found in less reflux side. In reflux nephropathy, FGS lesion is reported as main cause of progression, but mechanism of FGS lesion is unknown. This case which has both vesicoureteral reflux the high plasma nor-epinephrine concentration was considered to be important to emphasize circulative factor in the pathogenesis of FGS like lesion.

[Clinicopathological studies of renal disorders in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis]

The renal impairments were studied clinicopathologically in 57 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Proteinuria, hematuria, azotemia and hypertension, used as markers for renal involvements, were observed in 3 (5.3%), 4 (7.0%), 2 (3.5%) and 6 patients (10.5%) respectively, at the initial examination. Hypertension was increased 2.6 times at the last observation, although the incidence of other three markers have not changed during the follow-up period. Finally, 17 out of 57 patients (29.8) revealed more than one of these clinical markers throughout the study. The decrease of GFR (CThio) was noticed in 3 out of 36 cases (8.3%), however that of RPF (CPAH) in 11 of 36 patients (30.6%), including 5 without abnormal clinical markers. Histological studies were performed in 12 patients. One showed crescentic glomerulonephritis, two membranous nephropathy, and the remaining 9 minor glomerular abnormalities. On the other hand, the vascular changes such as intimal proliferation of interlobular arteries were frequently observed. The frequency of pulmonary involvements, skin ulcer and gastro-intestinal involvement in the patients with renal lesions were not significantly different from that of the non-renal group. The level of RPF was significantly lower in the patients with skin ulcer than that of those without skin ulcer. No significant difference was noticed in the frequency of renal involvements between the patients with or without anti-Scl-70 antibody.

[Studies on the pressor mechanism of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione]

In the present study, the pressor activity of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione (19-OH-AD) (which is a kind of androgen) and the presence or absence of the possibility of its role as an amplifier of mineralocorticoid were investigated. 34 Wistar rats of 8 weeks of age were used as the experimental subjects. The rats were divided into 3 groups, the control group (n = 12), 19-OH-AD group (n = 12) and DOCA group (n = 10). The control group was given 0.2 ml of sesame oil, the 19-OH-AD group was given 10 mg of 19-OH-AD dissolved in 0.2 ml of sesame oil, and the DOCA group was given 10 mg of DOCA dissolved in 0.2 ml of sesame oil. This was subcutaneously administered three times a week for 4 weeks, and body weight and blood pressure were observed. At the termination of the experiment, blood was sampled by decapitation, and the serum sodium concentration, erythrocyte sodium content, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma atrial natriuretic hormone (alpha-rANP), and contents of DOC, corticosterone and aldosterone in adrenal gland were determined. The following results were obtained. The blood pressure at the termination of the experiment was higher than that at the initiation of the experiment by 9.9 +/- 1.9 (S.E.), 31.3 +/- 1.7, and 46.2 +/- 2.0 mmHg in the control, 19-OH-AD and DOCA groups, respectively, where significant elevations were observed in both the 19-OH-AD and DOCA groups as compared with the control group. As to the serum sodium concentration, only the DOCA group showed a significant elevation (p less than 0.001) as compared with the other two groups. However, the erythrocyte sodium contents of both the 19-OH-AD and DOCA groups increased significantly as compared with the control group. Moreover, the increase of the DOCA group was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than that of the 19-OH-AD, and a significant positive correlation between the elevation of blood pressure and the erythrocyte sodium content was observed (p less than 0.001). As to the PRA value, only the DOCA group showed a significant lowering as compared with the other two groups, whereas alpha-rANP value of the DOCA group showed a significant elevation as compared with the other two groups. As to the contents of steroid hormones in the adrenal gland, all of the steroid hormones were significantly lower in the DOCA group, while those of the 19-OH-AD group were unchanged as were those of the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Break of unresponsiveness of delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep red blood cells by pertussis toxin

Effects of pertussis toxin (PT) on the unresponsiveness of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were examined in mice. DTH cannot be detected in mice injected iv with 1 X 10(9) SRBC. This unresponsive state was broken by 1 microgram of PT given iv to mice 1 or more days, even 21 days, after SRBC-injection and replaced by the development of high and persistent DTH responses with several days' lag after PT treatment. The restored DTH response was accompanied by the appearance of circulating DTH-mediating cells. In the non-PT-treated mice, DTH-mediating cells, which conferred DTH in syngeneic naive recipient mice by systemic transfer, were found in the spleen but not in the blood, whereas in the PT-treated mice, they were found both in the spleen and in the blood. On the other hand, the induction or the function of splenic suppressor T cells (Ts) for DTH in mice injected iv with 10(9) SRBC was inhibited by PT treatment. DTH-Ts, which appeared in the spleen around 4 days after SRBC injection and inhibited the induction of DTH response to SRBC in the syngeneic cyclophosphamide-pretreated recipient mice, failed to be induced in mice given PT 1 day after SRBC injection, and their ability was reduced when they were treated in vitro with PT immediately before transfer. These results demonstrate the possibilities that the reinforced migration of DTH-mediating cells from spleen to blood by PT is involved in the mechanisms by which PT break the unresponsiveness of DTH and that the interference with the induction or the function of DTH-Ts by PT may also be partly involved in the mechanisms.