Detection of feeding behaviour in common carp Cyprinus carpio by using an acceleration data logger to identify mandibular movement

Miniaturized acceleration data loggers were attached to the lower mandible of common carp Cyprinus carpio to remotely identify feeding behaviour. Whether the acceleration signal could distinguish the quantity and quality of food was also investigated. The frequency and amplitude of the lower mandible stroke, calculated from surging acceleration determined by continuous wavelet transformation, significantly increased during the feeding period compared to that during the non-feeding period. These characteristic movement patterns were maintained for mean ±s.e. 187·3 ± 38·2 s when the fish were fed a single item of food and for mean ±s.e. 419·3 ± 28·6 s when they consumed multiple items. The dominant cycle and amplitude calculated according to feeding event duration, however, did not differ significantly between the two types of diets the fish consumed. Surging acceleration could detect mean ±s.e. 89·8 ± 13·5% of feeding events, although the false detection rate was mean ±s.e. 25·9 ± 10·9%. The results indicate that the mandible acceleration measurement method could be utilized to detect and record the feeding events in fishes that use a suction feeding mode similar to C. carpio.

Electrochemistry of DNA duplex containing an anthraquinonylmethyl group at the 2'-sugar position

Cyclic voltammetry of oligonucleotide containing an anthraquinonylmethyl group at the 2'-sugar position was carried out for exploiting an electrochemical probe of DNA.

CJ-15,801, a novel antibiotic from a fungus, Seimatosporium sp

A novel antibiotic, CJ-15,801 (I), was isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Seimatosporium sp. CL28611. The structure was determined to be a pantothenic acid analog having an alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid moiety by spectroscopic analyses. The compound inhibits the growth of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus strains with MIC ranging from 6.25 to 50 microg/ml.

A new antibiotic CJ-17,665 from Aspergillus ochraceus

A new antibiotic, CJ-17,665 (I) was isolated from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus ochraceus, CL41582. It inhibits growth of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis, with MICs of 12.5, 12.5 and 25 microg/ml, respectively. The structure contains a diketopiperazine and an indole N-oxide moiety that is unusual in natural products.

New pyrrolizidinone antibiotics CJ-16,264 and CJ-16,367

Two new antibiotics, CJ-16,264 (I) and CJ-16,367 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an unidentified fungus CL39457. These antibiotics have a pyrrolizidinone skeleton, first discovered in fungi. Compounds I and II inhibit the growth of Gram-positive multi-drug resistant bacteria and some Gram-negative strains such as Moraxella catarrhalis and Escherichia coli with altered permeability (imp). Comparison of an antibacterial profile between the two compounds suggested that the gamma-lactone portion of I is important for the activity.

Novel exon 11 skipping mutation in a patient with glycogen storage disease type IIId

We report the molecular genetic abnormalities of a patient with GSD IIId presenting with progressive myopathy and cardiopathy leading to a fatal outcome. We identified two independent deletions including a 4 bp deletion (117-1120) and a 98 bp deletion (1135-1232) in cDNA. Sequencing of the genomic DNA of the corresponding region revealed a 4 bp deletion in exon 10; however, the other 98 bp deletion corresponding to exon 11, which was deleted in cDNA, was present in genomic DNA. We therefore concluded that skipping of exon 11 occurred in the cDNA of the patient. Intron/exon boundary analysis of the skipped exon 11 revealed no mutation in the consensus splice-site sequence. If normal splicing had occurred, a stop codon would have appeared within exon II due to frameshift mutation. The mechanism of exon skipping observed in our patient is as yet unknown, and it is still not clear whether intraexonal mutation of the preceding exon can influence splice-site selection. It is possible that a unique exon skipping occurred, preventing the appearance of a stop codon in our patient.

[Clinical evaluation of treatment with fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in children with autistic disorder]

The serotonin system has been implicated in the pathoetiology of autistic disorder. To examine the clinical effects of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in children with autistic disorder, eighteen patients underwent a cross-over, double-blind trial of fluvoxamine treatment after a written informed consent was obtained from patients' parents. Fluvoxamine treatment resulted in significant improvements in some clinical findings such as eye contact and language use, as tested by behavioral assessment scores consisting of twenty items (p < 0.05). The improvement in language use was also confirmed by parental assessments. Clinical Global Impression Scale was improved in approximately half of the patients. No severe adverse effect was observed during the trial. Thus SSRI treatment in autistic children may be of value.

Neurotrophic actions of novel compounds designed from cyclopentenone prostaglandins

Previously we found that some cyclopentenone prostaglandin derivatives promoted neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglia explants in the presence of nerve growth factor; and so we referred to them as neurite outgrowth-promoting prostaglandins (NEPPs). In this study, NEPPs protected HT22 cells against oxidative glutamate toxicity. NEPP6, one of the most effective promoters of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, protected the cells most potently among NEPPs 1--10. Several derivatives, NEPPs 11--19, were newly synthesized based on the chemical structure of NEPP6. NEPP11 had a more potent neuroprotective effect than NEPP6. NEPP11 also prevented the death of cortical neurons induced by various stimuli and reduced ischemic brain damage in mice. Biotinylated compounds of NEPPs were synthesized to investigate their cellular accumulation. NEPP6-biotin protected the cells and emitted potent signals from the cells. In contrast, biotinylated non-neuroprotective derivatives emitted much weaker signals. These results suggest that NEPPs are novel types of neurotrophic compounds characterized by their dual biological activities of promoting neurite outgrowth and preventing neuronal death and that their accumulation in the cells is closely associated with their neuroprotective actions.

Effects of skyrin, a receptor-selective glucagon antagonist, in rat and human hepatocytes

Peptidic glucagon antagonists have been shown to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic models (1-3), but attempts to identify small molecular weight glucagon receptor-binding antagonists have met with little success. Skyrin, a fungal bisanthroquinone, exhibits functional glucagon antagonism by uncoupling the glucagon receptor from adenylate cyclase activation in rat liver membranes (1). We have examined the effects of skyrin on cells transfected with the human glucagon receptor and on isolated rat and human hepatocytes. The skyrin used was isolated from Talaromyces wortmanni American Type Culture Collection 10517. In rat hepatocytes, skyrin (30 micromol/l) inhibited glucagon-stimulated cAMP production (53%) and glucose output (IC50 56 micromol/l). There was no detectable effect on epinephrine or glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) stimulation of these parameters, which demonstrates skyrin's selective activity. Skyrin was also evaluated in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. Unlike cell lines, which are largely unresponsive to glucagon, primary human hepatocytes exhibited glucagon-dependent cAMP production for 14 days in culture (EC50 10 nmol/l). Skyrin (10 micromol/l) markedly reduced glucagon-stimulated cAMP production (55%) and glycogenolysis (27%) in human hepatocytes. The inhibition of glucagon stimulation was a specific property displayed by skyrin and oxyskyrin but not shared by other bisanthroquinones. Skyrin is the first small molecular weight nonpeptidic agent demonstrated to interfere with the coupling of glucagon to adenylate cyclase independent of binding to the glucagon receptor. The data presented in this study indicate that functional uncoupling of the human glucagon receptor from cAMP production results in metabolic effects that could reduce hepatocyte glucose production and hence alleviate diabetic hyperglycemia.

Assessment of mucosal immune response in genitourinary tract using urine

A novel method to assess mucosal immune response in the genitourinary mucosa after immunization with a mucosal vaccine has been developed. In this method, secretory IgA antibody is measured by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune-complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) using urine as a specimen. The urinary IgA antibody response could be detected by the immune-complex transfer enzyme immunoassay. In contrast, a conventional enzyme immunoassay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) could not detect this response because of its low sensitivity. Because urine samples can be collected easily and nontraumatically, not only from experimental animals but also from humans, both males and females, the present method may be applicable for assessing the protective efficacy of candidates for mucosal vaccines against sexually transmitted microorganisms, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Furthermore, the usefulness of this method for novel mucosal vaccine formulae was shown for a model in which vaccine antigen and Bordetella pertussis adjuvant were adsorbed onto CaCO, and enclosed in enteric coated capsules.

Determination of the bioavailability of intranasal elcatonin in humans: development of a sandwich transfer enzyme immunoassay for elcatonin

A sandwich transfer enzyme immunoassay for elcatonin (ECT) and its usability for the pharmacokinetic study are described. The anti-salmon calcitonin (SCT) antibody was used for the present assay. The assay procedure consisted of the reaction of ECT with 2,4-dinitrophenylbiotinyl anti-SCT IgG and anti-SCT Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase conjugate, trapping onto (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl bovine serum albumin) IgG-coated polystyrene balls, eluting with epsilonN-2,4-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine and transferring to streptavidin-coated polystyrene balls and fluorometric detection of beta-D-galactosidase activity. The practical detection limit of ECT was 0.15 pg (44 amol)/50 microl of sample and 3 pg/ml as the concentration. The application of this method has enabled us to directly estimate the bioavailability of ECT dosed intranasaly at a therapeutic level (100 IU, 17 microg) for its anti-osteoporotic effect as compared to an intramuscular dose (40 IU, 6.7 microg). The pharmacokinetic parameters of the intranasal ECT (n = 6) thus estimated were as follows: the area underthe serum concentration-time curve (AUC) = 2,570 +/- 1,650 (SD) pg x min/ml, and the maximal concentration (Cmax) = 60 +/- 25 (SD) pg/ml with the maximal time (Tmax) = 17.5 +/- 6.9 (SD) min, when the AUC for the intramuscular ECT (n = 9) = 9,460 +/- 5,870 (SD) pg x min/ml and the Cmax = 165 +/- 79 (SD) pg/ml with the Tmax = 16.1 +/- 4.2 (SD) min.

Development of a highly sensitive and specific two-site enzyme immunoassay for parathyroid hormone (1-34): application to pharmacokinetic study on intranasal parathyroid hormone (1-34) in human

A highly sensitive and specific two-site enzyme immunoassay for parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH(1-34)) and its usability for the pharmacokinetic study are described. Plasma samples were incubated simultaneously with 2,4-dinitrophenylated anti-PTH(1-34) IgG and anti-PTH(1-34) Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase conjugate. The immune complex formed of the three components was trapped onto (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl group) IgG-coated polystyrene balls. beta-D-Galactosidase activity bound to the polystyrene balls was assayed by fluorometry. The practical detection limit of PTH(1-34) was 50 fg (12 amol)/0.05 ml of sample and 1 pg/ml as the concentration and practically no interference occurred by PTH(1-84) and PTH-related protein (1-34) up to 300 pg/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The application of this method has enabled us to directly estimate the bioavailability of PTH(1-34) dosed intranasally at the prescribed level (0.090 mg). The pharmacokinetic parameters of the intranasal PTH(1-34) (n = 4) thus estimated were as follows: the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) = 20,500+/-15,900(SD) pg.min/ml; the mean residence time (MRT) = 194+/-16.3(SD) min; and the maximal concentration (Cmax) = 98+/-51 (SD) pg/ml with the maximal time (Tmax) = 35.0+/-12.2(SD) min.

A sandwich transfer enzyme immunoassay for salmon calcitonin: determination of the bioavailability of intranasal salmon calcitonin in human

A sandwich transfer enzyme immunoassay for salmon calcitonin (SCT) and its usability for the pharmacokinetic study are described. The assay procedure consisted of the reaction of SCT with 2,4-dinitrophenyl biotinyl anti-SCT IgG and anti-SCT Fab'-beta-galactosidase conjugate, trapping onto (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl bovine serum albumin) IgG-coated polystyrene balls, eluting with epsilon N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine and transferring to streptavidin-coated polystyrene balls and fluorometric detection of beta-D-galactosidase activity. The practical detection limit of SCT was 0.05 pg (15 amol)/50 microliters of sample and 1 pg/ml as the concentration. The application of this method has enabled us to directly estimate the bioavailability of SCT dosed intranasally at the therapeutic level (160 IU, 31 micrograms) for its anti-osteoporotic effect as compared to an intramuscular dose (10 IU, 1.9 micrograms). The pharmacokinetic parameters of the intranasal SCT (n = 6) thus estimated were as follows: the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) 9400 +/- 5400 (SD) pg.h/ml, and the mean residence time (MRT) = 42 +/- 14 (SD) min, when the AUC for the intramuscular SCT (n = 3) = 5600 +/- 2000 (SD) pg.h/ml and the MRT = 39 +/- 19 (SD) min.

Fabrication of Mo/Al multilayer films for a wavelength of 18.5 nm

This paper reports the fabrication and evaluation of Mo/Al and Mo/Si multilayer films (MLs) for a wavelength of 18.5 nm. Calculated reflectivities of Mo/Al MLs at an incident angle of 10 degrees were about 7% higher than those of Mo/Si MLs. MLs were fabricated using an RF-magnetron sputtering deposition system. The measured reflectivity of Mo/Al MLs was 33.5%. The cause of the decreasing reflectivity was supposed to be the surface and interfacial roughness. In the surface observation utilizing atomic force microscopy, the surface roughness of Mo/Al MLs was dominated by the Al layer. Therefore, the conditions for fabricating Al films were optimized.

CJ-12,954 and its congeners, new anti-Helicobacter pylori compounds produced by Phanerochaete velutina: fermentation, isolation, structural elucidation and biological activities

Seven new phthalide compounds with anti-Helicobacter pylori activities were isolated from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete velutina CL6387. The two most potent phthalide compounds, CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014, have MICs of 5 ng/ml. The structure-activity relationship shows that the presence of a spiroketal part in addition to the phthalide part, greatly enhances the activity. The phthalide compounds appear to be specific for H. pylori, since they did not show antibacterial activities when tested against a panel of other microorganisms.

[Nine cases of debrancher deficiency (glycogen storage disease type III) presenting muscle weakness--study on clinicobiochemical analysis]

In nine patients aged 3 to 45 years with glycogen storage disease type III (GSD III) presenting muscle weakness, the clinical manifestations and biochemical subtype-classifications based on organ specificity or enzymatic varieties of debrancher enzyme were analyzed. All the patients developed muscle weakness since childhood. Five patients who showed muscle weakness beginning from childhood became apparently progressive during adult life. Cardiac involvements were noticed in six patients. Eight patients were diagnosed as having type IIIa and one type IIId. Our results suggest that progressive muscle weakness and cardiac symptoms are not rare in GSD III patients, especially in the patients with enzyme deficiency in muscle tissue as well as liver. Hence we recommend to measure debrancher activity in muscle tissue in order to predict the clinical prognosis of the patients with GSD III.

Genetic analysis of Japanese patients with myophosphorylase deficiency (McArdle's disease): single-codon deletion in exon 17 is the predominant mutation

We report molecular genetic analysis of 11 Japanese patients with myophosphorylase deficiency (McArdle's disease). Four reported mutations, frequently observed in patients with McArdle's disease, in exons 1, 5, 14 and 17 were investigated. Seven patients out of 11 were homozygous for a single-codon deletion at codon 708/709 in exon 17 and one patient was heterozygous for a single-codon deletion with an unknown mutant allele. In contrast, the predominant mutation reported in US and UK patients (CGA to TGA at codon 49 in exon 1), accounting for 75% and 83% of the cases, respectively, was not found in any of the Japanese patients. Results suggest that the predominant mutation in Japanese patients is a single-codon deletion at codon 708/709 in exon 17 (found in 73% of our patients) and differs from the most common mutation in US or UK patients.

A case of paroxysmal tonic upward gaze associated with psychomotor retardation

The authors report a female with paroxysmal tonic upward gaze similar to the cases reported by Ouvrier and Billson (1988). She developed abnormal eye-movements at the age of six months. Several anticonvulsants and levodopa were not effective in the control of the episodes; however, her upward eye-deviations spontaneously decreased during the one-year observation. Her clinical features were almost identical to those reported by Ouvrier and Billson, except that she had neurodevelopmental disorder and abnormal brain MRI. More data are required to clarify this unique phenomenon.

[Five cases of phosphorylase b kinase deficiency affecting muscle or liver: clinical symptoms and diagnosis]

Muscle, erythrocyte and/or leukocyte phosphorylase b kinase (PBK) activities were measured in 5 patients and in 2 families. The relation between phenotype and enzyme deficiency in clinically variable samples based on measurement of erythrocytes, leukocytes or muscle was described. Three patients showed the enzyme deficiency in liver and the disease was transmitted as an X-linked recessive trait. In these cases, our results suggested that carrier detection was more reliable with erythrocytes than leukocytes. Two patients showed enzyme deficiency in muscle, and the mode of inheritance was not clear. In these cases, muscle biopsies were necessary for diagnosis.

Evaluation of patients with lactic acidosis using microphotometric mitochondrial enzyme assay in single muscle fibers

Microphotometric enzyme assay in single muscle fibers was performed on two patients with lactic acidosis. Neither case showed ragged red fibers upon histochemical evaluation. Biochemical analysis of mitochondrial enzymes demonstrated low normal cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in Case 1 and deficient COX in Case 2. Quantitative single muscle fiber analysis in patients showed marked variation in COX activity in Case 1, reflecting mosaic distribution of fibers with near-normal COX activity and with defective COX activity. These data suggest that this microphotometric assay may be valuable for elucidating the significance of 'partial enzyme deficiency'. In addition, this assay method may be applied to needle biopsy specimens.

[Muscle carnitine contents in severely handicapped children with acute myoglobinuria]

Muscle carnitine was measured in 3 severely handicapped children with acute myoglobinuria. Muscle total carnitine levels were 9.6 +/- 3.0 nmol/mg non collagen protein (m +/- SD, control 15.7 +/- 2.8, n = 19), and free 6.5 +/- 3.0 nmol/mg non collagen protein (m +/- SD, control 12.9 +/- 3.7, n = 19), muscle free carnitine was significantly low in them. Serum carnitine was measured in 22 severely handicapped children. Serum total carnitine was 48.9 +/- 12.3 nmol/ml (m +/- SD, control 60.3 +/- 11.7, n = 14), and free 37.7 +/- 10.0 nmol/ml (m +/- SD, control 46.0 +/- 12.5, n = 14), serum carnitine was also significantly decreased. Secondary muscle and serum carnitine depletion might be one of the potential cause of myoglobinuria in severely handicapped children.

[A case of idiopathic hemochromatosis associated with gastric cancer]

A 76-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue in June 1987. He had received total gastrectomy against gastric carcinoma two years previously. The examinations revealed the elevation of GOT, GPT and gamma-GTP, and increased CT number of the liver. Specimen of the liver biopsy showed deposition of iron and slight fibrosis. He was diagnosed as idiopathic hemochromatosis. He was given deferoxamine, and his elevated GOT, GPT and gamma-GTP were normalized. Idiopathic hemochromatosis is frequently associated with various malignancies including hepatic carcinoma. However, only a few cases of idiopathic hemochromatosis associated with gastric carcinoma have been reported.

[1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of a case of phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency]

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a useful tool for detecting in vivo metabolic status and in vitro analysis of chemical metabolites. We performed MRS on a 15 year-old mentally retarded male patient with recurrent myoglobinuria due to phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) deficiency. Muscle histochemistry was normal, although electron microscopy showed a significant increase in glycogen content. Biochemical analysis using muscle specimens revealed profound reduction of PGK activity to 4.4% of the control mean. In vivo MRS using 31P revealed a significant accumulation of sugar phosphates after ischemic forearm exercise, although no significant rise of inorganic phosphate was demonstrated during exercise. 1H MRS using the perchloric acid extracts of the blood taken at the ischemic forearm test, revealed no rise of venous lactate but a significant reduction of alanine levels. These data suggest that, unlike the patients with a glycogenolytic block, our patient with a distal glycolytic block shows a significant accumulation of sugar phosphates. The reason of the reduction of alanine levels was uncertain. A compensatory mechanism for energy supply to the muscle tissue was considered.

High-dose i.v. human immunoglobulin in a case with infantile opsoclonus polymyoclonia syndrome

We report a 14-month-old male with infantile opsoclonus polymyoclonia syndrome. His clinical disabilities responded favorably to high-dose human immunoglobulin therapy. High dose immunoglobulin therapy is one of the therapies for patients with this syndrome.

[Study of human muscle biopsies with muscle glycogen storage diseases using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS)--analysis of perchloric acid extracts of muscles]

Muscle metabolites of perchloric acid extracts in human muscle biopsies including the cases with muscle glycogen storage diseases (GSD) were analyzed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Several metabolites such as lactate, pyruvate, creatine, phosphocreatine, acetate, alanine, carnitine and glycogen were recognized. The cases with GSD III and GSD V showed two broad signals at 3.60 and 3.85 ppm which were considered to be the proton signals from the accumulated glycogen. However, in GSD III, the signal at 3.60 ppm was high compared with that at 3.85 ppm suggesting that glycogen was increased in its degree of branching joined by alpha-1,6 linkage. These data suggest that 1H NMR spectroscopy is a useful and simple technique for analysis of muscle glycogen storage diseases as well as lipid myopathies.

[Effect of topical injections of native alpha-interferon (HLBI) in the treatment of skin lesions of adult T cell leukemia: report of a case]

A case of adult T cell leukemia associated with prominent skin infiltrations was treated with native alpha-interferon (Human lymphoblastoid interferon; HLBI). Although previous therapy with intramuscular injections of HLBI showed no effect on the skin lesions, this time topical injections of HLBI induced regression and disappearance of skin lesions within one month. Cellular immunity in this patient evaluated by PPD reaction and PHA blastoid transformation had been depressed at the time of systemic administrations of HLBI, but at the beginning of the topical injections of HLBI, they were within normal range. CD4/CD8 ratio reversed to 0.86 after topical injections of HLBI, suggesting the effect of HLBI on cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation. Thus, topical subcutaneous injections of HLBI may be an alternative form of therapy for ATL skin infiltrations when systemic HLBI administration is not effective, especially for the patient with normal cellular immunity.

[Effects of neonatal hypothyroidism on brain development: analysis of brain metabolites using high resolution phosphorus and proton magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy]

The brain metabolites were studied in the neonatal hypothyroid rat brain using 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In vivo 31P spectroscopy of the brains in hypothyroid rats showed the tendency of decrease in phosphocreatine/Pi and phosphocreatine/ATP ratio, suggesting suppressed brain energy status. On proton analysis using perchloric acid extracts of the brain, 10 metabolites were easily recognized. Quantitative analysis of individual metabolites revealed decreased contents of GABA, NAA (N-acetyl aspartate) and phosphocreatine and increased contents of taurine in hypothyroid rat. It was concluded that NMR is a useful and promising tool to evaluate brain metabolites.

[Benign infantile mitochondrial myopathy due to reversible cytochrome c oxidase deficiency: histological and biochemical analysis]

We reported a 3-week-old girl with profound generalized weakness, requiring assisted ventilation. There was no consanguinity or family history of any neuromuscular disorders. Serum levels of GOT, GPT and CK were slightly elevated. Although the clinical manifestations mimicked those of Werdning-Hoffmann disease, a lack of the respiratory muscle involvement and the presence of high serum lactate levels suggested an underlying metabolic disorder. During the observation over the months, she gradually improved clinically and assisted ventilation was discontinued at 19 months. Muscle biopsies were performed at 4 and 19 months of age. The first biopsy showed an excessive mitochondrial aggregation and numerous ragged-red fibers. The second biopsy revealed rare ragged-red fibers. However there were definite neurogenic changes including type grouping and angulated fibers. Cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) stain was positive in less than 5% of fibers in the first biopsy but in all fibers in the second biopsy. Biochemical analysis using muscle specimens showed a decreased CCO activity; 18.5% of the control level in the first biopsy and 53.3% in the second biopsy. Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of immunologically reactive enzyme protein in both biopsies. Clinical manifestations of our patient were almost identical to those of two cases reported by DiMauro, et al (1983). The enzyme defect in this case was reversible in contrast to that in the fatal infantile form of CCO deficiency. Histochemical and biochemical bases for these differences were discussed.

A patient with infantile spasms and low homovanillic acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid: L-dopa dependent seizures?

We report a 3-month-old female with infantile spasms that responded transiently to pyridoxine and permanently to oral L-dopa. Initial CSF levels of homovanillic acid were low, suggesting disturbed turnover of dopamine. These findings suggest that disturbed brain monoamine metabolism may be causally related to infantile spasms.

[Biochemical analysis using biopsied muscle in 72 patients with metabolic myopathies]

Biochemical analysis using biopsied muscle specimens was performed on 72 cases who had symptoms suggesting metabolic myopathies. Sixteen out of 72 cases (22%) were diagnosed as having chemically confirmed metabolic defects. Of these 16 cases, 9 had defects in the glycolytic pathway (glycogen storage disease type II; 3 cases, type III; 1 case, type V; 3 cases, phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency; 1 case, phosphoglucomutase deficiency; 1 case) and 7 cases in mitochondrial metabolism (complex IV deficiency; 4 cases, carnitine deficiency; 3 cases). Among 14 cases who were strongly suspected as having a defect in the glycolytic pathway because of abnormal ischemic forearm test, 6 (43%) showed biochemically proved glycolytic defects. These data suggest that care should be taken when evaluating the results of ischemic forearm test. In addition, we should carefully interpret the muscle histochemistry, because histochemical stains including PAS might be fairly normal in the defects with second step glycolytic pathway.

Recurrent myoglobinuria in a child with mental retardation: phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency

We report the case of an 11-year-old mentally retarded boy with recurrent myoglobinuria precipitated after a generalized tonic-clonic convulsion. No hemolysis was noted. Ischemic forearm test revealed no rise of venous lactate, suggesting a metabolic defect in an anaerobic glycolytic pathway. Histochemistry studies of the quadriceps muscle showed a normal appearance, but electron microscopy confirmed a moderate increase of the glycogen content in muscle. Direct measurement of glycolytic enzymes demonstrated a marked decrease of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) activity in muscle (4.4% of control mean) and hemolysate (8% of control mean). Enzyme characteristics of PGK from our patient (PGK Hamamatsu) using hemolysate demonstrated that it had normal Michaelis constants (Km), normal thermal stability, and a normal pH curve. The reason that hemolytic anemia was absent is uncertain. We concluded that a systematic enzyme analysis of the glycolytic pathway, especially of PGK, should be performed on myoglobinuric patients who are males, or who have an X-linked inheritance as suggested by the family history.

Infantile muscle glycogen storage disease: phosphoglucomutase deficiency with decreased muscle and serum carnitine levels

We report a 5-month-old boy with recurrent vomiting, lethargy, and poor weight gain. He had profound metabolic acidosis and nonketotic dicarboxylic aciduria. The serum and muscle carnitine levels were significantly low (60% and 10% of the control means, respectively), suggesting that the patient had a systemic carnitine deficiency syndrome. The patient showed apparent clinical improvement on oral carnitine administration. A quadriceps muscle biopsy revealed a slight increase in intrafiber lipid droplets and mild accumulation of glycogen in the subsarcolemmal portion. An anaerobic glycolysis in vitro study showed a block after glucose-1-phosphate and before glucose-6-phosphate. Direct measurement of individual glycolytic enzymes in muscle of the patient demonstrated a marked decrease in phosphoglucomutase (PGM) activity (13% of the control mean). The specific defect of PGM activity in this patient suggests that the block in the anaerobic glycolytic pathway is the primary abnormality. PGM deficiency can be added as a newly recognized cause of secondary systemic carnitine deficiency syndromes.

[Biochemical effects of thyroid hormones on the developing rat brain; analysis of nucleic acids and protein synthesis using a cell free system]

Thyroid hormone effects on the developing rat brain were analyzed regarding the nucleic acid contents and the rate of protein synthesis using PTU induced neonatal hypothyroid rat as a model for human congenital hypothyroidism. Significantly reduced amount of total DNA contents per brain and protein/DNA ratio were demonstrated in both cerebrum and cerebellum of the hypothyroid rat after 14 days, suggesting the disturbed cell formation and cell growth in the hypothyroid rat brain. And the maturation of the cerebellum extended later into postnatal life than does that of the cerebrum. Additional evidence by the reduced rate of protein synthesis in the hypothyroids would correlate with these altered morphogenesis. Postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) obtained from both control and hypothyroid brain homogenate, which was used for the experiment of protein synthesis, contained the same amount of the RNA contents. Therefore the defective protein synthesis might be attributed to the disturbed translational process of the genetic message in protein.

[Spectral EEG analysis in children treated with high-dose methotrexate]

During the use of a therapeutic regimen of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) with leucovorin rescue in two cases of osteogenic sarcoma and malignant lymphoma without central nervous system (CNS) involvement, serial EEG monitoring before and after MTX infusion was performed with special reference to occipital basic activity. The EEGs were analyzed as to the power average spectrum using an ATAC-450 (NIHON KOHDEN). At 48 hours after the initiation of MTX, there was a transient but statistically significant slowing, such as a drop in the dominant frequency and a decrease in the alpha/theta ratio. Complete recovery of EEG changes occurred within one week. No clinical symptoms suggestive of CNS impairment were noted in either case. These data suggest that EEG alterations might be a reflection of subclinical CNS impairment. Therefore, serial EEGs might be a good early indicator for the detection of leukoencephalopathy in high-risk patients.