Carcinogenic effect of N-bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine in newborn rats

The carcinogenic effect of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (BHP) was studied in newborn Wistar rats. Tumors were induced in the lung (adenoma), pancreas (adenoma), kidney (nephroblastoma), and ovary (benign granulosa cell tumor) at 24 weeks after the treatment and in the lung (adenoma and adenocarcinoma), liver (hemangioma, hemangioendothelioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma), pancreas (adenoma), kidney (renal cell carcinoma and nephroblastoma), thyroid (adenocarcinoma) and ovary (benign and malignant granulosa cell tumors) at 52 weeks. The highest incidence of tumor was seen in the liver of rats applied BHP within 24 hours after birth. These results indicate that newborn Wistar rats are more susceptible to BHP than are adult rats.

Heterotransplantation of human gastric carcinomas into nude mice

A total of 33 specimens of human gastric carcinoma were used for transplantation into nude mice. Initital tumor "take" was accomplished in 15 of the 33 tumors, and the transplantability rate was 45.5%. Transplantability correlated with histologic type, but not with clinical stage or Borrmann's classification. The transplantability rate of differentiated carcinomas, such as well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, and papillary adenocarcinoma was greater than that of poorly differentiated tumors, such as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma. The growth patterns of transplanted tumors were divided into 3 types: rapid, slow, and persistent. There were no specific relationships between growth pattern and histologic type. All histologic types, except signet ring cell carcinoma, could be transplanted serially. Tumor growth became rapid after serial transfer. However, the original histology of these tumors was unchanged. No invasion or metastases were encountered. Intraperitoneal injection of a tumor cell suspension, prepared from subcutaneous transplants of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of Borrmann type III, grew in an ascites form, with invasion and metastasis. Ascitic fluid accumulated within 3--6 weeks after injection. Subsequently, intravenous injection of ascites fluid produced metastases in nude mice. The histology of the subcutaneous tumor was similar to that of the original tumor from the patient.

Simultaneous surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot and coronary artery aneurysm due to mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome in a 4-year-old child

The simultaneous correction of tetralogy of Fallot and an aneurysm of the coronary artery due to mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS) in a 4-year-old boy was successfully performed. Of the four aneurysms found on the coronary angiogram at the age of six months, the smaller three regressed spontaneously leaving slight dilatation and thickening of the arterial wall during the 4-year follow-up period. However, the largest one in the right coronary artery, which remained almost the same size, showed marked stagnation of blood in the aneurysm with the possibility of thrombosis and resultant myocardial infarction. At operation, there was a large aneurysm in the right coronary artery, 9 mm in width and 18 mm in length. The wall of the aneurysm was very thick and tightly adherent to the myocardium. The aneurysm was resected and an aorto-coronary bypass graft was fashioned from a saphenous vein taken from the patient's mother, since an autogenous vein was not available. A ventricular septal defect was closed and pulmonary stenosis was relieved without any difficulty. Postoperative cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography four weeks after the operation revealed satisfactory correction of the tetralogy of Fallot and a patent aorto-coronary vein graft. Several problems regarding surgical treatment of coronary artery aneurysm due to MCLS are discussed.

Carcinogenic effect of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine by a single administration in rats

The carcinogenic effect of a single intraperitoneal injection of N-bis)2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (BHP) was studied in male Wistar rats. Lung tumors (adenomas and adenocarcinomas) had the highest incidence (100%). Fewer neoplasms were induced in the thyroid (adenomas and adenocarcinomas, 36%), kidney (renal cell carcinomas, 8%), and the sigmoid colon (adenomas and adenocarcinomas, 9%). No pancreatic neoplasms were found.

[Carcinogenic effect of the 3-di-(hydroxymethyl-)amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl-)1,2,4-triazines in Panfuran-S on mice]

The carcinogenic activity of Panfuran-S containing 3-di-(hydroxymethyl-)amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl-)1,2,4-triazine (DHNT) orally administered to mice for 35 weeks was studied. DHNT produced malignant tumors of the forestomach in the highest incidence and also, in decreasing order of frequency, of the duodenum and/or jejunum, esophagus and urinary bladder. Forestomach squamous cell carcinomas were produced dose-dependently in mice receiving more than 350 ppm DHNT and rose to 100% in mice receiving 3,500 ppm. The incidence of duodenal and/or jejunal adenocarcinomas were 8 of 28 mice (29%) receiving 1,750 ppm and 10 of 17 mice (59%) receiving 3,500 ppm. The incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 3 of 11 mice (11%) receiving 1,750 ppm and that of urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma was 2 of 28 mice (7%) receiving 1,750 ppm and 1 of 17 mice (6%) receiving 3,500 ppm DHNT.

Computed tomography of cerebral palsy: evaluation of brain damage by volume index of CSF space

Between 1976 and 1978, we examined 110 Japanese children with cerebral palsy using a CT 1000 and a CT 1010 (EMI). In 92% of all patients, there were abnormal findings. Cortical atrophy was seen in 51%, ventricular dilatation in 86%, localized low density areas in 22%, brain anomalies in 10% and asymmetry of cerebral hemisphere in 31%. In spastic hemiplegia, the characteristic CT revealed asymmetrical ventricular dilatation without cortical atrophy and localized low density areas in the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the palsy. In spastic tetraplegia, CT revealed moderate to marked diffuse cerebral atrophy or brain anomalies. In athetosis, CT revealed normal or slight cerebral atrophy. In 60 cases where a CT 1010 was used, we calculated the volume index of CSF space by computer, Eclipse S/200, and analyzed the relationship between the clinical features of cerebral palsy and the volume index of CSF space.

Tuberous sclerosis: early neurologic manifestations and CT features in 18 patients

Early clinical manifestations and radiologic features of tuberous sclerosis were studied in 18 consecutive patients encountered in the past two years, including two patients harboring an associated intraventricular tumor (giant-cell astrocytoma). Depigmented naevi rather than adenoma sebaceum, infantile spasms and intracranial calcifications were the cardinal early features in this present series, and CT scanning proved to be the single most useful diagnostic technique in the early detection of intracranial calcifications and therefore for the early diagnosis of this disorder. CT scanning was also useful in detecting the intraventricular tumors in the early stage before they became clinically manifest.

Carcinogenic effect of N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)-amine in rabbits

The carcinogenic effect of N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) was studied in rabbits. The animals received the compound in drinking water in concentrations of 1000 ppm for 25 weeks and the survivors were sacrificed 60 weeks after the treatment was begun. Whereas no tumors were found in controls, 3 out of 6 treated rabbits developed hapatic lesions (hepatocellular adenoma, hemangioma, and angiosarcoma), and 3 animals developed lung tumors (adenoma and hemangioma); no pancreatic neoplasms were observed.

Heterotransplantation into nude mice of pancreatic carcinoma induced by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine in hamsters

Heterotransplantation into nude mice by the subcutaneous (s.c.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes of hamster pancreatic ductal cell carcinomas induced by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) was studied. By s.c. transplantation, tumors occurred in 1 of 4 mice at the first trial, and the tumor incidence was 100% for shorter periods by serial transfer. By i.p. transplantation, the malignant potential of hamster pancreatic ductal cell carcinoma was expressed as intra-abdominal invasive tumors with bloody ascites (carcinomatous peritonitis). Tumors in nude mice basically retained the histology of the original hamster pancreatic ductal cell carcinoma.

Effect of dose on the carcinogenic activity of orally administered N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine in rats

The carcinogenic activity of orally administered N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine (DHPN) in male Wistar rats was evaluated with respect to its dose. DHPN was administered at two doses, 100 ppm and 500 ppm, in the drinking water to rats for 25 to 52 weeks. Tumors developed in the lung, liver, and thyroid of rats receiving 100 ppm DHPN and in the lung, liver thyroid, esophagus, kidney, and urinary bladder of rats receiving 500 ppm DHPN. The principal target organ was the lung in rats receiving either 100 or 500 ppm DHPN, indicating that the carcinogenic action of these doses of DHPN was similar to that of higher doses previously reported. Histologically, the tumors were adenoma, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and combined carcinoma of the lung, hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangioma of the liver, adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the thyroid, squamous cell papilloma and carcinoma of the esophagus, renal cell and transitional carcinoma of the kidney, and transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. No pancreatic tumors were observed.

Mitral insufficiency secondary to mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. A case report of successful surgical treatment

A three-year-old girl with mitral regurgitation due to mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS) but with normal coronary arteries was treated surgically. Although no definite pathologic lesions causing severe mitral regurgitation except for dilatation of the mitral annulus were found at operation, some minor changes implied focal ischemia of the posterior papillary muscle. A poster-medial annuloplasty was performed without significant residual regurgitation. This is the first patient successfully treated by surgery for mitral valve incompentence due to MCLS. However, additional clinical experiences will be needed to evaluate surgical treatment for this group patients.

Production of adenocarcinomas of the small intestines of Wistar rats fed panfuran-S containing 3-di(hydroxymethyl)amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl)-1,2,4-triazine

Panfuran-S in the diet produced a high incidence of invasive and metastatic adenocarcinomas of the duodenum and the jejunum in outbred Wistar rats. Depressed growth and incidence of cancer production were dose-dependent. Adenocarcinomas of the duodenum were present in 2 of 18 (11%) rats that received 1,750 ppm 3-di(hydroxymethyl)amino-6-(5-nitro-2-furylethenyl)-1,2,4-triazine (DHNT) in the diet and in 11 of 19 (58%) rats that received 3,500 ppm DHNT. Adenocarcinomas of the jejunum were present in 10 of 18 (56%) and 16 of 19 (84%) rats that received 1,750 and 3,500 ppm DHNT, respectively, for 35-37 weeks. The only other tumors observed were squamous cell papillomas of the forestomach. Histologically, most of the adenocarcinomas appeared tubular or papillary and were similar to adenocarcinomas in the small intestine of man and also to human intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the stomach. This system provided a useful experimental model for the study of the pathogenesis of carcinoma of the small intestine.

Conversion of a poorly differentiated human adenocarcinoma to ascites form with invasion and metastasis in nude mice

Cells (1 X 10(7)/0.5 ml) from a Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the human stomach were injected ip into nude mice. The injection resulted in ascites carcinoma with invasion (carcinomatous peritonitis) and liver metastasis. The inoculum was obtained from subcutaneous tumors at passage 9 in nude mice that had received serial transplants from the patient with Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Serial transfers of 1.5 X 10(6) dispersed cancer cells/0.5 ml into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice converted this adenocarcinoma to an ascites form. Hemorrhagic ascites accumulated within 3 weeks at the first passage and 4-6 weeks in serial passages. Carcinomas peritonitis occurred consistently and was observed in the diaphragm, mesenteries, omentum, and pancreas; metastases were seen in the liver and spleen. Subsequently, iv injection of ascites at passage 3 (6 X 10(5) cells/0.2 ml) into nude mice produced metastatic lesions in the lung and the heart. The histology of the invasive and metastatic lesions in the nude mice was similar to that of the original tumor in the patient with stomach carcinoma.

Organotropic effect of N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine: production of lung and liver tumors by its oral administration in mice

The organotropic effect of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) orally administered to mice was studied. The main targets for the carcinogenic effect of DHPN were the lung and liver, with tumors induced by doses greater than 100 ppm DHPN for 16 weeks. The highest incidence was seen in liver vascular tumors including hemangioma, hemangioendothelioma, and hemangioendothelial sarcoma in mice treated with 1,000 ppm DHPN. Lung tumors were alveolar adenoma and adenocarcinoma. No pancreatic tumors were found. The present results suggest that the carcinogenic response in mice to DHPN was similar to that in rats and guinea pigs but different from that in hamsters.

Differential effects of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide on pancreatic and liver DNA synthesis in rats

The effect of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide (4-HAQO) on DNA synthesis in the pancreas and liver, target and non-target organs for 4-HAQO carcinogenesis, respectively, were compared. Pancreatic and liver DNA synthesis were simultaneously induced in rats fed a protein deficient diet containing 0.5% DL-ethionine for 18 days, and DNA synthesis in both tissues was inhibited by hydroxyurea. A single i.v. injection of 4-HAQO at a dose of 7 mg/kg body weight also inhibited DNA synthesis in both tissues within 4 h. In the pancreas the inhibition was maximum at a dose of 7 mg/kg, and DNA synthesis was less than in the pancreas of rats fed a control grain diet. This inhibition continued for the subsequent 5 days which were tested. In the liver, the degree of inhibition was less than in pancreas but the value remained higher than in rats fed control diet. The inhibition of liver DNA synthesis at a dose of 7 mg/kg completely recovered within 1 day. These results suggest that the lesions of DNA induced by 4-HAQO and its repair might be different between the pancreas and the liver. A pancreatic chemical carcinogen, 4-HAQO, might thus have the same cytotoxic effect that liver carcinogens have toward the liver resulting in failure to respond to mitotic stimuli. This might be causally related to the organotropism of 4-HAQO toward the pancreas.

Helix-coil stability constants for the naturally occurring amino acids in water. 15 Arginine parameters from random poly(hydroxybutylglutamine-co-L-arginine)

Water-soluble copolymers containing L-arginine and N5-(4-hydroxybutyl)-L-glutamine were prepared by copolymerization of the N-carboxy-alpha-amino acid anhydrides of Ndelta-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-ornithine and gamma-benzyl L-glutamate, followed by aminolysis with 4-amino-1-butanol, by removal of the tert-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group, and by treatment with O-methylisourea. The copolymers were fractionated and characterized, and the thermally induced helix-coil transitions of these copolymers were studied in water at neutral pH in the presence and in the absence of KCl. The Zimm-Bragg parameters sigma and s for the helix-coil transition in poly(L-arginine) in aqueous solution were deduced from an analysis of the melting curves of the copolymers in the manner described in earlier papers. The computed values of s indicate that L-arginine is a weak helix-making residue at low temperature and a weak helix-breaking residue at high temperature in aqueous solution. The results were found to be in good agreement with those obtained earlier in conformational analyses of arginyl residues in proteins.

I-cell disease (mucolipidosis 11). Pathological and biochemical studies of an autopsy case

An autopsy case of I-cell disease was examined by histological, histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical methods. Cultured fibroblasts contained numerous PAS- and oil-red O positive granules consistent with lysosomes. The beta-galactosidase activity was specifically low in liver of the patient. The fiboblast-like cells including the cardiac valves, periosteum and stromal cells of the organs were closely similar to those found in mucopolysaccharidoses histochemically as well as ultrastructurally. Lipid-like materials were observed massively in the myocardium and in the neurons of spinal ganglia, and from these organs excessive amount of ceramide tri-hexosides (CTH) was extracted. In a few hepatocytes the dense membrane-bound bodies suggestive of lipids were found by electron microscopy. Swollen glomerular epithelium contained strongly colloidal-iron positive material, but the amount of mucopolysaccharides in kidney was not elevated. In this paper, the relationship among the morphology, the material stored and the enzymes was discussed.

Effect of chemical carcinogens on pancreatic DNA synthesis in vivo

The effect of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), ethionine, streptozotocin, N-methyl-N-nitrosourethan (MNUT), N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN), azaserine, and 4-hydorxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4-HAQO) on DNA synthesis after partial pancreatectomy was studied. Its results indicates that DNA synthesis of the residual pancreas occurred and reached the maximum value at 3 days and returned to the control value 12 days after the operation. DNA synthesis, which was inhibited 96.7% by hydroxyurea 3 days after the operation, indicated that semi-conservative DNA synthesis had occurred in the residual pancreas. DMN and ethionine, non-pancreatic carcinogens, did not inhibit while DHPN, MNUT, azaserine, and 4-HAQO, pancreatic non-endocrine carcinogens, inhibited DNA synthesis in the rat pancreas by 57.9, 76.4, 71.7, and 82.1%, respectively. The effect of streptozotocin, pancreatic endocrine carcinogen, on DNA synthesis was not clear from the present experiment. Further effect on the inhibition of DNA synthesis by these carcinogens was obtained by dose-response studies and its results indicated that there was a correlation between pancreatic carcinogens and the inhibition of DNA synthesis after partial pancreatectomy in rats.

Transaminase of branched chain amino acids. XI. Leucine (methionine) transaminase of rat liver mitochondria

An aminotransferase (transaminase) which is active for leucine and methionine, but not for valine or isoleucine, was purified from rat liver mitochondria. The purified preparation appeared homogeneous on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Its molecular weight was shown to be 55 000 by gel filtration. It differed from enzyme II (leucine aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.6) in the supernatant fraction, another transaminase which is also specific for leucine and methionine, in molecular weight, Km values for substrates, electrophoretic mobility, chromatographic behavior and heat stability. From comparison with related transaminases it was concluded to be a new enzyme and named mitochondrial leucine (methionine) transaminase.

Long-term prognosis of epilepsy in children--a follow-up report beyond 18 years of age

The long-term prognosis of 185 children with epilepsy, who continued to attend the Clinic for Epileptic Children, the Department of Pediatrics, the University of Tokyo, beyond the age of 18 years, was reported. The length of follow-up varied from three to 20 years, but most of them were followed longer than 10 years. The presumed etiology in these children was divided into a cryptogenic group (124, 67.0%) and a symptomatic group (61). The types of seizures were classified into grand mal (86 cases), focal seizure (27), petit mal absence (4), psychomotro seizure (5), infantile spasms (7), and so on. It may be noted that the highest frequency of grand mal was demonstrated, while the incidences of infantile spasms, myoclonic seizure, and akinetic seizure were low in the series. Only 28 children (15.1%) had complications of physical and/or mental handicaps. The follow-up study revealed that 140 patients (75.7%) had been seizure-free in the last 12 months. One hundred and fifteen of them had no seizures for five years or longer. On the other hand, electroencephalographic abnormalities generally continued for a long time after disappearance of seizures. Eightly-one of well-controlled patients were gradually decreasing the doses of anticonvulsants. As for seizure types, it is noted that focal seizure, psychomotor seizure, and infantile spasms were relatively difficult to be controlled. Except for 27 patients, most of them attended normal schools, including junior colleges or universities, and engaged in various occupations. Fifteen female patients had already married, and out of 13 babies who were born from these patients, there were one with ventricular septal defect, one with mental deficiency, and one with anencephaly, while the rest were entirely normal. Additional problems on withdrawal of anticonvulsants after a long-term seizure-free period, and what a medical system should be for treatment of epilepsy in children up to their adulthood were discussed.

An autopsy case of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: normal HGPRT activity in liver and xanthine calculi in various tissues

An autopsied case of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome did not indicate the specific pathological features except delayed physical development. 2. Xanthine calculi caused by allopurinol administration scattered in the kidneys, brain, thymus, and thyroid glands, but its excretion into urine was not observed during his life. 3. Activities of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) in various tissues indicate complete deficiency, but HGPRT in liver was normal.

Congenital muscular dystrophy as a disease of the central nervous system

Profound abnormalities of the brain were noted in a 6-year-old Japanese boy with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). Pathological alterations included diffuse cerebral and cerebellar micropolygyria, with bilateral temporal agyria, and abnormal fusion of gray matter in the basal portions of both frontal hemispheres. Microscopically, the architecture of both cerebral and cerebellar cortices was severely distorted, with irregular arrangement of neurons and increased vascularization. Skeletal muscles showed dystrophic changes rather than neurogenic atrophy. Eight autopsy cases of CMD with similar pathologic findings have been reported in Japan, although the lesions in the brain are quantitatively different from case to case. The findings indicate that CMD is a dysplastic disease of the central nervous system, with dystrophic involvement of skeletal muscles.

Ultrastructures of atypical acinar cell nodules in rat pancreas induced by 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide

A single intravenous injection of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide (4HAQO) to rats induces multiple atypical acinar cell nodules in the pancreas. In this study, the ultrastructure of cells in these nodules was examined at 6, 9, and 12 months, and the features were compared to those of developing embryonal pancreas. The cells in the nodules are exocrine acinar cells in type and exhibited several features which distinguish them from the nonnodular acinar cells. Irregular nuclear shape with enlarged nucleoli was frequently observed. Zymogen granules in the nodular cells appeared as vesicles with contents of extreme electrom lucency and their ultrastructural appearance was similar to those of developing embryonic pancreatic acinar cells at 16 and 18 days of gestation. At the cell periphery, the lateral cell membrane showed bizarre interdigitation and the ectoplasm showed hyaloplasmic rarefaction. These findings indicate that the acinar cell nodules induced by 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide are composed of a new population of phenotypically altered acinar cells showing nuclear abnormalities, modified cell to cell interaction, and a possible defect in synthesis and/or maturation of secretory enzymes. The latter may indicate an arrest in the differentiation of acinar cells. The significance of these findings is discusses, and it is suggested that the atypical nodules in the pancreas induced by 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide may represent early neoplastic foci.

Enhancement of pancreatic tumorigenesis of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide by ethionine in rats

The effect of ethionine on pancreatic tumorigenesis of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4-HAQO) in rats was studied. The high incidence of hyperplastic nodules developed in the exocrine pancreas of animals receiving a single injection of 4-HAQO only or protein-deficient diet containing 0.5% ethionine for 4 days followed by 4-HAQO. The incidence of adenoma was higher than that of hyperplastic nodules and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma developed in 1 out of 12 animals receiving protein-deficient diet containing ethionine for 18 days followed by 4-HAQO. No tumor was found in the pancreas of animals that received 0.005N HCl without 4-HAQO. These results suggest that the pancreatic tumorigenesis of 4-HAQO is enhanced by ethionine.

Morphological and biochemical studies of a case of mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter's syndrome)

An autopsy case of a 19-year-old boy who had shown typical gargoyle features, strictly consistent with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome) was reported. Histologically, cytoplasmic vacuolar change was found in hepatocytes, sinusoidal epithelium of spleen, follicular cells of thyroid, Sertoli cells of testis, chromophobe cell of pituitary and generalized fibroblast-like cells including meninges, cardiac valve and periosteum. The vacuoles consisting of membrane-bound structures with flocculus protein-like material and occasional electron dense bodies on electron microscopy, were considered to be the site of mucopolysaccharide deposition by histochemical analysis. Deposition of lipid material consistent with so-called membranous cytoplasmic body was observed in the neurons of central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Hepatosplenomegaly could be explained by cytoplasmic deposition, but the cause of cardiomegaly remained further to be studied. Biochemically hepatic mucopolysaccharide was identified as heparan sulfate, while in the kidney dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate were detected. The correlation between morphology and biochemistry, and between deposition and degeneration was discussed.

[An autopsy case of olivocerebellar and thalamic degeneration, diffuse sclerosis and hypertrophic neuropathy: infantile system degeneration? (author's transl)]

The brain of a 21-year-old man with imbecility and spastic tetraplegia since early childhood showed a diffuse sclerosis of the cerebral white matter and symmetrical degeneration of the thalamus and olivocerebellar system. The spinal nerve roots as well as proximal branches of the spinal nerves were hypertrophic and there was seen a marked fibrosis with some onion-bulb formations of Schwann cells. In spite of a possible relation to an unknown infection at the age of 3 months this case could preferably be regarded as a peculiar form of the combined system degeneration in the early childhood, including the cerebral white matter and peripheral nerves. An uncle of the patient had died of a similar nervous disease at the age of 20 years.

Congenital muscular dystrophy associated with micropolygyria - report of two cases

This is a report on two autopsy cases of congenital muscular dystrophy associated with micropolygyria. The first case was that of an 11-year-old boy and the other of a 22-year-old male adult. Both cases had similar clinical features, very early onset of disease, diffuse and extensive wasting of skeletal muscles including facial muscles, contracture of joints, hypotonia and mental retardation. In the familial histories of these two cases, the parents of the boy were consanguineous, and a sister of the adult case suffered from muscle weakness and mental retardation. Both of these two cases were clinically diagnosed as congenital cerebromuscular dystrophy (Fukuyama's type). Autopsy revealed marked dystrophy of generalized skeletal muscles and widespread micropolygyria of the brain in both cases. Spinal cords and peripheral nerves were free from any prominent changes. It was concluded that so-called congenital cerebromuscular dystrophy may be caused by myogenic as well as neurogenic abnormalities during fetal period.