Auditory brainstem response (ABR) in infantile Gaucher's disease

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was studied in an infant with Gaucher's disease. The infant was normal until the age of three months. His illness began with stridor, strabismus, inguinal hernia and failure to thrive. Thereafter, muscular rigidity with opisthotonus, ocular palsies, difficulty in swallowing and respiratory failure due to central origin developed. He died of respiratory failure due to central origin developed. He died of respiratory failure at the age of one year and four months. The ABR was abnormal at six and eight months of age. Initially, at the age of six months, there was a lengthening of the peak latencies of wave I, II and III and disappearance of the waves after IV. But at eight months, more marked lengthening of the peak latencies of the waves and the disappearance of waves after III were noted as his general condition deteriorated. The autopsy revealed relative preservation of the nuclei and tracts of the auditory pathways in the brainstem. The ABR was useful for monitoring the progress of the disease in this patient because it made detection of brainstem lesions possible.

Structure of cloned delta-globin genes from a normal subject and a patient with delta-thalassemia; sequence polymorphisms found in the delta-globin gene region of Japanese individuals

The delta-globin genes of a normal Japanese and a Japanese patient with homozygous delta-thalassemia were cloned, and the nucleotide sequence of a region including the gene was determined. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of these two individuals with that of pH delta 1, delta-globin clone from the gene library constructed by Maniatis et al., showed differences in the large intervening sequence (IVS 2), at positions 137, 151, 186, 188, 291, 292 and 540 as one base substitutions, at 339 and 823 as one base additions, at 548 as a one base deletion, and a 9 bp duplication between positions 651 and 659, and differences in the 3'-flanking sequence at 51 and 98 nucleotides 3' to the AATAAA sequence. However, in the region studied, no differences was observed in the nucleotide sequences of the normal subject and the patient with delta-thalassemia. Therefore, these differences may represent polymorphisms of the delta-globin gene present in Japanese individuals. These data suggest that IVS 2 is more divergent than other regions, and that a DNA region(s) other than the globin gene may affect expression of the gene.

Purification and characterization of an aminopeptidase from porcine liver

An aminopeptidase was purified about 700-fold from porcine liver homogenate by ammonium sulfate fractionation and a series of column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-150, DEAE-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 4.6 mumol X min-1 X mg-1 using L-leucine beta-naphthylamide as the substrate. The molecular weight of the enzyme was about 96,000 as determined by Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. The enzyme had a broad specificity and a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.0 for hydrolysis of alpha-aminoacyl-beta-naphthylamines, and it hydrolyzed the beta-naphthylamides of aliphatic, basic, and aromatic amino acids. The enzyme also hydrolyzed peptide substrates with phenylalanine residues as their amino-termini, but it did not hydrolyze L-phenylalanyl-L-proline. The enzyme was inhibited by metal-chelating agents, sulfhydryl reagents, heavy metals, bestatin, and puromycin. Activity of the enzyme inhibited by sulfhydryl-reactive reagents was restored by the addition of sulfhydryl compounds. The enzyme was activated by cobaltous ion and the values of both Km and Vmax increased. The activation was pH-dependent and above pH 7.5 cobalt ion behaved as an inhibitor of the enzyme. No metal ions other than cobaltous ion stimulated the enzyme appreciably.

A new electrophoretic variant of hemoglobin (Ogi) in which a leucine residue is replaced by an arginine residue at position 34 of the alpha-chain

Hemoglobin Ogi, in which an arginine is substituted for a leucine residue at position 34 of the alpha-chain, was detected in a Japanese family. Although slightly increased oxygen affinity is associated with this amino acid substitution in the alpha 1 beta 1 contact, it is without obvious deleterious effect on the hematological parameters of the individuals heterozygous for this variant.

Hypoglycemia, hypopotassemia and hyperleukocytosis associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

We studied a patient with lung cancer, who exhibited severe systemic derangements of metabolism causing cachexia preceding the appearance of a large bulky tumor. The data described herein left no doubt that lung cancer growing in the patient acted as a powerful hypoglycemic factor, setting in motion widespread metabolic disorders. Inappropriate secretion of insulin may be involved in the manifestation of hypoglycemia. However, no ectopic secretion of insulin, glucagon, ACTH and aldosterone appeared to be associated with the carcinoma in the patient. From the present and previous observations, it is stressed that progressive energy loss from the patient occurs by virtue of a combination of severe anorexia and the establishment of a systemic energy-losing cycle dependent on an interplay of glycolysis in the cancer cells and stimulated gluconeogenesis in the host tissues, which in turn results in derangements of protein, lipid and electrolyte metabolism. Attempts to ameliorate the patient's distress and counterbalance the effect of the tumor by parenteral hyperalimentation were not satisfactory and resulted in only a temporary improvement. This study also demonstrated that marked granulocytosis was the result of production of an excess granulopoietic colony stimulating activity by the cancer cells.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the nasal septum. A report of an unusual lesion

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the nasal septum is described in a 51-year-old woman who has presented with nasal pain, nasal obstruction and a swelling at the base of the nose. Histological examination revealed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Total resection of the tumor was performed and, 26 months after operation, the patient was well and free of recurrence or metastasis. This is the first reported case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the nasal septum.

The TC double socket above-knee prosthesis

The conventional total contact suction AK prosthesis presents several disadvantages, such as difficulty in wearing the socket in a sitting position, difficulty in obtaining a favourable disposition of the stump soft tissues in the socket and difficulty in avoiding stump perspiration problems. In an attempt to solve these disadvantages, a new AK prosthesis with a thermoplastic double socket was developed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center for the Physically and Mentally Handicapped. The double socket is composed of an external socket attached to the lower parts and a detachable internal socket, and appears to solve all the disadvantages of the conventional prosthesis. This prosthesis is called the TC prosthesis, and abbreviation for the Tokyo Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center. The first model of this prosthesis, (TC-1) has a metal valve. A new rubber sheet valve was developed to solve several disadvantages of the metal valve in the TC-2 prosthesis. Since November 1978 the TC-1 has been fitted to 295 AK amputees, including 9 bilateral AK amputees, and since March 1980, 145 AK amputees have received the TC-2, including 6 bilateral amputees. Satisfactory results have been obtained with both prostheses.

Separation of low molecular weight RNA species by high-speed gel filtration

By employing a high-speed gel filtration method using a column of silica-based aqueous gel, TSK-GEL G 300 SW, the three low molecular weight RNA species, 5.8S and 5S rRNA, and tRNA, were clearly separated from each other and from high molecular weight RNA species in 200 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, containing 0.1% SDS. Excellent reproducibility and resolution were obtained under these conditions, about 30 min being required for a single run. Furthermore, the 5.8S rRNA from rat liver cells was eluted at a different position compared with that of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, although they have the same nucleotide chain length but at different sequence. The 5.8S rRNA from the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, was eluted at the same position as that of yeast.

Effect of somatostatin on the flow rate and triglyceride levels of thoracic duct lymph in normal and vagotomized dogs

The role of circulating somatostatin (SRIF) in triglyceride (TG) homeostasis was evaluated in fasting and postprandial lymph of the canine thoracic duct. Cyclic SRIF at a very low, near physiologic (50 ng/min), and pharmacologic (5 μg/min) doses was infused into the portal or the femoral vein, and lymph was collected every 10 min through a cannula inserted into the duct under neuroleptanalgesia. The intraportal (IP) and intrafemoral (IF) SRIF infusion, but not saline infusions, significantly and almost identically reduced the rates of fasting lymph flow to levels of 87% and 91% of the preinfusion values, respectively, at a dose of 50 ng/min, and to 78% and 80%, respectively, at both rates at a dose of 5 μg/min. The attenuating effect of the IP and IF SRIF infusions at both rates upon lymph flow was completely abolished by vagotomy at the diaphragmatic level. The flow rate, TG concentration, and TG content (flow × concentration) of lymph obtained 3 h after a fat- and protein-rich meal ingestion were significantly and almost identically reduced during the IP and IF SRIF infusions at 50 ng/min, but not during saline infusions. Greater attenuation of these parameters was observed with 5 μg/min infusions, regardless of the route of administration. These results indicate that SRIF in near physiologic as well as pharmacologic doses can inhibit lymph flow after traversing the liver in the presence of the vagus nerve. They suggest the the other splanchnic organs may have a physiologic influence upon TG entry from the gut through alterations of dynamics of the splanchnic lymph system.

Transformation of bile acids by mixed microbial cultures from human feces and bile acid transforming activities of isolated bacterial strains

Microbiol transformation of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid by anaerobic mixed cultures of human fecal microorganisms was investigated, and the results were examined in relation to the bile acid transforming activities of 75 bacterial strains isolated from the same fecal cultures. The reactions involved in the mixed cultures were dehydrogenation and dehydroxylation of the 7 alpha-hydroxy group in both primary bile acids and epimerization of the 3 alpha-hydroxy group in all metabolic bile acids. Extensive epimerization of the 7 alpha-hydroxy group of chenodeoxycholic acid yielding ursodeoxycholic acid was also demonstrated by certain fecal samples. 7 alpha-Dehydrogenase activity was widespread among the fecal isolates (88% of 16 facultative anaerobes and 51% of 59 obligate anaerobes), and 7 alpha-dehydroxylase activity was revealed in one of the isolates, and unidentified gram-positive nonsporeforming anaerobic bacterium. 3 alpha-Epimerization was effected by seven strains assigned to Eubacterium lentum, which were also active for 3 alpha- and 7 alpha-dehydrogenations. No microorganism accounting for 7 alpha-epimerization was recovered among the isolates. Splitting of conjugated bile acid was demonstrated by the majority of obligate anaerobes but the activity was rare among facultative anaerobes.

Transit patterns of marker compounds given by segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection (SRII) in the isolated in situ perfused rat liver

The mode of transfer of solutes across the biliary tree epithelium in the reabsorptive direction was studied by the segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection technique in isolated perfused liver of rats. The main purpose was to study the pattern of transit of the radioactive marker compounds through the liver into the venous perfusate. The perfusate was collected as a single pass. All of the marker compounds were quantitatively accounted for in the bile and the perfusate. The apparent volumes of distribution of dextran and sucrose were smaller than that for erythritol. Mannitol was similar to erythritol. The mean transit times were correspondingly: dextran congruent to sucrose < mannitol congruent to erythritol. Dehydrocholate (100 mumol/kg) had no effect on these parameters, but taurocholate (100 mumol/kg) increased the mean transit time for sucrose. This effect was probably related to an increase in biliary tree permeability produced by taurocholate. The present approach appeared to be useful in assessing hepatobiliary function and its alteration by allowing the transit patterns of compounds to be determined in passing from bile through the liver to the blood.

Site of action of dehydrocholate in inhibiting the biliary excretion of morphine in the isolated in situ perfused rat liver

Even though dehydrocholate (DHC) produced an intense choleresis, we found in the rat that the biliary excretion of morphine was inhibited by DHC. The site of action for this inhibitory effect of DHC was investigated in isolated perfused livers in conjunction with intraportal and segmented retrograde intrabiliary injecton of [14C]morphine and [14C]morphine glucuronide (MG). After segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection of morphine, DHC treatment was shown to decrease the amount of MG recovered in bile but increase the amount of MG which appeared in the blood perfusate. That this effect was due to DHC affecting the transport of MG rather than inhibition of the metabolic conjugation of morphine to MG was directly demonstrated. DHC reduced the recovery of MG in bile after administration of MG by SRII. Also in vivo, DHC decreased the recovery of bile of MG give, i.v. DHC produced no consistent effect on the apparent volume of distribution and transit time for morphine and MG and no effect on these transfer parameters for morphine-3-ethereal sulfate. Thus, the effect of DHC can with some degree of specificity be ascribed to an effect on the transport of MG from liver to bile.

A new mode of action of SKD 525-A on morphine disposition studied by segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection (SRII) in the isolated in situ perfused rat liver

The effect of SKF-525-A on the disposition of morphine given by segmented retrograde intrability injection (SRII) was studied in the isolated in situ perfused livers of Sprague-Dawley male rats. SRII of morphine repeated after treatment SKF 525-A (20 mg/kg b. wt. intraportally) showed decreased recovery of morphine glucuronide (MG) in the bile and in the venous outflow. On the other hand, morphine in the venous outflow was increased. Thus, SKF 525-A decreased the total recovery (bile plus venous outflow) of MG. The results after intraportal administration of morphine were consistent with these observations by SRII. These results might indicate inhibition of conjugation by SKF 525-A. However, a similar effect of SKF 525-A was obtained when MG was given by either route. These latter results were interpreted to mean tht SKF 252-A affected a translocation process for MG. Analysis of the liver after the SRII of MG indicated that SKF 525-A caused a 10-fold increase in retention of MG in the liver. Based on the cumulative venous outflow curves, the difference in apparent volumes of distribution, Q, indicated that morphine was taken up by hepatocytes beyond the mannitol, total liver water (intra- and extracellular) space and SKF 525-A decreased this apparent volume of distribution of morphine. Also, SKF 525-A increased the apparent volume of distribution of MG. The mean transit time of morphine was not altered by SKF 525-A whereas that of MG became longer. The evidence indicated that SKF 525-A decreased the egress of MG from liver, a newly recognized mode of action of SKF 525-A.

Frequency and distribution of structural variants of hemoglobin and thalassemic states in Western Japan

Hemolysates from 100,000 people who visited the Kyushu University Hospital and affiliated hospitals during the past 15 years were screened for hemoglobinopathies using electrophoresis on thin-layer starch gel; those exhibiting an abnormality were characterized further on clinical, biochemical, and genetic grounds. Of about 97,000 adult and 3,140 cord blood samples, 29 contained electrophoretically detectable abnormalities in the heterozygous condition. Another 17 samples had quantitative changes in the levels of the minor hemoglobin components. Of the thalassemic conditions, 12 involved beta-thalassemia, 3 alpha-thalassemia, 1 delta beta-thalassemia, and 1 delta-thalassemia. Among 45 carriers of beta-thalassemia from 12 families, 5 were noted to have thalassemia intermedia since they exhibited much more severe hemolytic syndromes than those with typical beta-thalassemia minor. The frequency with which we could detect a structural variant of Hb A in the adults by electrophoresis was one in 3,800 samples. About one in 8,000 carried a beta-thalassemia gene.

Human lung cancer cell line (KSNY) producing colony-stimulating activity which affects both human and mouse marrow cells

A cell line (KSNY) in vitro, which produces colony-stimulating activity (CSA) for human and mouse marrow cells, has been established. A biopsy was performed on the tumor mass of a lung cancer patient who had developed extensive leucocytosis. A piece of the tumor was transplanted to a nude mouse. The seconarily transplanted mice, in turn, developed extensive leucocytosis. The mouse tumor was then removed and placed in culture bottles. To date, the KSNY cells have been maintained in vitro continuously for 15 months. By the use of a methylcellulose bone-marrow colony-formation technique, a high level of CSA in the supernatant of the tumor cell culture was recognized. Doubling time of the cell line is 46 hr. The modal chromosome number is 52, ranging from 45 to 106.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in autopsy cases. Its incidence and clinicopathologic significance

In a study of 1729 consecutive autopsies, the histopathologic diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) confirmed by the presence of microthrombi in more than two organs was made in 51 cases. Among them, 38 cases (74.5%) were clinically not suspected of having DIC. Microthrombi were most frequent in the kidneys, followed by the lungs, spleen, adrenals, heart, brain, and liver, in descending order of frequency. Furthermore, a wide variety of visceral lesions was another important histologic feature of DIC. Kidney lesions assumed a position of prime importance, and special attention was given to the high frequency of acute renal failure due to so-called acute tubular necrosis and bilateral renal cortical necrosis. Infections, often associated with shock, and malignancies were the most common underlying causes of DIC. DIC is a frequent, often fatal pathophysiologic condition complicating many disorders. The true incidence of DIC at autopsy may be higher. It should be noted that demonstration of microthrombi and visceral alterations related to intravascular clotting is important for the evaluation of cases suspected of having DIC.

Typical and atypical osteosarcomas: a clinicopathologic study of sixty-two cases

Of 62 cases of histologically confirmed osteosarcomas, 50 long bone cases aged under 30 years were grouped as "typical" osteosarcoma, and the other 4 long bone cases and 8 short and flat bone cases were grouped as "atypical" osteosarcoma. Gross and microscopic findings of the lesions, postmortem findings, and survival of the patients were compared between the two groups. Small round cell-type tumor cells and relatively well-differentiated foci resembling osteoblastoma were more often found in the atypical than in the typical osteosarcomas. Although patterns of metastasis were not very different between the two groups, 2 of 6 autopsied short and flat bone cases showed no metastasis. Five-year survival rates of both groups were similar, each about 25%. Six patients of the typical and only one of the atypical osteosarcomas are alive without recurrence more than 6 years after amputation.

High-speed gel filtration of polypeptides in sodium dodecyl sulfate

The separation of polypeptides treated with SDS was studied using G3000SW packing prepared from silica for high-speed gel filtration. The peaks of ovalbumin, chymotrypsinogen A, cytochrome c, aprotinin, and insulin B chain were completely separated in the presence of 0.1% SDS and 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). A plot of the logarithm of molecular weight of polypeptides versus Kd was linear over a molecular weight range of 3,000 to 50,000 at the above concentrations of SDS and sodium phosphate. The slopes of the plots of log molecular weight versus Kd depend to a significant extent on the concentration of the sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0).

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome, Majewski type, in two male siblings

Two male siblings with a short rib-polydactyly syndrome, Majewski type (Majewski syndrome), are reported. To our knowledge, the present report is the first one of siblings each confirmed to be affected by Majewski syndrome, and it may therefore contribute to establishing the mode of inheritance.

Osteomalacic myopathy

Muscles from two cases of osteomalacia were studied histochemically and electron-microscopically. Histopathological finding were common in these two cases. There are (1) myopathic changes such as scattered muscle fiber atrophy, necrosis, and internal uuclei, (2) derangement of intermyofibrillar network. and (3) type II fiber atrophy. Electron-microscopical finding corresponded well with light microscopical findings. These are distinct pathological features and deserves to be called osteomalacic myopathy. As the pathogenetic mechanism of this myopathy, phosphate depletion in the muscle cells resulting in disturbed glycolysis, and decreased vitamin D effects on muscle cells resulting in diminished calcium uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum, are considered to be the most important two factors.

Increased oxygen affinity for hemoglobin Sawara: alphaA4(6) aspartic acid replaced by alanine

The oxygen binding property of Hb Sawara (alphaA4 Asp replaced by Ala) was studied at different pH values with and without addition of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. The oxygen affinity of Hb Sawara was shown to be increased, the difference of the log P50 value between normal and abnormal hemoglobins being 0.37 at pH 7.0. Both the magnitude of the alkaline Bohr effect and the effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate upon oxygen affinity of Hb Sawara were comparable to those of Hb A. The amino acid substitution of alanine for alphaA4 aspartic acid might result in the loss of a stabilizing force for ionic interaction between the alpha-amino group of NA (1)alpha1 valine and the alpha-carboxyl of HC3(141)alpha2 arginine in the deoxy-form.

Benign osteoblastoma as a cause of osteomalacia. A report of two cases

Two patients, a Japanese man and woman both aged eighteen, developed symptoms and signs of osteomalacia over a period of five years. Each of them had a benign osteoblastoma, one in the right fourth metacarpal and the other in the uppermost third of the right humerus. Resection of the tumours without any treatment by vitamin D resulted in rapid cure of the osteomalacia. Attempts to prove a phosphaturic humoral substance or vitamin D antagonist in the osteoblastoma of the humerus were unsuccessful, probably due to prompt excretion from the tumour cells.

Conformational changes and reassociation properties of small subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes

Studies on the reassociation of ribosomal subunits from Escherichia coli were carried out using an ultracentrifuge equipped with a UV absorption scanner, and the conformational changes of ribosomal subunits were followed by circular dichroism measurements. Reassociation between the fractionated 30S and 50 S subunits was promoted by the addition of uncharged tRNA at 4 degrees. Furthermore, a sharp increase in the amount of reassociated products was observed on treatment of the sample solution at temperatures above 25 degrees. Treatment at higher temperature only affected 30 S ribosomal slbunits. From CD measurements of Mg2+ concentration dependence for both ribosomal subunits, a significant decrease in molar ellipticity [theta] at the 264 nm positive peak and a slight change of [theta] at the 222 nm band were observed for both subunits in dissociation buffer. Samples of 30 S subunits pretreated at 37 degrees for 40 min showed a small CD change at the 222 nm band. The same samples showed a slight increase in S value and enhanced ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S subunits. On the other hand, we detected no significant changes in CD spectra, S value or the ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S ribosomal samples subjected to same heat treatments.