Depression of local cell-mediated immunity and histological characteristics of disseminated AIDS-related Mycobacterium avium infection after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to examine the immunohistological characteristics of disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

METHODS

We histologically investigated five autopsied AIDS patients with systemic M. avium infection.

RESULTS

The inflammatory cell composition in the affected tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The celiac lymph nodes and intestinal canal were the most commonly involved organs in the AIDS cases. The most common histological feature was unstructured aggregation of histiocytes. Immunohistochemistry revealed depression of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD57(+) cells in the gut lamina propria and mesenteric lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that local cell-mediated immunity is depressed in affected tissues and that the primary histological feature is poor organization of granulomas in mycobacterial lesions, despite the administration of adequate ART.

[A case of myasthenia gravis following sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis]

We report an elderly woman with sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis who subsequently developed myasthenia gravis. She was given a diagnose of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 65 years and sarcoidosis, proved by multiple lymphadenopathy with noncaseating granuloma at the age of 67. Prednisolone, methotrexate, and etanercept had been administrated for rheumatoid arthritis. She consulted our hospital because of bilateral ptosis with diurnal fluctuation at the age of 72. Myasthenia gravis was confirmed by an elevated serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer (1,100 nmol/l, normal <0.2) and a positive edrophonium test. A chest CT showed a small granular structure in the anterior mediastinum, suggesting thymic hyperplasia. This is the first reported case of myasthenia gravis complicated by sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Administration of etanercept may be involved in the onset of myasthenia gravis.

A case of malignant insulinoma: successful control of glycemic fluctuation by replacing octreotide injections with octreotide LAR injections

A 73-year-old woman with malignant insulinoma was treated with 100 μg/day octreotide for unresected insulinoma and liver metastases. The daily administration of the drug induced hyperglycemia after dinner in addition to existing fasting hypoglycemia possibly because this drug suppressed both insulin and glucagon secretion and its blood concentration was unstable. After replacing a daily injection of octreotide with a monthly injection of octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR), blood glucose levels stabilized within the normal range. The findings of the present study showed that octreotide LAR could be useful for the long-term treatment of unresectable insulinomas.

Influence of sumatriptan on gastric accommodation and on antral contraction in healthy subjects assessed by ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

Oral sumatriptan administration has been reported to delay gastric emptying after liquid meals. The aim of this study was to determine whether delayed gastric emptying is caused by enhanced gastric accommodation, impaired antral contractions, or both using ultrasonography.

METHODS

Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in this randomized two-way crossover study. After overnight fasting, the subjects received the liquid meal 60 min after ingesting a 50 mg sumatriptan tablet with 50 mL of water or 50 mL of water alone (control). The cross-sectional area of the proximal stomach was measured in a supine position after every 100 mL. The frequency and amplitude of the antral contractions were measured in a slightly backward sitting position. The intragastric distribution of the liquid meal was assessed by calculating the proximal stomach/distal stomach ratio (prox/distal ratio).

KEY RESULTS

The cross-sectional area after drinking 100, 200, and 300 mL of the liquid meal (oral sumatriptan vs control) was 34.49 vs 15.11 cm(2) (P = 0.0051), 48.00 vs 30.61 cm(2) (P = 0.0166), and 58.67 vs 47.19 cm(2) (P = 0.0125), respectively. There was no significant difference in the amplitude of contractions, contraction cycle, motility index, and prox/distal ratio (97.15 vs 97.93%, P = 0.0745; 19.42 vs 19.5 s, P= 0.8590; and 887.58 vs 889.22, P = 0.5751; 9.75 vs 8.41, P = 0.8785; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Oral sumatriptan administration enhanced gastric accommodation after the ingestion of liquid nutrients, but had no significant effect on antral contractions or intragastric distribution in healthy subjects.

Severely fluctuating blood glucose levels associated with a somatostatin-producing ovarian neuroendocrine tumor

CONTEXT

Somatostatin-producing tumors are a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor. Their effects on blood glucose levels have been variously reported, and detailed reports have been scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for the extraordinary blood glucose fluctuations in a case with no previous history of diabetes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 68-yr-old nondiabetic woman with an ovarian tumor was suffering from hyper- and hypoglycemia. Based on the results of an oral glucose tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring, we speculated that the fluctuating blood glucose level was accompanied not only by a low insulin level but also by low counter-regulatory hormones levels, and that those broad hormonal suppressions were caused by a high somatostatin level produced in the ovarian tumor. We performed an oophorectomy and assessed the pathology of the tumor and changes in the blood glucose profile as well as hormonal levels postoperatively.

RESULTS

The blood glucose level was completely normalized after the oophorectomy. Insulin secretion was also normalized. Histological examination showed that the tumor comprised a mature cystic teratoma and a stromal carcinoid. Immunohistochemically, the stromal carcinoid component was positive for somatostatin. The somatostatin level was 8505 pmol/liter preoperatively, which dropped down to 71.5 pmol/liter postoperatively. We found two previous reports of somatostatin-producing ovarian neuroendocrine tumors. Somatostatin levels among cases of ovarian origin were much higher than those among cases of gastrointestinal origins, and cases of ovarian origin all experienced blood glucose fluctuations.

CONCLUSION

Extremely high somatostatin levels and blood glucose fluctuations may be characteristics of somatostatin-producing ovarian neuroendocrine tumors.

Clinical associations and risk factors for bleeding from colonic angiectasia: a case-controlled study

AIM

A case-controlled study was performed to investigate the association of colonic angiectasia with other conditions and to identify risk factors for bleeding.

METHOD

Information was collected from all patients who underwent colonoscopy at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2010. Data on 90 individuals with angiectasia [58 men; median age 69 (26-92) years] were compared with those of 180 individuals without angiectasia, matched for gender and age.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that occult gastrointestinal bleeding [odds ratio (OR) 2.523; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.238-5.142], liver cirrhosis (OR 13.195; 95% CI 3.502-49.711), chronic renal failure (OR 6.796; 95% CI 1.598-28.904) and valvular heart disease (OR 6.425; 95% CI 1.028-40.165) were identified as significant predictors of the presence of colonic angiectasia. Eight patients were diagnosed with bleeding from angiectasia. Cardiovascular disease (OR 22.047; 95% CI 1.063-457.345) and multiple angiectasias (P-value 0.0019) were identified as significant risk factors for active bleeding. Medication and a large size were not associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

CONCLUSION

The presence of colonic angiectasia was associated with valvular heart disease, liver cirrhosis and chronic renal failure. Valvular heart disease and multiple lesions increased the risk of bleeding.

Functional morphology of the aardvark tail

The musculoskeletal system of the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) tail was morphologically examined in two adult specimens. The tail musculature comprised three muscular groups, viz. a dorsal sacrocaudal system that consisted of the irregularly oriented Musculus sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis and M. sacrocaudalis dorsalis lateralis, a lateral inter-vertebral connecting system, and a ventral sacrocaudal system characterized by the thick M. sacrocaudalis ventralis lateralis and M. sacrocaudalis ventralis medialis. Both the dorsal and ventral systems possessed large tendon groups that strengthened the tail structure. Computed tomography (CT) examination showed the presence of large but homogeneous cartilaginous inter-vertebral discs, whereas V-shaped bones were situated at the ventral aspect of the caudal vertebrae at the level of the inter-vertebral discs. CT visualization of the tendons and V-shaped bones in various tail positions suggested that these structures contribute to the tunnel digging action by bearing the trunk weight and lending force when the aardvark are displacing the soil by means of the forelimbs.

Impact of decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate on Japanese acute stroke and its subtype

OBJECTIVE

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a high risk for cardiovascular diseases including stroke. However, the characteristics of the stroke subtypes in patients with CKD remain to be determined.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between stroke subtypes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and traditional risk factors in 451 (males, 239; mean age, 71.1 y) acute stroke patients at our hospital between 2006 and 2010.

RESULTS

The stroke subtype was cardiogenic cerebral embolism in 129 (29%), cerebral hemorrhage in 104 (23%), unclassified cerebral infarction in 65 (14%), lacunar infarction in 65 (14%), subarachnoid hemorrhage in 41 (9%), atherothrombosis in 30 (7%), and transient ischemic attacks in 17 (4%). Among the 451 patients, 134 (30%) had CKD with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m². Compared with a group without CKD, mean age (75.9 vs. 69.0 years, p<0.05), the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) (44% vs. 21%, p<0.01) and a history of cardiovascular disease (37% vs. 19%, p<0.01) were significantly higher in that with CKD. A comparison of stroke subtypes revealed a significantly higher incidence of cardiogenic cerebral embolism (36% vs. 26%, p<0.05) in the group with, than without CKD.

CONCLUSION

We showed the prevalence of CKD in about 30% of acute stroke patients, and those patients were older, had a significantly higher prevalence of AF and a higher rate of cardiogenic cerebral embolism compared with patients without CKD. Thus, strict control of blood pressure and management of AF should be important to prevent stroke among patients with CKD.

Tuberothalamic artery infarctions following coil embolization of ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms with posterior communicating artery sacrifice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic complications after coil embolization of the PcomA aneurysms are not thoroughly understood, especially in cases in which the PcomA is sacrificed. Our purpose was to examine the preoperative angiographic features and pattern of postoperative cerebral infarctions exhibited by patients who underwent embolization of ruptured PcomA aneurysms with PcomA sacrifice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review identified 14 patients with ruptured PcomA aneurysms who underwent embolization of the aneurysms in combination with PcomA sacrifice. Preoperative angiographic data, including the Allcock test, postoperative DWI, and neurologic status, were examined.

RESULTS

Elimination of the aneurysm was complete in all cases. Postoperative DWI indicated 7 cases with infarctions (infarction group) and 7 cases without infarctions (noninfarction group). All patients in the infarction group developed infarctions in the vicinity of the tuberothalamic artery. In all 14 cases, a preoperative Allcock test demonstrated a retrograde filling of the PcomA through the P1 segment. The incidence of negative visualizations of the P1 segment on vertebral angiograms was significantly higher in the infarction group (100%) than in the noninfarction group (0%; P = .00058). The mean PcomA diameters, PcomA/P1 ratios, and aneurysm sizes observed in the infarction group were significantly greater than those in the noninfarction group (P < .05, P < .01, and P < .02, respectively). Tuberothalamic artery infarction caused hemiparesis and memory disturbance, which were associated with unfavorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

After the coil occlusion of ruptured PcomA aneurysms with PcomA sacrifice, tuberothalamic artery infarctions tended to occur in cases exhibiting negative visualization of the P1 segment, even when collateral flow was observed with the Allcock test.

4'-[Methyl-11C]-thiothymidine PET/CT for proliferation imaging in non-small cell lung cancer

A new tracer, 4'-[methyl-(11)C]-thiothymidine ((11)C-4DST), has been developed as an in vivo cell proliferation marker based on the DNA incorporation method. This study evaluated the potential of (11)C-4DST PET/CT for imaging proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), compared with (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with lung lesions were examined by PET/CT using (11)C-4DST and (18)F-FDG. We constructed decay-corrected time-activity curves of 9 major regions as the mean standardized uptake value. We then compared the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of lung tumors on both (11)C-4DST and (18)F-FDG PET/CT with the Ki-67 index of cellular proliferation and with CD31-positive vessels as a marker of angiogenesis in surgical pathology.

RESULTS

NSCLC was pathologically confirmed in 19 lesions of 18 patients. Physiologic accumulation of (11)C-4DST was high in liver, kidney, and bone marrow and low in aorta, brain, lung, and myocardium. Biodistribution of (11)C-4DST was almost stable by 20 min after injection of (11)C-4DST. Mean (11)C-4DST SUVmax for lung cancer was 2.9 ± 1.0 (range, 1.5-4.7), significantly different from mean (18)F-FDG SUVmax, which was 6.2 ± 4.5 (range, 0.9-17.3; P < 0.001). The correlation coefficient between SUVmax and Ki-67 index was higher with (11)C-4DST (r = 0.82) than with (18)F-FDG (r = 0.71). The correlation coefficient between SUVmax and CD31 was low with both (11)C-4DST (r = 0.21) and (18)F-FDG (r = 0.21), showing no significant difference between the tracers.

CONCLUSION

A higher correlation with proliferation of lung tumors was seen for (11)C-4DST than for (18)F-FDG. (11)C-4DST PET/CT may allow noninvasive imaging of DNA synthesis in NSCLC.

Tenascin-C is expressed in abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue with an active degradation process

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common disease caused by segmental weakening of the aortic walls and progressive aortic dilation leading to the eventual rupture of the aorta. Currently no biomarkers have been established to indicate the disease status of AAA. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is a matricellular protein that is synthesized under pathological conditions. In the current study, we related TN-C expression to the clinical course and the histopathology of AAA to investigate whether the pattern of TN-C expression could indicate the status of AAA. We found that TN-C and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were highly expressed in human AAA. In individual human AAA TN-C deposition associated with the tissue destruction, overlapped mainly with the smooth muscle actin-positive cells, and showed a pattern distinct from macrophages and MMP-9. In the mouse model of AAA high TN-C expression was associated with rapid expansion of the AAA diameter. Histological analysis revealed that TN-C was produced mainly by vascular smooth muscle cells and was deposited in the medial layer of the aorta during tissue inflammation and excessive destructive activities. Our findings suggest that TN-C may be a useful biomarker for indicating the pathological status of smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells in AAA.

Immunohistochemical findings in the pancreatic islets of a patient with transfusional iron overload and diabetes: case report

Excessive iron storage sometimes causes diabetes in patients with hemochromatosis, a disease caused by iron overloading. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis to study an autopsy case of aplastic anemia and diabetic hemochromatosis caused by frequent blood transfusions, and extensive hemosiderin deposition was observed in the liver and pancreas. The pancreatic islets of the patient and a control subject were stained to detect glucagon, insulin, and proinsulin. Significantly lower levels of immunoreactivity with both insulin antibodies and proinsulin antibodies, but not with glucagon antibodies, was observed in the islet cells in the patient's tissue than in the islet cells of the control. Hemosiderin deposition in the islets is known to be exclusively distributed in the β-cells, thus, selective iron-induced damage to the β-cells may have affected insulin synthesis and secretion and led to glucose intolerance in the patient.

Reactive nitrogen oxide species induce dilatation of the intercellular space of rat esophagus

OBJECTIVE

Dilatation of the intercellular space (DIS) of the esophageal epithelium is recognized as one of the earliest histological changes in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients. At the human gastroesophageal junction, reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS) are generated luminally through the entero-salivary re-circulation of dietary nitrate. In cases with gastroesophageal reflux, the site of luminal RNOS generation may shift to the distal esophagus. The aim of this study was to investigate whether luminal RNOS exposure could be involved in the pathogenesis of DIS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rat esophageal mucosa was studied with an Ussing chamber model. On the luminal side of the chamber, RNOS were generated by the acidification of physiologic concentrations of sodium nitrite (1.0 or 5.0 mM). Esophageal barrier function was assessed by means of electrophysiological transmembrane resistance and membrane permeability by means of (3)H-mannitol flux. The dimensions of the intercellular spaces were assessed by using transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Administration of acid plus sodium nitrite induced DIS of the esophageal epithelium, and this ultrastructural morphological change was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the transmembrane resistance and an increase in the epithelial permeability. The DIS induced by luminal RNOS was also confirmed in an in vivo exposure model.

CONCLUSIONS

The present animal study indicates that the RNOS generated by the acidification of salivary nitrite in the presence of refluxed gastric acid in the esophagus could be a luminal factor that is responsible for the induction of DIS. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical relevance of the present findings to the human situation.

Gastric variceal rupture successfully treated with repeated EIS and EVL

A 68-year-old female with liver cirrhosis presented at the Emergency Room of our hospital with copious tarry stools. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed an isolated gastric variceal rupture, and we performed endoscopic injection sclerotherapy using cyanoacrylate, on four occasions, resulting in successful hemostasis. Injection of CA is a useful emergency treatment option for gastric variceal bleeding without gastro-renal shunt.

Enhanced expression of mRNA for FK506-binding protein 5 in bone marrow CD34 positive cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have disclosed that several genes are up-regulated in bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, it remains unclear whether such abnormalities result from systemic inflammation or from abnormalities at stem cell level. The current study therefore examined the expression of several representative genes, including amphiregulin (AREG), chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) in RA BM CD34+ cells.

METHODS

BM samples were obtained from 52 patients with RA and 35 patients with osteroarthritis (OA) during joint operations. CD34+ cells were purified from the BM mononuclear cells by positive selection with magnetic beads. The mRNA expression for AREG, CXCR4, and FKBP5 was measured using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The expression of mRNA for FKBP5, but not that of AREG or CXCR4, was significantly higher in RA BM CD34+ cells than in OA BM CD34+ cells. The FKBP5 mRNA expression level was not correlated with serum CRP or treatment. In addition, tumour necrosis factor-alpha did not enhance the expression of FKBP5 mRNA in BM CD34+ cells from healthy donors.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the enhanced expression of FKBP5 in BM CD34+ cells might be an intrinsic abnormality of RA BM CD34+ cells, whereas the enhanced expression of AREG and CXCR4 in BM mononuclear cells might be secondary to systemic inflammation.

Portal vein thrombosis treated using danaparoid sodium and antithrombin III

A 45-year-old man under treatment for liver cirrhosis (LC) due to chronic hepatitis C and hemophilia A was seen in our emergency room because of a 10-kg weight gain in the previous week due to ascites. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was detected with computer tomography (CT) and ultrasonographic (US). Danaparoid sodium (DS) and antithrombin III (AT III) were administrated and doppler US images showed improvement of portal venous blood flow. DS or AT III may be safe and alternative therapies for PVT.

Involvement of JNK pathway in the promotion of the early stage of colorectal carcinogenesis under high-fat dietary conditions

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The molecular mechanisms underlying the promotion of colorectal carcinogenesis by a high-fat diet (HFD) remain unclear. We investigated the role of the insulin-signal pathway and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, which reportedly play crucial roles in insulin resistance, during colorectal carcinogenesis in the presence of hyperinsulinaemia induced by a HFD.

METHODS

Azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci formation and cell proliferation in the colonic epithelium were compared between mice fed a normal diet (ND) and mice fed a HFD. A western blot analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanism affecting colorectal carcinogenesis by a HFD.

RESULTS

The number of aberrant crypt foci and the colonic epithelial cell proliferative activity were significantly higher in the HFD group than in the ND group. While the plasma insulin level was significantly higher in the HFD group than in the ND group, a western blot analysis revealed the inactivation of Akt, which is located downstream of the insulin receptor, in the colonic epithelia of the HFD group. On the other hand, JNK activity was significantly higher in the HFD group than in the ND group. A JNK specific inhibitor significantly suppressed the increase in epithelial cell proliferation only under a HFD, but not under a ND.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic cell proliferation was promoted via the JNK pathway in the presence of a HFD but not in the presence of a ND. This novel mechanism may explain the involvement of the JNK pathway in the effect of dietary fat intake on colon carcinogenesis.

Risk factors for the progression of endoscopic Barrett's epithelium in Japan: a multivariate analysis based on the Prague C & M Criteria

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and progression of Barrett's epithelium and associated risk factors in Japan.

METHODS

The study population comprised 869 cases. Endoscopic Barrett's epithelium was diagnosed based on the Prague C & M Criteria. The correlations of clinical factors with the prevalence and progression of endoscopic Barrett's epithelium were examined.

RESULTS

Endoscopic Barrett's epithelium was diagnosed in 374 cases (43%), in the majority of which the diagnosis was short-segment Barrett's esophagus. The progression of Barrett's epithelium was identified in 47 cases. In univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, aging, smoking habit, and erosive esophagitis were significantly associated with the prevalence of Barrett's epithelium, whereas aging and erosive esophagitis, especially severe erosive esophagitis, were significant contributing factors to the progression of Barrett's epithelium.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty-three percent of the total study population was diagnosed as having endoscopic Barrett's epithelium. During the follow-up period, 12.6% of the cases with Barrett's epithelium exhibited progression which was associated with aging and severe erosive esophagitis.