En(a-) phenotype in a Japanese blood donor

The first Japanese En(a-) individual (T.N.) was found by screening red cells from 250,000 Japanese blood donors with monoclonal anti-Ena. His serum contained no atypical antibodies and his partial red cell phenotype was M-N-S+s-, although a trypsin- resistant N antigen was detected. His red cells were En(a-) and Wr(b-), as determined by various human and mouse monoclonal antibodies. The absence of glycophorin A (GPA) and the presence of apparently normal glycophorin B (GPB) were demonstrated by immunoblotting with antibodies to the extracellular and cytoplasmic domain of GPA and to epitopes common to GPA and GPB. Sialic acid levels of T.N.'s intact red cells were substantially lower than those of control MN cells. Serologic tests suggested that both of T.N.'s parents were heterozygous for a recessive GPA deficiency gene.

Response of lipoprotein lipase to calorie intake in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The mechanism regulating lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression in adipose tissue was examined in rats in the conditions of different calorie intakes with and without streptozotocin-induced (STZ-) diabetes. The LPL activity released from adipose tissue was greater with the higher calorie intake (20 g of normal chow diet per day) than with the lower calorie intake (13 g of normal chow diet per day), and was greater in normal rats than in STZ-diabetic rats. The LPL activity was proportional to the serum insulin level in all conditions. Dot-blot analysis showed that the amount of LPL mRNA in adipose tissue was increased by the higher calorie diet and that the increase was less in the diabetic state. Expression of mRNA was also nearly parallel with the serum insulin level. LPL activity released from the heart was not affected by either the calorie intake or the diabetic state. These results suggest that the mechanisms of LPL expression in adipose tissue and the heart are different, and that LPL expression in adipose tissue was closely dependent on the insulin level.

EEG coherence in unmedicated schizophrenic patients: topographical study of predominantly never medicated cases

Electroencephalographic (EEG) power and coherence were compared in 11 unmedicated schizophrenics (including 9 never mediated patients) and in 15 normal controls. There was no significant difference in power between the two groups. However, interhemispheric coherence between O1-O2 was higher in the schizophrenics in the delta and beta bands, and interhemispheric coherence between T5-T6 was higher in the delta band. These results suggest that coherence is more sensitive than power for comparison of these two groups, and that cerebral function is less lateralized in schizophrenics.

Glycosphingolipid expression in spontaneously aborted fetuses and placenta from blood group p women. Evidence for placenta being the primary target for anti-Tja-antibodies

A 12-week-old fetus and one 17-week-old fetus + placenta were obtained after spontaneous abortions from two women of blood group p. The 17-week-old fetus was dissected into intestine, liver, brain and residual tissue. Nonacid glycosphingolipid fractions were prepared from the tissues. Glycolipid characterization was carried out using thin layer chromatography immunostained with monoclonal antibodies and bacteria and by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In the placental fraction substantial amounts of globotetraosylceramide (P-antigen) and globotriaosylceramide (Pk-antigen) were identified. In contrast, the fetuses contained only trace amounts of these structures, as revealed by immunostaining. These results indicate that the primary target for the antibodies of the anti-Tja serum is the placenta tissue, resulting in termination of the pregnancy.

Topographical changes in alpha power in medicated and unmedicated schizophrenics during digits span reverse matching test

The topographical distribution of alpha power reduction was compared in nine unmedicated schizophrenics (predominantly never-treated), 17 medicated schizophrenics, and 15 normal controls. The task involved four procedures: (1) listening to signal sound, (2) listening to digits for memorization, (3) after listening, and (4) listening to digits for recognition. The electroencephalograms (EEGs) during each procedure were analyzed with Fast Fourier Transformation and compared with EEGs at rest. While listening to the digits, medicated schizophrenics showed less alpha power reduction than normal controls and unmedicated schizophrenics. In addition, there were correlations found between the degree of alpha power reduction and medication dose, and score of chronic symptoms. These suggest that patients with different clinical backgrounds have differing cerebral activity.

Possible causal association between ulcerative colitis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A 24-year-old Japanese male having ulcerative colitis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is described. When the symptoms of ulcerative colitis were manifest during his clinical course, the platelet life-span was shortened and the platelet associated IgG level was increased. Thus, causal association between the two diseases may be suggested.

Collaborative multicenter field trial of the Draft of ICD-10 in Japan--interdiagnostician reliability and disagreement: a report from the WHO project on "field trials of ICD-10, Chapter V"

The Draft of "ICD-10, Chapter V, Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines" was tested in a multicenter field trial in Japan. We have previously reported good results in suitability, confidence and ease of diagnosis, and adequacy of descriptions of the Draft. In this paper, the interdiagnostician reliability of the Draft is reported. Among the two-character categories, "Schizophrenia, Schizotypal States and Delusional Disorders (F2)" (ICC = .80) and "Mood Disorders (F3)" (ICC = .80) proved reliable. "Neurotic, Stress-Related, and Somatoform Disorders (F4)" was less reliable (ICC = .65). The ICCs of the 17 major categories (three-character code) and the 21 subcategories (four-character code) were also calculated. The finding that in Japan subtyping schizophrenia with ICD-10 was more reliable than that made using DSM-III Diagnostic Criteria supports the need to use a descriptive version of ICD-10 as the basis for several versions serving different purposes. The nature of disagreements with unreliable categories was also investigated. The results are discussed with special reference to the changes in the final Draft of Chapter V, which contained a feedback of the results from field trials from all over the world.

Phenotypic analysis of CD23+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells in atopic dermatitis

There is an increase in the number of CD23+ cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in atopic dermatitis (AD). We analysed the subpopulation of CD23+ PBMC in 11 patients with AD and in 10 healthy controls and found that B cells (CD20+) and non-T, non-B cells (CD3- CD20-) (mainly monocytes) were responsible for the elevation of CD23+ cells. CD23+ T cells (CD3+) comprised only 4.6% of total CD23+ cells in AD. The percentage of CD23+ cells did not correlate with the serum log IgE level nor with clinical severity of AD. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) induced the expression of CD23 antigen in PBMC both in AD and in healthy controls in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. This enhancing effect of IL-4 was completely abrogated by the addition of anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody. Other cytokines such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha had no significant effects on CD23 expression.

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 3 release from human peripheral blood eosinophils and neutrophils

Human peripheral blood eosinophils released eosinophil survival-enhancing activity when stimulated with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. The release of activity was detected as early as 3 h after stimulation and was inhibited by an immunomodulating agent, cyclosporin A. The survival-enhancing activity was completely abolished by treatment with anti-interleukin 3 (IL-3) and anti-granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, IL-3 and GM-CSF were measurable in ionomycin-stimulated eosinophil supernatants by immunoassay. Eosinophils produced approximately one-half as much IL-3 and one-fifth as much GM-CSF as ionomycin-stimulated mononuclear cells. Neutrophils also produced IL-3 and GM-CSF, but the amounts were less than those produced by eosinophils. These observations suggest a novel role for eosinophils in pathophysiology of allergic inflammation and host defense mechanisms.

[An experimental study on portal infusion of 5-fluorouracil]

We conducted these experiments to investigate the differences between continuous portal and one shot portal infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using male Donryu rats. Continuous portal infusion of 5-FU (20 mg/kg/day x 5 days) revealed no remarkable side effects on the rats with significant decrease in the number of liver metastases generated by intraportal inoculation of ascites hepatoma AH60C. Consecutive 5-day administration of 5-FU (20 mg/kg x 5) by one shot method via spleen resulted in no metastases but caused death in 75% of rats because of severe leukopenia and dehydration. The rats receiving one shot infusion of 5-FU (33.3 mg/kg x 3, day 1, 3, 5) via spleen showed a significant decrease in the number of metastases without lethal side effects. Continuous portal infusion of 5-FU would be a safe and effective therapy to prevent liver metastases, whereas one shot portal infusion of 5-FU may give rise to severe side effects while preventing liver metastases.

[A case of polyarteritis nodosa with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy]

A 55-year-old male was admitted with non productive cough and fever which had continued for 6 weeks. The patient had symptoms of peripheral neuralgia. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL) and reticular shadows in both lung fields. Other laboratory abnormalities included hematuria, RBC cast, high BUN, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. Destruction of the internal membrane of arterioles was observed in a livedo reticularis on the right lower extremity. Renal angiography showed irregularity in the diameter, discontinuation and narrowing of peripheral arteries of both kidneys. These findings suggested the existence of "angiitis". These data were compatible with the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PN). Prednisolone (60 mg/day) administration resulted in the improvement of his symptoms and laboratory findings. A case of PN with lymph node swelling has been reported, however PN with BHL has not yet been reported. This is the first report of PN with BHL.

SAT, a 'new' low frequency blood group antigen, which may be associated with two different MNS variants

A new private blood group antigen, SAT, was identified in an NFLD-Japanese woman as a result of testing 10,480 blood donors with a serum containing anti-NFLD and anti-SAT. Three other sera were subsequently also shown to contain anti-SAT. The donor's family showed that SAT is inherited as a dominant character and may be associated with a weak M antigen. Serological and immunochemical analysis revealed no other aberrations in the MNS system. Study of a second SAT+Japanese blood donor and his family suggested that SAT is associated with an unusual MNS variant resulting from a hybrid glycophorin comprising the N-terminus of glycophorin A and the C-terminus of glycophorin B. The propositus appears to be homozygous for the gene that produces the putative hybrid, which differs from previously described glycophorin (A-B) hybrids by expressing no S, s or U antigen. SAT antigen, therefore, may be associated with two different MNS variants in the only two families in which it has been identified.

Encapsulation of doxorubicin into liposomes by a freeze-thawing method using buffer solution

When doxorubicin was encapsulated into liposomes by freeze-thawing, the percentage of encapsulated doxorubicin (EN%) was found to vary according to the type of buffer solution used. The reason for this was investigated in the present report. Drug-free liposomes prepared by hydration were mixed with doxorubicin dissolved in a certain type of buffer solution that shows a pH decrease on freezing, and this mixture was subjected to freeze-thawing. Doxorubicin was encapsulated by the liposomes due to the difference in pH between freezing and thawing. EN% depended on the pH of the buffer solution before freezing and increased significantly at over pH 7. About 60% of doxorubicin was encapsulated into liposomes after the Ist freeze-thawing cycle, and EN% was increased gradually with the number of freeze-thawing cycles. The addition of sugar to the experimental system was seen to affect doxorubicin encapsulation and the particle size of liposomes.