Red blood cell sorbitol in diabetic children

When red blood cells (RBC) were incubated with various concentrations of glucose, the RBC sorbitol level increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The elevated RBC sorbitol level was not reduced by further incubation in a glucose-free medium. In both diabetic and non-diabetic children, an increase of RBC sorbitol levels occurred in the oral glucose tolerance test and the return to baseline was delayed in diabetics compared with non-diabetics. In the majority of diabetics (87%), RBC sorbitol levels exceeded the upper limit of the normal range, which was arbitrarily determined as the mean + 2 s.d., in healthy non-diabetic children and adults. A good correlation was observed between RBC sorbitol levels and plasma glucose levels (r = 0.644). In both diabetics and non-diabetics, no correlation was observed between RBC sorbitol levels and age, and in diabetics the RBC sorbitol level was not related to the duration of disease. A good correlation was observed between RBC sorbitol levels, and hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) or fructosamine levels in diabetic children.

Photoreceptor differentiation of retinoblastoma: an electron microscopic study of 29 retinoblastomas

Retinoblastomas exhibit a unique form of differentiation to produce cell elements similar to those seen in a photoreceptor cell. An ultrastructural study was performed on 29 cases of retinoblastoma to further clarify the cytologic characteristics of the tumor cells. The age of the retinoblastomas averaged 17.1 months and the tumor cells showing photoreceptor differentiation were demonstrated in 10 cases (35%). The findings were especially notable in retinoblastomas with Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette formation (seven cases, 28%). Similar photoreceptor differentiation was also evident in solid cell clusters without rosette formation (four cases, 14%). The presence of photoreceptor elements was assumed to be significantly frequent both in Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes and in the solid cell clusters. The cell cytoplasm also showed proliferation of long mitochondria and microtubules, reflecting photoreceptor differentiation. The hereditary-type retinoblastoma showed more advanced cell differentiation than the non-hereditary type. Photoreceptor differentiated retinoblastoma showed rather indolent growth compared with the undifferentiated type, and the former can expect a curative treatment by operation. These observations provide additional findings of the biological nature of retinoblastomas.

Characteristics of femtosecond pulses near 1.5 microm in a self-mode-locked Cr(4+):YAG laser

The operating characteristics of a self-mode-locked Cr(4+) :YAG laser that produces sub-100-fs pulses are described. Stable, nearly transform-limited pulses are obtained at a central wavelength longer than 1.50 microm, and the spectrum of the wavelength is extended past 1.60 microm, over the net gain bandwidth of the laser material. The group-velocity dispersion and the third-order dispersion of the Cr-doped YAG rod are measured by a Fourierindicating that the group-velocity dispersion vanishes at a transform interferometric cross-correlation technique, wavelength of 1.59 microm.

Circadian rhythms of adenosine triphosphate contents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area and caudate putamen of the rat--negative correlation with electrical activity

Contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), anterior hypothalamic area (AH) and caudate putamen (CPu) were determined every 4 h in rats kept under constant dark conditions. All tested regions of the brain exhibited circadian rhythms in ATP content. Among these, the amplitude of the rhythm was largest in the SCN. Peaks of the ATP content were observed at circadian time 18 in the SCN, 6 in the AH and 10 in the CPu. In view of the observation that at around these peak times electrical or glucose uptake activity of each brain region was lowest, the present result suggests that ATP content is negatively correlated with electrical or glucose uptake activity.

Multidirectional contraction of human hypertrophied prostate

1. The purpose of the present investigation is to evaluate muscle contraction in two directions (longitudinal and circumferential to urethra) physiologically and morphologically for alpha-adrenoceptor agonists. 2. Norepinephrine (10(-7)-10(-4) M), phenylephrine (10(-7)-10(-4) M) and clonidine (10(-7)-10(-4) M) induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner on human prostate from patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). 3. No significant differences were observed between longitudinal and circumferential directions of human prostate in 50% of the maximal muscle contraction (EC50 values) and the maximal muscle contractions caused by any agents used. 4. Morphometric analysis for muscle in prostates was performed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections stained by the Mallory-Azan method. 5. There was no significant difference in the density of the muscle area between longitudinal and circumferential directions of prostatic strips. 6. These results suggest that there are no significant differences in responsiveness of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and the smooth muscle contents in longitudinal and circumferential directions to urethra, for human hypertrophied prostate.

[Surgical intervention to tuberculous pericarditis: a case report]

A 32-year-old man was hospitalized because of cardiac tamponade with the thickened visceral and parietal pericardial layers. Marked high level of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in pericardial fluid strongly suggested the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis, which was later assured by positive smear and culture of the pericardial fluid for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Before rigid adhesion of the pericardial space was established, pericardiectomy was easily performed with satisfactory improvement of the hemodynamic status and physical symptoms of the patient. The present case suggests the efficacy of early surgical intervention to tuberculous pericarditis when it shows a sign of rapid progression to constrictive pericarditis. Furthermore, high ADA in pericardial fluid might be an useful diagnostic modality for tuberculous pericarditis.

Clinical application of spontaneous red blood cell labeling with Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate

Red blood cells (RBC) may be labeled with Tc-99m after Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate is injected in the presence of a reducing agent, such as stannous chloride. Thus, spontaneous RBC labeling with Tc-99m is expected to be seen in patients with a high plasma concentration of tin. Spontaneous RBC labeling with Tc-99m was obtained in a 73-year-old woman who was clinically diagnosed with tin intoxication and proved to have a high concentration of plasma tin. The RBC labeling rate was calculated as 96% with blood sampling. Spontaneous RBC labeling with Tc-99m is a very simple method for proving a high plasma tin concentration and is adaptable to clinical diagnosis.

Isolation and characterization of mutations in the human holocarboxylase synthetase cDNA

Holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS) plays an essential role in biotin utilization in eukaryotic cells and its deficiency causes biotin-responsive multiple carboxylase deficiency in humans. We have cloned the human HCS cDNA and show that antiserum against the recombinant protein immunoprecipitates human HCS. A one base deletion resulting in a premature termination and a missense mutation (Leu to Pro) were found in cells from siblings with HCS deficiency. Human HCS shows homology to BirA, which acts as both a biotin-[acetyl-CoA-carboxylase] ligase and a biotin repressor in E. coli, suggesting a functional relationship between the two proteins. The human HCS gene maps to chromosome 21q22.1.

Structure and chromosomal localization of the human PD-1 gene (PDCD1)

A cDNA encoding mouse PD-1, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily was previously isolated from apoptosis-induced cells by subtractive hybridization. To determine the structure and chromosomal location of the human PD-1 gene, we screened a human T cell cDNA library by mouse PD-1 probe and isolated a cDNA coding for the human PD-1 protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of human PD-1 was 60% identical to the mouse counterpart, and a putative tyrosine kinase-association motif was well conserved. The human PD-1 gene was mapped to 2q37.3 by chromosomal in situ hybridization.

[A case of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm with associated inferior vena caval and bilateral ureteral obstruction]

One year ago, a 48-year-old man complained of dyspnea, and was diagnosed as mitral valve regurgitation and aortic dissection. He underwent mitral valve replacement and aortic arch grafting. He was also pointed out to have an inflammatory aortic aneurysm (IAAA) in the infrarenal abdominal aorta, but did not undergo surgery. At this admission, he had lumbago and low grade fever probably due to deterioration of the IAAA. On the preoperative radionuclide studies, inferior vena caval obstruction and bilateral ureteral obstruction or severe stenosis were demonstrated by 99mTc-MAA venography and 123I-OIH renogram, respectively. 67Ga scan showed faint abnormal accumulation at the IAAA. He underwent surgery. IAAA had a thick wall in white and hard fibrotic tissue adhered closely to duodenum, jejunum, inferior vena cava and bilateral ureters. After surgery, his renal function was improved. In this case, radionuclide studies were useful for detecting the inferior vena caval obstruction, assessing renal function and inflammatory activity.

[Standardization of regional cerebral count corrected by equilibrium blood count with 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT]

To standardize the regional cerebral count with 99mTc-HMPAO, equilibrium blood count of which trapping mechanism is the same as the brain was used in seven patients with cerebrovascular disease. We injected 99mTc-HMPAO 740 MBq in 10-15 sec and got sequential arterial sampling in patients who were undertaken with PET. Four hours later 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT was taken and a venous sampling was drawn for determining the equilibrium blood count. Correlation between the area of arterial time activity curve and equilibrium venous blood count was 0.93. After 44 regions (36 in cortical area, 8 in deep area) with 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT were placed, SPECT counts were corrected by standardization of equilibrium venous blood count. The correlation between rCBF determined from C15O2 PET and corrected SPECT counts was 0.80 and 0.67, cortical area and deep area, respectively. We concluded that 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT count can be corrected by equilibrium blood count to standardize the regional cerebral counts.

Purification and properties of bovine liver holocarboxylase synthetase

Holocarboxylase synthetase was purified 18,000-fold from bovine liver cytosol by a sequence of ammonium sulfate fractionation, alumina C gamma fractionation, DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, EAH-Sepharose 4B, Sephacryl S-200 HR, Bio-Gel HTP, and Phenyl-Superose HR 5/5 chromatographies. Holocarboxylase synthetase activity was assayed using apopropionyl-CoA carboxylase from a patient with holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency as a substrate. Apopropionyl-CoA carboxylase was easily prepared from cultured lymphoblasts from this patient. Enzyme activity coincided with a 64,000-Da protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, the molecular mass of the native enzyme was estimated to be 60,000 Da by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 HR. These results suggest that purified holocarboxylase synthetase from bovine liver cytosol is a monomeric enzyme. Its Km value for biotin was estimated to be 13 nM.

Identification of S-phase cells with PC10 antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by flow cytometric analysis

We estimated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HeLa S3 cells by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibody (MAb) PC10. HeLa cells were fixed with six different fixation procedures: 15-min and 30-min acetone, 15-min acetone followed by 15-min methanol (acetone/methanol), 30-min methanol, 15-min methanol followed by 15-min acetone (methanol/acetone), and a mixture of acetone and methanol. The fixed cells were applied to MAb PC10 against PCNA and then treated with FITC. With five fixation procedures except for acetone/methanol, PCNA was expressed in almost all cells with similar shapes and different FITC intensity levels on PCNA/DNA bivariate cytograms, whereas acetone/methanol fixation allowed PCNA detection in S-phase cells with a cytogram that showed a horseshoe-like pattern with a peak level at mid-S-phase. Flow cytometric dual parameter analysis of PCNA/BrdU was carried out in HeLa cells to confirm detection of PCNA in S-phase cells with acetone/methanol fixation. The population of cells stained for both parameters, i.e., S-phase cells, was obviously discriminated from that of the non-S-phase cell in PCNA/BrdU bivariate cytograms. These results strongly suggest that PCNA used with acetone/methanol fixation would be equal to BrdU as an S-phase marker.

Isolation and characterization of 21 novel expressed DNA sequences from the distal region of human chromosome 4p

We have established an approach to the isolation of expressed DNA sequences from a defined region of the human chromosome. The method relies on the direct screening of cDNA libraries using pooled single-copy microclones generated by a laser chromosome micro-dissection in conjunction with a single unique primer polymerase chain reaction (SUP-PCR) procedure. We applied this method to the distal region of human chromosome 4p (4p15-4pter), which contains the Huntington disease (HD) and the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) loci. Twenty-one nonoverlapping and region-specific cDNA clones encoding novel genes were isolated in this manner. Ten of 21 clones were subregionally assigned to 4p16.1-4pter, and the remainder mapped to the region proximal to 4p16.1. Northern blot and reverse transcription followed by the PCR (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that 16 of these 21 clones detected transcripts in total RNA from human tissues. Our method is applicable to other chromosomal regions and is a powerful approach to the isolation of region-specific cDNA clones.

Estimation of S-phase fraction in tumor tissue sections by immunohistochemical staining of PCNA

We describe a method for measuring the size of the S-phase fraction in human tumor tissue sections using an antibody to PCNA (PC10). Although treatment with Triton X-100 before fixation extracted a large amount of PCNA from the cells even in frozen tissue sections, PCNA remained exclusively in S-phase cells. Immunohistochemical staining of PCNA after the detergent treatment allowed estimation of the S-phase fraction in solid tumors. The validity of the method was directly proven by double staining of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and PCNA in HeLa cells. The PCNA-positive cells were identical with BrdUrd-positive cells after the detergent treatment. In contrast, almost all HeLa cells in the exponentially growing phase were positive for PC10 without treatment with Triton X-100.

Long-term results of the anterior cervical spondylodesis

From 1974 to 1992, anterior cervical spondylodesis was performed in 163 patients of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, traumatic spinal injury, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, or cervical spondylitis. Forty-five of these patients were followed for more than 4 years. To analyze the long-term results of anterior cervical spondylodesis, a radiological examination was performed in these 45 patients and magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in 41 of them. Postoperative spondylotic changes were observed radiologically in 23 (51.1%) of the 45 patients. Anterior bony spur was more frequently observed than posterior bony spur in these postoperative spondylotic changes. Postoperative canal stenosis caused by the bulging of the discs and the ligamentum flavum was frequently demonstrated with hypo- or isointense signal on T2-weighted images by magnetic resonance imaging in patients followed long term after surgery and in patients with malalignment of the cervical spine due to kyphosis of the fused vertebrae and multisegmental fusion. Neurological improvement was less in patients with bulge of the discs and the ligamentum flavum seen in magnetic resonance imaging than in patients without it. The bulge of the ligamentum flavum was histopathologically defined as hypertrophy of the ligament.

[Myocardial washout of 99mTc-hexakis-2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) at exercise myocardial scintigraphy in patients with ischemic heart disease]

Myocardial washout of the new myocardial perfusion imaging agent, 99mTc-hexakis-2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) was studied in 23 patients with coronary artery disease. These patients were divided into three groups; 8 patients with effort angina pectoris (AP group), 6 with myocardial infarction who had reversible defect (MI-RD (+) group) and 9 with myocardial infarction who had not reversible defect (MI-RD (-) group). Regional radioactivities were determined with postexercise 1- and 3-hour myocardial planar images. In AP group, 99mTc-MIBI washout rate in ischemic area was smaller than in normal area (3.8 +/- 7.5% vs. 8.3 +/- 5.6%, p < 0.05), however, in the remaining two groups, there were no difference in washout between normal and infarct areas. Defect/normal ratios from postexercise 1 hour to 3 hours were slightly increased in AP and MI-RD (+) groups. Our results indicate that 99mTc-MIBI showed slight and incomplete myocardial redistribution in ischemic areas. These data showed to be considered in the interpretation of 99mTc-MIBI myocardial imaging.

Failure to detect brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein mRNA in benign symmetric lipomatosis (Madelung's disease)

We report a case of benign symmetric lipomatosis with hypothyroidism. Functional abnormalities and distribution of lipomas in benign symmetric lipomatosis suggest that the lipomas in this disorder may represent brown adipose tissue. In conditions where mRNAs of uncoupling protein, which is believed to be unique for brown adipose tissue mitochondria, were detected in one microgram of poly (A+) rat brown fat RNA, no signal at all was found in the lipomatous tissue, suggesting that the masses of benign symmetric lipomatosis are not functional brown adipose tissue.

Myocardial involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. An analysis of 75 patients

The authors studied 75 nonselected patients (30 men and 45 women; mean age 48 years) with sarcoidosis retrospectively to assess the applicability of nuclear examinations for detecting myocardial involvement. All patients were studied with Tl-201 myocardial perfusion scan (TMPS), Ga-67 myocardial scan (GMS), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using ECG-gated radionuclide ventriculography. The positive GMS group had a significantly higher occurrence of abnormality on TMPS (100%) than the negative GMS group (41%). Patients with TMPS abnormality and positive GMS showed significantly lower LVEF (36.3%) than those of normal perfusion or negative GMS. When LVEF decreased, occurrences of TMPS abnormality and positive GMS increased. The authors demonstrate that in patients with sarcoidosis LVEF was closely related to TMPS and GMS, and LVEF reflected the progression of sarcoid heart disease and can be considered a reliable indicator of cardiac function. Patients with sarcoidosis with TMPS abnormality and positive GMS should be thought to have myocardial sarcoidosis and their cardiac functions can be assessed by ECG-gated radionuclide ventriculography, while the remaining patients should be examined with TMPS and GMS periodically for detection of myocardial involvement.