Two new slow-moving variants of human serum albumin

Two new slow-moving variants of human serum albumin were found in members of two unrelated Japanese families. These variants, different from each other and from the slow-moving variants described previously, were designated albumin "Okinoerabu' and albumin "Akasaka'. The mode of inheritance of each variant was consistent with an autosomal codominant trait. A very rare type, homozygote for a variant, albumin "Okinoerabu', was also detected. The segregation data of albumin and Gc showed no discrepancy from the postulation of a linkage between these two loci.

Three new variants in the plasminogen system

Three new phenotypes of plasminogen system, named PLG 3-1, PLG 1-M and PLG 1-C, were found in sera from healthy Japanese persons by the agarose gel isoelectric focusing followed by the methods of immunofixation and caseinolysis. The present study indicates that at least the PLG 3 component is genetically determined. The existence of another PLG3 allele is postulated.

Experimental studies on intestinal absorption following Martin's operation

Experimental studies were done on rats on compensatory absorptive capacity following Martin's operation for extensive aganglionosis. Experimental aganglionosis was produced in the descending colon of rats by serosal application of 0.1% benzalkonium chloride solution. Wide side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the aganglionic colon and the distal ileum, removing the remaining colon. As to absorptive capacity of water and electrolytes, this experimental intestine was compared, with other intestines, especially control intestine, in which similar side-to-side anastomosis was done between the normal colon and the normal ileum. "Experimental" as well as control intestine showed higher absorptive capacities of water, Na and Cl per unit length than did summed up values of the ileum and the colon per unit length. Postoperative body weight curves showed fairly good increases and appearance of feces showed a fair improvement in the experimental group. Autopsy of experimental intestine revealed marked dilatation of the anastomosed ileum and mucosal hypertrophy of the anastomosed colon. These results suggested a favorable compensatory absorptive capacity following Martin's operation.

Genetic polymorphism of plasminogen: a new basic variant (PLG B) and population study in Japanese

Genetic polymorphism of human plasminogen in the Japanese population was studied using agarose gel isoelectric focusing followed by immunofixation. A new basic variant, PLG B, was found as a heterozygous state PLG 1-B, which was genetically determined. The allele frequencies calculated from 258 individuals were PLG1=0.958, PLG2=0.020 and PLGB=0.022.

On the pathogenesis of intestinal aganglionosis. A consideration based on electron microscopic observations of experimental and clinical aganglionoses

A close resemblance in fine structure was observed between the aganglionic colon, produced in rats by serosal application of 0.1% benzalkonium chloride solution, and the aganglionic descending colon, or more proximal segments, of Hirschsprung's disease. The pathogenesis of the disease is discussed.

Gallstone ileus. Review of 112 patients in the Japanese literature

A survey was made of 112 cases of gallstone ileus reported in the Japanese literature, including 3 of our cases. The ratio of males to females was 1 to 1.1, the age range was 13 to 87 years, and biliary-enteric fistulas were demonstrated in 81 percent of the patients. Although cholecystoduodenal fistula was most common, eight cases of choledochoduodenal fistula were reported. Sixteen patients passed obstructing gallstones through a patulous sphincter of Oddi. The ileum was occluded in 54 percent of the cases. Duodenal obstruction was seen in 10 percent. There was no operative mortality in seven patients treated with enterolithotomy, subsequent cholecystectomy and repair of the fistula, whereas a mortality rate of 19 percent followed the one-stage procedure.

[Intracerebral germinoma developing in the right basal ganglia--report of a case followed up by CTscan and review of the literature (author's transl)]

Recently, a case of intracranial germinoma in the right basal ganglia was experienced in our department. He was a 14-years old boy with left motor hemiparesis. On repeated CT studies (7 times), developmental process of the tumor was observed for about 2 years. The tumor developed from the right putamen and invaded toward it's neighboring area (right basal ganglia, thalamus and hypothalamus). As the tumor grew larger, multiple cysts were formed in the tumor tissue and dislocation of ventricles occurred. On 21 December 1978, right temporal craniotomy was performed and a piece of the tumor was removed. It's tissue was diagnosed as germinoma by pathohistological examination. As the effect of postoperative 60Co irradiation and chemotherapy (Vicristine, CCNU), tumor stain (high density area) on CT scann disappeared and remained only as a well margined low density area. On CT scan in September 1979, recurrence sign was not noted. Clinical features of the germinoma located in the basal ganglia has not been well known, because of it's rarity. As a result of the survey of 7 cases reported in the Japanese literature and our case, it has been made clear that most of them are characterized by motor hemiparesis in the early stage, not accompanied by intracranial hypertension.

Selective destruction of intestinal nervous elements by local application of benzalkonium solution in the rat

Intestinal aganglionosis produced by serosal application of 0.1% benzalkonium solution to the colon of the rat was studied electronmicroscopically, and it was concluded that a higher susceptibility to the agent and a lower recovering ability of the nerve elements might be responsible for the phenomenon.

Peculiar congenital parieto-occipital head tumor: report of 3 cases

3 infantile cases of congenital parieto-occipital midline soft tumor, the clinical and pathological findings of which did not correspond precisely to a known congenital head tumor, are reported. One of them probably belongs to McLaurin's type of encephalocele with heterotopic glial rest, and the remaining two to McLaurin's type of meningocele without central connection. The types of anomaly shown by the present cases should generally be called 'atretic cephalocele' or 'rudimentary cephalocele'.

Cerebral vasospasm and ultrastructural changes in cerebral arterial wall. An experimental study

✓ Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was produced experimentally by injecting normal dog's blood as well as reserpinized dog's blood into the chiasmal cistern of the dog. The following observations were made: 1) After SAH with normal dog's blood, the intima of the basal truncal arterial wall showed some or all of such ultrastructural changes as appearance of vacuoles and dense bodies in endothelial cells, detachment of endothelial cells, appearance of intimal cells, and intimal thickening. The changes first appeared 2 hours after SAH, culminated at 3 to 7 days after SAH, and persisted up to 1 month after SAH. 2) After SAH with normal dog's blood, the media of the basal truncal arterial wall showed some or all of such ultrastructural changes as moth-eaten contour of muscle cells, appearance of intracytoplasmic vacuoles and dense bodies, appearance of cell debris, enlargement of interstitial space, and appearance therein of dense particles. These findings, which, in short, are to be expressed as myonecrosis and its repairing process, first appeared 2 hours after SAH, culminated at 1 to 4 months after SAH, and persisted up to 1 year after SAH. 3) Three and 5 days following SAH with reserpinized dog's blood, ultrastructural findings of the intima and media of the basal truncal arterial wall were entirely normal.

On the basis of the above findings, it was concluded that the ultrastructural changes in the cerebral arterial wall observed after SAH with normal dog's blood occurred as a consequence of vasospasm. The possibility that late spasm, in turn, might be facilitated by myonecrosis, could not be denied.

Synthetic identification as a hexapeptide of alpha substance-IB inducing sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

For the identification of a peptidyl principle inducing sexual agglutination in the yeast, 2 supposed hexapeptides (1a, b) were synthesized by the conventional method. The 1a (H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Phe-Pro-Ile-OH) revealed complete identity with the natural peptide in TLC, MS and biological property on agglutination. The 1b showed the sexual agglutinability in the same degree as 1a, though distinct differences were observed in the chemical data. Both 1a and 1b had a strong bitter taste.