[Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis treatment]

The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with amoxicillin (AMPC), lansoprazole, and plaunotol for the eradication of H. pylori in dialysis patients. The subjects consisted of 15 dialysis patients (10 men and 5 women, mean age of 56 +/- 2.4 years) in whom H. pylori was found in the stomach. H. pylori status was evaluated by histology, culture and rapid urease test with biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa. The patients were treated with AMPC 500 mg once a day for 3 weeks, lansoprazole 30 mg once a day for 8 weeks and plaunotol 80 mg three times a day for 24 weeks. In addition, the concentrations of serum gastrin and gastric juice ammonia were measured. Fourteen patients completed the treatment schedule, while one discontinued treatment because of nausea and diarrhea. Among the 14 patients, H. pylori was eradicated in 11 without any side effects (eradication rate 78.6%). Concentrations of gastric juice ammonia and serum gastrin were reduced significantly in patients who became H. pylori-negative. The present study indicates that combination therapy with AMPC, lansoprazole and plaunotol is safe and efficient for the eradication of H. pylori in dialysis patients. The results also suggested that elevated concentrations of gastric juice ammonia and serum gastrin in dialysis patients can be attributed, at least in part, to H. pylori infection.

A family with two sisters with collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy

Collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy is a recently recognized disease entity. Although an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern has been suggested for this condition, there are few reports of familial cases. Only four pairs of child siblings, with histological confirmation of the glomerular lesions, have been reported. The current report describes a family including two sisters with histological evidence of collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy. Serum concentrations of the procollagen III peptide were elevated in the affected sisters, whereas their parents and other siblings demonstrated neither proteinuria nor increased blood levels of the procollagen III peptide. Our findings support an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance for this type of glomerulonephropathy. They also suggest that the serum concentration of the procollagen III peptide is a useful marker for collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy.

Reconstitution of SCID mouse with tonsillar cells from patients with IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by a predominant IgA deposition to the renal mesangium. Immunological abnormalities are closely related to the occurrence and progression of IgAN. Many reports have indicated that tonsillectomy favours the clinical course of IgAN. To understand the role of tonsil glands in the occurrence and progression of IgAN, we injected tonsillar lymphoid cells from patients with IgAN into severe combined immuno-deficient mice (SCID). Tonsillar glands were obtained surgically from 3 patients with IgAN (experimental group) and from 7 patients with chronic tonsillitis without any manifestation of renal diseases (control group). Tonsils were homogenized and resultant cells cryopreserved. On the day of injection, cells were thawed and passed through Ficoll-Paque gradients to obtain mononuclear cells. Fifty million cells were injected intraperitoneally into the SCID mice. After 8 weeks, transferred cells successfully reconstituted SCID, as shown by the fact that human immunoglobulins were detected in the sera of both groups. Renal histopathological examination revealed there was no IgA deposition to the mesangial area in either group. These results indicate that tonsillar mononuclear cells alone may not directly relate to the occurrence of IgAN.

Late-onset renal dysfunction in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma following an autologous bone marrow transplantation

Various types of glomerulonephropathy have been reported in patients with malignant lymphoma. The present report describes a 21-year-old man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed renal insufficiency 4 months after undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation without combined total body irradiation treatment. At the presentation of renal dysfunction, the malignant lymphoma had been in complete remission. A renal biopsy specimen revealed glomerular changes resembling those seen in patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome. However, hematologic examinations exhibited no evidence of thrombocytopenia or thrombotic microangiopathy, such as red cell fragmentations on the peripheral blood smear. Although the etiology of this nephropathy remains unclear, the chemotherapeutic agents administered in conditioning regimens for bone marrow transplantation were suspected of contributing to the renal insufficiency. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy appeared to be effective in arresting progression of the nephropathy. This case indicates that renal function should be monitored carefully in patients with malignant lymphoma after bone marrow transplantation, even if such patients lack the signs or symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathy.

An adult case of polycystic kidney disease associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is often associated with infantile, but not with adult polycystic kidney disease. We report the unusual case of an adult patient with polycystic kidney disease complicated by congenital hepatic fibrosis. A 27-year-old women was admitted to our hospital because of gross hematuria due to hemorrhage from renal cysts. She presented hematemesis from ruptured esophageal varices at the age of 14 years. She was diagnosed as having end-stage renal disease due to polycystic kidney disease at the age of 23 years, and maintenance hemodialysis was initiated the following year. Gross hematuria was managed with supportive therapy. However, the patient developed cholangitis and died of sepsis. Postmortem examinations as well as the patient's clinical course suggested that she had an autosomal dominant type of polycystic kidney disease. Histological findings of the liver were compatible with congenital hepatic fibrosis.

Disulfide cross-linking in crude embryonic lysates reveals three complexes of the Drosophila morphogen dorsal and its inhibitor cactus

In Drosophila embryos dorsoventral polarity is determined by a concentration gradient of dorsal (dl) protein in the nuclei formed by the differential regulation of nuclear localization of dl protein. cactus (cact) represses the nuclear localization of dl protein. By introducing intermolecular disulfide bonds in homogenates of embryos, we detected three complexes of dl and/or cact proteins. Complex 1 (190 kDa) is a dl protein homodimer (dl2). Complex 2 (270 kDa) consists of one complex 1 and one cact molecule (dl2cact). Complex 3 (200 kDa) is a cact protein complex that does not contain dl protein. In wild-type embryos dl2cact was detected as the major form of dl protein, and dl2 was minor. With this assay virtually no dl monomer is detected. Analysis of the dl protein complexes in ventralized and dorsalized mutant embryos indicates that dl2cact is a cytoplasmic form, whereas dl2 is localized mainly in the nuclei. It seems that a small amount of dl2 is also present in the cytoplasm.

[An adult case of glomerulocystic kidney disease]

A 56-year-old female presented with end-stage renal disease. A CT scan of her kidneys demonstrated that the density of the renal parenchyma was quite low as compared with normal kidneys, and that corticomedullary demarcation was obscured. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed low intensity of the kidneys in T1-weighed images, and high intensity in T2-weighed images. In order to elucidate the etiology of her kidney disease, open renal biopsy was performed. The kidney surface was covered with numerous cysts with a diameter of less than 3 mm. Biopsy specimens from the cortical surface showed multiple cystic lesions. Serial sections of more than 200 slices of the biopsy material demonstrated that traces of collapsed glomeruli were present in most of the cysts. On electron microscopy, some epithelial cells lining the cysts were found to be round-shaped and contained a substantial amount of mitochondria, suggesting proximal tubules. These histological findings were compatible with glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD). An adult case of GCKD has rarely been reported, but the CT scan as well as MRI of the kidneys appeared to complement the diagnosis of GCKD. Although the cysts of GCKD have been considered to be dilatations of the Bowman's capsules, our observation suggested that part of the cells lining the cysts consisted of proximal tubular epithelium.

Induction of Ly-49 on an interspecies hybridoma between differentiation stage specific murine T cells and a rat T lymphoma

Ly-49 can be expressed in interspecies hybridoma cells resulting from the fusion of Ly-49 negative lymphoid cells from normal mice and Ly-49 negative T cells from the rat thymoma W/Fu(C58NT)D (C58). Several hundred hybridoma clones of this type were studied. Hybridoma clones derived from the fusion between activated C57BL/6 mouse spleen cells and C58 expressed Ly-49 on their surface although Ly-49 was undetectable on both parental cells. No Ly-49 antigen was expressed on hybrids when BW5147, a T lymphoma derived from AKR mouse, replaced C58 as parental cell. Thymocytes from C57BL/6 mice also produced Ly-49 positive interspecies hybridomas with C58. Subsequent manipulation of these thymocytes with a mixture of anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies plus complement to obtain double negative cells (CD4-/CD8-) prior to the fusion abolished the expression of Ly-49 on hybridomas. On the other hand, if the thymocytes were treated with either anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibody plus complement, the resultant thymocytes which were a mixture of cells with a single positive (CD4+/CD8- or CD4-/CD8+) and a double negative phenotype (CD4-/CD8-) retained the ability to produce Ly-49 positive hybridomas. Interspecies hybridomas between either CD4+/CD8- or CD4-/CD8+ functional T cell clones and C58 expressed Ly-49 on their surface, though these parental T cells lacked Ly-49 on their surfaces. Northern hybridization analysis using Ly-49 cDNA revealed that C58 cells do not express Ly-49 mRNA, indicating that a trans-acting factor(s) from C58 plays an important role in the induction of cell surface Ly-49 expression on interspecies hybridomas. Our data indicate the complex nature of the regulatory mechanisms for expression of the Ly-49 molecule.

An autopsy case of light chain deposition disease

This report describes a case of light chain deposition disease (LCDD) with unusual findings of fibrillar structures in the deposits and marked calcification in several organs. A forty-year-old man was initially diagnosed with LCDD in 1987, and died of sepsis three and one-half-years later. Histological examination of autopsy specimens demonstrated eosinophilic amorphous materials, which differed from amyloid, in vessel walls or around parenchymal cells in almost every organ examined. Ultrastructurally, in addition to granular deposits, fibrillar structures were also seen in the deposits. Marked calcification was present in the myocardium, skeletal muscles, adrenal glands and arteries.

[The present state of arts and the future prospects of coronary angioscopy]

The angioscope catheter is 1.55 mm in outer diameter and 1.2 m in length. This distal end is tapered, therefore its outer diameter decreased to 1.1 mm. It has an inflatable balloon at the distal tip and four circular channels. Through one of the lumina, 0.014 inch PTCA guide wire can be used. The steerable guide wire enable the angioscope to be inserted to the target lesion safely and accurately. Recently we investigated the appearance of coronary artery in acute coronary syndromes. The results have indicated that thrombi, intimal irregularities, and xanthomatous atheromas were observed more frequently in patients with acute myocardial infarction, recent myocardial infarction and unstable angina. It is concluded that a thrombus overlying a rupture in the lining of plaque plays a major role in an acute coronary disorders, and that the fragile, lipid-rich gruel atheroma may procede its rupture. Coaxial alignments of the coronary artery were obtained in more than 80% of attempted patients. However, a finer controllable distal tip to allow good coaxial alignment and a larger balloon to reduce the coronary good flow and make the angioscopic catheter easier to track, are necessary for more complete visualization.

Anemia and neutropenia due to copper deficiency in enteral nutrition

Copper deficiency has been regarded a rare complication of total parenteral nutrition. This report describes the first known case of anemia and neutropenia caused by copper deficiency in a patient receiving long-term enteral nutrition. A 34-year-old man presented with bulbar palsy and tetraplegia after an operation for cerebellar hemorrhage on June 7, 1989. Nasopharyngeal tube feeding with a defined-formula diet (Besvion) was instituted on June 19, 1989. He developed normocytic anemia and neutropenia approximately 19 months after the initiation of the tube feeding. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels were markedly below normal. There were anisocytosis and erythrocyte deformities in the peripheral blood smear. Bone marrow aspirates revealed a hypocellular marrow with numerous myeloid and erythroid cells with cytoplasmic vacuoles. Because the amount of copper administered was estimated to be 2.6 to 5.1 mumol/d during the tube feeding, copper deficiency was suspected to be the cause of the hematologic disorders. The patient's daily oral copper intake was increased to 34 mumol/d. His serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations reached a normal level after 16 days and 23 days of copper supplementation, respectively. A marked reticulocytosis occurred after 10 days of copper supplementation, and his anemia gradually improved over the next 3 months. His blood neutrophil count also returned to normal within 2 weeks.

Hyperhomocysteinemia as a possible role for atherosclerosis in CAPD patients

It has been shown that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. In this study, we measured total plasma homocysteine in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and evaluated its correlation with atherosclerosis. Subjects consisted of healthy volunteers, and hemodialysis (HD) and CAPD patients. Fluoro-HPLC was employed to estimate plasma levels of total homocysteine (Hcy). Plasma levels of total Hcy were significantly higher in the CAPD patients compared with the HD patients and controls. Atherosclerotic score (ASS) was calculated, and the correspondence with plasma levels of total Hcy was analyzed. There was a significant correlation between plasma levels of total Hcy and ASS in CAPD patients. However, plasma levels of total Hcy did not correlate with age, plasma vitamin B6 level, residual renal function, protein catabolic rate (PCR), or KT/V. Our present study suggests that elevated concentrations of total plasma Hcy might play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in CAPD patients.

Neonatal thymectomy diminishes renal IgA deposition in IgA nephropathy-prone ddY mice

To understand the role of thymus-derived T cells in the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), we performed neonatal thymectomies on ddY mice, in which this disease occurs spontaneously. Although these thymectomized mice developed a renal lesion closely resembling that typical of IgAN, the extent of their mesangial IgA deposition was significantly milder than in control sham-operated mice. The immunological mechanisms responsible for curbing this mesangial deposition of IgA were then analyzed. The percentage of splenic T cells and the magnitude of mitogenic responses both decreased markedly in thymectomized compared with control mice. These results suggested the hypofunction of thymus-derived T cells. However, serum IgA levels were almost identical in both groups. Furthermore, sera from both groups contained similar amounts of macromolecular IgA, of the type formerly eluted from the affected glomeruli of patients with IgAN. These results strongly indicate that thymus-derived T cells or their products determine the amount of IgA deposited in the kidneys of ddY mice.

Renal fibroblasts are sensitive to growth-repressing and matrix-reducing factors from activated lymphocytes

Various forms of nephropathy accompany interstitial fibrosis with lymphocytic infiltration. To probe the relationship between lymphocyte-derived factors and renal fibroblasts, we studied the effect of culture supernatant from lymphocytes stimulated by concanavalin A (ConASN) on the growth and matrix metabolism of rat kidney fibroblasts. 3H-thymidine incorporation and Northern analysis, respectively, revealed that ConASN repressed cell growth and the mRNA level of collagen type I, but dramatically elevated the steady-state expression of metalloproteinase transin/stromelysin. The growth inhibitor in ConASN was moderately heat-sensitive and less than 5 kD in molecular size, qualities that differed from those of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), IL-1 beta, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The matrix regulatory factor in ConASN was highly heat-sensitive and more than 30 kD in size. Among several lymphokines tested, TNF-alpha produced the same effects as ConASN on the metabolism of extracellular matrix. We hypothesize that lymphocyte-derived factors have a significant role in the attenuation of renal fibrogenesis, as well as its progression, via inhibiting cell growth and matrix accumulation.

A case of hematophagic histiocytosis associated with acute renal failure

The present report describes a rare case of hematophagic histiocytosis associated with acute renal failure. A 32-year-old woman was referred to us from a local hospital because of progressive deterioration of renal function, jaundice and a bleeding tendency. The physical findings at admission revealed hyperemic conjunctivae, gingival bleeding, hepatomegaly, and generalized myalgia. Laboratory data indicated a decrease in platelet count, azotemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Marked elevation of serum triglycerides and ferritin was also noted. Histiocyte proliferation with phagocytosis of erythrocytes and platelets was observed in a bone marrow aspirate. A renal biopsy specimen exhibited lesions generally observed in acute tubular necrosis: degeneration and necrosis of tubular epithelial cells; round cell infiltration and edema in the interstitium; and unremarkable glomeruli. The serum titer to coxsackievirus B1 rose from < 4x at admission to 16x after recovery from the illness, suggesting that this virus may have been the causal organism of the accompanying infection. The patient's symptoms improved rapidly with supportive therapy, and complete restoration of renal function was achieved in 20 days. The morphological characteristics of the bone marrow aspirate and the clinical course were compatible with hematophagic histiocytosis.

[A case of primary amyloidosis associated with giant cell infiltration within a Bowman's capsule]

A 67-year-old man was hospitalized with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Physical findings at admission were generalized edema and macroglossia. Urinalysis showed massive proteinuria, + +occult blood, and granular and broad casts. Ig A lambda monoclonal gammopathy was noted in the serum. There was no evidence of myeloma in the bone marrow aspirate, scintigram or X-ray of the bone. A biopsy specimen of the kidney showed massive deposits of structureless material in the glomeruli. Marked cell infiltration was also observed in the interstitium. Multinucleated giant cells were occasionally seen in the Bowman's capsules and the interstitium. There were reactive changes in the Bowman's capsule adjacent to the giant cell. The deposits were proved to be amyloid by positive staining with Congo red and apple-green birefringence by polarized light. In addition, microfibrills seen on electron microscopy displayed deposits. Amyloid depositions were observed in other tissues such as gingiva, skin and tongue. Staining of amyloid with Congo red was resistant to potassium permanganate, and amyloid was positively stained with lambda-light chain of immunoglobulin. These findings indicated that the patient had primary amyloidosis. Infiltration of the multinucleated giant cell has been reported only in patients with familial amyloidosis and secondary amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis. To our knowledge the present case is a first report of the giant cell infiltration in a Bowman's capsule in primary amyloidosis.

[A case of thymic carcinoma, sarcomatoid type]

A 53-year-old man was found to have a mediastinal mass. Chest X-ray, CT scan, bronchofiber and superior vena vasography showed a left upper giant mediastinal tumor with invasion to left upper lobe and pericardium. And it was performed a surgical treatment and diagnosed a thymic carcinoma (sarcomatoid type) by histological examination. We reported a rare type of thymic carcinoma and added discussion.

The functional domains of the Drosophila morphogen dorsal: evidence from the analysis of mutants

The dorsal (dl) protein is a member of the Rel family of transcription factors. It is distributed in a nuclear concentration gradient along the dorsoventral axis of Drosophila embryos and activates or represses a discrete set of zygotic genes in a concentration-dependent manner. The nuclear uptake of the dl protein is stimulated by products of the dorsal group genes but inhibited by the cactus (cact) product. To analyze the functional domains of the dl protein, we sequenced 11 dl alleles and studied their interaction with cact. Four of these alleles were found to result in carboxy-terminal truncations of the protein. A deletion of 80 carboxy-terminal amino acids abolishes the ability of dl protein to activate the expression of mesodermal genes. Larger deletions also affect the repressor function of dl. However, a protein consisting only of the Rel homologous region still acts as a weak repressor of zerknüllt transcription. A missense mutation in the presumptive DNA-binding domain causes a complete lack-of-function phenotype in trans to a deficiency but exerts a dominant-negative effect in trans to a wild-type copy of dl. These and genetic data with the alleles that produce truncated proteins indicate that dl oligomerizes. The proteins truncated at the carboxy-terminal end show increased levels of nuclear uptake dorsally, but they still respond to the cact-mediated inhibition of nuclear transport. Therefore, carboxy-terminal sequences influence the cytoplasmic retention, although a domain of dl-cact interaction residues in the amino-terminal portion.

A case of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II associated with hemochromatosis

A 54-year-old woman with anemia, diabetes mellitus and liver dysfunction was admitted to our hospital. Numerous binucleated erythroblasts in the bone marrow, a positive serum acidified test, and the presence of anti I and anti i antigens on the surface of her erythrocytes indicated that she had congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) Type II. Hemochromatosis was confirmed by a liver biopsy. This case is a sibling of a patient with CDA Type II reported by Omine et al in 1981 (Acta Haematol Jpn 44:1). They report that no physical or hematological abnormalities were found when she was examined at the age of 29 years. Twenty-five years later, she developed CDA Type II and hemochromatosis. This case indicates that long-term observation of the family members of a patient with CDA Type II is necessary.

Collagen-producing mesothelial cells in adriamycin-induced pleuritis in rat. Microautoradiographic study utilizing tritiated proline

By the microautoradiographic method using 3H-proline, collagen production by mesothelial cells was investigated in adriamycin-induced pleuritis in rats. In subpleural granulation tissue formed at 4 to 7 days after the intrapleural injection of adriamycin, proliferating fibroblasts and primitive mesenchymal cells were most intensely labeled, and abundant deposition of collagen and acid mucopolysaccharides were demonstrated about these cells. It is thus concluded that these subpleural mesenchymal cells are mainly responsible for the fibrosing process. Labeling was also observed in some reactive mesothelial cells and macrophages free-floating in the pleural exudate. Several ultrastructural differences between labeled mesothelial cells floating in the fluid and lining the pleural surface were confirmed, suggesting a change in ability to synthesize collagen during mesothelial desquamation. It seems likely that these labeled mononuclear cells in the effusion, attached to the pleural wound surface, support fibrosis performed by underlying collagen-synthesizing mesenchymal cells. Pleural fibrosis disappeared by 10 days, when mesothelial regeneration was almost complete. Probably this change may be due to fibrinolytic activity caused by regenerative mesothelial cells derived from subpleural mesenchymal cells.

Cytological and ultrastructural characteristics of DNA synthesizing mesothelial cells in pleural effusion

Cytologic examination of 3H-thymidine-labeled mesothelial cells in the pleural fluid revealed that single and small-sized cells with slight basophilic cytoplasm scarcely stainable by PAS and colloidal iron are in the DNA-synthetic phase and that these are exfoliating cells from the pleural surface. While abnormal labeling in a few arranged and binuclear cells suggesting accelerated or disturbed mesothelial mobilization was frequently found in congestive cardiac failure, liver cirrhosis, and uremia, it never occurred in single and large-sized activated cells possessing rich PAS-positive granules, cells in large clusters or sheet-like arrangements, or multinuclear giant cells. Transmission electron microscopical observation of these labeled cells proved that a smooth cellular surface and scant intracytoplasmic organelles, by which undifferentiated cells are generally characterized, are essential for DNA-synthesizing mesothelial cells. Probably as a result of some pleural irritation, surface lining cells immediately enter the cell cycle and at once revert to an undifferentiated form capable of DNA synthesis, after which they may be released as a single form, and differentiate and transform into mature, activated cells with a bleb-like surface structure or microvilli, and finally may proliferate in the fluid.

Molecular characterization of mutant actin genes which induce heat-shock proteins in Drosophila flight muscles

Heat-shock proteins (hsps) are constitutively induced by the mutant actins in the Drosophila indirect flight muscles (IFM). We compared primary structures of the mutant actin genes (KM75 and HH5) which induce hsps and of the non-inducing alleles (KM129 and KM88). The KM75 actin has lost 20 amino acids at the C-terminus. The HH5 actin has only one amino acid substitution, from Gly-336 to Ser. In KM129, the C-terminal part of actin is replaced by novel amino acids. KM88 is a null allele, with an amber mutation early in the coding region of the mutated actin gene. Although all of the KM75, HH5 and KM129 actins have defects near the C-terminus, only hsp-inducing mutant actins cause enlargement of the IFM nuclei as well as a disruption of myofibrils even in the presence of two copies of the normal genes. We further consider the underlying mechanisms linking these features of the hsp-inducing alleles.

Effects of fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid on serum lipid in hyperlipidemic hemodialysis patients

The incidence of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients is very high. Major risk factors are aging, lipid metabolism disturbances, high blood pressure, and smoking. High blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia, which is atherogenic in the presence of smoking, are encountered very often in HD patients. The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on plasma lipids and blood pressure were studied for the first time in HD patients by the administration of capsules containing fish oil rich in EPA, which is known to lower serum lipid concentration and blood pressure. We treated 12 hyperlipidemic patients (3 of type IIa, 3 of type IIb, and 6 of type IV; 3 males, 9 females; 31 to 70 years of age; 4 to 90 months on HD) with 24 capsules (1.6 g EPA and 1.0 g docosahexaenoic acid) per day for 13 weeks. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and phospholipid decreased significantly after capsule administration. The ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid in serum increased significantly. There was a small but statistically significant decrease in platelet count. Diastolic blood pressure decreased at the end of the experiment. These effects of fish oil are considered favorable for the prevention of atherosclerosis and its subsequent diseases.

A study on the mesothelial cell kinetics in pleural effusions by DNA cytophotometry and autoradiography with tritiated thymidine

On 34 samples of pleural fluid a cell kinetic study of mesothelial cells was carried out by Feulgen-DNA cytophotometry and the autoradiographic estimation of 3H-thymidine uptake. The generation time of mesothelial cells in malignant effusions was found to be shorter than in non-malignant ones, thought he cellular activity for both effusions was essentially the same. Furthermore, with the development of complicating pleuritis from the early stage to the fibrino-fibrous stage, the appearance rate of 3H-thymidine labeled and activated mesothelial cells in the DNA synthetic phase changed quite differently in both effusions. The differences were thought to be due to neoplastic invasion itself or inflammatory reactions to the neoplastic growth.

A consideration on histopathologic variability of diffuse pleural mesothelioma based on DNA cytophotometry

Nuclear DNA cytophotometry of the tumor cells was performed for an autopsy case of malignant diffuse pleural mesothelioma diagnosed histologically as a mixed type. The DNA distribution of these tumor cells confirmed bimodality, one being situated in the triploid and the other in the pentaploid DNA range, thus indicating two stemline cell populations. In the former, the majority were epithelial mesothelioma cells resembling the normal mesothelial cells. The latter were mesenchymal tumor cells with spindle and occasionally bizarre shaped nuclei. This cytophotometric data strongly suggests that the histologic variability in mesotheliomas results probably from the change in number and ploidy level of the stemline cell population accompanied by neoplastic development.

Polyploid mesothelial cells in pleural fluid

The Feulgen-DNA content of the mesothelial cells in non-malignant pleural fluids was cytophotometrically examined on 21 autopsy cases, in 13 of which (62%) polyploid mesothelial cells with greater than tetraploid nuclear DNA content were found. In 7 the polyploid cells appeared at the rate of 6 to 14%, 6 of which had suffered from uremia or congestive cardiac failure. The appearance rate was closely related to such pleural pathologic changes as prominent edema, diffuse hemorrhage, and fibrin precipitation. The occurrence of these polyploid cells was considered to be the result of mitotic abnormalities in the affected pleural area. Since polyploid mesothelial cells are not rare in certain non-malignant pleural fluids, a trial to establish the diagnosis of malignancy based on DNA cytophotometry alone is not recommended.

Impaired lactate production by skeletal muscle with anaerobic exercise in patients with chronic renal failure. A possible consequence of defective glycolysis in skeletal muscle

The lactate concentration in antecubital venous blood was determined in 33 patients before and after ischemic forearm exercise. Before exercise, there wa no significant difference in serum lactate level between uremic patients and controls. However, after ischemic exercise the means serum lactate level in uremic patients was significantly lower than that of controls. The results may lead to the conclusion that uremic patients have a markedly reduced ability to form lactate with anaerobic exercise probably due to inhibition of glycolytic enzymes of skeletal muscle.

Arteriovenous malformation of the brain -- histological study and micrometric measurement of abnormal vessels

An autopsy case of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the brain in a 29-year-old housewife was reported. Several important and characteristic findings were obtained by detailed histological examination and micrometric measurement of abnormal vessels composing the nidus of the AVM. Structural imperfectness and immaturity of their vascular wall suggested that the AVM is a histoembryogenic maldevelopment. Prominent dilatation in calibre, hypertrophy of muscular layer, hyalinization, and abnormal increasing of elastic fibers were interpreted as the result of changed cerebral hemodynamics caused by an arteriovenous fistulous communication.