Centronuclear Myopathy with Abundant Nemaline Rods in a Japanese Black and Hereford Crossbred Calf

Histopathological examination was performed on skeletal and diaphragmatic muscles from an 8-month-old male crossbred calf showing abnormal gait and tremor of the hindlimbs. There were numerous round fibres with centrally placed nuclei forming nuclear chains in longitudinal sections, associated with interstitial fibrosis or adipose tissue infiltration. On nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) staining, some muscle fibres in severe lesions showed a spoke-like appearance due to a radial arrangement of sarcoplasmic strands. Additionally, increased NADH-TR activity in the subsarcolemmal structures, appearingas ring-like or necklace-like forms, were observed. Transmission electron microscopy revealed dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum and variably shaped electron-dense inclusions consisting of myofibrillar streams. Another prominent feature was the existence of numerous nemaline rods within muscle fibres; these were stained red by Gomori's trichrome stain. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the nemaline rods showed strong immunoreactivity with α-actinin and desmin antibodies. Electron microscopically, these structures were composed of dense-homogeneous material and continuous with the Z disk. The case was diagnosed as centronuclear myopathy with increased nemaline rods.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine induces α-smooth muscle actin expression in human lung fibroblasts and fibroblast-mediated gel contraction via S1P2 receptor and Rho/Rho-kinase pathway

Chronic airway diseases like COPD and asthma are usually accompanied with airway fibrosis. Myofibroblasts, which are characterized by expression of smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), play an important role in a variety of developmental and pathological processes, including fibrosis and wound healing. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a sphingolipid metabolite, has been implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions. The current study tested the hypothesis that SPC may modulate tissue remodeling by affecting the expression of α-SMA in human fetal lung fibroblast (HFL-1) and fibroblast mediated gel contraction. The results show that SPC stimulates α-SMA expression in HFL-1 and augments HFL-1 mediated collagen gel contraction in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The α-SMA protein expression and fibroblast gel contraction induced by SPC was not blocked by TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody. However, it was significantly blocked by S1P2 receptor antagonist JTE-013, the Rho-specific inhibitor C3 exoenzyme, and a Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632. These findings suggest that SPC stimulates α-SMA protein expression and HFL-1 mediated collagen gel contraction via S1P2 receptor and Rho/Rho kinase pathway, and by which mechanism, SPC may be involved in lung tissue remodeling.

Familial interstitial pneumonia in an adolescent boy with surfactant protein C gene (Y104H) mutation

Recent studies have suggested that some cases of familial interstitial pneumonia are associated with mutations in the gene encoding surfactant protein C (SFTPC). We report here a case of familial interstitial pneumonia in an adolescent boy whose paternal grandfather and father suffered from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The patient was asymptomatic but showed an abnormal shadow in the chest at his medical check-up. The surgical biopsy of the patient revealed non-specific interstitial pneumonia and showed pathological findings similar to those in his father's autopsy. Genomic DNA from blood leucocytes of the patient was sequenced for the Thy104His (Y104H) SFTPC mutation. Based on these results, he was diagnosed with SFTPC mutation-associated familial interstitial pneumonia. There has been no clinical, physiologic and radiologic progression for 4 years since the diagnosis. The relation between clinical manifestation and the mutation site of the patient may broaden the spectrum of SFTPC mutation-associated interstitial pneumonia.

Statins inhibit matrix metalloproteinase release from human lung fibroblasts

Pleiotropic effects of statins have been reported to include inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) release from macrophages and endothelial cells. We evaluated whether statins would inhibit MMP release from human lung fibroblasts, which play a major role in remodelling processes. Monolayer and three-dimensional (3D) collagen gel cultures of fibroblasts were used. Cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1alpha) were used to induce MMP release and mRNA expression. Collagen degradation induced by cytokines and neutrophil elastase (NE) was evaluated by quantifying hydroxyproline. Atorvastatin inhibited MMP-1 and -3 release and mRNA expression in both culture systems. Similar results were obtained with simvastatin and fluvastatin. In 3D cultures where cytokines also stimulated MMP-9 release, atorvastatin also inhibited MMP-9 release. In 3D cultures, cytokines together with NE induced collagen degradation, which was also inhibited by atorvastatin. The effect of atorvastatin was reversed by mevalonate and geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate but not by farnesyl-pyrophosphate. The current data suggest that statins may modulate remodelling processes mediated by fibroblasts by inhibiting MMP release.

[Platelet activation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

The incidences of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are reportedly higher in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than in OSA-free subjects, though the mechanism remains unknown. Recently, the contribution of activated platelets to a number of pathological conditions such as stroke or ischemic heart disease has been suggested. We hypothesized that the expression of activated platelet markers resulting from OSA might be higher than in healthy subjects. By flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies, we measured two such markers, PAC-1 and CD 62 P, in OSA patients and healthy subjects. Twelve healthy men (age, 52.7 +/- 12.8 y/o; and body mass index (BMI), 22.2 +/- 16.1 kg/m2; mean +/- S.D.) and 20 male patients with OSA (age, 50 +/- 7.96 y/o; BMI, 28.1 +/- 3.3 kg/m2; apnea hypopnea index (AHI), 38.2 +/- 21.2 times/hr; and lowest SpO2, 75.6 +/- 11.3%) were enrolled in this study. PAC-1 expression was significantly higher in OSA patients (65.1 +/- 17.8%) than in healthy subjects (16.8 +/- 7.4%), as was CD 62 P expression (8.5 +/- 8.8% vs. 0.88 +/- 0.57%). The increase in PAC-1 expression was correlated with AHI and the arousal index. These findings suggest that activated platelet markers could be good indicators for untreated OSA.

[A case of idiopathic tracheal stenosis]

A 44-year-old woman who had been treated for bronchial asthma for 5 years was admitted for further evaluation of progressive dyspnea. Physical examination revealed wheezing originating in the neck. A flow-volume curve suggested upper-airway stenosis. The patient had no history of trauma, endotracheal intubation, granulomatous diseases, or any other severe respiratory tract infections. Chest radiography and laboratory examination showed no abnormalities. Tracheal X-P, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck, and bronchoscopy demonstrated circumferential subglottic tracheal stenosis extending for 40 mm. The diameter of the lumen was 5 mm at its narrowest. The trachea distal to the lesion was normal. Bronchoscopic biopsy revealed thickened tracheal mucosa and submucosa with increased fibrous tissue and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration, suggesting a nonspecific inflammatory process. These findings are compatible with idiopathic tracheal stenosis, which was reported by Bhalla et al. The patient was treated with Nd-YAG laser surgery via a fiberoptic bronchoscope, which resulted in a great improvement in respiration. Regression of the lesion has not occurred in the 40 months since the laser surgery. The majority of patients with this condition have been treated by surgical resection of the stenotic lesion and reconstruction. However, the success of Nd-YAG laser surgery in the present case suggests that this approach would be a satisfactory alternative procedure for treatment of idiopathic tracheal stenosis.

[Crescent moon-type tracheobronchial malacia alleviated by placement of stents in trachea and main bronchi]

We encountered a case of crescent-type tracheobronchomalacia in a 54-year-old male smoker. The patient experienced extreme obstructive pulmonary changes but his FVC and DLco findings were within the normal ranges. Plain chest X-ray films indicated tracheal narrowing, a diagnosis that was confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Two Z-stents were implanted in the trachea but the patient's symptoms did not subside. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) elucidated stenosis of both main bronchi at end-expiration. The implantation of Z-stents in the main bronchi remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved peak expiratory flow. Six months after implantation, the tracheal stents broke. A favorable course was obtained by inserting an ultraflex stent inside the broken Z-stents. DLco is important to the diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia, whereas peak expiratory flow and thoracic CT findings are useful in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. We concluded that ultraflex stents should be the first choice for treatment of tracheal stenosis, and that Z-stents are appropriate for the treatment of bronchial obstruction.

Rapid response to inhaled frusemide in severe acute asthma with hypercapnia

We report 7 patients with severe acute asthma unresponsive to standard medication, including sympathomimetic agents, aminophylline and corticosteroids, who responded to inhaled frusemide. All were hypercapneic with a mean PaCO2 of 7.7 kPa (57.7 mm Hg) [range 6.2-8.8 kPa (46.2-66.3 mm Hg)]. Following nebulization of 20 mg frusemide, clinical response was rapid, and the mean PaCO2 fell significantly to 5.4 kPa (40.6 mm Hg) [range 5.0-6.2 kPa (37.5-46.5 mm Hg)] within 20-60 min. No adverse effect was recognized. Inhaled frusemide should be considered for treatment of acute asthma refractory to conventional therapy.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate binds to a lysine residue in the adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate recognition site of glycolipid sulfotransferase from human renal cancer cells

In the course of characterization of glycolipid sulfotransferase from human renal cancer cells, the manner of inhibition of sulfotransferase activity with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate was investigated. Incubation of a partially purified sulfotransferase preparation with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH4 resulted in an irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. When adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate was coincubated with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, the enzyme was protected against this inactivation. Furthermore, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate was found to behave as a competitive inhibitor with respect to adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate with a Ki value of 287 microM. These results suggest that pyridoxal 5'-phosphate modified a lysine residue in the adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate-recognizing site of the sulfotransferase.

[Efficacy and assessment of patient education as related to morbidity from asthma]

Asthmatic patients are sometimes ignorant of their treatment and of the pathophysiology of their disease. In such patients, anxiety about the disease may worsen their condition. We studied the effects of an educational program for bronchial asthma. In 45 patients, the Severity of Asthma Scores before and after the program were measured. Sixty percent of the patients were assessed as "improved". On self-administered questionnaires concerned with asthma, most of the patients indicated that the program significantly improved their condition, reduced apprehension about the disease, and increased their trust in the hospital. In 24 patients, three psychological tests were done. Results of the comprehensive asthma inventory indicated that the program was useful for dependent and self-disciplined patients, but was not useful for resigned and depressed patients. The Y-G test showed that most of the patients who were helped by the program were introverted. Results of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule revealed a difference in desire between the group that benefitted from the program and the group that did not. These results suggest that each group had a certain inclination toward psychogenic symptoms. Therefore, psychological tests are useful for predicting the effects of education. In conclusion, educational programs for patients with bronchial asthma may affect morbidity from asthma. Possible mechanisms include relief of anxiety about the disease and improvement in the patient's compliance with prescribed therapy.

Ocular findings in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and transversion mutation in codon 244 (Asn244Lys) of the peripherin/RDS gene

OBJECTIVE

To identify phenotypic characteristics of a certain mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene.

DESIGN

Case reports with clinical features and results of fluorescein angiography, electroretinography, kinetic visual field testing, dark adaptometry, and DNA analysis.

SETTING

University medical center.

PATIENTS

We studied the ocular findings in eight members of a Japanese family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and cytosine-to-adenine transversion at the third nucleotide in codon 244 of the peripherin/RDS gene. This mutation resulted in a substitution of lysine for asparagine in amino acid 244 of peripherin/RDS, a photoreceptor-specific glycoprotein.

RESULTS

Clinical findings of each affected member in this family showed a marked intrafamilial similarity, which may provide the natural course of the phenotype produced by the Asn244Lys mutation. Characteristic features include diffuse pigmentary retinal degeneration in the midperipheral and peripheral fundi associated with macular degeneration in the later stage, starting with bull's-eye maculopathy, and severely deteriorated electroretinographic findings in both rods and cones, even in the early stage.

CONCLUSION

The mutation at codon 244 of the peripherin/RDS gene causes both rod and cone degeneration, although the precise mechanism of retinal degeneration is currently unknown.

Changes in diaphragmatic EMG activity during sleep in space

It remains unknown how increased upper airway resistance (UAR) during sleep could be a function of gravity. We therefore conducted quantitative evaluation of the gravitational influence on diaphragmatic EMG activity (EMGdi) in an astronaut to estimate the effect of UAR in space. EMGdi was recorded by paired surface electrodes on the ground (control, C) and abroad a short-term space mission (space, S) for 30 consecutive h. Mean EMGdi recorded during quiet breathing in wakefulness was assigned the value of 100. EMGdi in C was significantly enhanced in all sleep stages compared with that while awake in the supine position (mean +/- SD, 230 +/- 23.2% in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) Stage II, 233 +/- 13.8 in slow-wave sleep, and 233 +/- 40.0 in REM sleep versus 100 +/- 17.3 in wakefulness, p < 0.001). In contrast, there was no statistical difference in EMGdi in S between awake and any non-REM sleep stage (mean +/- SD, 100 +/- 20.5% in wakefulness versus 103 +/- 16.9 in non-REM Stage II and 100 +/- 14.8 in slow-wave sleep; NS). However, EMGdi in REM sleep in S was statistically greater (132 +/- 28.3%) than that during wakefulness or any other sleep stage in space (p < 0.001). Therefore, gravity may play a much more significant role in the normal healthy human in the increased upper airway resistance during sleep than the relative atonia of the upper airway muscles.

[Successful treatment of diaphragm pacing-induced obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with nasal CPAP]

We report a 71-year-old female patient with primary alveolar hypoventilation syndrome who received diaphragm pacing (DP) and developed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Application of nCPAP markedly improved her nocturnal hypoxemia. The monitored polygrams before and after the application strongly suggested that the main mechanism of OSAS was an imbalance of activity between upper airway dilator muscles and pump muscles. Moreover, paradoxical movement of the rib cage is not necessarily due to upper airway obstruction. Monitoring of tidal volume and arterial oxygen saturation is essential for the diagnosis of DP-induced OSAS.

Isolation of a cDNA encoding the adenovirus E1A enhancer binding protein: a new human member of the ets oncogene family

The cDNA encoding adenovirus E1A enhancer-binding protein E1A-F was isolated by screening a HeLa cell lambda gt11 expression library for E1A-F site-specific DNA binding. One cDNA clone produced recombinant E1A-F protein with the same DNA binding specificity as that endogenous to HeLa cells. Sequence analysis of the cDNA showed homology with the ETS-domain, a region required for sequence-specific DNA binding and common to all ets oncogene members. Analysis of the longest cDNA revealed about a 94% identity in amino acids between human E1A-F and mouse PEA3 (polyomavirus enhancer activator 3), a recently characterized ets oncogene member. E1A-F was encoded by a 2.5kb mRNA in HeLa cells, which was found to increase during the early period of adenovirus infection. In contrast, ets-2 mRNA was significantly reduced in infected HeLa cells. The results indicate that E1A enhancer binding protein E1A-F is a member of the ets oncogene family and is probably a human homologue of mouse PEA3.

Sulfolipids and glycolipid sulfotransferase activities in human renal cell carcinoma cells

A cell line (SMKT-R3) established from human renal cell carcinoma was characterized for the presence of sulfolipids and glycolipid sulfotransferases. Sulfolipids were found to constitute a large part of the acidic glycolipid fraction in SMKT-R3 cells. These findings were confirmed by metabolic labelling with 35S-sulfate. These sulfolipids were expressed at the surface of SMKT-R3 cells as ascertained by cytofluorometry using a monoclonal antibody directed to sulfolipids. Furthermore, markedly high activity levels of glycolipid sulfotransferases were observed in SMKT-R3 cells compared with other cell lines. These results suggest that the increased synthesis of sulfolipids in renal cell carcinoma tissue (Sakakibara et al., 1989. Cancer Res., 49, 335-339) is due to the elevation of the sulfotransferase activities of renal carcinoma cells themselves.

Inconsistent expression of glycolipid sulfotransferase activity between hepatoma and serum

Glycolipid sulfotransferase activity in human and rat hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was studied, since an elevated level of the enzyme activity in serum had been demonstrated in cancer patients. The level of the enzyme activity in carcinoma tissues, however, could not be distinguished from that of normal controls. Similar observations were made for rat hepatoma. A higher level of enzyme activity was observed in the female than in the male. Inconsistent expression between hepatoma tissue and serum suggests that humoral factor(s) derived from hepatoma tissue stimulates production of the sulfotransferase, which is released into the blood-stream in the host.

[Characterization of glycolipid sulfotransferase fractionated from rat kidney and involvement of the enzyme in human cancer]

3'-Phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulphate: galactosylceramide sulfotransferase which catalyzes the sulfation of galactosylceramide (GalCer) was partially purified from a rat kidney light membrane fraction, and the properties were studied with special reference to substrate specificity. In order to study minimum molecular requirement of the acceptor substrate for the sulfotransferase, analogues of galactosylceramide where omega-amiocaproic or omega-aminododecanoic acid is substituted for the acyl moiety of the native glycolipid were chemically synthesized by improved procedures. The artificial glycolipids were sulfated effectively by the kidney enzyme, suggesting that the synthetic compounds will serve for affinity ligands for the purification of the enzyme. The extent of sulfation in the synthetic compounds was comparable with that of galactosylceramide containing normal acids and higher than that of galactosylsphingonine in which one of hydrocarbon chains is deleted from the native glycolipid. Through substrate specificity experiments, the sulfotransferase has relatively broad specificity acting on beta-linked galactosides at nonreducing ends of mono- and disaccharides which bind, at least, one hydrocarbon chain. Enzyme kinetic analysis by competition assay using mixed acceptors demonstrated that the same, single sulfotransferase catalyzes sulfation of galactosylceramide, lactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine. As to human cancer, the sulfotransferase activity was hardly detectable in Wilms' tumor tissues that contrasts with renal cell carcinoma tissues where the markedly elevated level was previously demonstrated. When sera from patients with various cancers were examined for the enzyme level, many cases of hepatocellular carcinoma showed significantly increased activity, whereas the hepatoma tissues had hardly detectable level of the enzyme. These observations suggest that a humoral factor derived from the hepatoma induces the sulfotransferase.

Galactosylceramide containing omega-amino-fatty acids: preparation, characterization, and sulfotransferase acceptor

For preparation of an affinity ligand, an N-fatty acyl moiety of galactosylceramide (GalCer) was chemically replaced with omega-amino-fatty acid including amino-n-hexanoic acid or amino-n-dodecanoic acid to obtain omega-aminoGalCer. For the synthesis of the compound, galactosylsphingosine (GalSph) was coupled with N-trifluoroacetyl omega-amino-fatty acid which was prepared by a reaction with S-ethyltrifluorothioacetate. After removal of the N-trifluoroacetyl group in a mild alkaline solution, in which an N-fatty acyl group was retained, aminoGalCer composed of an N-hexanoyl or an N-dodecanoyl group was obtained with an overall yield of 90%. Their chemical structures were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometries. These aminoGalCers and GalSph as well as immobilized aminoGalCer were sulfated by a glycolipid sulfotransferase from rat kidney. Furthermore, immobilized aminoGalCer on gel matrix was used for affinity chromatography of the sulfotransferase, resulting in an excellent increase in the purification (14,000-fold) with a recovery rate of 40%.

Improved preparation method for lysogangliosides

Lyso-GM3 and -GM1 gangliosides were prepared from the corresponding N,N'-dideacylated gangliosides using N-trifluoroacetylation at the sphingosine moiety, followed by N-acetylation and mild saponification. The blocking reaction was performed using a water-ether bilayer system at alkaline medium, in which the N-trifluoroacetylation occurred predominantly at the lipid moiety. Through the procedure, lysoGM3 and lysoGM1 were obtained with higher yields from the corresponding dideacylated gangliosides than through the previous method using 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride as a blocking group or of direct N-acetylation of it on liposomes containing starting ganglioside and other lipid. Chemical structures of the lysogangliosides and the synthetic intermediates were confirmed by the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and negative fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry.

[Neuromyopathy induced by halothane anesthesia and muscle relaxants for status asthmaticus--report of 2 patients]

Two patients with status asthmaticus (a 30-year-old female and a 48-year-old male) who developed flaccid quadriplegia and sensory impairment of glove and stocking type after treatment with halothane, muscle relaxants (pancuronium and vecuronium) and steroid are described. They noted motor and sensory impairment immediately after recovery from control ventilation for treatment of status asthmaticus. Histochemical examinations of biopsied muscle demonstrated the necrosis and regeneration of muscle fibers and small diameters in type I fibers. These results suggested that the involvement of muscle (myopathy) was a consequence of the harmful action of halothane and muscle relaxants together with steroids on muscle fibers with subclinical fragility. The sensory impairment (neuropathy) was considered to have been produced mainly by the halothane together with muscle relaxants and aminoglycosides.

Elevated serum level of glycolipid sulfotransferase in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Activity of glycolipid sulfotransferase (cerebroside sulfotransferase) in serum was elevated in 21 (33%) of 63 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, mean +/- S.E., 349 +/- 32 pmol/ml per h, n = 63, P less than 0.001) compared to healthy subjects (172 +/- 12, n = 85). Ho significant elevation of the sulfotransferase level was observed in liver cirrhosis (219 +/- 28, n = 10) in which many of biochemical HCC markers increase concomitantly. The elevation of sulfotransferase was independent of the production of alpha-fetoprotein and of aminotransferase levels in HCC, providing complementary value for alpha-fetoprotein-negative HCC cases. However, the sulfotransferase levels (234 +/- 21, n = 32, P less than 0.01) in sera from patients with renal cell carcinoma, in whose involved tissues the enzyme was demonstrated to increase markedly, were less than in HCC.

Distinctive glycolipid patterns in Wilms' tumor and renal cell carcinoma

Glycolipid patterns were analysed chromatographically in Wilms' tumor and renal cell carcinoma tissues and compared with those of uninvolved tissue. Ganglioside GM3 was found to be increased in both cancer tissues, whereas sulfatides accumulated only in renal cell carcinoma, as reported earlier. Neolactotetraosylceramide was detected in both cancer tissues, but not in the uninvolved kidney tissues. In four cases of Wilms' tumors, only a low level of sulfotransferase towards galactosylceramide was found in one case, while no activity was detected in the three other cases. Present results show that the increased sulfatide(s) in the renal cell carcinoma and the deficiency of the sulfatides in Wilms' tumors appear to be biochemical characteristics of histologically different carcinomas.

Tenotomy and postoperative brace treatment for muscular torticollis

A postoperative corrective brace for congenital muscular torticollis is introduced and the results and indications for its use are presented. Thirty-three of 55 patients who underwent open tenotomy of the sternocleidomastoid muscle with application of the brace following surgery were evaluated in follow-up. Tenotomy was performed at the sternoclavicular origin of the muscle. The mean age at operation was six years; the mean follow-up period was seven years. The results were good in 21 patients (64%), fair in seven (21%), and poor in five (15%). Facial asymmetry remained in all patients over the age of ten who underwent operation. Alopecia, one of the complications of the brace, was found only in patients under age five. This combined treatment with tenotomy and postoperative brace is considered best indicated for patients between six and ten years of age.

Association of elevated sulfatides and sulfotransferase activities with human renal cell carcinoma

Lactosylceramide sulfate and galactosylceramide sulfate were found to increase markedly in human renal cell carcinoma (adenocarcinoma) as compared to uninvolved tissue. Activities of two sulfotransferases toward galactosylceramide and lactosylceramide as substrates were significantly elevated in the carcinoma compared to the uninvolved tissue resulting in enhanced synthesis of the two sulfatides in the carcinoma. The elevation of the two sulfotransferases was parallel in most tumors, suggesting that the same enzyme is responsible for the enhanced synthesis of two sulfatides. No consistent difference in the activity of arylsulfatase A, which desulfates the two sulfatides, was observed between the carcinoma and uninvolved tissue. Both the present and previous results show that the increased synthesis of the sulfatide(s) due to elevated sulfotransferase activity could be a biochemical characteristic common to adenocarcinomas derived from different tissues.