Reactive oxygen species are not involved in the onset of age-related memory impairment in Drosophila

Damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to be a cause of organismal aging. Reactive oxygen species have also been proposed to be responsible for several age-associated phenotypes, including age-related memory impairment (AMI). However, it has not previously been tested whether increasing ROS affects AMI onset. Here we examined the effects of feeding hydrogen peroxide, and the ROS-generating agent, paraquat, on olfactory aversive memory in Drosophila at young ages and during AMI onset. Reactive oxygen species feeding greatly reduced fly survival, and increased oxidized proteins and transcripts of an antioxidant enzyme, catalase (Cat) and a stress-responsive chaperone, heat-shock protein 22 (Hsp22) in fly heads. However, feeding did not impair memory in young wild-type flies, nor did it exacerbate the memory deficits in flies at the onset of AMI. Strikingly ROS feeding did disrupt memory at young ages and accelerated AMI onset was observed when expression of genes involved in the defense system to ROS, including antioxidant enzymes and Hsp22, was reduced in the mushroom bodies, neural centers required for olfactory memory. These results implicate that although ROS production increases upon aging, neuronal functions required for memory processes are sufficiently protected by the defense system to ROS even at the age of AMI onset. Thus we propose that ROS production does not affect AMI onset in Drosophila.

The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids

BACKGROUND

Infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids are a cosmetic problem, especially with age.

AIMS

To determine whether a gel containing 2% phytonadione, 0.1% retinol and 0.1% vitamins C and E is effective in reducing dark under-eye circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids in healthy Japanese adults.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Fifty-seven adult Japanese volunteers with dark under-eye circles and wrinkles were enrolled in an open label study. The gel formulation was applied twice daily to the lower eyelid site for 8 weeks. Haemostasis, pigmentation and wrinkles were evaluated by a physician and by the patients themselves, using a digital camera and a visual analogue scale respectively, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Topical application of the gel decreased not only haemostasis but also wrinkles after 8 weeks of treatment. Of 57 patients, 27 (47%) had reductions in haemostasis. Wrinkles were also decreased in some patients. However, pigmentation was not clearly removed by this gel.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical application of the gel containing 2% phytonadione, 0.1% retinol, 0.1% vitamin C and 0.1% vitamin E was fairly or moderately effective in reducing dark under-eye circles, especially in cases of haemostasis, over a short treatment period in healthy Japanese adults. This treatment also slightly decreased wrinkles.

Anaerobic digestion of organic waste in Japan: the first demonstration plant at Kyoto City

Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste is vigorously promoted in Japan and the necessity of energy recovery from organic waste is increasing. An anaerobic digestion demonstration plant for organic waste in Kyoto City, Japan has been operated for about two years. Three kinds of wastes (garbage and leftovers from hotels, yard waste and used paper) mixed at various ratios are used. The plant has maintained stable operations with each mixture, generating biogas by the decomposition of VS at the rate of about 820 m3N/ton-VS.

Myelodysplastic syndrome accompanied by Addison's disease and multiple autoimmune phenomena: steroid therapy resolved cytopenias and all immune disorders

We report here a patient with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which was complicated with several autoimmune disorders and asymptomatic immunologic abnormalities. An 82-year-old woman with refractory anemia (RA) rapidly developed thrombocytopenia with the appearance of symptoms such as purpura, fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss. Furthermore, clinical examinations revealed that she also had Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune hematological diseases such as thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. However, the cytopenia and all autoimmune disorders were remarkably improved after she received steroid therapy.

Disparity between the macroglobulin-producing components of 2 cases of follicular lymphoma with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

We report 2 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) which was accompanied by Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). One patient was a 65-year-old woman and the other a 60-year-old man. Both patients showed a high level of circulating macroglobulin (4.6 g/dL and 3.6 g/dL, respectively) and bone marrow involvement of small lymphoid cells. Moreover, in each case, the macroglobulin-producing component and the follicular component were determined to be of the same clone based on their identical light-chain restriction pattern and other factors. However, there was a difference in the histopathological characteristics of the macroglobulin-producing components of the 2 patients, especially the cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (Ig)M+ cell distribution in the biopsied lymph nodes. Test results for the female patient showed intrafollicular proliferation of those cells. The male patient's test results showed that IgM+ cells were located in the narrow extrafollicular areas of the lymph nodes. Our observations suggest that at least 2 different subtypes of FL may also be causative of a WM presentation.

[CD56- and CD4-positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of probable T-cell origin]

A 65-year-old man was admitted with swelling of the right neck and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. Endoscopic examination revealed no nasal infiltration. Pathological examination of a neck lymph node biopsy specimen revealed peripheral T-cell lymphoma according to the Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL). The phenotype of the lymphoma cells was CD56+, CD16-, CD2+, surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD5+, CD7- and CD45RO+. May-Giemsa staining demonstrated no azurophilic granules in the lymphoma cells. Immunohistopathologic examination showed negativity for TIA-1 and granzyme B, and rearrangement of the TCR C beta 1 gene was also noted. These findings strongly suggested that this was a T-cell lymphoma. The patient received 8 courses of CHOP chemotherapy plus sobuzoxane. This led to a marked decrease of lymph node swelling, and currently the patient is still in remission. According to the REAL classification, T/NK-cell lymphomas are included among the peripheral T cell tumours, and seem to constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although some cases of CD4+ CD56+ lymphoma have been reported, the present case appears to be the first example to show TCR gene rearrangement and negativity for TIA-1 and granzyme B. Since the classification of T/NK-cell lymphoma is still controversial, accumulation of such cases may help to better define T/NK-cell neoplasms.

MALT lymphoma originating in breast and uvula

A case of marginal zone B cell lymphoma of MALT type arising in the uvula and breast is reported. The patient, a 30-year-old woman who delivered a child and lactated in 1997, was suffering from Sjögren syndrome (SS). She was diagnosed with MALT lymphoma after a biopsy of the right breast and uvula. To investigate the relationship of the delivery, lactation and MALT lymphoma, we examined the immunohistochemical analysis of hormone receptors. As a result, lymphoid cells of the breast were stained with anti-progesterone receptor antibodies in the cytoplasm. Consequently, the MALT lymphoma of the uvula appeared to be associated with SS. Moreover, hormones such as progesterone may have influenced the breast involvement of MALT lymphoma in our case.

Circulating and tumor-infiltrating gamma delta T Cells in patients with B-cell lymphomas

In order to analyze the involvement of gamma delta T cells in the immune surveillance against B cell lymphomas (BCL), we investigated the proportion of circulating gamma delta T cells in 52 BCL patients using two-color flow cytometry, together with tumor-infiltrating gamma delta T cells in 22 of those patients. We found that the proportion of tumor-infiltrating gamma delta T cells in BCL patients was not different from that of lymph node gamma delta T cells in reactive hyperplasia patients. However, a decreased percentage of circulating gamma delta T cells were observed in indolent lymphoma (IL) and limited aggressive lymphoma (AL) patients when compared with normal controls. In contrast, as a result of a histogram, advanced AL patients were divided into two subgroups: the patients with increased circulating gamma delta T cells and those without any increase. However, there was no difference in the clinical features of between the two AL subgroups.

Spontaneous reduction of leukemic lymphoma cells possibly by anti-tumor antibody-mediated phagocytosis; a kappa lambda-dual-positive B cell lymphoma

We have investigated the possible role of anti-tumor antibody detected in a case of follicular lymphoma which demonstrated the spontaneous reduction of leukemic tumor cells. The tumor cells genotypically had monoclonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin J H and C kappa genes, but phenotypically exhibited surface IgG, A, kappa and lambda (kappa lambda dual positivity). The culture study revealed that IgGlambda, at least, was derived from the serum, and IgAkappa was expressed intrinsically. Furthermore, the positive correlation between the densities of both surface light chains on two-color flow cytometry, the rosette formation study and its inhibition test by the Fcgamma fragment suggested that the serum IgGlambda combined with some antigens on the tumor-cell surface via its Fab portion and with the Fcgamma receptor of macrophages via its Fc portion. From these findings, we regarded the present case as an anti-tumor antibody-coated lymphoma. In addition, the phagocytic study disclosed that the serum-derived IgGlambda, at least, might have induced the phagocytosis of circulating lymphoma cells by macrophages. In conclusion, the existence of the anti-tumor antibody-coated lymphoma may be helpful in clarifying the immunological mechanism of the spontaneous regression occasionally seen in lymphomas.

[Induction of Ph-negative normal clone and long-term survival by combined treatment with G-CSF plus middle dose cytosine arabinoside for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blastic transformation]

Three patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blastic transformation were treated with G-CSF plus middle dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). G-CSF was administered (150 mg, s.c. or 300 mg, d.i.v./day) 24 hr prior to Ara-C (2-3 g/body, 6 hour d.i.v. for 2-5 days) and continued until the peripheral neutrophil count rose above 1,000/microlitre. As a supplement, VP-16 (80 mg/m2, for 2 days) was administered as warranted to control the growth of blastic cells. All 3 patients survived for more than 12 months with a favorable performance status. Normal karyotypes were detected in 2 of the patients after chemotherapy. One of those patients in paticular demonstrated normal bone marrow findings with the almost complete disappearance of the Ph-positive clone. In vitro cultures of peroxidase-negative CML blastic cells revealed that G-CSF stimulated the induction of blastic cells into the cell cycle and that blastic cell apoptosis was more pronounced in cells cultured with G-CSF plus Ara-C than with G-CSF or Ara-C alone. G-CSF plus middle dose Ara-C therapy appears to be a strong candidate for the treatment of CML in blastic transformation with a poor prognosis.

Lipoprotein disorder in brain infarction and hemorrhage

The cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B content of very low-, intermediate-, low-, and high-density lipoprotein fractions (separated by ultracentrifugation) and plasma were measured in healthy controls and patients with atherothrombotic infarction (26), lacunar infarction (26), and brain hemorrhage (14). In both atherothrombotic and lacunar infarction, increased plasma and low-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B and a decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio were noted. In brain hemorrhage patients, a decreased ratio was also observed. These findings suggest that increased small dense low-density lipoprotein is a characteristic risk factor for atherothrombotic and lacunar infarction.

Possible involvement of bone marrow stromal cells in agranulocytosis caused by vesnarinone treatment

Vesnarinone, an oral therapeutic agent for cardiac failure, causes agranulocytosis as a side effect. To elucidate the mechanism of occurrence of the agranulocytosis, we examined the effect of vesnarinone on granulopoiesis using an in vitro human long-term bone marrow culture system. Addition of vesnarinone to the culture decreased the total number of hematopoietic cells, mainly composed of mature granulocytes and macrophages, but increased the number of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) and CD33-CD34+ cells as compared with an untreated control. Differentiation of CFU-GM was induced by removing the agent from the culture medium, indicating that the effect of vesnarinone was reversible. The agent did not directly affect CFU-GM in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Furthermore, treatment of stromal cells with vesnarinone repressed the production of G, GM, M-CSF, suggesting that the agent may cause a hematopoietic disorder, agranulocytosis, through the impairment of stromal cell function.

Regional cerebral hemodynamics among hypertensive patients with lacunar infarctions during blood pressure control in subacute and chronic phases

In hypertensive acute stroke patients, the use of antihypertensive treatment is often delayed because autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is often impaired during the first 4 weeks after large brain infarctions. However, little is known as to whether such delay is necessary in cases of small to moderate size brain infarction. We compared changes of regional CBF during antihypertensive treatment in subacute and chronic phases of lacunar infarction. Blood pressure was controlled with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (n=6) or dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (n=8), administered orally for 2 weeks during the subacute (n=7) and chronic phases after (n=7) lacunar infarction. CBF was measured by the stable xenon-computed tomography (CT) method. Blood pressure decreased significantly from 132+/-20 mm Hg (mean+/-standard deviation) to 118+/-14 mm Hg (P<.05, paired t-test) in subacute patients and from 135+/-17 mm Hg to 113+/-12 mm Hg (P<.001, paired t-test) in chronic patients. There was no significant reduction either in mean hemispheric blood flow or in deep white matter blood flow during each phase. We conclude that mild control of blood pressure among hypertensive patients with lacunar infarctions does not produce clinically significant decreases in regional CBF during subacute phases of infarction.

Localized diffuse large-cell lymphoma possibly coated with anti-tumor autoantibody: kappa lambda-dual-positive lymphoma

We report a case of diffuse large-cell lymphoma which pursued a clinically indolent course while remaining untreated. The tumor cells expressed surface IgG, CD10, CD19 and CD20, but not surface IgM, IgD, IgA, CD5, CD16, CD32 and CD64. In addition, these cells appeared to coexpress kappa- and lambda-light chains on their surface. JH and J lambda genes were monoclonally rearranged, but not the J kappa gene. The present lymphoma was found to have arisen from follicle center cells expressing IgG lambda, while the surface kappa-light chain seemed to be extrinsic. Furthermore, the extrinsic immunoglobulin bearing the kappa-light chain may have belonged to IgG because no surface immunoglobulins other than IgG were detected on the cell surface. Then, the extrinsic IgG may have combined with certain molecules on the tumor-cell surface through its Fab portion because the tumor cells lacked all three receptors for the IgG-Fe portion. Fc gamma RI (CD64). Fc gamma RII (CD32) and Fc gamma RIII (CD16). From these findings and the patient's history of never having received a blood transfusion, we concluded that the present case might be of a B-cell lymphoma possibly coated with an IgG-type autoantibody which appeared to have anti-idiotypic activity.

Serial assessments of middle cerebral artery flow velocity with transcranial Doppler sonography in the recovery stage of eclampsia. A case report

The pathophysiologic changes of eclampsia and/or hypertensive encephalopathy are unclear. Changes of middle cerebral artery flow velocity during the recovery stage in a case of eclampsia are reported. After the disappearance of signs and symptoms, the flow velocity began to increase, owing probably to delayed vasospasm, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. The vasospasm may be a consequence of eclampsia and may be of small significance in the pathogenesis.

[Possible role of immunocompetent cells on periodic exacerbation of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

A 44 year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October, 1992 with epistaxis. Fifteen months before admission, thrombocytopenia had been pointed out, but he had no bleeding episode. At admission, neither hepatosplenomegaly nor lymph node swelling was observed. Hematological findings were as follows; WBC 10,000/microliter, Hb 14.0 g/dl, PLT 5,000/microliter, including giant platelets. Platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) was 471 ng/10(7) cells. Bone marrow aspiration revealed normocellularity with moderate increase in the number of mature megakaryocytes, but no dysplastic changes were seen. Biochemical and radiological examinations disclosed neither malignant diseases nor autoimmune diseases. Based on the diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, danazol therapy (300 mg/day) was started in November, 1992. After initiation of treatment, the platelet count changed cyclically every 4 weeks. To elecuidate the mechanism of this phenomenon, we periodically evaluated the patient's immunological background. T lymphocyte counts and subset proportions remained almost the same through out the course, whereas NK cell counts and NK activity coincided with the change of the platelet count. These results suggest that in this case NK cells may play a role in the cyclic fluctuation of platelet count by regulating the immune system.

Effects of infrasound on gastric mucosal blood flow in rats

To clarify the effects of infrasound on gastric mucosal blood flow, rats were exposed to infrasound for 20 minutes. The sounds were pure tones of 8, 16 and 32 Hz, at sound levels ranging from 80 dB to 130 dB. Gastric mucosal blood flow was determined by the inhaled hydrogen gas clearance method. Norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in the plasma were also measured. The exposed rats showed decreased gastric mucosal blood flow with increasing sound levels of infrasound at each octave-band frequency. To significantly decrease the gastric mucosal blood flow, infrasound at 32, 16 and 8 Hz needed sound levels of 100, 110 and 130 dB, respectively. These findings suggest that, as the frequency of infrasound decreases, an increased sound level is necessary to decrease the gastric mucosal blood flow. The norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in the plasma were 0.65±0.47n.g/ml and 0.35±0.43 ng/ml, respectively, in the control rats, while the corresponding values were 0.91±0.87 ng/ml and 0.74±0.81 ng/ml, respectively, in the exposed rats. There were significant increases (p>0.05) in norepinephrine and epinephrine. Thus, it is probable that exposure to infrasound stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and causes a decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow.

[A lower-leg ulcer during hydroxyurea therapy for essential thrombocythemia]

A skin ulcer of the lateral malleous developed in a 61-year-old man receiving hydroxyurea for essential thrombocythemia. In the past, skin ulcers have been reported in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases, including essential thrombocythemia, who had been treated with hydroxyurea. In the current case, vasculitis or thrombi in vessels of the biopsied specimen of the lower leg were not observed, and the patient required skin-graft operation. Accordingly, we concluded that the skin ulcer might be due to the administration of hydroxyurea. Thus, the dose of hydroxyurea was decreased.

[High activity of antistreptolysin-O in a case of IgM myeloma]

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in November, 1991 because of hyperproteinemia and anemia. Total protein showed 12 g/dl and serum immunoglobulins were as follows; IgG 974 mg/dl, IgA 142 mg/dl, IgM 9270 mg/dl. M-component was identified as IgM-kappa with immunoelectrophoresis and serum viscosity indicated 6.9. Although the patient had no history of severe streptococcal infection, his serum showed very high activity of ASLO (6890 IU/ml). Bence Jones protein was detected in the urine and determined to be of kappa-type. Plasma cells occupied 43% of bone marrow nucleated cells and their cytoplasms were stained with FITC-labeled anti-IgM and anti-kappa antibodies. X-ray examination disclosed punched out lesions in the skull. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed as having IgM-myeloma. At first, VCAP regimens were given after plasmapheresis, but had no effect. Therefore, the patient was treated with CHOP protocol and the serum IgM decreased in amount and the proportion of bone marrow myeloma cells got down to 17%. ASLO titer also decreased in parallel with IgM. These findings suggest that IgM in this case had ASLO activity.

[Subsets of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid from patients with idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia]

Lymphocyte activation may be involved in interstitial inflammatory processes in the lungs. We analyzed lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from 5 patients with idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia and from 7 control subjects. Lymphocytes were analyzed by two-flow cytometry. Differential cell counts showed that the percentage and the number of lymphocytes was higher in the patients (32.9 +/- 21.9%, 12.8 +/- 8.32 x 10(4) cells/ml) than in the controls (8.31 +/- 3.66%, 0.69 +/- 0.39 x 10(4) cells/ml, p < 0.05). In particular, the patients had many more CD8+ S6F1+ lymphocytes (which are considered to be activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes; 32.2 +/- 11.8%, 42.0 +/- 26.5 x 10(3) cells/ml) than did the controls (6.31 +/- 1.69%, 0.42 +/- 0.25 x 10(3) cells/ml, p < 0.01). These data indicate that activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be important in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing preumonia.

[Lymphocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia]

Lymphocyte activation may be involved in interstitial inflammatory processes in the lungs. We analyzed lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from 15 patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and from 7 controls. Clinical criterial were used to divide the patients with IIP into two groups: acute (n = 5) and chronic (n = 10). Lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed with a flow-cytometric two-color system. Differential cell counts showed that percentages and numbers of lymphocytes were significantly higher in patients with acute IIP (44.2 +/- 25.2%, 12.3 +/- 8.18 x 10(4)/ml) than in controls (8.31 +/- 3.66%, 0.69 +/- 0.39 x 10(4)/ml, p < 0.05) and in patients with chronic IIP (8.44 +/- 6.11%, 1.58 +/- 1.08 x 10(4)/ml, p < 0.05). In particular, percentages and numbers of CD8+ S6F1+ lymphocytes, which are regarded as activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes were markedly higher in patients with acute IIP (32.3 +/- 16.0%, 39.6 +/- 37.1 x 10(3)/ml), than in controls (6.31 +/- 1.69%, 0.42 +/- 0.25 x 10(3)/ml, p < 0.05) and in patients with chronic IIP (10.6 +/- 6.16%, 1.88 +/- 1.42 x 10(3)/ml, p < 0.05). These data suggest that patients with acute IIP differ from those with chronic IIP in the percentage and the number of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and that activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute IIP.

Near-hexaploid Ph-positive acute myeloid leukemia with major-BCR/ABL transcript

We describe the first case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a Philadelphia (Ph) translocation and a near-hexaploid range chromosome number, whose leukemic cells had the major-BCR/ABL transcript. The genesis of near-hexaploid leukemic cells might be due to endoreduplication of triploid leukemic cells with the Ph, since the relapsed leukemic cells had triploid range chromosomes with double Ph chromosomes.

Surgical management of infective endocarditis associated with cerebral complications. Multi-center retrospective study in Japan

To establish guidelines for the surgical treatment of patients with infective endocarditis who have cerebrovascular complications, we conducted a detailed retrospective study of 181 of 244 patients with cerebral complications among 2523 surgical cases of infective endocarditis of the Japanese Association of Thoracic Surgery. The results showed that 9.7% of all patients with infective endocarditis had associated cerebral complications: 108 (44.3%) had active native valve endocarditis, 96 (39.3%) had healed native valve endocarditis, and 40 (16.4%) had prosthetic valve endocarditis. The hospital mortality of the patients with cerebral complications was 11.0% in the group as a whole: 13.9% in active native valve endocarditis, 3.1% in healed native valve endocarditis, and 37.5% in prosthetic valve endocarditis. Diseased valves included the following aortic valve in 55.5%, mitral valve 49.8%, tricuspid valve in 1.3%, and pulmonary valve in 1.3%. In 181 patients with cerebral complications, organisms were detected as follows: gram-positive cocci in 133 (73.5% [Streptococcus in 85, Staphylococcus in 32]), gram-negative in 18 (9.9%), fungus in 11 (6.1%), and unknown in 64.6%, cerebral bleeding in 31.5%, cerebral abscess in 2.8%, and meningitis in 1.1%. Hospital mortality rate and an exacerbation rate of cerebral complications, including related death, according to the interval from onset of cerebral infarction to cardiac surgery, were as follows: 66.3% and 45.5% within 24 hours, 31.3% and 43.8% between 2 and 7 days, 16.7% and 16.7% between 8 and 14 days, 10.0% and 10.0% between 15 and 21 days, 26.3% and 10.5% between 22 and 28 days, and 7.0% and 2.3% over 4 weeks later, respectively. A significant correlation existed between the interval and the exacerbation of cerebral complications (tied p = 0.008). Preoperative risk factors affecting exacerbation of cerebral complications were as follows: (1) severity of cerebral complications (p = 0.006), (2) intervals (p = 0.012), and (3) uncontrolled congestive heart failure as indications for cardiac surgery (p = 0.014). One patient underwent a cardiac operation within 24 hours of the onset of cerebral hemorrhage and died of cerebral damage. No exacerbations occurred in 10 patients who underwent their operation between 2 and 28 days. Nevertheless, exacerbations occurred in 19.0% of patients whose operation was done more than 4 weeks later. These data suggest that cardiac operations can be done safely 4 weeks after cerebral infarction, and if the delay is more than 2 weeks, the exacerbation rate will be around 10%. The risk of progression of cerebral damage is still significant 15 days and even 4 weeks after cerebral hemorrhage.

Cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with B cell lymphomas

In order to analyze systemic immune surveillance in patients with B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL), we investigated circulating lymphocytes using two-color flow cytometry. The proportions of CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells and CD8++(bright) S6F1++ killer-effector T cells corresponding to activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (aCTL) were studied in the peripheral blood of 26 patients with indolent lymphoma (IL) and 24 with aggressive lymphoma (AL). The AL patients with both limited disease and advanced disease had an increased proportion of NK cells. However, this feature was not evident in IL patients with either limited or advanced disease. In contrast, an increased proportion of aCTL was observed only in IL patients with advanced disease. These findings indicate that IL may differ from AL in terms of immune surveillance against neoplastic B cells.

Analysis of bone marrow and peripheral blood immunoregulatory lymphocytes in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

The cell surface phenotype of immunoregulatory lymphocytes in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a stem cell disorder, was analyzed. Mononuclear cells from 25 patients with refractory anemia (RA) and nine with RA with an excess of blasts (RAEB) were characterized by two-color flow cytometry using various monoclonal antibodies. No significant change of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells in PB, but a decrease of the percent of positive cells for CD8++ among the total lymphocyte (%CD8++) was noticed in RA patients. On the other hand, in BM of RA patients, a decrease in the number of CD4+ cells, but not CD8++ cells, was noted. In RAEB patients, the absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD8++ cells in BM were decreased; however, the ratio of these lymphocytes was not changed. No change was observed among the CD4+ subsets in PB of RA or RAEB patients. In BM, a decrease in percentage of CD4+CD45RA+ (%CD4+CD45RA+; naive cell) and increases in CD4+CD45RO+ (%CD4+CD45RO+; memory cell) and CD4+CD29+ (%CD4+CD29+; helper/inducer) among CD4+ cells were found in both RA and RAEB patients. Analysis of the CD8++ subset showed an increased number of CD8++CD11a+ cells (activated CTL) in both BM and PB of RA patients, but not of RAEB patients. Furthermore, increments in CD56+ and CD16+ cells among CD3- cells (natural killer; NK cells) were seen in RA patients but not in RAEB patients. It remains unclear whether lymphocytes in MDS patients were involved in the abnormal (MDS) clones, but our results regarding the increments of CD8++CD11a+ and NK cells in RA patients suggest that the mechanism of immune surveillance against the abnormal MDS clones was activated in these RA patients, but not in RAEB patients. Further investigation is required to clarify the functions of these immunoregulatory lymphocytes in MDS patients.

[Gamma delta T cells in peripheral blood and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]

We measured levels of gamma delta T cells in peripheral blood and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with sarcoidosis, from patients with pulmonary fibrosis, and from normal subjects. In blood from both groups of patients, the percentage of lymphocytes was significantly greater than normal. The number of CD3+ cells per cubic millimeter was significantly lower than normal in patients with sarcoidosis, and tendency to be lower than normal in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. The percentage of CD3+ cells tended to be low, but there was no significant difference. The percentage and number of gamma delta T cells in patients with sarcoidosis, and the number of gamma delta T cells in patients with pulmonary fibrosis tended to be high. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the percentage of lymphocyte was significantly higher than normal, and the numbers of CD3+ cells and gamma delta T cells per cubic millimeter tended to be high. In both groups of patients, cell counts of lymphocytes were significantly higher than normal. Numbers of CD3+ cells and of gamma delta T cells were significantly higher than normal in patients with sarcoidosis, and tended to be higher than normal in those with pulmonary fibrosis. These findings indicate local activation of gamma delta T cell function, recruitment of these cells into the bronchoalveolar system, and augmentation of gamma delta T cell supply in the whole body, especially in patients with sarcoidosis. In patients with pulmonary fibrosis the results were inconclusive; they were not as striking as were the results in patients with sarcoidosis.

[Relationship between retained microbubbles and neuropsychologic alterations after cardiac operation]

We studied the relationship between quantity of microbubble retained in the left heart and neuropsychologic alterations after surgery in 21 patients undergoing cardiac surgery including cardiopulmonary bypass. The neuropsychologic change was evaluated by three kinds of psychological test, which mainly analyzed memory and cognition. The microbubble was continuously monitored by the long axis view of the descending aorta of transesophageal echocardiography and then quantitatively analyzed and graded by the on-line computer. More microbubbles were detected in the valve surgery requiring the intracardiac procedure than in coronary artery bypass grafting and neuropsychologic deterioration, although the relationship did not reach statistical significance. Since most of the microbubbles were detected during the unclamping of aorta and the weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, a technical improvement of the surgical procedures could reduce them. We think that transesophageal echocardiography is useful for monitoring microbubbles during operation.

[Changes in neuropsychological functions following cardiovascular surgery]

This study was designed to elucidate if there is a potential hazard of developing neuropsychological deterioration after major cardiovascular surgery. Neuropsychological functions were studied in 49 patients before and after cardiac (coronary artery bypass, cardiac valve replacement, etc.) and thoracic aortic surgery (aortic aneurysm). Neuropsychological examinations using 5 batteries (Mini-Mental State Examination, Cross Cultural Cognitive Examination, Miyake's Verbal Memory Test, Benton Visual Retention Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) were performed before surgery and subsequently at 3 weeks and 8 months after. Twenty-five of 49 patients (51%) showed a significant deterioration at least in one of the test batteries. There was no significant relation between age or educational levels and post-surgical impairment of cognitive function. The impairment of cognitive function was found mainly in the "memory function". Follow up examinations were carried out on 31 of the 49 patients 8 months after surgery. Among these patients, 13 patients did not show any changes in cognitive function throughout the study period. Eleven of the 16 patients who developed a decrease in cognitive function for a certain period after surgery (3 weeks), recovered to the same level at the follow-up examination that it was prior to the surgery. Cognitive function in five patients did not improve and remained at the decreased level. The other two patients whose function was normal at the first post-surgical examination, were found to have developed impairment of cognitive function at the follow up. Although the patients had some deficits on their neuropsychological function, they scarcely complained about any problems in their daily life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Kinetics and mechanism of photocycloaddition of deoxyuridines to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene

The mechanism of photocycloaddition of 2'-deoxyuridine (1a) and thymidine (1b) to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (Bu) in acetonitrile by UV irradiation has been studied. The reciprocal quantum yield for the cycloaddition increased linearly with reciprocal concentrations of Bu in acetonitrile to give limiting quantum yields at infinite concentration of Bu as 0.030 and 0.0096 for 1a and 1b, respectively. This shows that the cycloaddition proceeds in a two-step mechanism between the triplet state of 1 and Bu through biradical intermediates. Addition of cis-1,3-pentadiene quenched the reaction obeying the Stern-Volmer equation. The above quenching experiments and laser transient spectroscopy revealed that the triplet state of 1a reacts with Bu with much larger rate constant (1.3-1.6 x 10(9) M-1 s-1) than that of 1b (4-5 x 10(7) M-1 s-1) reflecting larger steric hindrance exerted in the reaction of 1b than that of 1a.

[Cytofluorometric analysis of tumor cell size and follicle formation of B-cell lymphomas]

In order to investigate the size variation of neoplastic B cells (NBC) from lymph nodes of patients with B-cell lymphomas (BCL), we carried out two-dimensional analysis by flow cytometry (FCM) using the forward light scatter (FLS) and the fluorescence intensity (FI) of surface immunoglobulin light chain (sIgL). NBC were identified as having the homogeneous characteristics of both FLS and tumor-restricted sIgL (kappa or lambda). The FLS variation of NBC was then analyzed using CD3+ T-cells as a scale control. The results closely coincided with the cell types determined by the pathologic diagnosis. Secondly, we used FCM to investigate how strongly NBC express VLA-4 alpha and LFA-1 alpha, which seemed to play important roles in neoplastic follicle formation. The expression intensities of these molecules were classified into three grades (-, + & ++). The results were presented in the order of VLA-4 alpha and LFA-1 alpha; follicular 8/15 (++/++), 6/15 (++/+), 1/15 (+/++), partially follicular 3/5 (+/++), 2/5 (+/+), diffuse 2/16 (++/-), 6/16 (+/++), 8/16 (+/+), B-CLL 8/8 (-/+ or -). These findings suggest that follicular lymphomas are phenotypically distinguishable from diffuse lymphomas.

[Analysis of T cell subsets in autoimmune hemolytic anemia patients]

To clarify a role of immunoregulatory T cells in the pathophysiology of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), we investigated T cell subsets in the peripheral blood of 15 patients with AIHA by two color analysis using flow cytometry. Consequently both CD4+ cells and CD4+CD45RA+ cells decreased in proportion, irrespective of the disease activity (active or remission phase). CD4+CD45RA+ cells are regarded as naive T cells. Incidentally the ratio of CD45RA+ cells in CD4+ cells also fell in the low level in active phase, but it recovered to the normal ratio in remission. On the other hand, CD8+ cells and CD8+ +S6F1+ cells that may represent activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes increased in active phase and then both entered the normal range in remission. These findings suggest that AIHA could be caused partly by the alternative balance of CD4+CD45RA+ cells probably constituting a member of IRT and moreover by the activation of CTL.

Very early demonstration of secondary pyramidal tract degeneration by computed tomography

BACKGROUND

While magnetic resonance imaging has revealed progressive changes in the pyramidal tract in accordance with histopathologic stages of wallerian degeneration secondary to a supratentorial lesion, computed tomography (CT) has only demonstrated a shrinkage of the pyramidal tract in the midbrain or pons during the chronic stage. We present a patient with frontoparietal subcortical hemorrhage in whom serial CT scans clearly demonstrated wallerian degeneration along the axis of the pyramidal tract early in the acute stage.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 63-year-old man with a history of hypertension suddenly developed a deterioration of consciousness, transcortical mixed aphasia, and dense hemiplegia on the right side. CT scans revealed a massive intracerebral hematoma in the frontoparietal subcortices of the left hemisphere. Although initial CT did not detect any hypodense areas along the left pyramidal tract below the hematoma, ill-defined areas of decreased density appeared in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, cerebral peduncle of the midbrain, and pontine base of the left side on day 13 after the stroke. These areas became well demarcated on day 22 and persisted thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS

An extensive hematoma can interrupt the pyramidal tract fibers that arise not only from the motor cortex and caudal premotor cortex but also from the somatosensory and parietal cortices, allowing very early CT demonstration of wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract.

[Anesthetic management and neurological outcomes of patient for open heart surgery with infective endocarditis and neurological complications]

No reports have focused on neurological outcomes after open heart surgery of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and neurological complications. We evaluated parameters related to anesthetic management and neurological outcomes. The subjects analyzed were 24 patients who had undergone valvular surgeries under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass from April 1978 to December 1990. The patients were divided into two groups according to the interval between onset of neurological complication and the time of operation: 1) acute group (within one month before the surgery: n = 11, 9.4 +/- 9 days; means +/- SD) and 2) chronic group (more than one month before the surgery: n = 13, 120 +/- 80 days). After heart surgery, 5 patients in the acute group showed newly developed neurological abnormality including death from hemorrhagic transformation, hemiplegia or aphasia. No patients in the chronic group had newly developed neurological abnormality related to the surgery. In the neurologically deteriorated patients of the acute group, interval from the onset of neurological complication to surgery was 3.5 +/- 4.5 days, whereas that of the remainders of the acute group was significantly longer (14.4 +/- 9.0 days). Intraoperative events and anesthetic management of these patients were also analyzed. However, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as cerebral perfusion pressure, arterial PaCO2, doses of anesthetics and use of vasopressors. Our results suggest that the most important factor which may influence neurological outcome was the interval between the onset of neurological abnormality and the time of operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atheromatous embolism in the brain: a clinicopathologic analysis of 15 autopsy cases

We report 15 autopsy cases with cerebral atheromatous embolism (14 men and one woman, 57 to 76 years of age) and analyze their pathologic features. Cardiovascular surgery or catheterization triggered the atheromatous embolism in the brain in six cases (aortocoronary bypass, two; emergency aortocoronary bypass after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, one; graft implantation for thoracic aortic aneurysm, two; coronary angiography, one). The events that had triggered embolism were not clear in the remaining nine cases. Pathologic examination of the brains revealed that nine cases had single or multiple cortical hemorrhagic infarcts corresponding to the border zones between two main cerebral arterial territories. Many of the leptomeningeal arteries located in the subarachnoid spaces of cortical sulci and surfaces adjacent to the infarcts were occluded by atheromatous emboli composed mostly of cholesterol crystals. The internal diameters of the occluded arteries ranged from 50 to 300 microns. Arterial territorial infarcts were present in six cases, three of which had thromboemboli containing various amounts of cholesterol crystals occluding the major arteries or their large branches supplying the infarcted areas, which were pale in two cases and hemorrhagic in one. The other three cases had hemorrhagic infarcts in which atheromatous emboli were present only in the small leptomeningeal arteries and were composed mostly of cholesterol crystals. Atheromatous embolism in the brain frequently causes border-zone infarcts by occlusion of the terminal cortical branches, and sometimes causes arterial territorial infarcts if the emboli are associated with fibrin and sufficiently large to occlude the larger arteries.

[Immunoregulatory cells in patients with monoclonal gammopathies]

The authors detected immunoregulatory cells by two-color cytometric analysis in the peripheral blood of 21 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 10 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). CD3-CD56+ cells increased in both MGUS and IgG, IgA type MM in clinical stage (CS) I & II, whereas CD3+ cells decreased. On the other hand, the CD4/8 ratio, the proportions of CD45RA+ cells and CD29++ cells in CD4+ cells, and S6F1++ cells in CD8++ cells remained normal. In CS III MM of IgG and IgA type, CD3-CD56+ cells did not increase, although CD3+ cells decreased. Additionally, both CD4/8 and CD4+ CD45RA+/CD4+ ratios were low, while the proportions of CD29++ cells in CD4 cells and S6F1++ cells in CD8++ cells were high. However, this type of change in the T-cell subset balance was not observed in CS III MM of the Bence-Jones type, which showed no significant elevation of serum M-protein. These findings suggest that serum monoclonal idiotypes could affect immunoregulatory cells, especially T cells.

[Diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma of lung by kappa-lambda imaging in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid lymphocytes]

We attempted to verify the clonality of proliferating cells in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by using a sophisticated technique known as kappa-lambda imaging. We applied this method to BALF lymphocytes from 3 cases suspected of having primary pulmonary B-cell lymphoma, by transbronchial lung biopsy, and from 2 cases with B-cell lymphoma revealing abnormal shadows. (One was diagnosed as small cell carcinoma, the other mycotic infection). B-cell monoclonality was found in the former 3 cases, but not in the latter 2 cases. We conclude that kappa-lambda imaging in BALF lymphocytes is useful for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma of the lung.

[Immunocompetent cells in lymph nodes of B-cell lymphomas]

In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), the precise analysis of non-neoplastic immunocompetent cells in lymph nodes may be important to understand the pathophysiology of anti-tumor immunity. We have investigated such immunocompetent cells of 14 patients with B-cell type NHL (B-NHL) by flow cytometry, and compared them with the data obtained from 10 patients with reactive lymphadenopathy. The results on B-NHLs were as follows; CD3+ (T lymphocyte) = 45.0 +/- 19.7%, CD4+/CD3+ = 62.7 +/- 14.2%, CD4+CD45RA-/CD4+ = 82.9 +/- 8.1% (Control 62.9 +/- 14.5%, p < 0.01), CD4+CD29++/CD4+ = 29.2 +/- 7.0% (Control 42.6 +/- 12.9%, p < 0.01), CD8+/CD3+ = 36.0 +/- 11.3%, CD8++S6F1++/CD3+ = 23.2 +/- 10.6% (Control 9.1 +/- 4.3%, p < 0.01), CD8++S6F1++/CD8++ = 75.3 +/- 16.7% (Control 41.5 +/- 19.6%, p < 0.01), CD3-CD56+ cells = 1.0 +/- 0.7% (Control 2.2 +/- 1.6%, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that CD4+ T lymphocytes in lymph nodes of B-NHL may change to memory cells (CD45RA- cells), but such memory cells could only weakly express CD29 molecules which are thought to play an important role in the manifestation of helper function. This phenotypic discordance of CD4+ T lymphocytes may produce incomplete anti-tumor immunity in B-NHL.