Demonstration of nuclear gamma-ray polarimetry based on a multi-layer CdTe Compton camera

To detect and track structural changes in atomic nuclei, the systematic study of nuclear levels with firm spin-parity assignments is important. While linear polarization measurements have been applied to determine the electromagnetic character of gamma-ray transitions, the applicable range is strongly limited due to the low efficiency of the detection system. The multi-layer Cadmium-Telluride (CdTe) Compton camera can be a state-of-the-art gamma-ray polarimeter for nuclear spectroscopy with the high position sensitivity and the detection efficiency. We demonstrated the capability to operate this detector as a reliable gamma-ray polarimeter by using polarized 847-keV gamma rays produced by the [Formula: see text]([Formula: see text]) reaction. By combining the experimental data and simulated calculations, the modulation curve for the gamma ray was successfully obtained. A remarkably high polarization sensitivity was achieved, compatible with a reasonable detection efficiency. Based on the obtained results, a possible future gamma-ray polarimetery is discussed.

β-Delayed One and Two Neutron Emission Probabilities Southeast of ^{132}Sn and the Odd-Even Systematics in r-Process Nuclide Abundances

The β-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities (P_{1n} and P_{2n}) of 20 neutron-rich nuclei with N≥82 have been measured at the RIBF facility of the RIKEN Nishina Center. P_{1n} of ^{130,131}Ag, ^{133,134}Cd, ^{135,136}In, and ^{138,139}Sn were determined for the first time, and stringent upper limits were placed on P_{2n} for nearly all cases. β-delayed two-neutron emission (β2n) was unambiguously identified in ^{133}Cd and ^{135,136}In, and their P_{2n} were measured. Weak β2n was also detected from ^{137,138}Sn. Our results highlight the effect of the N=82 and Z=50 shell closures on β-delayed neutron emission probability and provide stringent benchmarks for newly developed macroscopic-microscopic and self-consistent global models with the inclusion of a statistical treatment of neutron and γ emission. The impact of our measurements on r-process nucleosynthesis was studied in a neutron star merger scenario. Our P_{1n} and P_{2n} have a direct impact on the odd-even staggering of the final abundance, improving the agreement between calculated and observed Solar System abundances. The odd isotope fraction of Ba in r-process-enhanced (r-II) stars is also better reproduced using our new data.

Diagnosing eosinophilic asthma using a multivariate prediction model based on blood granulocyte responsiveness

BACKGROUND

The identification of inflammatory asthma phenotypes, using sputum analysis, has proven its value in diagnosis and disease monitoring. However due to technical limitations of sputum analysis, there is a strong need for fast and noninvasive diagnostics. This study included the activation state of eosinophils and neutrophils in peripheral blood to phenotype and monitor asthma.

OBJECTIVES

To (i) construct a multivariable model using the activation state of blood granulocytes, (ii) compare its diagnostic value with sputum eosinophilia as gold standard and (iii) validate the model in an independent patient cohort.

METHODS

Clinical parameters, activation of blood granulocytes and sputum characteristics were assessed in 115 adult patients with asthma (training cohort/Utrecht) and 34 patients (validation cohort/Oxford).

RESULTS

The combination of blood eosinophil count, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, Asthma Control Questionnaire, medication use, nasal polyposis, aspirin sensitivity and neutrophil/eosinophil responsiveness upon stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine was found to identify sputum eosinophilia with 90.5% sensitivity and 91.5% specificity in the training cohort and with 77% sensitivity and 71% specificity in the validation cohort (relatively high percentage on oral corticosteroids [OCS]).

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed prediction model identifies eosinophilic asthma without the need for sputum induction. The model forms a noninvasive and externally validated test to assess eosinophilic asthma in patients not on OCS.

Prognostic impact of sarcopenia in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is known to be related to an increased risk of chemotherapy toxicity and to a poor prognosis in patients with malignancy. We assessed the prognostic role of sarcopenia in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODS

In total, 187 consecutive patients with DLBCL treated with induction rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) immunochemotherapy were reviewed. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest sex-specific quartile of the skeletal muscle index, calculated by dividing the pectoralis muscle area by the height. Clinical outcomes were compared between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. A nomogram was constructed from the Cox regression model for overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Treatment-related mortality (21.7 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.002) and early discontinuation of treatment (32.6 vs. 14.9%, P = 0.008) were more common in the sarcopenic group than in the non-sarcopenic group. The 5 year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 35.3% in the sarcopenic group and 65.8% in the non-sarcopenic group (P < 0.001). The 5 year OS rates were 37.3% in the sarcopenic group and 68.1% in the non-sarcopenic group (P < 0.001). Sarcopenia and the five variables of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) were independent prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis for PFS and OS and were used to construct the nomogram. The calibration plot showed good agreement between the nomogram predictions and actual observations. The c index of the nomogram (0.80) was higher than those of other prognostic indices (IPI, 0.77, P = 0.009; revised-IPI, 0.74, P < 0.001; National Comprehensive Cancer Network-IPI, 0.77, P = 0.062).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is associated with intolerance to standard R-CHOP chemotherapy as well as a poor prognosis. Moreover, sarcopenia itself can be included in prognostic models in DLBCL.

Two-Proton Radioactivity of ^{67}Kr

In an experiment with the BigRIPS separator at the RIKEN Nishina Center, we observed two-proton (2p) emission from ^{67}Kr. At the same time, no evidence for 2p emission of ^{59}Ge and ^{63}Se, two other potential candidates for this exotic radioactivity, could be observed. This observation is in line with Q value predictions which pointed to ^{67}Kr as being the best new candidate among the three for two-proton radioactivity. ^{67}Kr is only the fourth 2p ground-state emitter to be observed with a half-life of the order of a few milliseconds. The decay energy was determined to be 1690(17) keV, the 2p emission branching ratio is 37(14)%, and the half-life of ^{67}Kr is 7.4(30) ms.

Decays of the Three Top Contributors to the Reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} High-Energy Spectrum, ^{92}Rb, ^{96gs}Y, and ^{142}Cs, Studied with Total Absorption Spectroscopy

We report total absorption spectroscopy measurements of ^{92}Rb, ^{96gs}Y, and ^{142}Cs β decays, which are the most important contributors to the high energy ν[over ¯]_{e} spectral shape in nuclear reactors. These three β decays contribute 43% of the ν[over ¯]_{e} flux near 5.5 MeV emitted by nuclear reactors. This ν[over ¯]_{e} energy is particularly interesting due to spectral features recently observed in several experiments including the Daya Bay, Double Chooz, and RENO Collaborations. Measurements were conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory by means of proton-induced fission of ^{238}U with on-line mass separation of fission fragments and the Modular Total Absorption Spectrometer. We observe a β-decay pattern that is similar to recent measurements of ^{92}Rb, with a ground-state to ground-state β feeding of 91(3)%. We verify the ^{96gs}Y ground-state to ground-state β feeding of 95.5(20)%. Our measurements substantially modify the β-decay feedings of ^{142}Cs, reducing the β feeding to ^{142}Ba states below 2 MeV by 32% when compared with the latest evaluations. Our results increase the discrepancy between the observed and the expected reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} flux between 5 and 7 MeV, the maximum excess increases from ∼10% to ∼12%.

Candidate Resonant Tetraneutron State Populated by the ^{4}He(^{8}He,^{8}Be) Reaction

A candidate resonant tetraneutron state is found in the missing-mass spectrum obtained in the double-charge-exchange reaction ^{4}He(^{8}He,^{8}Be) at 186  MeV/u. The energy of the state is 0.83±0.65(stat)±1.25(syst)  MeV above the threshold of four-neutron decay with a significance level of 4.9σ. Utilizing the large positive Q value of the (^{8}He,^{8}Be) reaction, an almost recoilless condition of the four-neutron system was achieved so as to obtain a weakly interacting four-neutron system efficiently.

Isomer decay spectroscopy of 164Sm and 166Gd: midshell collectivity around N=100

Excited states in the N=102 isotones 166Gd and 164Sm have been observed following isomeric decay for the first time at RIBF, RIKEN. The half-lives of the isomeric states have been measured to be 950(60) and 600(140) ns for 166Gd and 164Sm, respectively. Based on the decay patterns and potential energy surface calculations, including β6 deformation, a spin and parity of 6- has been assigned to the isomeric states in both nuclei. Collective observables are discussed in light of the systematics of the region, giving insight into nuclear shape evolution. The decrease in the ground-band energies of 166Gd and 164Sm (N=102) compared to 164Gd and 162Sm (N=100), respectively, presents evidence for the predicted deformed shell closure at N=100.

Well developed deformation in 42Si

Excited states in (38,40,42) Si nuclei have been studied via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy with multinucleon removal reactions. Intense radioactive beams of ^{40}S and (44)S provided at the new facility of the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory enabled γ-γ coincidence measurements. A prominent γ line observed with an energy of 742(8) keV in (42) Si confirms the 2(+) state reported in an earlier study. Among the γ lines observed in coincidence with the 2^{+} → 0+ transition, the most probable candidate for the transition from the yrast 4(+) state was identified, leading to a 4(1)+) energy of 2173(14) keV. The energy ratio of 2.93(5) between the 2(1)+ and 4(1)(+) states indicates well-developed deformation in (42) Si at N = 28 and Z = 14. Also for 38,40)Si energy ratios with values of 2.09(5) and 2.56(5) were obtained. Together with the ratio for (42)Si, the results show a rapid deformation development of Si isotopes from N = 24 to N = 28.

Structural evolution in the neutron-rich nuclei ¹⁰⁶Zr and ¹⁰⁸Zr

The low-lying states in ¹⁰⁶Zr and ¹⁰⁸Zr have been investigated by means of β-γ and isomer spectroscopy at the radioactive isotope beam factory (RIBF), respectively. A new isomer with a half-life of 620 ± 150 ns has been identified in ¹⁰⁸Zr. For the sequence of even-even Zr isotopes, the excitation energies of the first 2⁺ states reach a minimum at N = 64 and gradually increase as the neutron number increases up to N = 68, suggesting a deformed subshell closure at N = 64. The deformed ground state of ¹⁰⁸Zr indicates that a spherical subshell gap predicted at N = 70 is not large enough to change the ground state of ¹⁰⁸Zr to the spherical shape. The possibility of a tetrahedral shape isomer in ¹⁰⁸Zr is also discussed.

β-decay half-lives of very neutron-rich Kr to Tc isotopes on the boundary of the r-process path: an indication of fast r-matter flow

The β-decay half-lives of 38 neutron-rich isotopes from (36)Kr to (43)Tc have been measured; the half-lives of (100)Kr, (103-105)Sr, (106-108)Y, (108-110)Zr, (111,112)Nb, (112-115)Mo, and (116,117)Tc are reported here. The results when compared with previous standard models indicate an overestimation in the predicted half-lives by a factor of 2 or more in the A≈110 region. A revised model based on the second generation gross theory of β decay better predicts the measured half-lives and suggests a more rapid flow of the rapid neutron-capture process (r-matter flow) through this region than previously predicted.

Neuroendocrine-Immune Modulation May Be Useful for Allograft-Specific Immunosuppression in Small Bowel Transplantation

PURPOSE

The authors have previously demonstrated that the neuropeptide bombesin (BBS) prevented allograft mucosal atrophy under tacrolimus (TRL) immunosuppression for rats small bowel transplantation (SBT). The present study investigated whether BBS had immunosuppressive effects on small bowel allografts.

METHODS

Allogeneic SBT was performed heterotopically in rats (n = 12) that received daily administration of 0.1 mg/kg/d TRL from postoperative day 0 to day 14. Rats divided into two groups of six rats each were administered BBS or normal saline as a control. Biopsy of the allograft was performed from the stomal site on postoperative days 6, 10, and 14. The state of the graft mucosal villi was evaluated by H & E staining and TUNEL immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

By postoperative day 14, extensive mucosal destruction accompanied by heavy transmural cellular infiltration had developed in the control group. Lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrated the lamina propria of the allograft without the distorting villous architecture in the BBS group. The TUNEL index of graft mucosa in the control group was 1.26% +/- 0.37% (mean +/- SD) and that in the BBS group, 0.59% +/- 0.20%, respectively (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated an immunosuppressive effect of bombesin on transplanted allografts, which might dramatically reduce the dose of TRL required for postoperative immunosuppression.

Deep vein thrombosis in a tetraparesic patient with mental retardation: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a tetraparesic patient, a member of a population in which DVT is reportedly rare.

CASE REPORT

A 36-year old tetraparesic resident of a developmental centre suddenly developed swelling of one leg. Her plasma D-dimer level was 751 (normal<500) ng ml-1. A Doppler ultrasound revealed femoral vein thrombosis. She usually spent 10-12 hours daily in a chair. For menstrual problems, she had received oral contraceptives (OC) for 23 months. She had no other genetic or acquired predisposition to DVT. She was anti-coagulated for 6 months and the OC was discontinued. She recovered without complications. Her DVT was probably caused by her immobility, prolonged sitting and OC.

CONCLUSION

DVT may develop in tetraparesic patients if they are exposed to additional prothrombotic factors. OC should be prescribed cautiously to such people. Relevant literature, prevention and treatment are discussed.

Maternal serum Ca125 and Ca15-3 antigen levels in normal and pathological pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of maternal serum CA125 and CA15-3 concentrations for discriminating pathological from normal pregnancies.

METHODS

Serum samples from 120 women, in whom pregnancy outcome was pathological, i.e. spontaneous abortion, fetal death, intrauterine growth retardation, chromosomal and structural abnormalities, and (pre)eclampsia, were assessed for CA125 and CA15-3 and compared with levels found in 350 women with a normal pregnancy outcome matched for age and duration of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Maternal CA125 serum values were significantly higher in the first and the third trimester of pregnancy (median 23.0 and 21.0 U/ml; p < 0.00001 and p < 0.001, respectively), compared to those in the second trimester (median 14.0 U/ml), but not significantly different from those obtained in pathological pregnancies. Maternal serum CA15-3 values were significantly higher during the third trimester (median 26.0 U/ml) compared to the first and second trimester of pregnancy (median 14.0 and 15.0 U/ml; p < 0.0001); CA15-3 serum levels in normal and pathological pregnancies showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Maternal serum levels of CA125 are higher during the first and third trimester of pregnancy. CA15-3 maternal serum levels are higher during the third trimester compared to the first and second trimester. Maternal CA125 and CA15-3 serum levels showed no relation with a pathological outcome of pregnancy.

A homozygous missense mutation in the tyrosine E kinase domain of the RET proto-oncogene in an infant with total intestinal aganglionosis

Germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene (RET), its ligand glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and neurturin (NTN) gene have been reported in patients with Hirschsprung's disease. A targeted mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of RET produced total intestinal aganglionosis and renal agenesis in homozygous transgenic mice. Here we describe a homozygous mutation of the human gene for the RET tyrosine kinase domain that was present in a male neonate with total intestinal aganglionosis. Gut wall biopsy specimens from the stomach to the anorectum showed no ganglion cells. No urinary tract abnormalities were detected. Genomic DNAs were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of the infant and his parents. DNA sequences of all the RET/GDNF/NTN coding regions were determined using a direct DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle method. A homozygous missense mutation (CGG-to-TGG) at RET codon 969 was identified in this patient, which resulted in an amino acid change from arginine to tryptophan. No germline RET/GDNF/NTN mutations were found in his parents. In this case, the homozygous RET mutation seemed to cause a critical alteration of the Ret tyrosine kinase activity, which resulted in total intestinal aganglionosis but not renal agenesis. Discrepancies in phenotypic expression between humans and mice suggest differing threshold values for RET signal transduction in species or organs.

Arteriovenous malformation of the penis in an infant

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are common benign lesions in infancy, although they are rare in the genitourinary region. The authors report on a 2-year-old boy with a penile AVM. At presentation, there was venous dilatation and tortuosity of the prepuce without ulceration, which had been recognized at 1 year of age. Left internal iliac arteriography showed early venous filling leading to the diagnosis of AVM. Surgical excision was performed at age 2. The postoperative course was uneventful. At the 6-month follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence. This is the first report of a penile AVM that was successfully treated by surgical excision.

Structural studies of soluble oligomers of the Alzheimer beta-amyloid peptide

Recent studies have suggested that non-fibrillar soluble forms of Abeta peptides possess neurotoxic properties and may therefore play a role in the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We have identified solution conditions under which two types of soluble oligomers of Abeta40 could be trapped and stabilized for an extended period of time. The first type of oligomers comprises a mixture of dimers/tetramers which are stable at neutral pH and low micromolar concentration, for a period of at least four weeks. The second type of oligomer comprises a narrow distribution of particles that are spherical when examined by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The number average molecular mass of this distribution of particles is 0.94 MDa, and they are are stable at pH 3 for at least four weeks. Circular dichroism studies indicate that the dimers/tetramers possess irregular secondary structure that is not alpha-helix or beta-structure, while the 0.94 MDa particles contain beta-structure. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that Abeta40 moieties in amyloid fibrils or protofibrils are more similar in structure to those in the 0.94 MDa particles than those in the dimers/tetramers. These findings indicate that soluble oligomeric forms of Abeta peptides can be trapped for extended periods of time, enabling their study by high resolution techniques that would not otherwise be possible.

Ultrasonographic detection of intrauterine intussusception resulting in ileal atresia complicated by meconium peritonitis

A neonate with ileal atresia (IA) complicated by meconium peritonitis (MP) whose prenatal ultrasonography (US) detected an intrauterine intussusception (IUI) is reported. Fetal ascites, dilated bowel loops, and abdominal calcifications were identified on serial US from 25 weeks of gestation. Intestinal loops with high echogenecity and a "target-like" appearance suggestive of IUI were detected in the right lower quadrant. The 2,680-g male was delivered vaginally at term and underwent a laparotomy. Fibrous adhesions and small calcifications were scattered throughout the peritoneal cavity. IA (interrupted type) was confirmed 17.0 cm cranial to the ileocecal valve (ICV). An ileo-ileal intussusception was also found between 16.5 cm and 9.0 cm cranial to the ICV. Partial resection of the ileum and an ileo-ileal anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. In this case, the pathological process of IUI resulting in IA and MP was demonstrated sonographically by identifying the "target-like" appearance in the fetus.

Enhancing medical student consultation request skills in an academic emergency department

The purpose of this study was to develop an educational protocol to enhance the communication skills of medical students when requesting specialty consultation. A protocol consisting of a worksheet and oral instructions was created to teach nine criteria of effective consultation requests, derived from the existing literature. Consultation requests made by senior medical students using the protocol were evaluated and compared to consultation requests made by Emergency Medicine residents who did not complete the educational protocol. Forty-two medical student consultation requests and 50 Emergency Medicine resident consultation requests were evaluated. The students included five of the nine criteria in their consultation requests significantly more often than the residents. The median number of criteria included by the students was eight, while the median number of criteria included by the residents was six. This study shows that senior medical students can be taught to communicate effectively with specialists when requesting consultations.

Hemopexin from four species inhibits the association of heme with cultured hepatoma cells or primary rat hepatocytes exhibiting a small number of species specific hemopexin receptors

Hemopexin (Hx) binds heme with a very high affinity (Kd<0.1 pmol/L). It has been implicated as a major vehicle for the transport of heme into liver cells, involving a receptor-mediated recycling mechanism. However, previous studies indicated that heme is not taken up by cultured embryonic chick or adult rat hepatocytes by such a mechanism, because heme added as heme hemopexin failed to affect heme-responsive activities of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase and heme oxygenase. Here, we investigated the importance of hemopexin in hepatic heme uptake in cultured rat hepatocytes and human HepG2 hepatoma cells, and determined the number and species specificity of hemopexin receptors on the rat hepatocytes. We also tested whether there is a difference between heterologous and homologous hemopexins. We found the following: 1) heme is inhibited from associating with hepatocytes by apo hemopexins from rat, human, rabbit, and chicken; 2) heme readily associates with hepatocytes when heme hemopexin preparations are added in which the ratio of heme to hemopexin exceeds 1.0; 3) heme induces heme oxygenase mRNA in rat hepatocytes and this induction is prevented by excess hemopexin; and 4) rat hepatocytes exhibit only about 2,000 hemopexin receptors per cell when using rat hemopexin, and none when using hemopexin of rabbit and human. We conclude that hemopexin plays a limited role in heme uptake by cultured hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, and that heme which exceeds the hemopexin binding capacity is taken up directly from heme-albumin.

Equilibrium folding intermediates of a Greek key beta-barrel protein

Protein S is a calcium-binding protein comprising two Greek key beta-barrel domains. We have used NMR and optical spectroscopies to show that, in the absence of calcium, the N-terminal domain of protein S forms two equilibrium folding intermediates that are in slow exchange. The intermediates arise from differential calcium-dependent folding of subdomains which are not contiguous along the polypeptide chain. The structures of these intermediates are incompatible with several previously proposed folding mechanisms for Greek key beta-barrel domains. We proposed a different mechanism that involves multiple nucleation sites for folding and sequential acquisition of native long-range interactions.

Champ Camp: the Colorado Children's Asthma Camp experience

To encourage children with asthma to enjoy outdoor activities without physical or psychosocial impairment, children's asthma camps are established throughout the country sponsored by organizations including local and state allergy societies. We wish to describe our Colorado "Champ Camp" experience as a model and reference for future similar efforts and to encourage networking by medical leadership for information sharing and guidelines development nationally. Statistics from parents' satisfaction surveys over 8 years demonstrate a positive influence on attitudes toward asthma and confidence to enter activities and sports with children without asthma.

Fatal pulmonary hypertension in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease: report of an autopsy case

A 34-yr-old woman with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who died of heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension (PH) is reported. She showed various symptoms and signs over the previous 8 yr, including lymphadenopathy, Raynaud's phenomenon, polyarthralgia, sclerodactylia, esophageal disturbance, PH, Sjögren's syndrome and renal tubular acidosis. Autopsy findings revealed severe intimal proliferation with marked luminal narrowing of the small arteries in the lung. Echocardiographic and mechanocardiographic methods were very useful for assessment of the degree of right ventricular dysfunction associated with PH on the early stage of MCTD.

Cerebral and myocardial infarction induced by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with ovarian cancer: report of a case

A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of left hemiplegia. She was affected with myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Echocardiogram revealed that the aortic and mitral valves had thick and uneven echoes suggesting vegetations. Judging from the finding that repeated blood cultures were negative, we had considered in her lifetime that myocardial and cerebral infarctions were due to embolization associated with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). At autopsy, histological diagnosis was made as ovarian cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation. From the clinical course and the histological findings, we diagnosed this patient as NBTE.

Autopsy findings in two patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Special references to apolipoprotein B localization and internalization defect of low density lipoprotein

We have experienced two autopsy cases of familial hypercholesterolemia of type IIa homozygote, one was a 21-year-old female with a defect in the internalization of low density lipoprotein which is thought to be the first autopsy report in the world, and the other was a 31-year-old male with a receptor negative for low density lipoprotein. Autopsy findings, in addition to marked skin xanthomatosis, disclosed reversed distribution of the aortic atherosclerosis, diffuse atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries which led to myocardial necrosis, xanthomatous aortic and mitral valve, and much less severity of cerebral arteries rather than that of aorto-coronary atherosclerosis. We have examined the apolipoprotein B accumulation on these aortas, coronary arteries, and cardiac valves, which showed better correlation between apolipoprotein B deposit areas and preferential accumulation of Alcian blue positive areas suggested to contain sulfate glycosaminoglycan, and documented very rare localization of renal and osseous xanthomas in a patient with internalization defect of low density lipoprotein.

Effects of degranulation of mast cells on proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of mice

A mast-cell activator, compound 48/80, causes proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of rats. Its effect on W/Wv mice deficient in mast cells was tested to determine whether the proliferation is mediated in the degranulation of mast cells. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine into mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of these mice with or without compound 48/80 was very small compared to their normal litter mates. However, bone marrow transplantation markedly enhanced the effect of compound 48/80, and resulted in an incorporation of [3H]thymidine almost comparable to that observed in normal mice. Our results provide evidence that mesenchymal cell proliferation is caused by a product secreted by mast cells when stimulated by compound 48/80.

Effects of castration and testosterone administration on serum lipoproteins and their apoproteins in male spontaneously hypertensive rat

Serum triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations were higher in male spontaneously hypertensive rat than in male control Wistar Kyoto rat, whereas serum cholesterol, phospholipids, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were lower. Castration of hypertensive rats induced an increase in serum cholesterol, phospholipids, and HDL, and a decrease in serum triglyceride and VLDL. The cholesterol content of HDL increased, whereas the triglycerides decreased after gonadectomy of hypertensive rats. These changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins could be reversed by the administration of testosterone. Apolipoprotein E contents in VLDL and HDL of hypertensive rats were low when compared with control rats but rose after castration and could be reduced by testosterone administration. Hypertensive rats accumulated triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver, which resulted in an increase of liver weight. Castration reduced the hepatic lipids as well as liver weight. The effects of castration and testosterone treatment on lipids and lipoproteins were more prominent in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in control rats. These results suggest that testosterone reduces VLDL catabolism which is related to changes of apolipoprotein composition, and that hypertensive rats are more sensitive to testosterone than control rats.