Resource use of insect seed predators during general flowering and seeding events in a Bornean dipterocarp rain forest.

Insect seed predators of 24 dipterocarp species (including the genera ot Dipterocarpus, Dryobalanops and Shorea) and five species belonging to the Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Celastraceae and Sapotaceae were investigated. In a tropical lowland dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, these trees produces seeds irregularly by intensely during general flowering and seeding events in 1996 and/or 1998. Dipterocarp seeds were preyed on by 51 insect species (11 families), which were roughly classified into three taxonomic groups: smaller moths (Trotricidae, Pyralidae, Crambidae, Immidae, Sesiidae, and Cosmopterigidae), scolytids (Scolydae) and weevils (Curdulionidae, Apionidae, Anthribidae, and Attelabidae). Although the host-specificity of invertebrate seed predators has been assumed to be high in tropical forests, it was found that the diet ranges of some insect predators were relatively wide and overlapped one another. Most seed predators that were collected in both study years changes their diets between general flowering and seeding events. The results of cluster analyses based on the number of adult of each predator species that emerged from 100 seeds of each tree species, suggested that the dominant species was not consistent, alternating between the two years.

[Sclerosing Sertoli cell tumor of the testis: a case report].

We report here a case of sclerosing Sertoli cell tumor of the testis. A 21-year-old male, who complained of right testicular pain, visited a Jikei University affiliated hospital on May 30th, 1999. A small nodule with a diameter of 6 to 7 mm was palpable on the central surface of the right testis. No tumor markers for testicular cancer, such as hCG-beta and alfa-fetoprotein, were elevated. However, ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass with increased blood flow. Therefore, we performed right high orchiectomy under the diagnosis of right testicular cancer. Pathological diagnosis of this tumor was sclerosing Sertoli cell tumor. Neither recurrence nor metastasis has been found for 12 months postoperatively.

[A case of renal cell carcinoma diagnosed by MAG3 scintigraphy because of moderate renal dysfunction].

An 84-year-old man presented at our hospital with complaints of severe gross hematuria and lower right abdominal pain. A right renal mass was detected by ultrasound sonography and plain computerized tomography (CT) scan, but an exact diagnosis was not obtained. Because the patient presented with moderate renal dysfunction and severe gross hematuria, we were unable to perform imaging studies using contrast material or ureteroscopic instruments. Finally, mercaptoacetylglycyl-glycylglycine (MAG3) scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated renal cell carcinoma, and we performed transarterial embolization (TAE) therapy using ethanol and gel foam. Based on their efficacy and noninvasiveness, we conclude that MAG3 scintigraphy and MRI are the optimal modalities for imaging in patients with renal dysfunction.

Bird-pollination of three Durio species (Bombacaceae) in a tropical rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Pollination ecology of three Durio species, D. grandiflorus, D. oblongus, and D. kutejensis (Bombacaceae), was studied in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, during a peak flowering period when at least 305 species of plants bloomed in 1996. Durio has been reported to be pollinated by bats in Peninsular Malaysia. However, my observations of flower visitors and pollination experiments indicated that two species, D. grandiflorus and D. oblongus, were pollinated by spiderhunters (Nectariniidae) and that the other species, D. kutejensis, was pollinated by giant honey bees and bats as well as birds. Hand-pollination experiments showed that all three species were obligate outbreeders. A resource limitation in fruit production was suggested. The former two species were visited only by spiderhunters, and the bagged flowers that were opened for animal visitors only at night bore no fruit, while those that were opened only during the day bore fruits, at comparable fruiting ratios to open pollination. Durio kutejensis was observed to be visited by giant honey bees, birds, and bats at different times of day, and three series of bagged experiments that exposed the flowers to animal visitors at different times of day bore fruits at a comparable ratio to open-pollination.

Roles of the heme proximal side residues tryptophan409 and tryptophan421 of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the electron transfer reaction.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has an oxygenase domain with a thiol-coordinated heme active side similar to cytochrome P450. In contrast to cytochrome P450, however, conserved aromatic amino acids are situated in the heme proximal side of NOS. For example, in endothelial NOS (eNOS), the indole-ring nitrogen of Trp180 hydrogen-binds to the thiol of Cys186, the internal axial ligand to the heme. And, the aromatic side chain of Trp192 forms a bridge between this residue and the protein. Trp180 and Trp192 of eNOS correspond to Trp409 and Trp421 of neuronal NOS (nNOS), respectively. In order to understand the roles of the aromatic amino acids in catalysis, we generated Trp409His, Trp409Leu, Trp421His and Trp421Leu mutants of nNOS and determined their catalytic parameters. The Trp409Leu mutant was very poorly expressed in E. coli and was easily denatured during purification procedures. The NO formation activities of the Trp409His and Trp421Leu mutants were 11 and 25 micromol/min per micromol heme, respectively, and are lower than that (44 micromol/min per micromol heme) of the wild type. The activity (46 micromol/min per micromol heme) of the Trp421His mutant was comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme. However, NADPH oxidation rates of Trp421His (230 micromol/min per micromol heme) and Trp421Leu (104 micromol/min per microol heme) in the presence of L-Arg were much larger than those observed for the wild type (65 micromol/min per micromol heme) and the Trp409His mutant (43 micromol/min per micromol heme). The cytochrome c reduction rate of the Trp421His mutant was 6-fold larger than that of the wild type. The heme reduction rate with NADPH for the Trp421His mutant (0.09 min(-1)) was much lower than that (1.0 min(-1)) of the wild type. Taken together, it appears that Trp421 may be involved in inter-domain/inter-subunit electron transfer reactions.

Plant reproductive phenology over four years including an episode of general flowering in a lowland dipterocarp forest,Sarawak, Malaysia.

The first systematic observation of a general flowering, a phenomenon unique to lowland mixed-dipterocarp forests in Southeast Asia, is presented. During general flowering, which occurs at irregular intervals of 3-10 yr, nearly all dipterocarp species together with species of other families come heavily into flower. We monitored reproductive phenology of 576 individual plants representing 305 species in 56 families in Sarawak, Malaysia. Observations continued for 53 mo from August 1992 and covered one episode of a general flowering cycle. Among 527 effective reproductive events during 43 mo, 57% were concentrated in the general flowering period (GFP) of 10 mo in 1996. We classified 257 species into flowering types based on timing and frequency of flowering. The most abundant type was "general flowering" (35%), which flowered only during GFP. The others were "supra-annual" (19%), "annual" (13%), and "sub-annual" (5%) types. General flowering type and temporal aggregation in reproductive events were commonly found among species in various categories of taxonomic groups, life forms, pollination systems, and fruit types. Possible causes for general flowering, such as promotion of pollination brought about by interspecific synchronization and paucity of climatic cues suitable for flowering trigger, are proposed, in addition to the predator satiation hypothesis of Janzen (1974).

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing carbocyclic L-nucleoside analogues with a restricted glycosyl conformation.

To construct nuclease-resistant oligonucleotides, we designed novel carbocyclic L-nucleoside analogues (1-4) whose glycosyl conformation is fixed at chi = 180 degrees by an oxygen-bridge between the base and the cyclopentane ring. We have already achieved the racemic synthesis of these analogues. In this study, we succeeded in synthesizing an optically active form of these analogues. The properties of oligonucleotides containing them will be shown.

Beetle pollination of Shorea parvifolia (section Mutica, Dipterocarpaceae) in a general flowering period in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Pollination ecology of an emergent tree species, Shorea (section Mutica) parvifolia (Dipterocarpaceae), was studied using the canopy observation system in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, during a general flowering period in 1996. Although the species has been reported to be pollinated by thrips in Peninsular Malaysia, our observations of flower visitors and pollination experiments indicated that beetles (Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae, Coleoptera) contributed to pollination of S. parvifolia in Sarawak. Beetles accounted for 74% of the flower visitors collected by net-sweeping, and 30% of the beetles carried pollen, while thrips accounted for 16% of the visitors, and 12% of the thrips carried pollen. The apical parts of the petals and pollen served as a reward for the beetles. Thrips stayed inside the flower almost continuously after arrival, and movements among flowers were rare. Fruit set was significantly increased by introduction of beetles to bagged flowers, but not by introduction of thrips. Hand-pollination experiments and comparison of fruit set in untreated, bagged, and open flowers suggested that S. parvifolia was mainly outbreeding.

Pollination biology in a lowland dipterocarp forest inSarawak, Malaysia. I. Characteristics of the plant-pollinator communityin a lowland dipterocarp forest.

Flowerings and flower visitors were observed continuously in alowland dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, for 53 mo in1992-1996. Flower visitors of 270 plant species were observed orcollected, and pollinators were assessed by observing body contact tostigmas and anthers. We recognized 12 categories of pollination systems.Among them, plants pollinated by social bees included the largest numberof species (32%) and were followed by beetle-pollinated species(20%). Pollination systems were significantly related with somefloral characters (flowering time of day, reward, and floral shape), butnot with floral color. Based on the relationships between pollinatorsand floral characters, we described pollination syndromes found in alowland dipterocarp forest. The dominance of social bees and beetlesamong pollinators is discussed in relation to the general floweringobserved in dipterocarp forests of West Malesia. In spite of high plantspecies diversity and consequent low population densities of lowlanddipterocarp forests, long-distance-specific pollinators were uncommoncompared with theNeotropics.

True pulmonary carcinosarcoma (squamous cell carcinoma and chondrosarcoma). A case report.

True pulmonary carcinosarcoma (squamous cell carcinoma and chondrosarcoma) originating in the right lower lobe in a 62-year-old Japanese male is reported. The tumor, measuring 5.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm, was markedly necrotic and its apex protruded into the bronchial lumen. Light microscopy showed that the tumor was composed of squamous cell carcinoma with sarcomatous spindle or polygonal cell proliferation and true chondrosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the cytoplasm of numerous cells of the squamous cell carcinoma component was stained with anti-cytokeratin (PKK 1) and the cytoplasmic membrane with anti-epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Although sarcomatous regions were stained with anti-vimentin (vimentin) and no tumor cells were reactive for EMA, a few tumor cells were positive for PKK 1. The cytoplasm of numerous chondrosarcoma cells was positively stained for vimentin and S-100 protein. Based on these findings, we concluded that the present tumor was a true carcinosarcoma composed of squamous cell carcinoma with sarcomatous regions and true chondrosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma with features mimicking malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Three osteosarcomas (OS) with features resembling malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) were selected and investigated to identify any clinico-pathological similarities. In all cases there was no significant difference from conventional OS on the radiography and laboratory data. The appearance of MFH-like features within the whole tumour tissue varied from 7% to 55%. It was composed of spindle-shaped cells arranged in short irregular fascicles and a storiform pattern admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells, but devoid of neoplastic osteoid. Such spindle-shaped cells had a poorly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and expressed a strong alkaline phosphatase activity as well as vimentin. A series of allografts to athymic mice using the MFH-like tissues also showed histologically a proliferation of plump spindle-shaped cells with a storiform pattern lacking osteoclast-like giant cells, and intensely positive for alkaline phosphatase. These findings indicate that the MFH-like features are identified as modulated OS. The constituting cells are most likely to be poorly developed with possible phenotypic alteration in the maturation stage of osteoblastic cell lineage, but different from conventional MFH of bone as regards their distinct histochemical pattern.

Matrix vesicles in bone tumors. Ultrastructural analysis and their significance in neoplastic bone formation.

Bone tumors were categorized into alkaline phosphatase (ALPase)-positive (2 ossifying fibromas, 1 benign osteoblastoma and 16 osteosarcomas) and negative (2 chondromas, 2 chondrosarcomas, 3 non-ossifying fibromas, 2 malignant fibrous histiocytomas and 6 giant cell tumors of bone) groups. Production and distribution of matrix vesicles (MVs) in the tumor tissues were examined to clarify their role in neoplastic bone formation. Four distinct types of MV were isolated primarily in ALPase positive bone tumors: empty, amorphous, crystalline and ruptured MVs. They were formed by budding off from the cytoplasmic projections of the osteoblastic tumor cells. The significance of differences in the production rate of MVs between ALPase-positive and negative bone tumors was investigated in view of the predominantly high production of MVs in ALPase-positive bone tumors. Many more mature MVs (crystalline and ruptured) were observed in the osteoblastic lesions of osteosarcoma than in the fibroblastic and MFH-like lesions, suggesting an intimate relationship with maturation and differentiation of the osteoblastic tumor cells. The above findings indicate that production of MVs is one of the diagnostic parameters for osteoblast-derived bone tumors, as well as ALPase activity, and that vesicle-induced mineralization is a major mineralization mechanism in neoplastic bone formation.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts.

A histologically uncommon soft-tissue tumor of the extremities and neck of a 54-year-old male is reported. The solid, bony-hard tumors occurred at the inner region of the right thigh at 44 years of age with additional tumor formation at the posterior region of the same thigh, at the inner region of the right upper arm and at the neck during the following 10 years. All tumors were located in the deep muscle layer. The neck tumor directly invaded the fifth cervical vertebra and later the upper mediastinum. Histologically, all three tumors of the extremities contained mixed lobular growths of round-to-fusiform cells with myxoid matrix and an extensive bone formation. The tumor cells showed a small round nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm lacking cytoplasmic glycogen. The myxoid matrix was stained significantly by alcian blue and colloidal iron and was digested completely by pretreatment with hyaluronidase. Another major component was mature bone trabeculae showing a dense meshwork throughout the entire tumor with active bone formation toward the periphery. Positive immunostaining was obtained against antivimentin and S-100 protein antibodies. We suggest that this uncommon tumor can be tentatively distinguished as an ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts, (an entity defined by Enzinger et al.) differing from other previously described soft-tissue tumors.

Alkaline phosphatase-positive and negative bone tumors. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies of fibroblast-like tumor cells.

Bone tumors, which consist largely of fibroblast-like cells, were categorized into ALPase-positive (3 ossifying fibromas and 2 fibroblastic osteosarcomas) and negative (4 non-ossifying fibromas and 5 MFHs) groups. They were investigated as to their ultrastructure and immunophenotype using antibodies of fibroblast markers (collagen I, III, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and factor XIIIa), classical macrophage markers (AACT and AAT) and vimentin. In the case of the ALPase-positive group, fibroblast-like cells showed short, branching rough endoplasmic reticulum with bundles of microfibrils in their cytoplasms. They were often intermingled with osteoblastic cells particularly in proximity to osteoid tissue. Furthermore, these cells expressed fibroblast markers of collagen I, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and factor XIIIa. Fibroblast-like cells of the ALPase-negative group more or less revealed phagosomes in addition to fibroblastic features admixed with histiocyte-like cells. They expressed classical macrophage markers, but rarely fibroblast markers. The above findings indicated that derivation from different precursor cells should be proposed between the two groups and that the tumors in the ALPase-positive group might be intimately related to a certain population of the bone marrow stromal cells.

Three-dimensional CT of the bronchial tree. A trial using an inflated fixed lung specimen.

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the bronchial tree from contiguous scanning of thin-section CT was performed. Automatic extraction of the bronchial inner space was tried by means of thresholding CT numbers, using a left lower lobe obtained at autopsy and fixed in the air-filled state. Anatomic accuracy of the reconstructed 3D image was determined by correlating the image with the sliced lung specimen. Because of the partial volume effects of the bronchial walls, the area in which bronchi could be reconstructed was limited. The smallest reconstructed branch was 1.4 mm in inner diameter, and the spatial relationship among the branches was easily understood.

Osteosarcoma with prominent epithelioid features.

Osteosarcoma in the metaphysis to epiphysis of the left femur of a 17-year-old male is reported. The lesion appeared osteolytic with sclerotic foci on roentgenographs, accompanied by an extensive tumor shadow in the surrounding soft tissue. While 60% of the tumor was necrotic, histological examination of the remaining viable tissue revealed that it consisted almost entirely of a sheet of epithelioid cells, separated by thin, fibrovascular septa with an alveolar-like pattern, suggestive of metastatic carcinoma. Only a few areas were characterized by malignant osteoid tissue intermingled with the above cells, showing significant positivity for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase, thus permitting a diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Autopsy findings revealed that the metastatic foci were histologically similar to those of the primary tumor. Electron microscopy revealed poor development of cytoplasmic organelles, supporting possible derivation from an osteoblastic cell lineage at an early stage.

Two familial cases of Jordans' anomaly. Ultrastructural studies and the development of fat-containing vacuoles in the neutrophilic series.

A study was conducted on two brothers with Jordans' anomaly. Fat-containing vacuoles were noticed in all leukocytes of the peripheral blood and cells of the myeloid series including myeloblasts, but the serum lipids showed no abnormalities. However, cells of the erythroid series, megakaryocytes and platelets did not contain these vacuoles. An increase in vacuole number was observed as the leukocytes matured. Histochemically, it was suggested that these vacuoles contained neutral fat based on staining with Sudan III and Nile blue sulfate. Ultrastructurally, these vacuoles were unassociated with lysosomes or other cell organelles. Although the etiology of Jordans' anomaly could not be clarified by this study, genetic factors may be involved.

Combined choriocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Combined choriocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma in the lung of a 71-year-old Japanese male is reported. In the upper lobe of the right lung (S1 + 2), a choriocarcinoma coexisted with an adenocarcinoma, but distinct metastatic lesions were noticed separately in the lungs, kidney, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Although immunohistochemical examination revealed intensely positive reactivity with anti-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in trophoblastic cells, weak immunoreactivities were also observed in a few cells with anti-human placental lactogen (HPL), anti-pregnancy-specific beta glycoprotein (SPI), anti-epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), anti-cytokeratin (keratin) and KM-93 (lung adenocarcinoma-associated antibody). In the adenocarcinoma, the tumor cells were positively stained for CEA, EMA, keratin and KM-93, but there were no positive reactivities for HCG, HPL and SPI. These findings suggest that primary choriocarcinoma of the lung may arise through dedifferentiation of adenocarcinoma.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas. Immunologic and enzyme histochemical analysis of 15 cases.

Fifteen cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma were studied to evaluate the respective properties of various histologic types using enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural examinations in addition to immunological methods. Eleven cases in an ATLA-negative group manifested various histologic patterns such as IBL-like, pleomorphic and Lennert's lymphomas in comparison with the relatively monomorphic proliferation of neoplastic lymphoid cells in the 4 ATLA-positive cases. The presence of neoplastic clear cells is characteristic of peripheral T-cell malignancies, and is likely to be found in CD4+ lymphomas. There is an occasional reaction of epithelioid histiocytes and plasma cells with eosinophils, the former being designated Lennert's lymphoma and the latter IBL-like T-cell lymphoma. Immunological examination revealed four immunophenotypic patterns: (1) CD2+3+4+8-, (2) CD2+3-4+8-, (3) CD2+3+4-8+, and (4) CD2+3+4+8+, but did not provide information concerning the intimate relationship between histologic types and immuno-phenotypes. beta-Glucuronidase reactivity, however, contributed to the distinction between helper and suppressor T-cell malignancies, suggesting its usefulness for distinguishing these two cell types and their malignant counterparts.

Intraosseous epidermal cyst of the sacrum. A case report.

An unusual case of intraosseous epidermal cyst is reported. The patient, a 45-year-old Japanese female, had suffered from lumbago and dysuria for about 15 years. X-ray examinations and CT scan revealed an expanded osteolytic tumor without marginal sclerotic change within the sacrum, which anteriorly invaded the surrounding soft tissues at the S2/3 level. At this time, chordoma was suspected, but epidermal cyst with foreign body granuloma was finally diagnosed from biopsy and surgical specimens.