Large-scale cDNA analysis of the maternal genetic information in the egg of Halocynthia roretzi for a gene expression catalog of ascidian development.

The ascidian egg is a well-known mosaic egg. In order to investigate the molecular nature of the maternal genetic information stored in the egg, we have prepared cDNAs from the mRNAs in the fertilized eggs of the ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi. The cDNAs of the ascidian embryo were sequenced, and the localization of individual mRNA was examined in staged embryos by whole-mount in situ hybridization. The data obtained were stored in the database MAGEST (http://www.genome.ad.jp/magest) and further analyzed. A total of 4240 cDNA clones were found to represent 2221 gene transcripts, including at least 934 different protein-coding sequences. The mRNA population of the egg consisted of a low prevalence, high complexity sequence set. The majority of the clones were of the rare sequence class, and of these, 42% of the clones showed significant matches with known peptides, mainly consisting of proteins with housekeeping functions such as metabolism and cell division. In addition, we found cDNAs encoding components involved in different signal transduction pathways and cDNAs encoding nucleotide-binding proteins. Large-scale analyses of the distribution of the RNA corresponding to each cDNA in the eight-cell, 110-cell and early tailbud embryos were simultaneously carried out. These analyses revealed that a small fraction of the maternal RNAs were localized in the eight-cell embryo, and that 7.9% of the clones were exclusively maternal, while 40.6% of the maternal clones showed expression in the later stages. This study provides global insights about the genes expressed during early development.

Localization of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA on the chromatoid bodies of marine planarian polyclad embryos.

Electron-dense cytoplasmic structures, referred to as chromatoid bodies, are observed in the somatic stem cells, called neoblasts, and germline cells in adult planarians. Although it has been revealed that the chromatoid bodies morphologically resemble germline granules in Drosophila and Xenopus embryos, what essential role it plays in the planarian has remained unclear. In the present study, to examine whether chromatoid bodies in planarian embryos are responsible for germline formation, the presence and behavior of chromatoid bodies during embryogenesis were examined. Mitochondrial large ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial small ribosomal RNA were used as candidate markers for components of the chromatoid body. Starting from the fertilized egg, extramitochondrial signals of both RNA (mtrRNA) were observed. At the ultrastructural level, mtrRNA were localized on the surface of the chromatoid bodies. At subsequent stages, the signals of mtrRNA were observed in certain restricted blastomeres that contribute to the formation of larval structures. The signals gradually decreased from the gastrula stage. These results suggest that the chromatoid bodies associated with mtrRNA in embryogenesis are not germline granules. The chromatoid bodies of blastomeres may be concerned with the toti- or pluripotency and cell differentiation as proposed in adult planarian neoblasts.

Subcutaneous pheomycotic cyst of the finger caused by Exophiala jeanselmei: association with a wooden splinter.

A 58-year-old man with mild glucose intolerance noted a subcutaneous cystic nodule on the ventral aspect of his ring finger. He had experienced trauma to the finger while gardening five weeks before the lesion occurred. Exophiala jeanselmei was isolated and identified on culturing of aspirate from the cystic nodule. The nodule was then removed surgically, and a wooden splinter was found close to the subcutaneous fibrous cyst, suggesting that the causal organism had entered the subcutaneous tissue with the wooden splinter.

[Treatment of acute subdural hematoma with low GCS score].

In order to clarify the present problems in the treatment of acute subdural hematoma with low GCS score (5 or less), we studied the difference of the outcomes from two different surgical treatments for these patients. The present series included 30 patients who had GCS scores of 3, 4 or 5, and they were divided into two groups: 16 in DH group who had decompressive hemicraniectomy and 14 in HITT group who had hematoma irrigation with trephination therapy. The mean age of the patients was 47 years. They all had an intensive medical management including barbiturate therapy under intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring after the operation. Time course of ICP after operation was classified as controlled, high but reduced and uncontrollable, based on the ICP level of 30 mmHg. The outcomes of the patients were determined by use of Glasgow outcome scale and classified into good, poor and dead. In these patients, the outcome was good in 13.3%, poor in 23.3% and dead in 63.4%. There was no survived case in those with GCS score of 3. The mortality rate in older patients over 60 years was high as 81.8%. ICP was well controlled in 2 patients (12.4%) in DH group. But there is no such case in HITT group. Uncontrollable ICP was more frequently seen in HITT group than in DH group. The patients showed different outcomes in the two types of treatment. Good outcome was found in 18.7% and the mortality rate was 56.3% in DH group. On the other hand, only one patient (7.1%) showed good outcome and the mortality rate of 71.4% in HITT group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The dumbbell shaped vertebral hemangioma developed in the pleural cavity and spinal canal].

A 44-year-old male patient visited our clinic complaining of back pain since January, 1984 and feeling of weakness at the lower extremities, sensory and vesicorectal disturbance since March of the same year. Hypesthesia and hypalgesia were observed at Th10 or below. The chest X-ray findings revealed an egg-sized tumor mass at the level of Th8. Metrizamide CT also demonstrated thoracic epidural mass. The characteristic findings of hemangioma showing delayed appearance of the tumor stain were also observed by angiography. The tumor was then confirmed as dumbbell-shaped hemangioma growing in the pleural cavity and the spinal canal. At the first surgical operation, total resection of the tumor in the spinal canal was performed by the postero-lateral approach. Although the second surgical intervention of total removal of the tumor in the pleural cavity had also been scheduled, the surgery was postponed because the patient had to return to work. The 2-year follow-up study revealed no recurrence of the tumor. And the tumor was found slightly diminished on chest X-ray. At present, the patient is still under observation. In this report, the authors discuss the therapeutic methods for thoracovertebral hemangioma including our case and reviewed in the literature related to this type of tumor.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage after preoperative embolization of a cystic meningioma.

We present a case of cystic meningioma accompanied by hemorrhage in the cyst and adjacent subarachnoid space that occurred while preoperative embolization in feeders of the tumor was being applied. The possible reason for the hemorrhage was the sudden dynamic changes in blood flow triggered by the embolization. The changes could have caused multiple ruptures of pathologic small vessels. We recommend that preoperative embolization should be used cautiously in treating cystic meningiomas because of a possible increase in bleeding from pathologic weak vessels.

[Kleeblattschädel syndrome--a case report].

The Kleeblattschädel syndrome is a type of craniofacial dysostosis having a trilobar deformity of the skull associated with congenital hydrocephalus. We present here a case of the anomaly which we operated on a patient for cranial correction and orbital decompression. The case is a 2-month-old female who was born after 40 week-gestation by spontaneous vaginal delivery with cephalic presentation and observed no abnormality in her vital signs. She was transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit because of her trilobar deformity of the head and severe proptosis. Plain X-ray films of the skull indicated a number of digital markings at the calvarium. The triobar configuration was formed by symmetrical outward protrusion of the bilateral temporal squama and bulging the vertex which made a high valt. The coronal and lambdoid sutures which were prematurely closed together could not be distinguished individually. Both sides of temporal squama were found to be quite thin. She had severe shallow orbit due to the maxillary hypoplasia. A ventriculomegaly was seen in CT scan. Cranial corrections were took place in two stages. A V-P shunt was also done. The first surgery was conducted at three months old for advancing the bifrontal part and decompression of the orbits. Bilateral frontal bone was removed by craniectomy cutting along with both sides of the prematurely closed coronal suture in the back and to the supraorbital ridge in the front after making bicoronal scalp incision on supine position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Dural arteriovenous malformation of the anterior fossa with subarachnoid hemorrhage].

Idiopathic dural arteriovenous malformation which occurs in the posterior fossa uses predominantly transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Cavernous sinus comes next and others are rather rare. However, we have recently experienced such a rare case which was operated on and cured completely. The malformation was fed through the anterior ethmoid artery and drained to the cortical vein. The case was a 36-year-old male and admitted in our clinic for having headache and nausea as the chief complaints. He was diagnosed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the following findings: CT scans showed a high density zone localized in the sylvian vallecula. Cerebrospinal fluid obtained by a lumbar puncture was found to be bloody. No neurological abnormality other than neck stiffness and positive Kernig's sign was observed. Under study of right carotid arteriography, dural AVM was evident. The anterior ethmoidal artery which branched out from the ophthalmic artery fed the AVM. The cortical vein which ran on the surface of the frontal base was its drainer via a small nidus. There was no abnormality seen on a left carotid arteriogram. Surgery was proceeded with the right frontal craniectomy in extra- and intradural approach. At first, anterior ethmoidal artery was cut at the cribriform plate extradurally. After dura was incised, both the nidus and drainer were coagulated intradurally. The nidus was located at inner surface of the dura. The arachnoid hemorrhage was thought to be caused by rupture of this drainer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Two cases of intracerebral hemorrhage in full-term neonatal infants].

Intracranial hemorrhage in neonatal infants is mostly noted in the subependymal or subdural space. The former is characteristically noted in premature infants and is attributed to hemorrhage from the subependymal germinal matrix layer. The latter is prevalently noted in full-term neonatal infants and is thought to be associated with injury in the vicinity of the falx cerebri or tentorium cerebelli. We report two cases of intracerebral hemorrhage, which is relatively rare in full-term neonatal infants. In both of them hematoma was located in the left frontal area adjacent to the coronal suture. Angiogram did not reveal any causative abnormality. From CT scan and intraoperative findings it is speculated that the hemorrhage was caused by moulding at the coronal suture. In other words, moulding made the frontal bone slipped in beneath the parietal bone at the coronal suture causing pressure over the brain. The hemorrhage is thought to be caused by contusion of fragile vasculature of neonatal infants.

[Ganglioglioma in a child--report of a case].

A seven-year-old boy who was admitted for surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy was found to have a ganglioglioma in his left parietal lobe. Since four years old, he had been suffering from the seizure and treated with various anticonvulsants without satisfactory effects. As its frequency increased, the dose had to be increased. Thus, it was sought for the possible surgical approach. On the CT scans, an egg size low density zone without contrast enhancement was observed in the subcortical region of his parietal lobe. There was marked thinning on inner table of the skull immediately above the zone. He was operated under fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomy. When the dura matter was opened, pale cerebral cortex protruded. Complete removal of the tumor was not possible, since there was not clear boundary between the mass and normal tissue. Based on histological study, it was diagnosed as ganglioglioma, because its main body contained increased number of glia which had deeply stained ununiform size nuclei. After the operation, he showed neither motor paralysis nor sensory disturbance and was able to sustain his activity with less amount of anticonvulsant.

[Cystic meningioma associated with intratumor and subarachnoid hemorrhage during embolization--a case report].

We present a case of a cystic meningioma accompanied with hemorrhage in a cyst and adjacent subarachnoid space that occurred while preoperative embolization in feeders for the tumor was being applied. A 73-year-old male patient was admitted for a complaint of convulsion. Under CT examination, a tumor was observed at the left frontal convexity and found to be fed by the middle cerebral artery shown in the left cerebral angiograms. The tumor was diagnosed meningioma. After removing the tumor, we conducted histological study. Gross findings of its cross section had an atypical bleeding pattern which was resulted from the ruptures of the criss-crossing internal and external carotid arteries in the tumor. The findings indicated that the tumor was an angiomatous meningioma and contained meningotheliomatous components. The hemorrhage was occurred in the portion of the angiomatous meningioma. The possible reason for the hemorrhage was thought that sudden dynamic changes in blood flow which were triggered by the embolization. The sudden changes could have caused multiple ruptures on pathologic small vessels. Therefore, we strongly recommend that preoperative embolization should be proceeded with caution for exercising a cyst meningioma, since it could increase the possibility of bleeding from pathologic weak vessels.

[Cerebellar astrocytoma presenting with cerebellar hemorrhage: a case report].

UNLABELLED: A rare case of cerebellar astrocytoma presenting with cerebellar hemorrhage is reported. On reviewing the literature, we could collect only four other cases of spontaneous hemorrhage in cerebellar astrocytomas. CASE: On April 5, 1984, a 15-year-old boy noted a sudden onset of headache, vomiting and vertigo and became lethargic and confused. He was admitted on the next day. General examinations, including bloodpressure, temperature and laboratory tests, were found to be normal upon admission. The patient was in somnolence with nystagmus and left dysdiadochokinesis. The result of the left nose to finger test was poor. Computerized tomography revealed a mass leison with calcification and hemorrhage in the paramedian part of the cerebellum. Fourty days after admission, suboccipital osteoplastic craniotomy was performed. A hematoma was found in the paramedian part of the cerebellum. A tumor mass with rich vascularity was completely removed together with the hematoma. Histologically this tissue was a low grade fibrillary astrocytoma accompanying calcification and hemosiderin suggesting tumoral hemorrhage. He regained his neurological functions satisfactorily and was discharged 2 months later.