Galectin-1 promotes basal and kainate-induced proliferation of neural progenitors in the dentate gyrus of adult mouse hippocampus.

We examined the expression of galectin-1, an endogenous lectin with one carbohydrate-binding domain, in the adult mouse hippocampus after systemic kainate administration. We found that the expression of galectin-1 was remarkably increased in activated astrocytes of the CA3 subregion and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and in nestin-positive neural progenitors in the dentate gyrus. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that the galectin-1 mRNA level in hippocampus began to increase 1 day after kainate administration and that a 13-fold increase was attained within 3 days. Western blotting analysis confirmed that the level of galectin-1 protein increased to more than three-fold a week after the exposure. We showed that isolated astrocytes express and secrete galectin-1. To clarify the significance of the increased expression of galectin-1 in hippocampus, we compared the levels of hippocampal cell proliferation in galectin-1 knockout and wild-type mice after saline or kainate administration. The number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells detected in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of galectin-1 knockout mice decreased to 62% with saline, and to 52% with kainate, as compared with the number seen in the wild-type mice. Most of the BrdU-positive cells in SGZ expressed doublecortin and neuron-specific nuclear protein, indicating that they are immature neurons. We therefore concluded that galectin-1 promotes basal and kainate-induced proliferation of neural progenitors in the hippocampus.

Decline in the positive rate of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) antibodies among blood donors in Nagasaki.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the trend of the HTLV-1 seroprevalence rate among blood donors. METHODS: Samples were screened by the particle agglutination test for HTLV-1 antibodies. MATERIALS: Serum from blood donors was screened. RESULTS: The positive rate of HTLV-1 antibodies among blood donors decreased from 13.14 to 0.81 % over the years from 1928 to 1983. CONCLUSION: A decline over the years in the positive rate of HTLV-1 antibodies among blood donors was revealed.

[Pharmacokinetic study of tegafur in the hepatic tissue obtained from the patients with liver cancer].

SF-SP capsules, containing sustained release granules of tegafur, were given to 17 patients with liver cancer (5 primary and 12 metastatic), and tissue levels of tegafur and its metabolites, inhibition of thymidylate synthetase were examined. 5-FU and FdUMP, the active metabolites of tegafur, showed a good accumulation in hepatic lesion and their levels were found to be higher in patients with primary lesion than in metastatic one. In contrast, inhibitory rate of thymidylate synthetase in metastatic lesion was larger than in primary one, suggesting that the agent has stronger antitumor effect against metastatic lesion. This result is consistent with our clinical experiences. No clear relationship between tissue level of tegafur or its metabolites and inhibitory rate of thymidylate synthetase was found. Inhibition of DNA synthesis and/or RNA function are thought to be the action mechanisms of 5-FU and its derivatives. The present study suggests that measurement of the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase in malignant tissue together with the concentration of the drug and its metabolites may contribute for the elucidation of the antitumor effect of the drug.

[A study on hepatic arterial infusion for metastatic liver tumor].

This study was designed to evaluate whether hepatic arterial infusion is effective in terms of response rate and survival time of patients with unresectable liver metastasis from colorectal and gastric cancer. In 19 patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer, one patient had a CR, 3 had a PR or MR and the remainder showed NC or PD, with an overall response rate of 16.7%. The response rate was higher in men than in women as well as in patients with metachronous liver metastasis. The dose schedules showed no effectiveness in patients with histologically well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. However, there was a statistical difference in survival time according to the response. The overall response rate in 7 patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer was 42.9% with one patient achieving CR, 2 patients PR and the others PD. As a result, hepatic arterial infusion of antitumor regimen was an effective method for inoperable metastatic liver cancer.

[A case report of mediastinal cystic lymphangioma].

Mediastinal lymphangioma is very rare in the literature. A resected case of mediastinal cystic lymphangioma was reported. A 41-year-old man admitted to our hospital complaining of sore throat. A chest X-ray examination showed a large mediastinal mass on the right. At the right thoracotomy, a large cystic mass filled the anterior mediastinum and extended from the thoracic inlet to the posterior costophrenic angle. The cyst contained about 600 ml yellowish brown fluid and was adherent to the surrounding tissue, especially to the aorta and the left main bronchus. The resected tumor was 20 x 12 x 10 cm in size and 620 g in weight. Histological diagnosis was cystic lymphangioma. The patient is alive and well 26 months later, and there is no sign of recurrence of the tumor.

[A case of idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis with superior vena caval obstruction].

Uncommon case of superior vena caval obstruction secondary due to idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis was reported. A 38-year-old female was admitted in our hospital with the complaint of dyspnea and facial edema. Venography revealed occlusion of vena cava. Venous pressure showed 30 cmH2O in the external carotid vein. Mediastinal computed tomogram revealed no tumor but calcification in the anterior mediastinal fatty tissue. Therefore, with a 12 cm EPTFE, left brachiocephalic vein-right atrium bypass operation was performed. Facial edema was disappeared dramatically in early postoperative stage. She is uneventful 20 months after the operation.

[Evaluation of sialylated LewisX as a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen in the sera of patients with gastric cancer].

The clinical usefulness as a tumor-associated antigen of the new monoclonal antibody CSLEX1, which reacts with the sialylated LewisX antigen, has been evaluated serologically in 141 patients with a gastric cancer. The serum sialylated LewisX was measured by fluorescent EIA. The percent positive figure of these gastric cancer patients was 17.0% (24/141), which indicates a significant increase when compared with that of the controls. The percent-positive values, according to the clinical stage, were 9.2%, 9.1%, 15.6%, and 36.4% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The degree of liver metastasis and peritoneal dissemination of the cancer correlated with the percent-positive values of the antigen. This suggests that sialylated LewisX is useful as a tumor-associated antigen.

[Causes of death after an early gastric cancer operation].

From April, 1972 to December, 1984, 329 early gastric cancer case were operated on by this department. Results of these operations have revealed the following statistics: The 5-year survival rate of those with an m-cancer was 97.6% and for those with an sm-cancer, 92.6% and, the 10-year survival rate of m-cancer was 91.6% and sm-cancer, 89.9%, respectively. Twenty-nine postoperative deaths were recognized in this series, and the causes of death in each case have been analysed. Prophylactic measures to prevent postoperative death also are discussed.

[Sialylated Lewis(x) and sialylated Lewis(a) as tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens in sera of patients with gastric cancer--usefulness of combination assay of these two antigens].

Sialylated Lewis(x) and sialylated Lewis(a) antigens, which are structural isomer each other, were serologically tested to determine the clinicopathological differences and correlation between two antigens, and were also compared with those of serum CEA in 141 patients with gastric cancer. Percent positives in sialylated Lewis(a), CEA and sialylated Lewis(x) showed 26.9%, 21.8% and 17.0% respectively. Percent positive of sialylated Lewis(x) correlated with degree of liver metastasis and peritoneal dissemination. Therefore, it is emphasized that the role of sialylated Lewis(x) is characteristics of detecting a presence of liver metastasis and/or peritoneal dissemination. On the other hand, sialylated Lewis(a) showed high percent positive in cases which had lymph nodes metastasis and mucinous or papillary adenocarcinomas. These two carbohydrate antigens indicated no correlation (r = 0.062) in the spectrum of sera. It is suggested that combination assay of sialylated Lewis(x) and sialylated Lewis(a) is useful in detecting many gastric cancer patients including CEA-negative one.

Gastric plasmacytoma with rod-shaped intracytoplasmic inclusions. Report of a case studied by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

A 78-year-old man with primary gastric plasmacytoma showing massive rod-shaped intracytoplasmic inclusions is presented. The patient was initially diagnosed as having a benign gastric ulcer and underwent partial gastrectomy. Around the ulcer of the resected stomach specimen, diffuse proliferation of plasma cells with massive rod-shaped intracytoplasmic inclusions was noticed by light microscopy. Immunohistochemically, these cells were found to contain IgM-kappa-type immunoglobulin upon peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining. Electron microscopy showed that the intracytoplasmic inclusions were localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and had a lattice structure with a periodicity of about 120 A.

[Four cases of male breast cancer including one synchronously combined with gastric cancer].

Four men with primary breast cancer were seen between 1972 and 1985 at the Sasebo Municipal Hospital. They were admitted complaining of breast mass and/or bloody nipple discharge. There was no delay between the onset of symptoms and seeking medical advice. They had relatively early stages of disease (three patients had stage I and one had stage II). All patients were treated by modified radical or radical mastectomy. Histopathological study revealed ductal carcinomas and no lymph node metastasis in all patients. Multiple bone metastasis and death occurred in one case. One patient (61 years old) had two separate synchronous primary cancers of the breast and stomach, which is very uncommon.

[Left ventricular function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a Tc-99m radionuclide angiographic study during exercise].

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) generally shows increased systolic function of the left ventricle at rest, although patients with HCM often have decreased exercise tolerance and develop dyspnea or chest pain. The present study was to investigate of left ventricular (LV) function during exercise in 26 patients with HCM using Tc-99m equilibrium angiocardiography, and to elucidate the mechanism of impaired functional reserve during exercise. Controls consisted of 11 normal volunteers and 12 patients with chest pain syndrome who had no abnormality on coronary arteriography or left ventriculography. In patients with HCM, LV ejection fraction decreased from 65 +/- 8 (mean +/- SD)% at rest to 59 +/- 18% at peak exercise, in contrast to an increase among controls (from 56 +/- 9% to 64 +/- 9%). As compared with resting values, cardiac output increased to 168 +/- 24% at peak exercise in HCM, but the increase was significantly less than that in controls (215 +/- 47%). Stroke volume decreased gradually to 83 +/- 16% during exercise in HCM, while it increased to 114 +/- 10% at an exercise level of half intensity, and it decreased slightly to 106 +/- 16% at peak exercise. LV end-systolic volume decreased among controls to 78 +/- 27% at peak exercise, but remained unchanged in HCM (118 +/- 58%). An increase in peak ejection rate at peak exercise was less in HCM than in controls (143 +/- 26% vs 170 +/- 42%). No significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning changes in indices of LV diastolic function including LV end-diastolic volume, peak filling rate or 1/3 filling rate during exercise. In the analysis of LV function curves, pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure increased to a greater extent in HCM than in controls (19 +/- 6 mmHg vs 11 +/- 6 mmHg); whereas, an increase in the stroke work index was less in HCM (80 +/- 26 g.m/m2/beat vs 121 +/- 21 g.m/m2/beat) at peak exercise. Thus, the LV function curve shifted downward and to the right in patients with HCM. The above findings indicate that LV functional reserve during exercise is impaired, especially as to systolic function in patients with HCM, while deterioration of diastolic function may be partly compromised by elevated filling pressure.

[Dysfunction of Carpentier-Edwards porcine mitral bioprosthesis causing a musical systolic murmur: a report of two cases].

Two patients with disruption of Carpentier-Edwards porcine mitral bioprosthesis presenting with a musical systolic murmur were reported. The two patients noted sudden development of a loud musical murmur 4 (Case 1) and 6.5 (Case 2) years after surgery. Case 1 had associated heart failure. Phonocardiogram disclosed a loud musical systolic murmur with regular vibrations at 230-240 Hz in Case 1, and 250-260 Hz in Case 2. In Case 1, echocardiography demonstrated fine fluttering of the porcine mitral valve at the same frequency as the murmur. Doppler echocardiography revealed characteristic Doppler signals from the porcine valves at a frequency of 250-300 Hz with several harmonics above and below the baseline. In addition, in Case 2, similar Doppler signals were obtained from the aortic walls, ventricular septum and posterior wall of the left ventricle. In both cases, left ventriculograms demonstrated grade 3 mitral regurgitation without paravalvular leakage, and at surgery, the porcine bioprosthesis showed a tear in one of markedly thinned cusps, without evidence of calcification. It was considered that a torn cusp was the source of the murmur, and this, in association with the resonance of the entire heart, produced the loud musical murmur. Thus, a musical systolic murmur is suggested to be one of important signs of dysfunction of porcine bioprosthesis.

[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with ventricular septal hypertrophy localized to the apical region of the left ventricle (apical ASH)].

Clinical and morphologic features are described in a subgroup of 22 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who showed ventricular septal hypertrophy localized to the apical region (apical asymmetric septal hypertrophy: apical ASH). All patients had ventricular septal thickness of 17 mm or less with an average of 13 +/- 3 mm in the M-mode echocardiograms. In contrast, the two-dimensional echocardiograms demonstrated septal hypertrophy localized to the apical region, with an average septal thickness of 20 +/- 3 mm at the mitral valve and papillary muscle levels. On the left ventriculogram, 82% of patients with apical ASH showed inward concavity of the right-inferior wall of the left ventricle, indicating hypertrophy of the ventricular septum. However, no patient showed spade-like appearance of the left ventricle and only two showed giant T wave inversion exceeding 10 mm. Echocardiographic examination performed in eight affected relatives revealed typical asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) in four relatives, one of them showing a resting pressure gradient of 30 mmHg in the left ventricle. The remaining four relatives showed similar apical ASH. When compared with patients of typical ASH, patients with apical ASH demonstrated significantly greater cardiac size, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left atrial and left ventricular diameters and significantly lower percent fractional shortening. Atrial fibrillation, B bump of the mitral echogram and heart failure were more frequent in this subgroup of patients. Thus, apical ASH appeared to be a part of the morphologic spectrum of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with ASH and to be a separate disease entity from apical hypertrophy previously described in Japan. Severely impaired diastolic performances associated with mild to moderately depressed systolic function of the left ventricle were the characteristic clinical features of the subgroup of patients with apical ASH.

[Mechanism of exercise-induced ST segment deviation in myocardial infarction: a 201T1-myocardial scintigraphic study].

Exercise-induced ST segment deviation was investigated using thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy and correlated with coronary artery lesions in 25 patients with old myocardial infarction. Seven of eight patients without ST deviation showed no reversible perfusion defect by near maximal exercise, and six had no significant stenosis in the coronary arteries perfusing the non-infarcted area. During exercise, ST segment depression was induced in 12 patients and six of them developed a reversible perfusion defect in the non-infarcted area, associated with significant stenosis of the corresponding coronary arteries. Remaining six patients, however, did not show a reversible perfusion defect and four of them had no significant stenosis of the coronary arteries perfusing the non-infarcted area. In nine patients with exercise-induced ST segment elevation in leads with Q waves, a reversible perfusion defect was not detected in seven (78%) and five (71%) of them had no significant coronary artery stenosis as well. Four patients developed both ST segment elevation in leads with Q waves and ST segment depression in other leads. One patient who had significant coronary artery stenosis in the non-infarcted area and showed a reversible perfusion defect developed 1.5 mm ST elevation in II, III, a VF leads and 4 mm ST depression in precordial leads. In the remaining three patients who did not show a reversible perfusion defect and significant coronary artery stenosis in the non-infarcted area, ST depressions were less than 2 mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Abnormal septal motion following non-surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus].

Abnormal ventricular septal motion is usually observed after open heart surgery, but its mechanism is not fully understood. Our previous study suggested that a sudden reduction of left ventricular (LV) volume overload after corrective surgery would be one mechanism, showing that postoperative abnormal septal motion is more frequent in patients who have preoperative LV volume overload. The purpose of this study was to investigate further the direct effect of LV volume alone on the ventricular septal motion in 22 patients who underwent non-surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by the Porstmann's method. The non-surgical closure of a PDA reduced LV diastolic diameter (LVDd) from 55.7 +/- 7.3 mm to 48.1 +/- 5.2 mm (P less than 0.001), and LV systolic diameter (LVDs) from 36.3 +/- 7.0 mm to 34.1 +/- 7.0 mm (p less than 0.01). Septal motion decreased in amplitude from 8.5 +/- 2.4 mm to 3.8 +/- 3.4 mm (p less than 0.01) and eight (36%) patients developed abnormal septal motion, while LV posterior wall excursions remained unchanged. When compared these eight patients with 14 without abnormal septal motion, the magnitude of postoperative LVDd reduction (delta LVDd) and its ratio to preoperative volume (delta LVDd/pre op LVDd) were significantly greater in patients with abnormal septal motion. Thus sudden reduction in LV volume overload alone could induce abnormal septal motion without altering other factors such as adhesion of the pericardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)