The localizations of two transglutaminases [factor XIIIa and tissue transglutaminase (tTG)] and their mRNAs were examined in human brain tissues from neurologically normal and Alzheimer disease (AD) cases, using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization methods. In all cases, meningeal macrophages and ependymal macrophage/microglia were positive for factor XIIIa. The mRNA encoding factor XIIIa was detected in macrophages and microglia. As reported previously, intense staining with the antibody to factor XIIIa of a subset of microglia was seen in the parietal cortex in AD brains. Few or no microglia were found associated with classical senile plaques. In contrast, many labeled microglia were associated with primitive plaques. Further-more, most of these cells were mainly seen in the subpial cortical layer but were very rare in the hippocampus. On the other hand, few factor-XIIIa-positive microglia were found in the parietal cortices from non-neurological cases, but moderate numbers were found in their hippocampal tissues. TG and its mRNA were localized in astrocytes in all the cases. In AD, a few neurofibrillary tangles were positive to tTG. These results suggest that the subsets of microglia which express factor XIIIa may play some roles in the early phase of AD pathology.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Spinal myoclonus which appeared during the administration of alpha interferon].

We report a 42-year-old man who showed myoclonus in his right leg during alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) treatment for HCV-RNA positive chronic hepatitis C. The myoclonus continuously persisted even during sleeping. Surface EMG recordings revealed fairly regular about 0.3 Hz periodic grouping discharges synchronized in the right lower extremities muscles. Jerk-locked back averaging method demonstrated a monophasic negative sharp wave associated with the myoclonus. This pre-myoclonus sharp wave was localized on the Cz and preceded the myoclonus by about 60 ms. T 2-weighted gradient-echo MRI images revealed a high-intensity lesion in the right leg motor cortex in the left hemisphere. The myoclonus vanished in association with the disappearance of the above MRI lesion one month after the termination of alpha-IFN therapy. Based on these, we conclude the alpha-IFN may induce the myoclonus in this patient.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Giant metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes to the lung: CT and MR findings.

The authors present a case of giant pulmonary metastasis from cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast, and correlate the CT and MR findings with the pathological findings. Although CT showed homogenous low density in most parts of the tumor, T 2-weighted MR images presented a more variegated appearance, namely, peculiar slit-like areas of low intensity between areas of high intensity. The MR findings reflected the characteristic gross pathology of cystosarcoma phyllodes, showing narrow cavities filled with bloody fluid surrounding intracystic protruding tumors with abundant necrotic change.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-1-beta activation of cultured glomerular epithelial cells.

In crescentic glomerulonephritis, crescent formation involves the active participation of glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) and macrophages recruited to the glomerulus during the evolution of the disease. Cytokines derived from macrophages may affect many functions of GEC. In this study, we found that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) inhibited GEC growth (DNA synthesis and cell number) in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect was not mediated by tumor growth factor beta (TGF beta) which is a potent inhibitor of GEC growth in vitro. Treatment of GEC with various concentrations of IL-1 beta induced morphologic changes consisting in the loss of their cobblestone shape and acquisition of a fibroblast-like appearance. Moreover, IL-1 beta was shown to stimulate the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by GEC. The increase in IL-6 secretion by GEC treated with IL-1 beta was observed at both the protein and mRNA levels. IL-1 beta also affected the metabolism of laminin in cultured GEC, inducing a dose-dependent increase in laminin production in culture supernatants harvested from GEC. Finally, we investigated the expression of MHC class II antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in GEC, and found that unstimulated GEC are negative for MHC class II antigens, as detected by flow cytometry. In contrast to the induction of effector functions, expression of MHC class II antigens stringently required interferon-gamma. IL-1 beta did not induce MHC class I antigen expression. The regulation of ICAM-1 expression in that unstimulated GEC expressed ICAM-1, and this expression was upregulated by IL-1 beta. We conclude that IL-1 beta alters many functions of GEC, and these changes may be involved in the initiation and amplification of glomerular injury.

Cell Count↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatocellular carcinoma: comparative study among precontrast, artery-dominant, and delayed-contrast phase images at ultrafast CT.

To evaluate the detectability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at artery-dominant phase and to compare it with that at precontrast and delayed-contrast phases, 34 patients with 109 HCCs were examined by ultrafast computed tomography (CT) using an incremental dynamic technique under single breath-holding. Images of three phases (precontrast, artery-dominant, and delayed) were compared with iodized-oil CT images. None of the lesions were detected only at precontrast phase. HCC detectability at the artery-dominant phase (87/109, 80%) was significantly superior to that at precontrast phase (32/109, 29%) (p < .01) and delayed-contrast phase (57/109, 52%) (p < .01). All 31 lesions missed at delayed-contrast phase were depicted at artery-dominant phase, while one lesion observed at delayed-contrast phase was missed at artery-dominant phase. Incremental dynamic CT at artery-dominant phase was suitable for the diagnosis of HCCs. Precontrast phase images were not necessary, although delayed-phase images were useful for the evaluation of tumor extension in some cases.

Aged↗