Visualization of signal propagation from sciatic nerve to spinal cord in canine.

The neuroelectric activity that ascends the sciatic nerve and moves to the spinal cord was visualized by measuring the magnetic compound action fields (CAFs) with a superconducting quantum interference device gradiometer. The sciatic nerve of a dog was stimulated electrically, and propagating evoked CAFs were measured non-invasively. Isomagnetic field maps were made on the basis of this data, and the signal propagation was visualized. The evoked magnetic fields presented a quadrupole consisting of two elements: depolarization and repolarization. Measuring the magnetic CAFs of the sciatic nerve on the body surface enabled us to visualize the non-invasively the signal movement continuously from the sciatic nerve to the spinal cord.

Cervical myelopathy due to an osteochondroma in a 73-year-old female. The oldest case in the literature.

An osteochondroma is a common developmental tumor of bone characterized by abnormal peri-physeal ectopic enchondral ossification. This results in a cartilage-capped subperiosteal bony projection, which may be either sessile or pedunculated. These lesions are said to grow until skeletal maturity. The cartilage cap is thought to become thinner as the patient ages beyond skeletal maturity. Apparent growth beyond skeletal maturity may be a sign of malignant conversion, usually to a chondroma. Osteochondromas are usually appreciated in the first decades of life, and are most commonly located in the extremities, usually in the knees, ankles, or wrists. Clinical complaints generally relate to the mass effect of the lesion. Solitary osteochondromas of the axial skeleton are less common and may present with a neurological deficit. We report on such a case, in a woman significantly older than other cases described in the literature.

Clinical significance of IgG subclasses of Anti-Sm and U1 ribonucleoprotein antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease.

IgG subclasses of anti-Sm and anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1 RNP) antibodies were determined using a new clone of the anti-IgG2 antibody (HG2-56F). Although the predominance of IgG1 coincided with previous reports, IgG2 anti-Sm and U1 RNP antibodies were detected in numerous patients. IgG3 anti-Sm antibody significantly correlates with joint involvement and a high titer of anti-DNA antibody. On the other hand, IgG4 anti-U1 RNP antibody significantly correlated with esophageal dilation and muscular involvement. These results may suggest that some IgG subclasses are related to a specific clinical feature or manifestation.

Clinical significance of IgG anti-Sm antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Free Sm was purified by gel filtration and anti-Sm affinity chromatography. Using this purified antigen, an ELISA for anti-Sm was performed. Three hundred and fifty patients with various rheumatic diseases were studied with respect to immunoglobulin classes of anti-Sm by ELISA. A high frequency of IgG anti-Sm was specifically detected in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but IgA and IgM anti-Sm showed a low frequency and also was detected in other diseases. In patients with SLE, anti-Sm significantly correlated with lung fibrosis and pericarditis. In our longitudinal study, there were increases in titer of IgG anti-Sm preceding central nervous system exacerbation and serositis. IgG anti-Sm was found to be not only a diagnostic marker but also a reliable measure of disease activity in SLE.

[Malignant melanoma in children--case presentation and statistical analysis].

Malignant melanoma is a well documented but rare occurrence in children. We reported a case of a 10-month-old girl with malignant melanoma arising in a giant congenital nevocellular nevus. A giant mole on the lumbar and gluteal legion had been present since birth. Six month later, a nodular legion within the giant nevus started to growth slightly. The skin nodule were widely excised and grafted. Histological examination showed a malignant melanoma. The tumor located only in dermis. An enlarged lymph node of her left inguinal was removed. The histology revealed metastases from the melanoma. She died of metastases eight months after removal of the primary tumor. To our knowledge, only 37 documented cases of malignant melanoma in children under fifteen years of age have been previously reported, to which we add our case. In Japan, two-thirds of childhood melanomas arise de novo, which are clinically and biologically analogous to adult melanomas. The other third arises in large congenital nevocellular nevus which likely lead to death within two to three years of diagnosis. A majority of at least half of malignant melanoma in large congenital nevocellular nervus arise in children under 10 years of age. ALM types of malignant melanoma which are common in adult are rare in childhood melanomas.