EST analysis of genes that are expressed in the neural complex of Ciona intestinalis adults.

A subtractive cDNA library was made corresponding to mRNAs expressed in the neural complex relative to those expressed in the pharynx of adults of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Determination and comparison of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of a set of 1,527 randomly selected clones demonstrated that they represent 832 independent sequences. Five hundred seventy-two of the clones contained amino-acid-encoding sequences. BLASTX analyses showed that 342 of the 572 clones were strong matches (P < 10(-7)) to previously identified proteins, while the remaining 230 fell into the "no match" category. Among the clones matching previously identified proteins, about 80 clones represented proteins that are involved in the formation, maintenance of the structure, and function of the nervous system: 22 proteins are associated with signal transduction, five proteins are related to the synapse, 11 to transcription factors, nine to transporters, five to enzymes, and 13 to extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal components, and six to apoptosis. In addition, sequence information for genes associated with the immune system and for genes encoding proteins with interesting functions were obtained. These data provide cues for further studies on genes that are expressed in and function in the ascidian nervous system.

[Effective treatment of AFP-producing lung cancer with UFT].

The main form of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer is a multiple combination therapy centered on cisplatin (CDDP). We herein report a case in which a favorable course was obtained for a patient with extremely rare AFP-producing lung cancer by single oral administrations of UFT, following extirpation of brain metastasis. The patient was an 80-year-old male whose main complaints were headache and aphasia. Following close examination, a diagnosis was made of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with the primary lesion in S6 of the right lung. A metastatic lesion was found in the left occipital lobe. Blood AFP was an abnormally high 17,000 ng/ml. No tumorous lesions were found in the liver. The brain metastasis were extirpated to alleviate cranial nerve symptoms, and the tissue was found to be the same as that of the primary lesion. AFP staining of the tumor tissue revealed positive cells. Because there was proliferation in the primary tumor following surgery, administration of UFT (300 mg/day Tegafur) was begun. Four weeks later the tumor had begun to shrink, and at 15 weeks was judged to be a partial response. A reduction in AFP was also seen. The patient showed absolutely no side effects from UFT, thus enabling outpatient treatment. Good results were obtained both in reducing the tumor and in maintaining the patient's quality of life.

[Cure by THP-COP therapy in patients with perforated T-cell type malignant lymphoma of the jejunum].

A 52-year-old man had suffered abdominal pain from Dec. 15, 1992. On Jan. 1993, he was admitted to our hospital for a diagnosis of T-cell malignant lymphoma of stomach of diffuse large cell type by gastroendoscopical biopsy. On the following day, he underwent emergency an operation with a diagnosis of panperitonitis. A perforation site had been found at the jejunum 60 cm distant from the Treitz ligament. It was resected and sutured concomitant with omental patch. The pathological diagnosis was the same. After the operation, we started THP-COP therapy on Jan. 25, 1993. During the admission, he was given THP-COP therapy 6 times, and had a complete remission. He was discharged Feb. 26, 1994, and shows no evidence of disease at this writing.

[Ataxic sensory and autonomic neuropathies associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome: a case report].

A 49-year-old woman had xerostomia and foreign body sensation of eye since 27 years old. Since the age of 30 she developed occasional fever attack released by cooling body without medication. Three years later she began to complain difficulty to maintain standing position with closed eyes. Upon admission axillary lymph node swelling, anisocoria and Adie's pupils were evident. She had reddish and atrophic dry tongue. Peripheral reflexes of upper extremities were decreased. Patellar and achilles tendon reflexes were diminished. Perception of pain and temperature were reduced on the right peripheral upper and lateral lower extremities. Deep sensation of four extremities were also decreased. Romberg's sign was positive. She had ataxic gait, orthostatic hypotension, Valsarlva abnormalities and hypohidrosis. Laboratory findings revealed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high IgG and rheumatoid factor levels, leukopenia, positive anti SS-A/Ro antibody and positive minor salivary gland biopsy. Axillary skin biopsy, CT scan cerebrospinal fluid were normal. Sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude were decreased, but motor nerve conduction velocity was normal. Sural nerve biopsy was characterized by loss of large and small myelinated fibers. All findings found in our patient were consistent with those of thirteen patients reported by Griffin et al in 1990 who postulated that T-cell inflammation of the dorsal root ganglion was an extraglandular site of autoimmune attack in Sjögren's syndrome.

Small-dose cytosine arabinoside in the treatment of elderly patients with acute leukemia and refractory anemia with excess of blast.

Five elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and four patients with refractory anemia with excess of blast (RAEB) were treated with small doses of Ara-C (5-30 mg/day, subcutaneous injection) for 10-28 days. Three patients achieved complete remission and four patients partial remission. Side effects were severe bone marrow suppression in eight patients and gastrointestinal symptoms in three patients. From these results it was indicated that a small-dose Ara-C regimen provides alternative therapy in selected elderly patients with ANLL and RAEB.

Respiratory dysfunction following acute and chronic pump failure of the heart.

In order to explore pulmonary dysfunction originating in cardiac decompensation, acquired heart diseases were classified into three selected categories; chronic compensated heart, chronic decompensated heart and acute decompensated heart with severe alveolar edema. Pathophysiology in each category was investigated. Hemodynamic variables were measured by cardiac catheterizations and a variety of pulmonary functions based on respiratory physiology were studied. Severe alveolar edema due to acute pump failure of the heart revealed a significant inverse correlation between PaO2 and PaCO2 indicating the appearance of decreased effective alveolar ventilation with markedly decreased PaO2. A-aDO2 remained still high despite a complete resolution of alveolar edema. There are some possibilities that pulmonary dysfunction might be accelerated by repetition of acute cardiac decompensation in chronic heart diseases. Chronic pulmonary involvements caused by chronically decompensated heart must be stressed most important for comprehensive treatments of cardiac pump failure. Lung volumes considerably decreased but ordinarily there was no obvious airflow obstruction in the large central airways. Chronic compromised lung with giant left atrium, however, showed appreciable decrease in FEV1% (FEV1/FVC), MMF, V50 and V25, indicating an apparent evidence of both central and peripheral airway obstructions. Patients with CTR over 70% were more seriously involved with a significant reduction in lung volumes in addition to total airway obstructions. Under these situations an inverse correlation between PaO2 and PaCO2 in chronic decompensated heart was observed showing a contrast difference in chronic compensated heart.