Analysis of dark spots growing in organic EL devices by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Chemical structural analysis of tape-stripped surfaces at dark spots growing in organic electroluminescent (EL) devices during exposure to the atmosphere was done by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (OF-SIMS). The EL devices consist of indium-tin-oxide, triphenylamine-tetramer, tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), and a Mg-Ag cathode deposited in order under vacuum on a glass substrate. It was found that the interface between the Alq3 layer and the Mg-Ag cathode was exposed as a result of tape-stripping, where a large number of dark spots were observed on both sides. Secondary ion images of O-, Mg+, and Alq2+ were observed from the dark spots on the cathode side. On the other hand, Mg+ and O- images with a nucleus in the center were observed from the Alq3 side. It is concluded from the results that the constituent element Mg of the cathode was oxidized at the interface adjacent to the Alq3 layer during exposure to the atmosphere, forming a dark spot with a nucleus in the center. Finally, it was confirmed that the TOF-SIMS analysis of the tape-stripped surface is useful for the analysis of the mechanism of dark spot formation.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease associated with Cowden's disease--case report.

A 49-year-old Japanese male with Lhermitte-Duclos disease subsequently developed a very rare association with Cowden's disease. Partial tumor removal established the diagnosis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease. Follow-up examinations discovered the presence of Cowden's disease. Long-term follow-up of patients with Lhermitte-Duclos disease is essential to identify signs of Cowden's disease, which carries the risk of developing malignancy.

Primary carcinoma of the choroid plexus in Li-Fraumeni syndrome: case report.

An 8-month-old female infant with a primary carcinoma of the choroid plexus developed a rhabdomyosarcoma in the anterior chest wall at the age of 1 year and 2 months. Her mother had developed a liposarcoma in her left thigh at the age of 17 years. One of the patient's siblings had a rhabdomyosarcoma of the epipharynx at the age of 1 year. This is the fourth reported case of a choroid plexus carcinoma occurring in Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Recent duplication of the two human CD8 beta-chain genes.

Isolation of cDNA clones encoding the beta-chain of the human T cell surface glycoprotein CD8 revealed the presence of five distinct forms of cDNA resulting from alternative splicing. In the process of analysis of the gene organization, we found that there exist two recently duplicated genes for CD8 beta. These genes, designated CD8 beta 1 and beta 2, consist of nine and seven exons, respectively. The organization of CD8 beta 1 and beta 2 genes is almost identical except in their 3'-ends. There are nine nucleotide differences between the coding regions of the CD8 beta 1 and beta 2 genes in spite of the extremely high similarity of these genes which extends over the entire genes including introns. Pulse field gel analysis demonstrated that CD8 beta 1 and beta 2 genes are located more than 1.5 Mb apart. It was found that the CD8 beta 1 gene is approximately 25 kb upstream from the CD8 alpha gene in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 2. Although both CD8 beta 1 and beta 2 genes appear functional from the nucleotide sequence, the five distinct forms of CD8 beta cDNAs and corresponding mRNAs found in thymus, PBL, and leukemic cell line HPB-ALL are all derived by alternative splicing from CD8 beta 1 transcripts.

[Expression of c-erbB-2 protein and vessel invasion in colorectal cancer].

Using sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 64 colorectal cancer patients, the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was studied immunohistochemically. Twenty-seven percent of the cases with liver metastasis showed positive staining. On the other hand, only 3% of cases without liver metastasis were positive. Expression rates of c-erbB-2 protein in liver metastasis cases showed no significant difference between primary operation (26%) and recurrence (27%). Of all c-erbB-2 positive patients, 90% (9/10) had liver metastasis. Secondly, vessel invasions of 45 rectal cancer patients were studied using Victoria Blue (VB) elastic staining and endothelial staining by factor VIII-related antigen and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) lectin. VB-HE double stain was efficacious to detect vascular invasion, but endothelial staining was not. There were statistically more vascular invasions in 30 patients with liver or lymph node metastases than in those without metastasis. And in cases with metastasis, many vascular invasions into the extra-muscular layer were seen. Both vascular invasions and c-erbB-2 protein were valuable indicators of possible liver metastasis.

Angiographic morphology of the posterior communicating artery and basilar in patients with ICA-PComA aneurysm.

The relationships between the angiographic morphology of the posterior communicating artery (PComA) and the basilar artery (BA) and saccular aneurysms at the internal carotid artery (ICA)-PComA junction were evaluated in 23 patients with ICA-PComA aneurysm and 46 controls. No significant differences were found in the height of the basilar top, the dislocation and inner diameter of the BA, and the distance between the basilar top and the ICA-PComA junction. However, the angle between the PComA and C2 portion of the ICA was larger and the PComA straighter in ICA-PComA aneurysm patients. Tension in the PComA and mechanical damage to the divergent angle of the PComA are probably important factors in the development of ICA-PComA aneurysms.

MHC gene Q8/9d of the BALB/cJ mouse strain cannot encode a Qa-2,3 class I antigen.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of Q8/9d gene of the BALB/c strain of mice, isolated from Steinmetz's cosmid library. As for all other class I genes of the Qa region, the Q8/9d gene spans approximately 4.7 kilobases (kb) and consists of seven exons and six introns. A seven bases deletion in exon 3 results in the occurrence of an early termination codon. Thus the Q8/9d gene cannot encode a normal class I protein. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the Q8/9d gene with that of other class I MHC genes revealed a stronger homology to Q7 and Q8 than to K, D, L, TL, and other Q genes. However, the gene cannot originate from a mere fusion between Q8 and Q9 genes except if the ancestor to putative Q8d was markedly different from the present Q8b gene. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, we have confirmed the presence of a Q8/9 gene, identical to that present in cosmid 46.1, in the genome of BALB/cJ (Qa-2low). Finally, it has been reported that cDNA clone 94-A, which codes for a Qa-2 antigen, could derive from a transcript of gene Q8/9d. The nucleotide sequences of gene Q8/9d and of cDNA clone 94-A are distinctly different in their 5' regions, in spite of an almost perfect matching in their 3' regions. Thus, clone 94-A cannot derive from an mRNA transcribed from the Q8/9d gene.

Familial pituitary adenoma--report of four cases from two unrelated families.

The authors report four cases of familial pituitary adenomas from two unrelated families. No clinical or biochemical evidence of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN-I) was demonstrated. Detailed study of the family trees disclosed no other family members affected by MEN-I. Familial occurrence of pituitary adenomas unassociated with MEN-I is rare.

Comparative structure of two duplicated T1a class I genes (T10c and 37) of the murine H-2d MHC. Implications on the evolution of the T1a region.

The class I Ag encoded in the Qa/T1a regions of the murine MHC are much less polymorphic, and usually have a more restricted tissue distribution than the classical histocompatibility class I Ag, encoded by genes located in the H-2K, D, and L loci. The isolation of a quasi-ubiquitously expressed, poorly polymorphic class I gene of the T1a region of the H-2d mouse MHC, namely gene 37 (or T18d), has been recently reported. We describe the nucleotide sequence of a closely related gene, T10c gene, the counterpart of the gene 37 in the large duplicated parts of T1a region of the BALB/c (H-2d) MHC. The T10c gene structure and sequence are very similar to those of gene 37, but T10c gene is most likely a pseudogene. In A/J mouse strain, there appears to be a single gene related to 37, which is also found expressed in a variety of tissues. We show that this gene is likely to be a chimeric one derived from T10c for its 3' part, and from a gene closely related to gene 37 for its 5' part, which potentially encodes for an unusual class I molecule composed of the first two domains. Finally, Southern blot analysis of a number of wild mice and related animals suggests that a gene closely related to the present T10c gene may be the ancestor of this subfamily of class I genes characterized by the presence of an unusual second domain.

Cerebrovascular moyamoya disease associated with an intracranial pseudoaneurysm. Case report.

A 51-year-old woman became unconscious 19 hours after the onset of a headache. Computerized tomography disclosed an intracerebral hematoma in the left temporal lobe, with ventricular penetration. Antiography demonstrated the characteristic appearance of cerebrovascular moyamoya disease as well as an aneurysm-like shadow in the left temporal lobe, which proved on histological examination to be a pseudoaneurysm.

A case of suspected congenital rubella encephalopathy.

A case of suspected congenital rubella syndrome was reported. The patient, a 3-month-old female, was admitted because of irregular respiration. She was diagnosed as suspected congenital encephalodysplasia by CT-scan. Her condition deteriorated and she died 11 days after admission. From postmortem findings it was speculated that neuropathological findings were caused by rubella virus infection in uterus and the injury on delivery.

[A case of malignant lymphoma (lymphosarcomatous type) of the brain (author's transl)].

A relatively rare case of malignant lymphoma of the brain was reported. A 64-year-old male was admitted to our hospital, October 2, 1976, complaining of right hemiparesis and expressive aphasia. Neurological and radiological examinations revealed a huge space-occupying lesion in the left frontoparietal region. An external decompressive surgery and biopsy were performed. The excised specimens was diagnosed as malignant lymphoma (lymphosarcoma type) histologically. Radiation (5000 rad of 60Co) and chemotherapy with anticancer drugs were carried out after the operation. The patient, however, died at seven months after the onset. On necropsy the tumor was infiltrated extensively in the left frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, but extended not to the thalamus, basal ganglia and ventricular system. This case was suggested primary malignant lymphoma of the brain, according to the physical and radiological examinations of the whole body, although the autopsy was performed only about the brain. The nomenclature, clinicopathological and immunological problems of malignant lymphomas of the nervous system were also discussed, reviewing the previously reported cases.