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Analysis of sex pheromone gland extracts and volatile pheromone components collected from the calling female southern armyworm,Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), by high-resolution capillary gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy indicated that a number of 14-carbon mono- and diunsaturated acetates and a monounsaturated 16-carbon acetate were produced. Gland extracts also indicated the presence of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol. However, this compound was not found in collections of volatiles. Field trapping studies indicated that the volatile blend composed of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (60%), (Z)-9-(E)-12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (17%), (Z)-9-(Z)-12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (15%), (Z)-9-(E)-11-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (5%), and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol acetate (3 %) was an effective trap bait for males of this species. The addition of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol to the acetate blends tested resulted in the capture of beet armyworm,S. exigua (Hubner), males which provides further evidence that the alcohol is a pheromone component of this species.

Field tests were conducted with various blends of acetates and alcohols previously identified as components of the sex pheromone for the beet armyworm (BAW),Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). The compounds were formulated on rubber septa and placed in sticky traps positioned in fields populated withAmaranthus sp., a favored host of this species. Moth captures were highest in traps baited with septa containing a blend of 0.1 mg (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (Z9,E12-14∶Ac) and 0.01 mg(Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14∶OH). Additionally, we confirmed that all combinations of acetates tested alone captured significantly fewer males than blends containing a 10∶1 ratio ofZ9,E12-14∶Ac andZ9-14∶OH. A 10∶1 formulation ofZ9,E12-14∶Ac andZ9-14∶OH in hollow fibers was also attractive to feral BAW males.

Several components of an internal kairomone were identified inside eggs of the host,Adoxophyes sp. (Lepidoptere: Tortricidae), that releases egg deposition of the egg-larval parasitoid,Ascogaster reticulatus Watanabe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Pupal hemolymph with the same activity as an internal host egg kairomone was used as a convenient test sample. Heat-treated pupal hemolymph was chromatographed on a Sephadex G-25 column. Each fraction was bioassayed and reacted with ninhydrin. The active fractions were ninhydrin-positive. Each fraction was placed onto an araino acid analyzer, which showed that the amino acids were most abundant in active fractions. Among 22 amino acids, alanine, arginine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, proline, serine, tryptophan, and valine were active. The mixture of these active amino acids was as active as the egg-mass homogenate at the same ratio and concentration, suggesting that the most important component as the kairomone in a host egg is the mixture of several amino acids.

We report two female patients with a history of alcohol abuse presenting with proximal painful muscle weakness following aversion therapy with emetine hydrochloride. Muscle biopsy of Case 1 showed a reversible floccular-shaped loss of myosin ATPase and dehydrogenase, an accumulation of PAS positive material, and a normal lipid content. Repeat biopsy showed core change with no focal loss of myosin ATPase. In Case 2, muscle biopsy was taken 1 month after commencement of emetine therapy and revealed similar but milder changes to Case 1. Electron microscopy revealed Z-band streaming with a decrease or loss of mitochondria. Sarcotubular systems appeared normal in shape and size. Anaerobic glycolysis on homogenate from the initial biopsy of Case 1 showed generalized reduction of lactate formation, which returned to normal in the repeat biopsy.

We report the case of an 11-year-old mentally retarded boy with recurrent myoglobinuria precipitated after a generalized tonic-clonic convulsion. No hemolysis was noted. Ischemic forearm test revealed no rise of venous lactate, suggesting a metabolic defect in an anaerobic glycolytic pathway. Histochemistry studies of the quadriceps muscle showed a normal appearance, but electron microscopy confirmed a moderate increase of the glycogen content in muscle. Direct measurement of glycolytic enzymes demonstrated a marked decrease of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) activity in muscle (4.4% of control mean) and hemolysate (8% of control mean). Enzyme characteristics of PGK from our patient (PGK Hamamatsu) using hemolysate demonstrated that it had normal Michaelis constants (Km), normal thermal stability, and a normal pH curve. The reason that hemolytic anemia was absent is uncertain. We concluded that a systematic enzyme analysis of the glycolytic pathway, especially of PGK, should be performed on myoglobinuric patients who are males, or who have an X-linked inheritance as suggested by the family history.

During the use of a therapeutic regimen of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) with leucovorin rescue in two cases of osteogenic sarcoma and malignant lymphoma without central nervous system (CNS) involvement, serial EEG monitoring before and after MTX infusion was performed with special reference to occipital basic activity. The EEGs were analyzed as to the power average spectrum using an ATAC-450 (NIHON KOHDEN). At 48 hours after the initiation of MTX, there was a transient but statistically significant slowing, such as a drop in the dominant frequency and a decrease in the alpha/theta ratio. Complete recovery of EEG changes occurred within one week. No clinical symptoms suggestive of CNS impairment were noted in either case. These data suggest that EEG alterations might be a reflection of subclinical CNS impairment. Therefore, serial EEGs might be a good early indicator for the detection of leukoencephalopathy in high-risk patients.

We report a 3-year-old boy with proximal painful muscle weakness associated with Kawasaki disease. The muscle biopsy revealed inflammatory cell infiltration with vasculopathy. This unique coexistence of polymyositis and Kawasaki disease is quite uncommon and suggests a newly recognized complication during Kawasaki disease.

We reported a 3-week-old girl with profound generalized weakness, requiring assisted ventilation. There was no consanguinity or family history of any neuromuscular disorders. Serum levels of GOT, GPT and CK were slightly elevated. Although the clinical manifestations mimicked those of Werdning-Hoffmann disease, a lack of the respiratory muscle involvement and the presence of high serum lactate levels suggested an underlying metabolic disorder. During the observation over the months, she gradually improved clinically and assisted ventilation was discontinued at 19 months. Muscle biopsies were performed at 4 and 19 months of age. The first biopsy showed an excessive mitochondrial aggregation and numerous ragged-red fibers. The second biopsy revealed rare ragged-red fibers. However there were definite neurogenic changes including type grouping and angulated fibers. Cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) stain was positive in less than 5% of fibers in the first biopsy but in all fibers in the second biopsy. Biochemical analysis using muscle specimens showed a decreased CCO activity; 18.5% of the control level in the first biopsy and 53.3% in the second biopsy. Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of immunologically reactive enzyme protein in both biopsies. Clinical manifestations of our patient were almost identical to those of two cases reported by DiMauro, et al (1983). The enzyme defect in this case was reversible in contrast to that in the fatal infantile form of CCO deficiency. Histochemical and biochemical bases for these differences were discussed.

Treatment results were retrospectively analyzed in 61 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (stage I: 21 cases, stage II: 40 cases) that were diagnosed between July, 1977 and Oct., 1987. The actuarial five-year survival rates for stages I and II were 84.4% and 50.7% respectively, whereas those were 47.5% and 75.3% respectively for those treated by radiotherapy (XRT) alone and combined radio-chemotherapy including all cases of stage I and II. Also the results of combined radio-chemotherapy were significantly better than those of XRT alone. Particularly, the pre-radio-chemotherapy group had a 5-year survival rate of 85.7%. In conclusion, the results of combined radio-chemotherapy, particularly pre-radio-chemotherapy, was significant between those of XRT alone.

We report a 54-year-old male with progressive, adult onset distal muscle weakness and intermittent paresthesia associated with preferential type II fiber centronuclear (myotubular) change and segmental demyelination in sural nerve. Morphometric analysis, single fiber teasing and graphic analysis of internode lengths confirms the segmental demyelination with no evidence of ongoing repetitive Schwann cell remyelination. Cases of adult onset centronuclear myopathy are reviewed. This cas provides evidence for a neurogenic component in the pathogenesis of the centronuclear neuromyopathies.

Biochemical analysis using biopsied muscle specimens was performed on 72 cases who had symptoms suggesting metabolic myopathies. Sixteen out of 72 cases (22%) were diagnosed as having chemically confirmed metabolic defects. Of these 16 cases, 9 had defects in the glycolytic pathway (glycogen storage disease type II; 3 cases, type III; 1 case, type V; 3 cases, phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency; 1 case, phosphoglucomutase deficiency; 1 case) and 7 cases in mitochondrial metabolism (complex IV deficiency; 4 cases, carnitine deficiency; 3 cases). Among 14 cases who were strongly suspected as having a defect in the glycolytic pathway because of abnormal ischemic forearm test, 6 (43%) showed biochemically proved glycolytic defects. These data suggest that care should be taken when evaluating the results of ischemic forearm test. In addition, we should carefully interpret the muscle histochemistry, because histochemical stains including PAS might be fairly normal in the defects with second step glycolytic pathway.

Thyroid hormone effects on the developing rat brain were analyzed regarding the nucleic acid contents and the rate of protein synthesis using PTU induced neonatal hypothyroid rat as a model for human congenital hypothyroidism. Significantly reduced amount of total DNA contents per brain and protein/DNA ratio were demonstrated in both cerebrum and cerebellum of the hypothyroid rat after 14 days, suggesting the disturbed cell formation and cell growth in the hypothyroid rat brain. And the maturation of the cerebellum extended later into postnatal life than does that of the cerebrum. Additional evidence by the reduced rate of protein synthesis in the hypothyroids would correlate with these altered morphogenesis. Postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) obtained from both control and hypothyroid brain homogenate, which was used for the experiment of protein synthesis, contained the same amount of the RNA contents. Therefore the defective protein synthesis might be attributed to the disturbed translational process of the genetic message in protein.

We report a 3-month-old female with infantile spasms that responded transiently to pyridoxine and permanently to oral L-dopa. Initial CSF levels of homovanillic acid were low, suggesting disturbed turnover of dopamine. These findings suggest that disturbed brain monoamine metabolism may be causally related to infantile spasms.

An 18-year-old boy, with no evidence of cardiac murmurs in the past, was admitted to our hospital after steering wheel injury on Nov 22, 1987. He immediately became in shock state. Physical examination revealed a grade 3/6 apical holosystelic murmur and moist rales in lungs. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a prolapsed anterior leaflet and a lot of pericardial effusion. He recovered soon after subxiphoid pericardiotomy, then we obtained bloody fluid of 200 microliters. In cardiac catheterization study, the pulmonary artery wedge pressure was elevated with a V-wave of 31 mmHg. Coronary angiogram, right ventriculogram, and aortogram were normal, but left ventriculography revealed grade 4 (Seller's) mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve replacement was performed with a Bjork-Shiley prosthesis on Feb 8, 1988. Anterior papillary muscle was in a white necrosis, but not ruptured. Mitral valve leaflets and chordae tendineae were intact. 12 cases of mitral regurgitation from non-penetrating blunt chest trauma were reported in Japan, but we first report a case of mitral regurgitation due to non-ruptured papillary muscle dysfunction.

We describe a patient with epilepsy characterized by eyelid myoclonus, which often evolved into complex partial seizures, hemiconvulsions, or generalized convulsions. The outstanding feature was that seizures became markedly more frequent on exposure to light, movement in daily life, and hot water immersion. The patient was highly susceptible to seizures under constant light, but the dopamine level in the cerebrospinal fluid was quite low, and administration of levodopa transiently suppressed the seizures.

We report a 5-year-old boy with lysosomal glycogen storage disease and normal acid maltase activity. This patient, the fourth reported in the literature, was referred to our hospital for evaluation of elevated serum GOT, GPT, and CK activities. He had neither muscle weakness nor atrophy. Echocardiography demonstrated marked thickening of the intraventricular septum and left ventricular wall which indicated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Biopsied skeletal muscle disclosed massive accumulation of glycogen and autophagic vacuoles. Electron microscopy of biopsied cardiac muscle revealed severe myofibrillar disruption with marked accumulation of free and intralysosomal glycogen. Activities of all major glycolytic enzymes in skeletal muscle, including acid maltase, were normal. It is unknown why muscle lysosomes appeared to be unable to digest the trapped glycogen despite the presence of acid maltase. Our findings illustrate the importance of performing skeletal muscle investigation during childhood in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.