Kashu Shimabukuro

Thymus abnormalities in ulcerative colitis- comparative study with other autoimmune diseases.

SummarySince the thymus is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, thymic abnormalities were studied on 18 cases of ulcerative colitis by using pneumomediastinography and histopathological examination. We have compared the thymic abnormality of ulcerative colitis with that of 104 cases of variety of autoimmune diseases.The denser and larger thymic shadow was seen in ulcerative colitis and this finding was same as in other autoimmune diseases. But the thymic size in ulcerative colitis was the largest in all examined autoimmune diseases.The incidence of thymic lymphoid follicle formations in ulcerative colitis was significantly higher than that of accidental death and this high incidence of lymphoid follicle formation is similar to other autoimmune diseases. We suggested that ulcerative colitis might be caused by the abnormal thymus dependent system.

Lymphangiographic findings in Behçet's disease with lymphangiectasia of the small intestine.

Bipedal lymphography was performed in 5 cases of Behçets disease. In 4 of 5 cases, histologic examination of intestinal biopsy specimens showed lymphatic dilatation of the small intestine which were considered to be a characteristic finding of intestinal lymphangiectasia, a protein-losing enteropathy, but no patient with Behçets disease showed reduced concentration of serum total protein as well as abnormal value of 131I-PVP test. Lymphograms showed an increase in number of iliopelvic and lumbar lymphatic vessels as a major finding, but they failed to demonstrate a hypoplasia or aplasia of lymphatic system or obstruction of thoracic duct. It is conceivable that the lymphatic dilatation of the small intestine in Behçets disease may be related to increased flow of lymph due to excessive vascular hyperpermeability and may not be related to a block of lymphatic system which has been considered to be a cause of enteric protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia. The authors wish to emphasize that the dilatation of lymphatic vessel of the small intestine is not a sufficient finding to indicate the presence of protein-losing enteropathy.

Immunoglobulin-containing cells in the intestinal mucosa in ulcerative colitis

SummaryNine patients with ulcerative colitis who received thymectomy were selected for the immunological study. The study on the distribution of immunoglobulin—containing cells in the colonie mucosa revealed practically no significant trend in IgG—or IgM—containing cell distribution in any of 7 cases of ulcerative colitis, compared with normal controls, whereas an evidence was noted for increased population of IgA-containing cells in 2 of these 7 cases However, a tendency to restore to normal levels in the serum immunoglobulins but IgM was noted after thymectomy.No significant relationship between the distribution of immunoglobulin—containing cells in the intestinal mucosa and the rentogenologic or endoscopic findings of the colon, or serum immunoglobulin levels could be observed in this study.

An autopsy case of liver cirrhosis due to schistosoma japonicum, combined with hepatoma and gastric cancer

SummaryNot many cases have been reported of liver cirrhosis due to schistosomiasis complicated by hepatoma except for those recently reported by Iuchi and his co-workers. Furthermore, a simultaneous occurrence of hepatoma and gastric carcinoma appears to be extremely rare.The authors report a case of a 48-year-old Japanese male with liver cirrhosis probably due to schistosomiasis as well as hepatoma and a superficial spreading type of carcinoma of the stomach.

The role of lymphatic truct on intestinal absorption (II) protein absorption in mackee’s dogs

ConclusionIt was emphasized that lymphatic truct played important role on intestinal absorption and transportation of protein as well as portal vein.