Tatsuya Katsumata

Hatching ofSchistosoma mansoni eggs is a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent process

The effect of calcium channel blockers (diltiazem and verapamil) and a calmodulin antagonist (W-7) on the hatching ofSchistosoma mansoni eggs in fresh water was studied. The hatching of the eggs was inhibited by diltiazem and W-7 in a dose-dependent fashion and only slightly by verapamil. The present study indicates that the hatching ofS. mansoni eggs is a Ca2+/calmodulindependent process.

Possible involvement of calcium ions in the hatching of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in water.

The possibility of involvement of calcium ions in the hatching of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in water is described. The hatching of S. mansoni eggs under low osmotic pressure was partially inhibited by EGTA (5 mM), lanthanum chloride (1-5 mM), and ruthenium red (0.1-1 mM). The reagents used in these experiments were not toxic to the eggs however, because miracidia hatched normally when the reagents were removed.

A Case of Cronkhite–Canada Syndrome—With Special Reference to Magnifying Endoscopic Observation of Polyps and Coeliac Angiographic Findings—

The Cronkhite‐Canada syndrome was diagnosed in a 62 year‐old male in whom the gastrointestinal polyposis and ectodermal change disappeared after treatment with corticosteroids and albumin infusions. The major pathophysiologv of this syndrome is gastrointestinal polyposis. The polyps were examined in detail using a magnifying endoscope and then by spraying methylene blue onto the mucosa. It was shown that the polyps were formed by groups of intestinal glands each dilated by hyperaemia and oedema. Destruction of the dilated glands and opening of a pit at the central region were also observed. These changes were associated with secretion from the pit and it is suggested that this is the mechanism for the protein leakage.