Alzheimer disease is a dementing disorder characterized pathologically by Ab deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss. Although aged animals of many species spontaneously develop Ab deposits, only 2 species (chimpanzee and wolverine) have been reported to develop Ab deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in the same individual. Here, the authors demonstrate the spontaneous occurrence of Ab deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Among 22 cheetahs examined in this study, Ab deposits were observed in 13. Immunostaining (AT8) revealed abnormal intracellular tau immunoreactivity in 10 of the cheetahs with Ab deposits, and they were mainly distributed in the parahippocampal cortex and CA1 in a fashion similar to that in human patients with Alzheimer disease. Ultrastructurally, bundles of straight filaments filled the neuronal somata and axons, consistent with tangles. Interestingly, 2 of the cheetahs with the most severe abnormal tau immunoreactivity showed clinical cognitive dysfunction. The authors conclude that cheetahs spontaneously develop age-related neurodegenerative disease with pathologic changes similar to Alzheimer disease.

of Meddne Persuant to the increasing attention to pulmonary carcinoma many cases of pulmonary tumors have been reported and discussed. Our autopsy case of lung tumor, owing to the variety of its histologic structure, also threw much interest and difficulty upon the determination of its histogenesis. CLINICAL DATAThe patient was a 62 years old woman who was admitted to our university hospital on March 2, 1955 and expired on the 10th of the same month. Except for slight headache and dizziness which occurred at times during three years prior to admission, the patient was in good health. She sprained her left lower limb on Feb. 2,1955 and was kept in bed. On the following day she complained of headache and sensation of numbness. Two days thereafter nausea and vomiting lasting several days appeared. She saw a doctor and the diagnosis was hypertension and arteriosclerosis.Physical examination revealed a well developed and well nourished woman with a blood pressure of 198/112, temperature 36.8"C., pulse rate 70 and respiratory rate 17 per minute. The right upper portion of the lung was short to percussion, and auscultation revealed decreased respiratory murmurs. X-ray film revealed a round and well defined fist-sized shadow in the upper lobe of the right lung. The area of cardiac dullness was a little enlarged towards the left. The abdomen was almost normal though the liver was palpable about a finger breadth under the costal margin. Hypertensive retinopathy was observed. The patellar and Achilles reflexes were absent on the right side. Babinski's sign was present on the left side but absent on the right.Laboratory findings. Erythrocyte count was 3,610,000, hemoglobin was 70 per cent: leucocyte count was 8,800 with 90 per cent neutrophils. The specific gravity of the urine was 1020, with 3 plus albumin and with positive erythrocyte and leucocyte.The clinical diagnosis was pulmonary tumor (benign) and hypertension. With increasing turbidity of consciousness she died on the 8th day of hospitalization.

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Thorotrast (thorium dioxide) which was first used in diagnostic radiology, had at one time a widespread popularity as an excellent radiopaque material for angiography.

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