Amyloid-Producing Odontogenic Tumors of the Facial Skin in Three Cats

Amyloid-producing odontogenic tumors (APOTs) of the facial skin were diagnosed in 3 domestic cats. The neoplasms had the histopathological characteristics of the odontogenic tumor. The neoplastic cells were present in irregular islands, strands, and sheets. The peripheral neoplastic cells of the islands and strands were arranged in a palisading fashion, while the central cells were polyhedral to stellate and randomly arranged. Multiple spherules of homogeneous eosinophilic material were closely apposed to the neoplastic epithelial cells. The spherules stained with Congo red and produced an apple green birefringence under polarization microscopy, indicative of amyloid. Immunohistochemically, amyloid materials of the neoplasms reacted with polyclonal antibodies for ameloblastin, amelogenin, and sheathlin antibodies. Neoplastic epithelial cells also reacted with antiameloblastin, amelogenin, and sheathlin antibodies, with varied intensity. The histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of dermal neoplasms of the 3 cats were analogous to those of APOTs reported in the dog and the cat.

Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 in Oral and Ocular Canine Melanocytic Tumors

Solid tumors are composed of a heterogeneous population of cells surviving in various concentrations of oxygen. In a hypoxic environment, tumor cells generally up-regulate glycolysis and, therefore, generate more lactate that must be expelled from the cell through proton transporters to prevent intracellular acidosis. Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is a major proton transporter in mammalian cells that transports monocarboxylates, such as lactate and pyruvate, together with a proton across the plasma membrane. Melanocytic neoplasia occurs frequently in dogs, but the prognosis is highly site-dependent. In this study, 50 oral canine melanomas, which were subdivided into 3 histologic subtypes, and 17 ocular canine melanocytic neoplasms (14 melanocytomas and 3 melanomas) were used to examine and compare MCT1 expression. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal chicken anti-rat MCT1 antibody showed that most oral melanoma exhibited cell membrane staining, although there were no significant differences observed among the 3 histologic subtypes. In contrast, the majority of ocular melanocytic tumors were not immunoreactive. Additionally, we documented the presence of a 45-kDa band in cell membrane protein Western blots, and sequencing of a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction band of expected size confirmed its identity as a partial canine MCT1 transcript in 3 oral tumors. Increased MCT1 expression in oral melanomas compared with ocular melanocytic tumors may reflect the very different biology between these tumors in dogs. These results are the first to document canine MCT1 expression in canine tumors and suggest that increased MCT1 expression may provide a potential therapeutic target for oral melanoma.

Knee extension strength and post-operative functional prediction in quadriceps resection for soft-tissue sarcoma of the thigh

Objectives

Our objective was to predict the knee extension strength and post-operative function in quadriceps resection for soft-tissue sarcoma of the thigh.

Methods

A total of 18 patients (14 men, four women) underwent total or partial quadriceps resection for soft-tissue sarcoma of the thigh between 2002 and 2014. The number of resected quadriceps was surveyed, knee extension strength was measured with the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer system (affected side/unaffected side) and relationships between these were examined. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) score and the Short Form 8 were used to evaluate post-operative function and examine correlations with extension strength. The cutoff value for extension strength to expect good post-operative function was also calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Extension strength decreased when the number of resected quadriceps increased (p < 0.001), and was associated with lower MSTS score, TESS and EQ-5D (p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p = 0.006, respectively). Based on the functional evaluation scales, the cutoff value of extension strength was 56.2%, the equivalent to muscle strength with resection of up to two muscles.

Conclusion

Good post-operative results can be expected if at least two quadriceps muscles are preserved.

Cite this article: A. Tanaka, Y. Yoshimura, K. Aoki, M. Kito, M. Okamoto, S. Suzuki, T. Momose, H. Kato. Knee extension strength and post-operative functional prediction in quadriceps resection for soft-tissue sarcoma of the thigh. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:232–238. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.56.2000631.

Research Note. Transcriptomic study of the rat pinworm Syphacia muris

Syphacia muris is a ubiquitous nematode parasite and common contaminant of laboratory rats. A lthough S. muris infection is considered symptomless, it has some effects on the host’s immunity and therefore can interfere with experimental settings and interrupt final results. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the alteration within the host’s immunity remain unclear because of the absence of information about mRNA expressed in this parasite. In this study we performed the transcriptome profiling of S. muris by next-generation sequencing. After de novo assembly and annotation, 14,821 contigs were found to have a sequence homology with any nematode sequence. Gene ontology analysis showed that the majority of the expressed genes are involved in cellular process, binding, and catalytic activity. Although the rate of expressed genes involved in the immune system was low, we found candidate genes that might be involved in the alteration within the host’s immunity by regulating the host’s innate immune response.

Diagnostic arthroscopy in the treatment of minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures in children

INTRODUCTION

In minimally displaced pediatric lateral humeral condyle fractures, plain radiography cannot be used for accurate differential diagnosis of the cartilage lesion, and other imaging methods have demerits in their accuracy and their accessibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of arthroscopy to diagnose cartilage displacement in minimally displaced fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine children with minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures, an average of 6.6 years old, underwent combined arthroscopy and fixation surgery. Percutaneous fixation was performed with nondisplaced articular surface according to the arthroscopic findings, while in case of displaced fracture under arthroscopy, open fixation was preferred. The difference between the arthroscopic and radiographic findings was investigated.

RESULTS

Articular surface could be arthroscopically visualized in all patients. Under arthroscopy, cartilage hinges were maintained in seven cases and disrupted in two. Nondisplaced cartilage disruption was noted in one of these two cases, and percutaneous fixation was performed. A displaced articular surface was noted in the other one, where the patient underwent open surgery. At the last follow-up, an average of 14.7 months postoperatively, union and wide range of motion had been achieved without any complications.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of fracture displacement by merely using plain radiography was considered to be insufficient for minimally displaced cases. Diagnostic arthroscopy aided in the appropriate selection of either a percutaneous or open fixation method.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Involvement of microRNA214 and transcriptional regulation in reductions in mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase mRNA levels in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat livers

Hypocholesterolemia has been epidemiologically identified as one of the causes of stroke (cerebral hemorrhage). We previously reported that lower protein levels of mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD), which is responsible for reducing serum cholesterol levels in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), in the liver were caused by a reduction in mRNA levels. However, the mechanism responsible for reducing MPD expression levels in the SHRSP liver remains unclear. Thus, we compared microRNA (miR)-214 combined with the 3'-untranslated region of MPD mRNA and heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) between SHRSP and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). miR-214 levels in the liver were markedly higher in SHRSP than in WKY, whereas hnRNA levels were significantly lower. These results indicate that the upregulation of miR-214 and downregulation of MPD transcription in the liver both play a role in the development of hypocholesterolemia in SHRSP.

Diversity of Histologic Patterns and Expression of Cytoskeletal Proteins in Canine Skeletal Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common bone tumor, includes OS of the head (OSH) and appendicular OS (OSA). In dogs, it is classified into 6 histologic subtypes: osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, telangiectatic, giant cell, and poorly differentiated. This study investigated the significance of the histologic classification relevant to clinical outcome and the histologic and immunohistochemical relationships between pleomorphism and expression of cytoskeletal proteins in 60 cases each of OSH and OSA. Most neoplasms exhibited histologic diversity, and 64% of OS contained multiple subtypes. In addition to the above 6 subtypes, myxoid, round cell, and epithelioid subtypes were observed. Although the epithelioid subtypes were observed in only OSH, no significant difference in the frequency of other subtypes was observed. Also, no significant relevance was observed between the clinical outcome and histologic subtypes. Cytokeratin (CK) was expressed in both epithelioid and sarcomatoid tumor cells in various subtypes, and all CK-positive tumor cells also expressed vimentin. Vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were expressed in all subtypes. A few SMA-positive spindle-shaped tumor cells exhibited desmin expression. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive tumor cells were observed in many subtypes, and some of these cells showed neurofilament expression. Although OSH exhibited significantly stronger immunoreactivity for SMA than OSA, no significant difference in other cytoskeletal proteins was observed. Some tumor cells had cytoskeletal protein expression compatible with the corresponding histologic subtypes, such as CK in the epithelioid subtype and SMA in the fibroblastic subtype. Thus, canine skeletal OS is composed of pleomorphic and heterogenous tumor cells as is reflected in the diversity of histologic patterns and expression of cytoskeletal proteins.

Syphacia muris infection delays the onset of hyperglycemia in WBN/Kob-Lepr fa rats, a new type 2 diabetes mellitus model

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders and its continuous global increase is due to factors as population growth, urbanization, aging, and increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity. The effect of pinworm infection on the development of hyperglycemia was examined in WBN/K-Lepf (fa/fa) rats, a new model of the obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with pancreatitis. The rats were orally administered Syphacia muris eggs (infected group) and distilled water (control group). Hyperglycemia onset in the infected group was significantly delayed compared to the control group. Neither body weight nor intake of food and water were affected by S. muris infection. This study demonstrated that S. muris infection delayed the onset of T2DM in fa/fa rats and suggested that elucidation of the underlying mechanism and relevant pathways in the helminth-mediated protection may lead to the development of a new strategy to prevent diabetes mellitus.

Enhanced miR-210 expression promotes the pathogenesis of endometriosis through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

STUDY QUESTION

What are the roles of the microRNA miR-210-an miRNA that is up-regulated in endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs)-in the pathogenesis of endometriosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in their proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and angiogenesis through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In the pathogenesis of endometriosis, a number of roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) are becoming apparent.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

ECSCs and normal endometrial stromal cells (NESCs) were isolated from ovarian endometriotic tissues (patients aged 24-40 years undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy or evisceration for the treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts, n = 10) and the eutopic endometrial tissues without endometriosis (premenopausal patients aged 35-45 years undergoing hysterectomies for subserousal leiomyoma, n = 13), respectively.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We used a global gene expression microarray technique to identify downstream targets of miR-210, and we assessed the functions of miR-210 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by using the miR-210-transfected NESCs.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Gene expression microarray analysis revealed that one of the key target molecules of miR-210 is STAT3. In the NESCs, in comparison to the control, miR-210 transfection resulted in the induction of cell proliferation (P < 0.0005), the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) (P < 0.0005) and the inhibition of apoptosis (P < 0.05) through STAT3 activation [increased levels of mRNA (P < 0.0005), and protein (P < 0.005)]. In the ECSCs, inhibitors of STAT3 inhibited the cell proliferation and VEGF production (P < 0.05), and induced the apoptosis of these cells (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The roles of aberrant miR-210 expression were investigated only in the stromal component of ectopic and eutopic endometrium. Control endometrial tissues were obtained from premenopausal patients who had subserosal leiomyoma and NESC gene expression patterns may be altered in these women. Furthermore, the effects of STAT3 inhibitors were evaluated only in ECSCs and not in NESCs.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The present findings indicate that miR-210 induces NESCs to differentiate into the endometriotic phenotype and we speculate that up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in the creation of the endometriosis-specific cellular dysfunctions through epigenetic mechanisms. The data indicate that STAT3 inhibitors may be promising candidates for the treatment of endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (no. 13237327 to K.N., no. 25861500 to Y.K. and no. 23592407 to H.N.). There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Long-term mild exercise training enhances hippocampus-dependent memory in rats

Although exercise training improves hippocampus-related cognition, the optimum exercise intensity is still disputed. Based on the lactate threshold (LT, approximately 20 m/min on treadmill) of rats, we have shown that 2 weeks of training with stress-free mild exercise (ME, <LT), but not intense exercise (IE, >LT), comprising exercise stress, promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis (Okamoto et al., PNAS, 2012), a potential substrate for memory improvement. These results led us to postulate that long-term ME, but not IE, training leads to improved hippocampal function as assessed with a Morris water maze (MWM) task. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the changes in physiological stress levels and MWM task performance in rats assigned to 6 weeks of sedentary control (CONT), ME-training or IE-training conditions. Results showed that, compared to the other conditions, only IE causes general adaptive syndrome (GAS), including adrenal hypertrophy, thymic atrophy and hypercorticosteronemia. In the MWM, ME led to enhanced memory, but not learning, compared with CONT, while IE produced no change in either capacity, probably due to GAS. These findings support the hypothesis that 6 weeks of continuous ME training leads to enhanced hippocampus-related memory, which may have implications for both healthy adults and subjects with low physical capacity.

Growth hormone ameliorates adipose dysfunction during oxidative stress and inflammation and improves glucose tolerance in obese mice

Patients with adult growth hormone deficiency exhibit visceral fat accumulation, which gives rise to a cluster of metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia. Plasma growth hormone levels are lower in obese patients with metabolic syndrome than in healthy subjects. Here we examined the hypothesis that exogenous growth hormone administration regulates function of adipose tissue to improve glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Twelve-week-old obese male C57BL/6 J mice received bovine growth hormone daily for 6 weeks. In epididymal fat, growth hormone treatment antagonized diet-induced changes in the gene expression of adiponectin, leptin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and significantly increased the gene expression of interleukin-10 and CD206. Growth hormone also suppressed the accumulation of oxidative stress marker, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, in the epididymal fat and enhanced the gene expression of anti-oxidant enzymes. Moreover, growth hormone significantly restored glucose tolerance in obese mice. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, growth hormone prevented the decline in adiponectin gene expression in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These results suggest that growth hormone administration ameliorates glucose intolerance in obese mice presumably by decreasing adipose mass, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation in the visceral fat.

Long-term complete remission of multiple extranodal natural killer/T-cell-type posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder after surgical resection: a case report

BACKGROUND

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication of organ transplantation that results from immunosuppression therapy. Most cases of PTLD derive from the B-cell lineage. T-cell PTLD, particularly natural killer (NK)/T-cell PTLD, is quite rare; only a few cases have been described.

CASE REPORT

A 42-year-old woman received a living-related renal allograft from her father. Sixteen years after transplantation, the patient presented with a 1-week history of low-grade fever and epigastralgia. Computed tomography revealed intestinal masses and a right upper lung lobe mass. Gallium scintigraphy showed uptake in the abdominal mass. Epstein-Barr virus-related antibody was not detected in the patient's serum sample. We performed extirpation of the jejunum and ileum tumors. The pathologic findings showed that these 2 tumors were NK/T-cell lymphoma. After the operation, the lung mass rapidly enlarged, and right upper lobectomy was performed. The right upper lung lobe tumor showed the same histopathologic findings as the small bowel tumor. The final histologic diagnosis was established as multiple extranodal NK/T cell type PTLD of the small bowel and right upper lung lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

After reduction of the immunosuppressive agent, no recurrence of PTLD has been observed for the past 9 years.

Factors associated with the presence of multiple Lugol-voiding lesions in patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma

Multicentric squamous dysplasia of the esophagus is characterized by multiple Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) on Lugol chromoendoscopy. Multiple LVLs are associated with a very high risk of multiple cancers arising in the esophagus as well as the head and neck. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of multiple LVLs of the esophageal mucosa, we studied risk factors for the development of such lesions in 76 patients who had a current or previous diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. All patients underwent Lugol chromoendoscopy of the esophageal mucosa. The history of tobacco and alcohol use was documented. Polymorphisms of the aldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 (ALDH2) gene were identified by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers. Clinical factors related to multiple LVLs were analyzed. All patients with multiple LVLs were drinkers. On univariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84-122.45: P = 0.011), presence of the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.55-13.24: P = 0.006), and smoking index ≥1000 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.02-6.6: P = 0.045) were associated with multiple LVLs. On multivariate analysis, male sex (OR 10.02, 95% CI 1.13-88.44: P = 0.038) and presence of the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.4-14.82: P = 0.012) were associated with multiple LVLs. Among drinkers, a daily alcohol intake of ≥100 g pure ethanol with the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 17.5, 95% CI 1.97-155.59: P = 0.01) and a daily alcohol intake of <100 g pure ethanol with the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 8.85, 95% CI 1.68-46.69: P = 0.01) more strongly correlated with multiple LVLs than did a daily alcohol intake of <100 g pure ethanol without the ALDH2-2 allele, whereas a daily alcohol intake of ≥100 g pure ethanol without the ALDH2-2 allele (OR 4.0, 95% CI 0.54-29.81: P = 0.18) did not. In conclusion, male sex and the ALDH2-2 allele are associated with an increased risk for multiple LVLs of the esophageal mucosa in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Among drinkers with the ALDH2-2 allele, the risk of multiple LVLs increased in parallel to the daily alcohol intake.

An Anomalous Isotope Effect of 235U in U(IV)-U(VI) Chemical Exchange

The abundance ratios of 234U, 235U, 236U and 238U were determined by mass spectrometry on uranium samples obtained from a chromatographic uranium enrichment process based on the U(IV) - U(VI) chemical exchange reaction. According to standard theory, the elementary isotope effect in processes based on equilibrium chemical exchange is proportional to the mass difference of the isotopes. In the present work this has been confirmed for 234U, 236U and 238U. However, according to the observed data the fractionation between 234U and 235U is much smaller than the one between 235U and 236U in spite of the same mass difference in either isotopic pair. The anomaly of the fractionation is concluded to be due to the characteristics of 235U, which is the only odd mass number isotope in the present system.

Measurements of electron-induced neutrons as a tool for determination of electron temperature of fast electrons in the task of optimization laser-produced plasma ions acceleration

High intensity laser-plasma interaction has attracted considerable interest for a number of years. The laser-plasma interaction is accompanied by generation of various charged particle beams, such as high-energy proton and ions with high charge to mass ratio (Q/M; same as multi-charged ions). Results of simultaneous novel measurements of electron-induced photonuclear neutrons (photoneutron), which are a diagnostic of the laser-plasma interaction, are proposed to use for optimization of the laser-plasma ion generation. The proposed method is demonstrated by the laser irradiation with the intensity of 1 × 10(21) W/cm(2) on the metal foil target. The photoneutrons are measured by using NE213 liquid scintillation detectors. Heavy-ion signal is registered with the CR-39 track detector simultaneously. The measured signals of the electron-induced photoneutrons are well reproduced by using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System. The results obtained provide useful approach for analyzing the various laser based ion beams.

Excellent results of high-dose mizoribine combined with cyclosporine, basiliximab, and corticosteroids in renal transplant recipients--4-year results

BACKGROUND

Mizoribine (MZR) at 3 mg/kg/d shows less potent immunosuppressive effects, but high-dose MZR (6 mg/kg/d) was effective and safe in a 2-year study in conjunction with a regimen of cyclosporine (CsA), basiliximab, and corticosteroids.

METHODS

We compared 40 living-related kidney recipients administered MZR (6 mg/kg/d), CsA (7 mg/kg/d), prednisolone (maintenance dose 10 mg/d), and basiliximab (20 mg/body) with control group (n = 38) treated with CsA, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; 25 mg/kg/d), basiliximab, and corticosteroids.

RESULTS

The 4-year graft survival rates for the MZR vs MMF groups were 92.5% vs 94.7%, respectively, with serum creatinine levels of 1.66 ± 1.0 mg/dL vs 1.41 ± 0.42 mg/dL at 3 years, and 1.72 ± 1.16 mg/dL vs 1.56 ± 1.26 mg/dL at 4 years. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine levels between the 2 groups. The MZR group demonstrated a significantly higher rate of elevated serum uric acid values (29.7%). The numbers of patients treated with allopurinol at 4 years were 11/37 (29.7%) for MZR vs 2/36 (5.6%) for the MMF subjects (P < .05). Mean serum uric acid levels of the MZR vs MMF group at 4 years were 7.1 ± 1.9 mg/dL vs 7.0 ± 1.6 mg/dL, respectively (NS). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding bone marrow suppression or liver dysfunction. Severe cytomegalovirus infection was not observed at 3 and 4 years in either group. There were no severe gastrointestinal symptoms among the MZR or the MMF group at 3 or 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of high-dose MZR with CsA, basiliximab, and corticosteroids displayed excellent results over a 4-year follow-up.

Mini review on chemotherapy of taeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium in Asia, and a case report with 20 tapeworms in China

A 43-year-old Tibetan woman living in northwest Sichuan, China, confirmed to be a taeniasis carrier of Taenia solium was treated with pumpkin seeds combined with Areca nut extract in October 2009. All 20 tapeworms except one without scolex were expelled under good conditions. She was free of secondary cysticercosis within one year follow up. Although the first choice for treatment of taeniasis is still praziquantel, it may often cause serious side effect on asymptomatic cysticercosis cases to suddenly become symptomatic within a half day of the treatment. Therefore, the problems in treatment of taeniasis and/or cysticercosis in Asia are briefly overviewed, since other platyhelminthic diseases including schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis etc. are more common and praziquantel is strongly recommended for mass treatment of these trematodiases with no idea on the co-infection with eggs of T. solium which cause asymptomatic cysticercosis.

Fabrication of Porous 3-D Structure from Poly(L-lactide)-based Nanocomposite Foam via Enzymatic Degradation

In order to prepare a porous three-dimensional (3-D) structure in biodegradable polyester materials we have conducted the enzymatic degradation of a poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)-based nano-composite foam, having a nanocellular structure, using proteinase-K as a degrading agent at 37°C. The surface and cross sectional morphologies of the foam recovered after enzymatic hydrolysis for different intervals were investigated by using a scanning electron microscope. The nanocellular material took up a large amount of water, which led to the swelling of the foam due to the large surface area inside the nanocelluar structure, and facilitated the enzymatic degradation of the PLLA matrix as compared with the bulk (pre-foamed) sample. Consequently, we have successfully prepared a porous 3-D structure as a remaining scaffold in the core part of the nano-composite foam, reflecting the spherulites of the crystallized PLLA.

Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor expression and local immunoglobulin A production in bovine sublingual, submandibular and parotid salivary glands

The submandibular and parotid glands are the main sources of immunoglobulins A (IgAs) in human and rat saliva. These glands express the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which transports IgAs into saliva. The main source of IgAs in saliva and pIgR expression in salivary glands has not been well documented in cattle. Expressions of pIgR were determined in the major bovine salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular, and parotid) by RT-PCR for mRNA and by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) using an anti-human pIgR antibody for protein. The protein detected with the antibody was identified by nano-liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Additionally, the distribution of Ig-producing plasma cells was analyzed by IHC. RT-PCR showed that pIgR was expressed in the sublingual and submandibular glands, but not in the parotid gland. Higher protein levels were observed in sublingual glands than in submandibular glands by Western blot. By IHC, pIgR was mainly located on the apical side of the cytoplasmic membrane in the sublingual gland, whereas it was observed only on the basal side in the submandibular gland. The highest density of plasma cells expressing IgAs was observed in the sublingual gland. These results suggest that the sublingual gland plays an important role in first-line defence of the oral cavity in cattle in contrast to humans and rats.

Neonatal administration of phencyclidine decreases the number of putative inhibitory interneurons and increases neural excitability to auditory paired clicks in the hippocampal CA3 region of freely moving adult mice

Animals exposed to phencyclidine (PCP) during the neonatal period have fewer GABAergic interneurons in the corticolimbic area, including the hippocampus, and exhibit abnormal behaviors after attaining maturation that correspond with schizophrenic symptoms. Since a lack of inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampus has also been reported in postmortem studies of patients with schizophrenia, the deficit may induce abnormal activity of hippocampal neurons that underlies pathological states in schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear how PCP treatment during the neonatal period affects the discharge activity of hippocampal neurons in adulthood. In the current study, single unit responses of hippocampal CA3 neurons to paired auditory clicks were recorded in freely moving mice repeatedly injected with PCP or saline during the neonatal period. The recorded neurons were classified into two subpopulations, narrow-spike neurons and broad-spike neurons, based on the spike width. The spontaneous discharge rate was higher in the narrow-spike neurons than in the broad-spike neurons, indicating that the narrow-spike neurons correspond with hippocampal inhibitory neurons. The proportion of narrow-spike neurons was significantly smaller in neonatally PCP-treated mice than in saline-treated mice. The broad-spike neurons that exhibited a response magnitude to the second click as large as that to the first click (E/E-type response) showed longer response duration to the paired clicks in PCP-treated mice than in the saline-treated mice. Further, the number of neurons with E/E-type response was higher in the PCP-treated mice than in the saline-treated mice. Finally, the attenuation of an auditory-evoked potential component, N40, to the second click (sensory gating) was blunted in the PCP-treated mice when compared with that in the saline-treated mice. These results suggest that the neonatal administration of PCP induced a deficit of inhibitory interneurons and altered discharge activity of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region to the paired clicks, thereby inducing the deficit in sensory gating.

A case of living-donor renal transplantation for chronic renal failure caused by secondary amyloidosis

In Japan, amyloidosis is a rare cause of renal failure and of renal transplantation. We treated a patient who underwent a renal transplantation because of chronic renal failure caused by secondary amyloidosis with a good result. The patient was a 50-year-old woman who was diagnosed with secondary amyloidosis and an amyloid kidney. She underwent living donor renal transplantation after about 7 years of hemodialysis. During the 3-year posttransplantation period, she maintained good allograft function with a serum creatinine level about 1.2 mg/dL. Because of amyloidosis is a systemic disease, amyloid kidney patients often experience fatal complications, so the indications for renal transplantation in amyloid patients are still controversial. But if the patient's general condition is good, renal transplantation can be an effective therapy for patients with kidney failure caused by amyloidosis.

Rare spontaneous remission of hepatic artery aneurysm following ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation: a case report

A 60-year-old male patient with an unknown cause for cirrhosis and a hepatoma underwent an ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) from his son. The transplanted graft was his son's right lobe. For ABO incompatible transplantation, splenectomy was performed for desensitization. A catheter was inserted into the recipient's right hepatic artery for subsequent local immunosuppression. On the 15th postoperative day, a fusiform 15 × 10 mm aneurysm was observed in the graft right hepatic artery using ultrasonography and hepatic arteriography. At that time, the patient was also diagnosed to have an intraperitoneal abscess at the bottom of his left diaphragm. Administering antibiotics, we tried to embolize the aneurysm because of fear of rupture, but this manever failed because it was difficult to insert the wire in to the aneurysm to produce a stenosis around its proximal neck. However, because the aneurysm was not detectable on the 37th postoperative day, it was assumed to have embolized spontaneously. This relatively rare case revealed a hepatic artery aneurysm that spontaneously regressed after ABO incompatible LDLT.

Periostin, a matrix protein, is a novel biomarker for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are histopathologically classified into several types, including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP). We investigated whether periostin, a matrix protein, could be used as a biomarker to assess histopathological types of IIPs. We performed immunohistochemical analyses in each histopathological type of IIP, examined serum levels of periostin in IIP patients and analysed the relationship between serum levels of periostin and the pulmonary functions in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Periostin was strongly expressed in lungs of UIP and fibrotic NSIP patients, whereas expression of periostin was weak in the lungs of cellular NSIP and COP patients, as well as in normal lungs. Serum levels of periostin in IPF were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects and COP patients. Furthermore, periostin levels in IPF patients were inversely correlated with their pulmonary functions. Thus, we have found that periostin is a novel component of fibrosis in IIP. Periostin may be a potential biomarker to distinguish IIP with fibrosis.

A New Intramolecular Charge Transfer Material for Nonlinear Optics: Piperonal Derivatives

This paper describes a new organic nonlinear material, piperoniridene ethyl cyano acetate which shows short cut-off wavelength, good nonlinearity (better than POM in powder) and good crystallinity. These features of this compound encourage its application in second harmonic generation (SHG) coupled with semiconductor laser.