[A case of tuberculous endometritis detected by cytology of mass screening for gynecologic cancer]

A 55-year-old infertile woman was referred to our clinic for further investigation on extragenital tuberculosis, as tuberculous endometritis was strongly suspected by cytology of her vaginal smear carried out on the occasion of the mass examination for gynecologic cancer screening. Her vaginal smear revealed epithelioid cell clusters which are characteristic for tuberculosis, and cultures of her vaginal discharge were positive for M. tuberculosis consecutively. Moreover, she was exposed for tuberculosis infection from her father who died of active pulmonary tuberculosis when she was ten years old. Her tuberculin test was strongly positive, and her chest radiography showed no abnormality, but a small nodular shadow evaluated as primary focus of tuberculosis located beneath the pleura of the right lower lung field was confirmed by chest CT. In addition, calcification of her para-aortic abdominal lymphnode was detected by simple abdominal X-ray. Based on these data, she was diagnosed as tuberculous endometritis via abdominal cavity, and three antituberculous drugs, namely RFP, INH and EB, were administrated. The mycobacterial cultures of vaginal discharge converted to negative, and chemotherapy was terminated after 9 months treatment. A risk factor leading to the onset of gynecologic tuberculosis, in this case was an exposure to infection from her father. In order to evaluate risk factors relating to the development of gynecologic tuberculosis, bibliographic studies were made on 19 cases of tuberculous endometrites reported recently in Japan regarding their age, its pathogenesis and immuno-suppressive conditions, and the summarized results were as follows. 1. approximately 80% of them were elderly, namely 79% were above 50 years, 63% above 60 years, and 26% above 70 years. 2. 50% of them were caused by endogenous reactivation. 3. 25% of them were immuno-compromised host. It can be concluded that more than 70% of the patients with tuberculous endometritis had risk factors on the host side to develop tuberculosis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human gliomas: prognostic significance and molecular correlations

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the inducible isoform of prostaglandin H synthase, has been implicated in the growth and progression of a variety of human cancers. Although COX-2 overexpression has been observed in human gliomas, the prognostic or clinical relevance of this overexpression has not been investigated to date. In addition, no study has analyzed the relationship between COX-2 expression and other molecular alterations in gliomas. Consequently, we examined COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in tumor specimens from 66 patients with low- and high-grade astrocytomas and correlated the percentage of COX-2 expression with patient survival. We also analyzed the relative importance of COX-2 expression in comparison with other clinicopathological features (age and tumor grade) and other molecular alterations commonly found in gliomas (high MIB-1 level, p53 alteration, loss of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein or p16, and high bcl-2 level). Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that high COX-2 expression (>50% of cells stained positive) correlated with poor survival for the study group as a whole (P < 0.0001) and for those with glioblastoma multiforme in particular (P < 0.03). Cox regression analyses demonstrated that COX-2 expression was the strongest predictor of outcome, independent of all other variables. In addition, high COX-2 expression correlated with increasing histological grade but did not correlate with positive p53 immunostaining, bcl-2 expression, loss of p16 or retinoblastoma protein expression, or high MIB-1 expression. These findings indicate that high COX-2 expression in tumor cells is associated with clinically more aggressive gliomas and is a strong predictor of poor survival.

Thermoregulatory responses to low-intensity prolonged swimming in water at various temperatures and treadmill walking on land

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of water temperature on the human body during low-intensity prolonged swimming. Six male college swimmers participated in this study. The experiments consisted of breast stroke swimming for 120 minutes in 23 degrees C, 28 degrees C and 33 degrees C water at a constant speed of 0.4 m.sec-1 in a swimming flume. The same subjects walked on a treadmill at a rate of approximately 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) at the same relative intensity as the three swimming trials. Rectal temperature (Tre) in 33 degrees C water was unchanged during swimming for 120 minutes. Tre during treadmill walking increased significantly compared to the three different swimming trials. Tre, mean skin temperature (Tsk) and mean body temperature (Tb) in 23 degrees C and 28 degrees C water decreased significantly more than in both the 33 degrees C water and walking on land. VO2 during swimming in 23 degrees C water increased more than during swimming in the 28 degrees C and 33 degrees C trials; however, there were no significant differences in VO2 between the 23 degrees C swimming trial and treadmill walking. Heart rate (HR) during treadmill walking on land increased significantly compared with HR during the three swimming trials. Plasma adrenaline concentration at the end of the treadmill walking was higher than that at the end of each of the three swimming trials. Noradrenaline concentrations at the end of swimming in the 23 degrees C water and treadmill walking were higher than those during the other two swimming trials. Blood lactate concentration during swimming in 23 degrees C water was higher than that during the other two swimming trials and walking on land. These results suggest that the balance of heat loss and heat production is maintained in the warm water temperature. Therefore, a relatively warm water temperature may be desirable when prolonged swimming or other water exercise is performed at low intensity.

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation within focal adhesions in chemotaxis toward FGF-2 by murine brain capillary endothelial cells

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate a number of angiogenic cellular responses such as migration of endothelial cells. To examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in endothelial cell migration, chemotaxis toward FGF-2 was determined in murine brain capillary endothelial cells, denoted IBE cells. PD98059, a specific inhibitor for MAPK/Erk kinase, inhibited FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of IBE cells. It has been reported that c-Src tyrosine kinase phosphorylates focal adhesion kinase at tyrosine 925 within focal adhesions, which in turn creates the binding site for Grb2, leading to MAPK activation. The Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP1, as well as overexpression of kinase-inactive c-Src, attenuated chemotaxis toward FGF-2. To investigate the signaling events involved in FGF-2-induced chemotaxis, MAPK activation was monitored in IBE cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining. Activated MAPK was initially observed in the cytoplasm and gradually moved into nuclei. A fraction of MAPK was activated by FGF-2 within focal adhesions, where FGF receptor-1 and Src family kinases were also colocalized. MAPK activation within focal adhesions was remarkably decreased in kinase-inactive c-Src-expressing IBE cells. Our data suggest that activation of MAPK by FGF-2 within focal adhesions may depend on c-Src activity and is crucial for FGF-2-induced migration of IBE cells.

Survey of mariner-like elements in the housefly, Musca domestica

The presence of mariner-like elements in four strains of the housefly, Musca domestica, was surveyed by PCR. Using the inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences of the Mos 1 element as primers, DNAs were successfully amplified from all strains of the housefly. Southern blot analysis indicated that these amplified DNAs were repetitive sequences in the genome of M. domestica. Sequence analyses of cloned PCR products showed that they were 45% identical to the Mos 1 element. These fragments appeared to be nonfunctional, because they contained no intact open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding transposase. We conclude that these DNAs are degraded mariner-like elements (MLEs) in M. domestica. Because these endogenous MLEs in M. domestica do not encode any functional proteins, they probably would not affect the behavior of mariner-based vectors if such were introduced into this species as transformation vectors.

Fipronil modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor is an important site of action of a variety of chemicals, including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, picrotoxin, bicuculline, general anesthetics, alcohols, and certain insecticides. Fipronil is the first phenylpyrazole insecticide introduced for pest control. It is effective against some insects that have become resistant to the existing insecticides. To elucidate the mechanism of fipronil interaction with the mammalian GABA system, whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed using rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in primary culture. Fipronil suppressed the GABA-induced whole-cell currents reversibly in both closed and activated states. The IC(50) values and Hill coefficients for fipronil block of the GABA(A) receptor were estimated to be 1.66 +/- 0.18 microM and 1.23 +/- 0.14 for the closed receptor, respectively, and 1.61 +/- 0.14 microM and 0.96 +/- 0.06 for the activated receptor, respectively. The association rate and dissociation rate constants of fipronil effect were estimated to be 673 +/- 220 M(-1) s(-1) and 0.018 +/- 0.0035 s(-1) for the closed GABA(A) receptor, respectively, and 6600 +/- 380 M(-1) s(-1) and 0.11 +/- 0.0054 s(-1) for the activated GABA(A) receptor, respectively. Thus, both the association and dissociation rate constants of fipronil for the activated GABA(A) receptor are approximately 10 times as large as those for the closed receptor. Experiments with coapplication of fipronil and picrotoxinin indicated that they did not compete for the same binding site to block the receptor. It is concluded that although fipronil binds to the GABA(A) receptor without activation, channel opening facilitates fipronil binding to and unbinding from the receptor.

Physiological responses to water-walking in middle aged women

The purpose of the present study was to examine the physiological responses to water-walking using the Flowmill, which has a treadmill at the base of a water-flume, in two groups of women. In the first group, the women were known to regularly swim and exercise in water (group A), while in the second, they did not routinely participate in water-exercise (group B). In both groups, twelve healthy female volunteers in their fifties participated in the study. All of the subjects walked in water using the Flowmill for the first time. Subjects completed four consecutive bouts of 4-minute duration at progressively increasing speeds (20, 30, 40, and 50 m.min-1), with 1-minute rests between each bout. In addition, water-velocity was adjusted to the walking speed of each bout. The water-depth of the Flowmill was the level of the xiphoid process. The water and room temperatures were 30.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 24.9 +/- 0.4 degrees C, respectively. In both groups, the relationship between walking speed and oxygen uptake (VO2) as well as that between walking speed and heart rate (HR) changed exponentially as the walking speed increased, and the relationship between HR and VO2 was linear. The relationship between HR and VO2 was similar in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the two groups. VO2 and HR of group B during water-walking, however, were significantly higher than those of group A at all walking speeds. The results of this study clearly showed that experience in moving through the water strongly affects physiological responses to water-exercise, even when fitness levels are equivalent.

The biological effect of phthalate esters on transabdominal migration of the testis in fetal rats in comparison with the antiandrogen flutamide

Phthalate esters are commonly used as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride and are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. We previously reported that mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) administered to rat fetuses induced cryptorchidism postnatally. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effect of MBP on the transabdominal migration of the testis in prenatal rats by comparing this with the prenatal effect of the antiandrogen flutamide on testicular descent. Time-pregnant Wistar King A rats were divided into three groups: group I rats (N = 3) were administered MBP 0.3 g/day by gavage from gestational days 15 to 18; group II rats (N = 3) were injected with flutamide (30 mg/day) from gestational days 15 to 18; group III rats (N = 3) were administered solvent as controls. On the 19th gestational day, all rats underwent a cesarean section and the male fetuses were dissected to examine the position of the testis, which was significantly higher in the abdominal cavity in the MBP-treated rats than in either the flutamide-treated or control rats. No significant difference was observed in the position of the testis between the flutamide-treated and control rat fetuses. Our findings suggest that maternal MBP prevented transabdominal migration of the testis in prenatal rats, which may not have been due to either an antiandrogenic or estrogenic effect of MBP, but to a direct toxic effect of MBP on the testis.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism in transparent transition metal-doped titanium dioxide

Dilute magnetic semiconductors and wide gap oxide semiconductors are appealing materials for magnetooptical devices. From a combinatorial screening approach looking at the solid solubility of transition metals in titanium dioxides and of their magnetic properties, we report on the observation of transparent ferromagnetism in cobalt-doped anatase thin films with theconcentration of cobalt between 0 and 8%. Magnetic microscopy images reveal a magnetic domain structure in the films, indicating the existence of ferromagnetic long-range ordering. The materials remain ferromagnetic above room temperature with a magnetic moment of 0.32 Bohr magnetons per cobalt atom. The film is conductive and exhibits a positive magnetoresistance of 60% at 2 kelvin.

The specific expression of three novel splice variant forms of human metalloprotease-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 gene inBrain tissues and gliomas

We have previously identified 67 exons on a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning 1.5 Mb around the multidrug resistance 1 gene region of human chromosome 7q21.1. In this study, we identified three novel cytoplasmic variants (MDC2-gamma, MDC2-delta, and MDC2-epsilon) of the human metalloprotease-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 (MDC2) among these exons by screening a human brain cDNA library and also by using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Genomic sequence analysis strongly supported the idea that the variations in the cytoplasmic domain were generated by alternative splicing. The expression of MDC2 variant forms in human brain tissue and gliomas was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNase protection assay. MDC2-epsilon was expressed only in the cortical and hippocampal regions in human brain, but not in gliomas. In contrast, MDC2-gamma was a major form expressed in human gliomas. Specific expression of these cytoplasmic variants of MDC2 in human brain and its malignancies is discussed.

Relationship between flow cytometric DNA ploidy and nuclear grade with endocrine dysfunction in adrenal cortical adenomas

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship among the DNA ploidy, histopathologic features, and clinical syndrome in adrenal cortical adenomas, because the cells often show variability in nuclear size and configuration.

METHODS

Our study included 44 adenomas associated with primary aldosteronism and 23 adenomas associated with Cushing syndrome. Normal adrenal glands from patients with renal carcinoma served as the controls. Paraffin-embedded tissues were examined for DNA content by flow cytometry. The mean percentage of G(2)/M (4C%) of the control samples was 3.8%. Tetraploid was represented by a histogram with both a 4C peak greater than 9% (mean + 2.4 SD of control samples) and a small 8C peak.

RESULTS

Flow cytometric analysis revealed diploidy in 30, tetraploidy in 27, and aneuploidy in 8 of the 67 adenomas; 2 adenomas could not be classified. All 17 normal adrenal glands showed diploidy. A significant relationship was noted between DNA ploidy and the clinical syndrome (ie, a larger proportion of adenomas with primary aldosteronism had a tetraploid DNA histogram compared with adenomas with Cushing syndrome, P <0. 0001). Adenomas with primary aldosteronism had a significantly higher nuclear grade (III or IV) than did tumors with Cushing syndrome (P = 0.033). A significant relationship was also observed between DNA ploidy and nuclear grade in 57 euploid tumors, with tetraploid tumors often showing the highest nuclear grade (P = 0. 037).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have demonstrated that adrenal cortical adenomas associated with primary aldosteronism often reveal severe nuclear pleomorphism, indicating that nuclear pleomorphism might be due to a tetraploid stemline.

Time-specific effects of mono-n-butyl phthalate on the transabdominal descent of the testis in rat fetuses

OBJECTIVE

To determine the time-specific effects of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) on the transabdominal migration of the testis in fetal rats. Materials and methods Three groups of pregnant rats were administered MBP by stomach-tube feeding when the fetus was at 7-10 days of gestation in group 1, 11-14 days in group 2, and 15-18 days in group 3; controls (group 4) were given vehicle only from 7-18 days. At 20 days of gestation the fetuses were obtained by Caesarean section, and the position of the testes, the development of the gubernaculum, cranial suspensory ligament and the epididymis were examined.

RESULTS

The timed intervals of MBP administration showed that the maximum inhibition of transabdominal testicular descent was at 15-18 days of gestation. There was an elongated gubernaculum and hypertrophic cranial suspensory ligament in the MBP-treated rat fetuses. Furthermore, the epididymis showed a few small ducti deferentia, although there were no remarkable changes in either the Sertoli and Leydig cells in these testes. The mean (SEM) content of testicular testosterone was significantly less (P < 0.001) in the MBP-treated rats, at 50.9 (3.8) pg/testis, than in the controls, at 676 (33.3) pg/testis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that a brief exposure to MBP during fetal development can inhibit the transabdominal migration of the testis and reduce testosterone content in rats, although the relationship between migration and the testicular testosterone content remains unknown.

Physiological responses and RPE during underwater treadmill walking in women of middle and advanced age

The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological responses and RPE during water walking using the Flowmill, which has a treadmill at the base of a water flume, in order to obtain basic data for prescribing water walking for people of middle and advanced age. Twenty healthy female volunteers with an age of 59.1 +/- 5.2 years took part in this study. They belonged to the same swimming club and regularly swam and exercised in water. Walking in water took place in the Flowmill. Subjects completed four consecutive bouts of 4 min duration at progressively increasing speeds (20, 30, 40 and 50 m/min) with 1 min rest between each bout. In addition, water velocity was adjusted to the walking speed of each bout. Subjects were instructed to swing both arms in order to maintain their balance during walking in water. The water depth was to the level of the xiphoid process and the water temperature was 30.31 +/- 0.08 degrees C. Both heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO2) increased exponentially as walking speed increased. HR was 125 +/- 15 bpm, and VO2 was 18.10 +/- 2.72 ml/kg.min-1 during walking in water at 50 m/min, which was the highest speed. The exercise intensity at this speed was equivalent to 5.2 +/- 0.8 Mets. The relationship between HR and VO2 during walking in water showed a highly significant linear relationship in each subject. There was also a highly significant linear relationship in the mean HR and VO2 of all subjects. Blood lactate concentration (LA) measured at rest and immediately after each bout was 1.1 +/- 0.4 mmol/l at rest, 1.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/l at 20 m/min, 1.0 +/- 0.3 mmol/l at 30 m/min, 1.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/l at 40 m/min, and 2.4 +/- 0.7 mmol/l at 50 m/min. LA at 50 m/min was significantly higher than at rest and at the other speeds. The relationship between HR and RPE during walking in water showed a highly significant linear relationship. The relationship between walking speed and energy expenditure calculated from VO2 and the respiratory exchange ratio (R) showed a high significant exponential relationship. These results suggested that HR and RPE can be effective indices for exercise prescription during Flowmill walking as with land walking.

The nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase c-Fes is involved in fibroblast growth factor-2-induced chemotaxis of murine brain capillary endothelial cells

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-induced migration of endothelial cells is involved in angiogenesis in vivo. However, signal transduction pathways leading to FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of endothelial cells are largely unknown. Previous studies have shown that the cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase c-Fes is expressed in vascular endothelial cells and may influence angiogenesis in vivo. To investigate the contribution of c-Fes to FGF-2 signaling, we expressed wild-type or kinase-inactive human c-Fes in the murine brain capillary endothelial cell line, IBE (Immortomouse brain endothelial cells). Wild-type c-Fes was tyrosine-phosphorylated upon FGF-2-stimulation in transfected cells, whereas kinase-inactive c-Fes was not. Overexpression of wild-type c-Fes promoted FGF-2-independent tube formation of IBE cells. Tube formation was not observed with endothelial cells expressing kinase-inactive c-Fes, indicating a requirement for c-Fes kinase activity in this biological response. Expression of kinase-defective c-Fes suppressed endothelial cell migration following FGF-2 treatment, suggesting that activation of endogenous c-Fes may be required for the chemotactic response. Expression of either wild-type c-Fes or the kinase-inactive mutant did not affect the tyrosine phosphorylation FRS2, Shc, or phospholipase C-gamma, nor did it influence the kinetics of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. These results implicate c-Fes in FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of endothelial cells through signaling pathways not linked to mitogenesis.

A comparative study of apoptosis and proliferation in germinoma and glioblastoma

Intracranial germinoma has a relatively good prognosis when treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, whereas glioblastoma has a poor prognosis irrespective of these treatments. Cell proliferation and cell death are opposing processes in tumor growth, with tumor progression reflecting the balance between proliferating and apoptotic cells. We investigated cell proliferation and cell death using MIB-1 staining and nick-end labeling in 13 germinomas in comparison with 11 glioblastomas. Expression of BAX and Bcl-2, which regulate apoptosis, were studied by immunohistochemistry. Although germinomas showed strong MIB-1 immunostaining similar to that seen in glioblastomas, germinomas included significantly more apoptotic cells. The ratio of apoptotic ratio to MIB-1 labeling index for germinomas was 72.9 +/- 36.9 (mean +/- SD), a higher, statistically significant ratio as compared with glioblastomas (14.5 +/- 11.2; P < 0.01). Furthermore, germinomas showed greater expression of BAX than did glioblastomas, while the expression of Bcl-2 was weak in both tumor types. A comparison of these apoptotic-related proteins showed that immunoreactivity for BAX was relatively higher in germinomas than in glioblastomas (P < 0.01), corresponding well to numerous apoptotic cells identified in germinoma tissues. These findings may account for the prognostic difference between germinoma and glioblastoma in the face of a similar proliferation potential according to MIB-1 immunostaining. The balance between cell proliferation and death should be considered when predicting outcomes in patients with intracranial tumors.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and malignant transformation of a meningioma: case report

Although meningiomas are common benign intracranial tumors which grow slowly, we occasionally encountered aggressive or malignant ones. One of these cases showed an interesting relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A 39-year-old woman underwent resection of a sphenoid ridge meningioma; the residual tumor showed evidence of malignant transformation 14 years later. We immunohistochemically examined six successive surgical specimens plus the autopsy specimen of this patient's tumor for proliferative potential, vascularity, and expression of various growth factors. In the latter stage of clinical courses, proliferative potential and vascularity was seen to increase year by year. Expression of VEGF was upregulated and correlated with vascularity. On the other hand, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were not overexpressed in this tumor. This case suggests that overexpression of VEGF and increased angiogenic potential might be involved in malignant transformation of meningiomas.

Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence and gene expression of a cytochrome P450 (CYP6F1) from the pyrethroid-resistant mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say

To analyze cytochrome P450s in the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, we quantified the content of P450s and b5 in larval microsomes of guts and carcasses. Results indicated that content was 30 times higher in guts than in carcasses. A conserved region in the alignment of insect P450 family 6 (CYP6) proteins served as a guide for the synthesis of degenerate oligonucleotide primers to clone P450 cDNAs. Primers were used in the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of gut mRNA from 4th-instar larvae of the permethrin-susceptible or resistant C. quinquefasciatus. PCR products of ca. 250 base pairs (bp) were cloned, and nucleotide sequences of 35 clones from susceptible and 28 from resistant strains determined. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences from these clones showed them to be classifiable into six isoforms. We next screened a cDNA clone (CYP6F1) from a gut cDNA library and determined the nucleotide sequence. Northern blot analysis showed that the CYP6PF1 gene in the permethrin-resistant strain appeared to be expressed more strongly than in the susceptible strain. The deduced amino acid of CYP6F1 showed that it has conserved domains of a membrane-anchoring signal, reductase binding sites, a heme-binding site, ETLR motif and substrate recognition sites in P450s. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CYP6F1 is strongly related to CYP6D1 involved in pyrethroid detoxification.

Comparative studies of fertility and histologic development of contralateral scrotal testes in two rat models of unilateral cryptorchidism

Fertility and the development of the contralateral scrotal testis in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism (UCO) remain controversial. This study investigated these controversies in two different UCO rat models using 43 Wistar King A rats. The animals were divided into three groups: I: an endocrinologic model of UCO was obtained by injecting pregnant dams with flutamide 100 mg/kg per day on days 15-17 of gestation (n = 12); II (n = 21): a mechanical model of UCO was obtained by extra-abdominal fixation of the gubernaculum in the neonatal period, III (n = 10): non-treated rats were used as controls. At the age of 90 days, 5 rats from each group were segregated into individual cages and housed with two virgin adult females for 2 weeks. The occurrence of pregnancy and litter sizes were counted in order to study fertility. All the animals were then weighed and killed. The occurrence of testicular descent, growth of the external genitalia, and epididymal development were examined. Morphologic and histologic evaluations were performed in the cryptorchid and contralateral testes. In the endocrinologic model (group I) the 10 female rats failed to show any offspring (0%), while in the mechanical model (group II) 9 out of 10 rats had offspring (90%, P < 0.001); 10 out of 10 control rats showed offspring. All of the rats in groups I and II had UCO, and the undescended testes were located in the superficial inguinal position, while the contralateral and control testes descended into the scrotum. Hypospadias and a small epididymis were frequently noted in the flutamide-treated rats. Testicular weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, and spermatogenesis were all significantly reduced in the undescended testes (UDT) compared to the contralateral and control testes. Moreover, the development of the contralateral testis was inhibited in group I compared to groups II and III. Our observations showed that short-term exposure to flutamide in utero induced significantly reduced fertility and degenerated contralateral scrotal testes in UCO rats compared to mechanically-induced UCO rats by early adulthood. It is suggested that fertility potential and testicular development in unilateral UDT may be partially due to the factors that induce testicular maldescent, especially in cases due to intrauterine hormonal abnormalities. These cases may show inhibited fertility and testicular development even after orchiopexy.

Pituitary abscess secondary to isolated sphenoid sinusitis

Intracranial complications from isolated sphenoid sinusitis are rare but nevertheless demonstrate both a high morbidity and mortality. We herein report a case of a pituitary abscess secondary to sphenoid sinusitis in a 12-year-old boy. This patient presented with an acute onset of moderate fever and headache, followed by progressive right ptosis. An emergency endoscopic endonasal sphenoidotomy with sinus drainage and postoperative antibiotic therapy resulted in a satisfactory recovery.

Role of thrombospondin-1-derived peptide, 4N1K, in FGF-2-induced angiogenesis

Angiogenesis involves proliferation of capillary endothelial cells and formation of lumen-containing tube-like structures. A recently established murine brain capillary endothelial cell line, IBE, can either proliferate or form tube-like structures (i.e., differentiate) in response to fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), dependent on the culture conditions. The 4N1K peptide (KRFYVVMWKK), which is derived from the C-terminal cell-binding domain of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), inhibited tube formation, but not proliferation of IBE cells. Polyclonal antibodies against 4N1K blocked TSP-1-induced inhibition of tube formation by IBE cells. 4N1K inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and FGF-2-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma in tube-forming, but not proliferating, IBE cells. The peptide also inhibited FGF-2-induced neovascularization in mouse cornea. Our results indicate that TSP-1 may exert its inhibitory effects on angiogenesis via the C-terminal cell-binding domain containing the 4N1K sequence by inhibiting tube formation by endothelial cells.

[Influence of scalp shaving on prevention of postoperative intracranial infection]

Shaving of the whole scalp is ordinarily performed prior to neurosurgical operation. Although it is performed in order to prevent postoperative intracranial infection, there has been no apparent basis for this practice published in previous reports. We examined whether shaving the whole scalp reduced the rate of postoperative infection or not. We divided 274 cases, who received their first intracranial operation in the last 2 years, into two groups; a whole shaving group and a partial shaving group. We compared the rate of postoperative intracranial infection between the two groups according to age, diagnosis, operation, operation time and placement of drainage. Overall, 12 cases out of 274 (4.38%) had postoperative intracranial infection. The long operation time and the long term placement of drainage mechanism increased the postoperative intracranial infection rate. There was no postoperative intracranial infection in 74 patients who received burr-hole/twist-drill operation. As for craniotomy/craniectomy operations, 7 cases out of 83 (8.4%) in the partial scalp-shaving group whole scalp shaving group and 5 cases out of 117 (4.2%) had postoperative intracranial infections. Thus, there was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative intracranial infection between the two groups, if anything, the whole scalp shaving group tended to show a higher rate. According to these results, partial scalp shaving did not increase the rate of postoperative intracranial infection. Considering that patients who have lost their hair find it embarrassing to return to society, it is well to know that the whole scalp shaving is not absolutely necessary for all first craniotomy.

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder: A case report and review of the Japanese literature

We describe a patient with primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder associated with typical clinical symptoms. Systolic blood pressure frequently increased to 300 mm Hg immediately after micturition. Levels of urinary vanillylmandelic acid excretion and serum norepinephrine were significantly elevated. The tumor was removed by partial cystectomy. Histological examination of the tumor revealed paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. Compared with a review of 53 similar cases reported in Japan, the distribution of age, sex and tumor location in the bladder differed from those described worldwide.

Does maternal stress induce abnormal descent of the testis in prepubertal rats?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether prenatal maternal stress, considered to alter plasma testosterone concentration and induce a lack of testosterone surge in male rat fetuses, has any effect on the growth of the processus vaginalis and testicular descent in male offspring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pregnant rats were divided into two groups. In group 1, the rats were placed three times daily for 60 min each session in Plexiglas rat holders (13x6x8 cm) illuminated by two 150-W flood lights from day 14 to day 18 of gestation during the dark phase of the animals' light (12 h) and dark (12 h) cycle. In group 2, pregnant females were not handled and acted as controls. After birth, the anogenital distance of both the male and female rats was measured, and the length of the processus vaginalis was measured at 7 days of age in some rats. Thereafter, at 21, 24, 27 and 30 days of age, testicular descent was assessed in the remaining male rats.

RESULTS

In group 1, at 21, 24, 27 days of age, testicular descent was delayed in the stressed rats compared with the control rats. At 30 days of age, five of 36 stressed male offspring showed abnormal testicular descent; three testes were in the superficial inguinal position and two were above the scrotum. Both the anogenital distance and the length of the processus vaginalis were significantly less in the stressed male rats than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal stress induced a female-like anogenital distance in male rat fetuses, and caused delayed and abnormal descent of the testis, by inhibiting the growth of the processus vaginalis after birth. Prenatal stress may therefore be involved in the delay of testicular descent in neonatal rats by inducing a mild anti-androgenic effect in the fetus.

Silver and thallium(I) complexation with dibenzo-16-crown-4

Dibenzo-16-crown-4 (1) indicates high silver and thallium(I) ion selectivity over sodium, potassium, and rubidium ion evaluated from the solvent extraction of metal picrates, while its cation-binding ability is lower than those of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (2) and dibenzo-22-crown-6 (3). Taking account of the highest thallium(I) ion selectivity for 1 obtained from extraction experiments, PVC membrane thallium(I)-selective electrodes based on 1 are prepared. The electrode shows the best potentiometric selectivity coefficients for thallium(I) over potassium and rubidium than those of 2 and 3, and commercially available bis(crown ether)s (4).