dsRNA enhances eotaxin-3 production through interleukin-4 receptor upregulation in airway epithelial cells

The exacerbation of asthma during viral infections is mainly explained by neutrophils infiltrating into the airways. However, enhanced functions of eosinophils are also observed. The aim of this study was to reveal the mechanism of how eosinophils are activated during and after viral infection of the airways, using a model of viral infection. A synthetic double-stranded RNA, poly inosinic-cytidyric acid (poly(IC)), was transfected to a human airway epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and the primary bronchial epithelial cells, to mimic a viral infection. The production of chemokines from the cells was investigated. The transfection of poly(IC), alone, marginally affected the eotaxin-3 production of the cells. However, the transfection of poly(IC) prior to interleukin (IL)-4 stimulation enhanced eotaxin-3 production. Poly(IC) transfection increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-4 receptor (R)alpha and IL-2Rgamma, components of the IL-4R. In BEAS-2B cells, IL-4-mediated phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription six was enhanced in poly(IC) transfected cells. This was reversed by the addition of anti-IL-4Ralpha antibody, suggesting the role of an increased number of IL-4 receptors in enhanced IL-4-induced eotaxin-3 production. Poly(IC)-induced upregulation of IL-4Ralpha was inhibited by treatment with cycloheximide or dexamethasone. In conclusion, these results suggest that viral airway infection may enhance interleukin-4-induced eotaxin-3 production through upregulation of the interleukin-4 receptor in airway epithelial cells.

Extremely high dose neutron dosimetry using CR-39 and atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been applied to the analysis of CR-39 nuclear track detectors for high dose neutron dosimetry. As a feasible study to extract the neutron dose, we have employed a (239)Pu-Be neutron source with the traditional track density measurement of recoil proton etch pits from a high density polyethylene (CH(2)) radiator. After very short etching ( approximately 1 microm), etch pit densities were measured as a function of neutron fluence (neutron dose) up to 1.4 x 10(10) cm(-2) (6.6 Sv). Neutron sensitivity was also measured to be 6.6 x 10(-4). Maximum measurable neutron dose was estimated to be approximately 200 Sv by measuring the fraction of the total image area occupied by the etch pits.

The clinical and diagnostic imaging findings of osteosarcoma of the jaw

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the valuable clinical features and diagnostic imaging findings regarding the diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw (OSJ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The initial symptoms and diagnostic imaging findings of 10 patients with OSJ were analysed. The points analysed on the diagnostic images were as follows: any widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of the OSJ; the presence of radial spicules and Codman's triangle; any signs of bone destruction; and the patterns of osteogenesis.

RESULTS

All patients had pain and/or swelling of the affected site, and all OSJs, except for one edentulous case, showed a widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of the OSJ. Radial spicules or Codman's triangle were observed in only three cases (30%). Four out of five mandibular OSJs were osteolytic or osteolytic dominant with bone destruction, while, in contrast, four out of five maxillary OSJs were osteogenic or osteogenic dominant, and three out of the four maxillary OSJs did not show bone destruction. The osteogenic OSJ without bone destruction was similar to some benign cemento-osseous lesions of the jaw and thus was difficult to diagnose as OSJ based on the diagnostic imaging findings alone.

CONCLUSION

Even though some OSJ showed features similar to the benign tumours of the jaw bone based on the diagnostic imaging findings, the pain and swelling of the affected site, and the widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of OSJ were considered to be common findings, which may help in making an accurate diagnosis of OSJ in this limited series.

Invasive meningioma is associated with a low expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin

Invasive meningioma shows benign histological features (WHO grade 1) and the brain expansion at the tumor-brain interface, and recurs more frequently than common meningiomas. To determine the mechanism of brain expansion, we studied the relationship between invasive meningioma and cell adhesion molecules. Immunostaining for E-cadherin (E-CH), N-cadherin (N-CH), beta-catenin, and Ki-67 was performed in 103 meningiomas that consisted of 61 meningothelial meningiomas, 25 fibrous meningiomas, 12 invasive meningiomas and 5 anaplastic meningiomas. All tumors were negative for N-CH. All the 61 meningothelial meningiomas, 10 of 12 invasive meningiomas, and 3 of 5 anaplastic meningiomas were positive for both E-CH and beta-catenin, while these were both negative in all of the fibrous meningiomas. In invasive meningiomas, the expansive part of the tumor showed a lower rate (4/12 tumors) of E-CH and beta-catenin positivity, while the central part showed a higher rate (10/12 tumors). The Ki-67 labeling index was higher in invasive and anaplastic meningiomas than in meningothelial meningiomas. These results suggest that a reduction in cell adhesion molecules and increased proliferative activity may be related, which may lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of meningioma expansion in the future.

In situ expression of RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin and cytokines in osteoclasts of rat periodontal tissue

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the in situ expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK), osteoprotegerin, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in the osteoclasts of rat periodontal tissue.

BACKGROUND

In periodontal disease, osteoclasts cause resorption of the alveolar bone. The function of osteoclasts is regulated by interaction with periodontal ligament cells (PDLs). Furthermore, various kinds of molecules such as RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin, IL-1beta and TNFalpha are known to be related to the osteoclasts differentiation and function. It is therefore important to observe the expression of RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin and cytokines in osteoclasts and PDLs.

METHODS

Four-week-old Wistar rats were used. Tooth movement was performed by the Waldo method, and the pathological bone resorption was induced. The demineralized maxillae and mandiblae were embedded with paraffin. In situ hybridization was performed to detect RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin, IL-1beta, and TNFalpha mRNAs in osteoclasts and other cells using the specific RNA probes, respectively.

RESULTS

Both RANKL and RANK were concomitantly expressed in some osteoclasts. RANKL was also positive in osteoblasts and PDLs. No IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-positive osteoclast was noted. The positive signals of osteoprotegerin were detected in almost all osteoblasts, PDLs and odontoblasts. No osteoprotegerin-positive osteoclasts were observed. The number and the distribution pattern of RANKL- and RANK-expressing osteoclasts changed when orthodontic excessive force was applied to periodontal tissue. In addition, IL-1beta and TNFalpha were shown to be expressed in osteoclasts under pathological status.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that an autocrine mechanism of RANKL-RANK exists in osteoclast, which is heightened in the pathological conditions. Furthermore, the autocrine mechanism of IL-1beta and TNFalpha is also provided in osteoclast under pathological condition. These autocrine mechanisms therefore seem to regulate the osteoclast function in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Plasma interleukin-6 is associated with coagulation in poorly controlled patients with Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

We investigated the relationship between interleukin (IL)-6 and coagulation, i.e. whether changes in the plasma IL-6 are associated with those in coagulation markers (D dimer and fibrinogen) after glycaemic control with sulphonylurea or insulin in poorly controlled patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We studied 42 patients with Type 2 diabetes, including 19 subsequently treated with sulphonylurea, 23 treated with insulin and 48 control subjects. All patients were in poor glycaemic control and were hospitalized for 3 weeks. At the beginning and end of treatment, we measured plasma concentrations of IL-6, fibrinogen, and D dimer.

RESULTS

Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and D dimer were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls (P<0.0001 for both). In all patients with diabetes, the plasma concentration of IL-6 decreased significantly (P<0.001) after treatment. Changes in the plasma IL-6 during hospitalization were positively correlated with those in plasma D dimer and fibrinogen (r=0.664, P<0.0001; r=0.472, P=0.0042, respectively). Treatment with sulphonylurea or insulin caused a similar fall in the plasma IL-6 concentration with a concomitant decrease in the BMI and an equal improvement in glycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

In poorly controlled patients with Type 2 diabetes, plasma IL-6 concentrations were reduced significantly even by short-term metabolic control. As changes in the plasma concentrations of D dimer are related to plasma IL-6, plasma IL-6 may reflect a pro-coagulant as well as an inflammatory state in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Reduction of viral myocarditis in mice lacking perforin

Cellular immunity plays an important role and contributes to morbidity and mortality in the development of cardiomyopathy secondary to acute myocarditis. Lymphocytotoxicity has been proposed as due to infiltrated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Perforin is thought to be a major factor responsible for the cytolytic properties of the CTLs. To investigate whether mice lacking perforin have enhanced severity of viral myocarditis and acceleration of myocardial apoptosis, perforin knockout (KO) mice were infected with encephalomyocarditis virus. The average cardiac viral titer in perforin KO mice was not significantly different from that in the wild type mice. The heart weight/body weight ratio in perforin KO mice on days 4 and 12 were the same in the wild type mice (n=4 of each). Hearts in perforin KO mice were smaller than that in perforin + mice and grades of myocardial necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration were significantly reduced than in perforin + mice on day 12 after viral inoculation. In the perforin KO mice, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher than in wild type on day 4. Perforin blockade induced the early induction of myocardial apoptosis and suppressed the late onset of myocardial injury by cellular autoimmunity. Blockade of perforin gene expression at an early stage may limit viral myocarditis for therapeutic intervention.

Small intestinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma exhibiting rare findings

Small intestinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has only rarely been described. We report two patients who developed small bowel metastases from RCC showing different clinicopathological characteristics. Both patients underwent hemilateral nephrectomy for RCC and developed lung metastases metachronously or simultaneously. One patient developed occlusive ileus caused by multiple polypoid tumours composed of sarcomatoid tissue in the jejunum shortly after nephrectomy. The other patient presented melaena due to bleeding from a Borrmann 2-like tumour in the jejunum six years after nephrectomy. Clinically, his disease was slow-growing. Sarcomatoid histology and Borrmann 2-like tumour in this report are rare findings in metastatic tumour of RCC in the small bowel.

Interstitial lung disease associated with juvenile dermatomyositis: clinical features and efficacy of cyclosporin A

OBJECTIVES

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a rare complication of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of JDM-associated ILD and to evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporin A (CSA).

METHODS

We reviewed clinical records of 10 cases of JDM that were admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital between April 1990 and March 2001.

RESULTS

Five cases were complicated with ILD, three with interstitial pneumonia and two with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. ILD was associated with active JDM and progressed despite corticosteroid therapy. Testing for anti-Jo-1 antibody was negative in all cases. Respiratory symptoms were initially noticed in only one case. In the other cases, ILD was first detected by routine examination of chest X-ray. All the cases received CSA (3-5 mg/kg/day) in combination with prednisolone. One patient died of respiratory failure, but the others responded well to treatment with CSA.

CONCLUSION

ILD should be evaluated carefully in all cases of JDM regardless of respiratory symptoms. CSA is a choice for steroid-resistant cases of JDM-associated ILD.

Characteristic profile of intestinal microflora in Kawasaki disease

To investigate whether the ecology of the intestinal microflora may change in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD), the distribution pattern was studied of common micro-organisms in feces from 20 patients with KD, 20 patients with acute febrile diseases (disease control) and 20 healthy children. KD patients had a significantly lower (p < 0.001) incidence of Lactobacillus (2/20, 10%) than disease control patients (16/20, 80%) and healthy children (14/20, 70%). KD patients had no significant incidences of other microbial genera, compared with both disease control and healthy children.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a lack or loss of the beneficial Lactobacillus genus in the enteric microflora may occur during the acute phase of KD.

A recurrent case of odontogenic ghost cell tumour of the mandible

Odontogenic ghost cell tumour (OGCT), also referred to as dentinogenic ghost cell tumour, is an extremely rare tumour classified as a neoplastic variant of calcifying ondontogenic cyst (COC). To date, only 13 cases of OGCT arising in the maxilla or mandible have been reported. We describe an OGCT that recurred after segmental resection of the mandible in a 59-year-old man. Histopathological examination revealed tumour invasion of the surrounding cortical bone, areas containing numerous calcifying flaky cell nests, and dentinoid matrix near epithelial cell nests. No atypical mitosis was found. There has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis in the 4 years after operation.

[Dynamic analysis of airway temperature in dogs breathing cold air]

Exercise in cold, dry air induces bronchoconstriction. However, the time course of airway cooling during the breathing of cold air has not been investigated. In this study in dogs, the temperatures of tracheal gas and the tracheal wall were measured continuously while the animal was breathing cold air at approximately 4.5 degrees C. The temperature of the tracheal gas decreased during the inspiratory phase, increase slightly early in the expiratory phase, and then decreased to the level at end-expiration. The lowest temperature of the tracheal gas decreased significantly, from 29.7 +/- 2.4 degrees C (mean +/- SD) to 25.7 +/- 2.8 degrees C. The highest temperature also changed significantly, but the decrease was less than 1 degree C. The lowest temperature of the tracheal wall decreased from 31.1 +/- 2.6 degrees C to 30.5 +/- 2.5 degrees C during cold-air breathing, but the difference was not significant. When a dog inspired deeply during a cough, the temperature of tracheal gas did not decrease linearly with the progression of inspiration. However, the decrease in the tracheal wall temperature was almost directly proportional to inspiratory volume. We concluded that both the tracheal gas and the tracheal wall temperatures were resistant to cooling with cold-air breathing. It remains uncertain whether rapid, deep breathing during exercise decreased the tracheal wall temperature.

Expression of cyclin D1 and GSK-3beta and their predictive value of prognosis in squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue

The status of cyclin D1 and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) was investigated in 41 patients with T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the tongue. Out of the 41 SCCs, 27 (65.9%) showed overexpression of cyclin D1 in comparison with normal lingual epithelia by an immunohistochemical method. Cyclin D1 gene amplification was detected in only two (9.1%) of 22 informative cases of the SCCs by differential PCR. Expression of GSK-3beta, which was found to regulate proteosomal degradation of cyclin D1 protein, was reduced in 16 cases (39.0%) of the SCCs relative to normal epithelia, and the intensity of GSK-3beta staining showed an inverse association with cyclin D1. These findings suggest that overexpression of cyclin D1 primarily results from stabilization due to reduction of GSK-3beta, but not cyclin D1 gene amplification, in lingual SCCs. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the patients with high cyclin D1 and reduced GSK-3beta expression had a significantly lower 5-year survival than the patients with low cyclin D1 and non-reduced GSK-3beta expression (P=0.014). The cyclin D1 and GSK-3beta coupled assessment was more valuable for the prediction of prognosis than assessment based on cyclin D1.

Lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland

We describe a case of lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland, also known as salivary lymphoepithelial lesion. Lymphoepithelial lesions are usually seen in conjunction with autoimmune disease of the salivary glands and these lesions do not always remain benign. Our case consisted of two masses that had different imaging features. Moreover, we could investigate the changes of the size and internal architecture on imaging due to the postponement of surgical intervention on the masses. At review 6 months later, the size of the masses had increased. The aims of this paper were to: (1) investigate the contribution of gray-scale sonography, power Doppler sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography to the diagnosis; and (2) consider the appropriate imaging modality to follow-up this case to monitor for recurrence or malignant transformation.

Immunohistochemical expression of CA19-9 and CA125 in mucoepidermoid and adenoid cystic carcinomas of the salivary gland

This study examined the immunohistochemical expression of carbohydrate antigens CA19-9 and CA125 and their relationship to various biological parameters in 27 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) and 18 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) arising from salivary glands. The series showed higher immunopositivity for CA125 (67% for MEC; 33% for ACC) than for CA19-9 (59% for MEC; 11% for ACC). CA19-9 epitope was mainly expressed in cystic (MEC) and cribriform/tubular (ACC) components of carcinoma tissues. Solid components in MEC occasionally showed positive staining for CA19-9. CA125 was evenly expressed in both ACC and MEC tissues regardless of their different histological components. The positive expression of CA19-9 and CA125 in the carcinoma tissues did not influence the clinical course of patients with MEC and ACC. A significant relationship was only demonstrated between the immunohistochemical expression of CA125 and the low proliferative activity (LI) evaluated by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. However, no significant relationship was found between LI and the patients' clinical course. These results suggest that the immunostaining for CA19-9 and CA125 provide no reliable data to predict the clinical course of patients with MEC and ACC of the salivary glands.

Circulating leptin: a marker of health in female students

We studied the relationship between serum leptin concentration and lifestyle factors in female nursing students. Serum leptin was estimated by radioimmunoassay and the correlation between these concentrations with serum lipids, physical fitness and Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile score was investigated. A total of 247 students took part in the study: mean age, 19.0 +/- 2.0 years; mean body mass index (BMI), 21.7 +/- 2.9 kg/m2; and mean serum leptin concentration, 10.8 +/- 11.5 ng/ml. Serum leptin was positively correlated with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and serum triglyceride. Serum leptin level concentration inversely correlated with physical fitness score and lifestyle score. When the subjects were grouped according to BMI, the high-BMI group (BMI: > or = 24 kg/m2; n = 40) showed significantly lower fitness and lifestyle scores than the low-BMI group (BMI < or = 20 kg/m2; n = 70). Higher leptin, blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride were seen in high-BMI compared with low-BMI subjects. We suggest that leptin is a useful marker for monitoring good health and may be useful as a motivational aid towards achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Association between proline-requiring auxotype and fluoroquinolone resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Japan

We examined the association between auxotype and fluoroquinolone resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Fukuoka, Japan, and investigated whether the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolates was caused by the dissemination of the same clone in the community. We examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of 294 N. gonorrhoeae, isolates obtained during three different periods in Fukuoka, Japan, and 89 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae, classified by the presence of amino-acid substitutions in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of GyrA and ParC proteins, to various agents, and we examined the auxotypes of the isolates. In 22 isolates with amino-acid substitutions within QRDRs in GyrA and ParC, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis was performed. The proportion of fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates (ciprofloxacin, minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] > or = 1 microg/ml) in 1998 (23.9%) was significantly higher than that in 1992-1993 (0%). The proportion of proline-requiring isolates increased significantly, from 4.4% in 1992-1993 to 54.5% in 1998. The ciprofloxacin MIC90 for the proline-requiring isolates were 32- and 128-fold, respectively, higher than those for the prototrophic isolates and the arginine-requiring isolates. The proportion of isolates with amino-acid substitutions within the QRDRs in GyrA and ParC in the proline-requiring group (55.5%) was significantly higher than that in the prototrophic group (0%). Of the 22 isolates with amino-acid substitutions within the QRDRs in GyrA and ParC, 16 showed the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern. These results suggest that a close association exists between the increase in the proline-requiring isolates and the increase in the fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates in the gonococci isolated in Fukuoka, and that the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolates with GyrA and ParC substitutions may be mainly caused by the dissemination of a single clone in the community.

Effects of topical administration of 0.005% latanoprost solution on eyes of clinically normal horses

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of 0.005% latanoprost solution on intraocular pressure (IOP) of eyes of clinically normal horses and establish the frequency of adverse effects of drug administration.

ANIMALS

20 adult clinically normal horses.

PROCEDURE

IOP was recorded (7, 9, and 11 AM; 3, 5, and 7 PM) on days 1 and 2 (baseline), days 3 to 7 (treatment), and days 8 to 9 (follow-up). Latanoprost was administered to 1 randomly assigned eye of each horse every 24 hours during the treatment period, following the 7 AM IOP recording. Pupil size and the presence or absence of conjunctival hyperemia, epiphora, blepharospasm, blepharedema, and aqueous flare were recorded prior to IOP measurement.

RESULTS

IOP was reduced from baseline by a mean value of 1.03 mm Hg (5%) in males and 3.01 mm Hg (17%) in females during the treatment period. Miosis developed in all treated eyes and was moderate to marked in 77% of horses, with the peak effect observed 4 to 8 hours after drug administration. Conjunctival hyperemia, epiphora, blepharospasm, and blepharedema were present in 100, 57, 42, and 12% of treated eyes, respectively, 2 to 24 hours following drug administration. Aqueous flare was not observed at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although IOP was reduced with every 24-hour dosing of latanoprost, the frequency of prostaglandin-induced adverse events was high. Because recurrent uveitis appears to be a risk factor for glaucoma in horses, topical administration of latanoprost may potentiate prostaglandin-mediated inflammatory disease in affected horses.

Contemplation of age-adjusted standard values of lipid profiles in Japan

In order to establish the age-adjusted standard values of lipids in both sexes in Japan, we examined the plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in 1262 healthy Japanese subjects (male 616, female 646). LDL-cholesterol levels in women increased significantly in relation to menopause as it rises from 112 mg/dL in 40 year olds to 131.2 mg/dL in 50 year olds. Menopause seems to affect the triglyceride levels as well. These age- and sex-dependent changes should be considered in evaluation of patients' lipid profiles.

Doppler index and plasma level of atrial natriuretic hormone are improved by optimizing atrioventricular delay in atrioventricular block patients with implanted DDD pacemakers

Doppler index is the sum of isovolumetric contraction time and isovolumetric relaxation time divided by ejection time and has clinical value as an index of combined systolic and diastolic myocardial performance. This crossover study compared the Doppler index and atrial natriuretic hormone (atrial natriuretic peptide) [ANP] between optimal (AV) delay and prolonged AV delay in patients with DDD pacemakers. The study included 14 patients (6 men, 8 women, age 78.4+/-9.3 [SD] years) with AV block with an implanted DDD pacemaker. AV delay was prolonged in a 25-ms, stepwise fashion starting from 125 ms to 250 ms. Pacing rate was set at 70 beats/min. Cardiac output (CO) was assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography, and optimal AV delay was defined as the AV delay at which CO was maximum, and an AV delay setting of 250 ms as prolonged AV delay. Plasma level of ANP and Doppler index determined by echocardiography were measured 1 week after programming. AV delay was switched to another AV delay and measurements were repeated after 1 week. Optimal AV delay was 159+/-19 ms. Doppler index was significantly lower at optimal AV delay than at prolonged AV delay (0.68+/-0.26 vs 0.92+/-0.30, P < 0.05). The plasma ANP level was significantly lower at optimal AV delay than at prolonged AV delay (29.0+/-30.7 vs 52.6+/-44.9 pg/mL, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the Doppler index and the plasma ANP level were significantly lower at optimal AV delay than at prolonged AV delay. This study shows the importance of the optimal AV delay setting in patients with an implanted DDD pacemaker, the Doppler index and plasma ANP levels are good indicators for optimizing AV delay.