Correlative association between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated expression of period genes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and phase shifts in behavior with photic entrainment of clock in hamsters

Because the rapid induction of Period (Per) genes is associated with the photic entrainment of the biological clock, we examined whether N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were involved in the photic induction of Per genes in the hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). In situ hybridization observation revealed that light during the early subjective night [circadian time (CT) 13.5] or the late subjective night (CT20) caused an induction of Per1 and Per2 but not Per3 mRNA in the SCN. Photic induction of Per mRNA at CT13.5 was observed especially in the ventrolateral SCN, whereas that at CT20 was more widespread from the ventrolateral to the dorsal SCN. A noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, +MK801, dose-dependently (0. 1-5.0 mg/kg) suppressed only the ventrolateral part of Per1 and Per2 mRNA induction by light at CT13.5 or CT20 in the SCN. The suppressive effects of +MK801 on Per mRNA strongly correlated with the attenuating action of this compound on phase shifts by light at both CT13.5 and CT20. A competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-APV), also exhibited inhibitory actions on light (CT20)-induced Per1 and Per2 mRNA expression in the ventrolateral SCN. Furthermore, local injection of NMDA into the SCN resulted in the induction of Per1 and Per2 mRNA in the SCN. Among NMDA receptors, NR2B and NR2C mRNA were expressed in the ventrolateral and dorsal SCN, respectively. These results suggest that the activation of NMDA receptor is a critical step for photic induction of Per1 and Per2 transcripts in the SCN, which are linked to a photic behavioral entrainment.

Retinoic acid receptor and retinoid X receptor in ductal carcinoma in situ and intraductal proliferative lesions of the human breast

Retinoic acid (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR) are essential in the transcriptional actions of retinoids. To date, RAR and RXR have not been examined in precancerous lesions and / or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in human breast. Therefore, we examined RAR and RXR subtypes in DCIS (58 cases), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (32 cases), and proliferative disease without atypia (PDWA) (32 cases) to study the status of these RARs and RXRs. Immunoreactivities for RAR alpha, RXR alpha, RXR beta, and RXR gamma were all detected in the nuclei of normal ductal epithelia. Immunoreactivity for RAR beta was detected exclusively in the nuclei of myoepithelial cells, but not in normal ductal epithelia. Immunoreactivity for RAR gamma was not detected in any of the breast tissues examined except for a few cases of PDWA and ADH, and 11 cases of DCIS. The RXR alpha labeling index (LI) was significantly higher in both DCIS (mean 77.9) and ADH (mean 77.7) than in PDWA (mean 62.8) (P < 0.001). RXR beta LI was significantly lower in DCIS (mean 81.5) than in both ADH (mean 91.1) and PDWA (mean 91.9) (P = 0.0001). Immunoreactivity for RAR alpha, RXR alpha, RXR beta and RXR gamma was widely distributed compared to that of RAR beta and RAR gamma in DCIS, ADH and PDWA. RAR alpha LI was significantly correlated with Ki67 LI in DCIS (P = 0.0040), especially in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive DCIS. Our results suggest that RXRs are much more widely distributed than RARs in intraductal proliferative lesions of tne human breast, but ER-positive DCIS cases with high cell proliferative activity are associated with RAR alpha, suggesting the possible involvement of retinoids through RAR alpha in tumor cell proliferation in DCIS.

Controlling malignant pericardial effusion by intrapericardial carboplatin administration in patients with primary non-small-cell lung cancer

Malignant pericarditis, when associated with massive pericardial effusion, presents a critical condition in lung cancer patients. Because this condition often arises in terminally ill patients, intensive therapy such as multi-drug combination chemotherapy is rarely appropriate. This study evaluated the clinical relevance of intrapericardial administration of carboplatin for controlling malignant pericardial effusions associated with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The method used for 10 eligible patients consisted of draining the pericardial effusion and infusing 300 mg/body of carboplatin in 50 ml of saline through an in-place catheter into the pericardial space and clamping the catheter for 40 min. Nine of the 10 patients showed satisfactory results, and 8 experienced complete regression of the effusion. No major or minor adverse effects were observed. Pharmacokinetics analysis revealed that the concentration of free platinum in the pericardial fluid was very high while that of total platinum in the circulating plasma was very low, assuring the usefulness of the intrapericardial instillation of carboplatin in terminally ill patients for controlling malignant pericardial effusion when the systemic delivery of cytotoxic agents is inappropriate.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel subtype of neuromedin U receptor

Neuromedin U is a bioactive peptide isolated originally from the porcine spinal cord. We recently identified neuromedin U as the cognate ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor FM-3. In this study, we isolated cDNA coding for a novel G protein-coupled receptor, TGR-1, which was highly homologous with FM-3. We found that neuromedin U specifically and clearly elevated the extracellular acidification rates, arachidonic acid metabolite release, and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing TGR-1. Radiolabeled neuromedin U specifically bound with high affinity to membrane fractions prepared from these cells. These results show that TGR-1, like FM-3, is a specific and functional receptor for neuromedin U. We analyzed TGR-1 mRNA tissue distribution in rats using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and found it to considerably differ from that of FM-3 mRNA. TGR-1 mRNA was primarily expressed in the uterus, suggesting that TGR-1 mediates the contractile activity of neuromedin U in this tissue. The identification of specific and functional receptor subtypes for neuromedin U will facilitate the study of their physiological roles and the search for their specific agonists and antagonists.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2C is not involved in circadian oscillation or photoic entrainment of the biological clock in mice

Ishida et al. [1994: Neurosci Lett 166: 211-215] reported the circadian change of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype 2C mRNA and photic induction of this receptor's mRNA in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Therefore, we investigated the role of NMDA receptor subtypes in the biological clock using NMDA receptor 2A (NR2A)- or 2C (NR2C)-deficient mice. However, NR2C-/- mice showed normal light-dark (LD)-entrained locomotor activity rhythms and free-running rhythms under constant darkness and also exhibited normal reentrainment to 6-hr LD shifts and phase delays with single light pulses. Thus, present results demonstrated no significant NR2C contribution to circadian oscillation and photic entrainment, even though expression of NR2C mRNA was highly observed in the SCN. On the other hand, the period of the free-running activity rhythm in NR2A-/- mice but not NR2C-/- mice was slightly longer than that in wild-type mice in spite of low expression of NR2A in the SCN. Furthermore, reentrainment to an LD advance in NR2A-/- mice was slower under low-intensity light conditions. Thus, we suggest that NR2A plays a role in determining the behavioral state that affects the circadian rhythm. In order to elucidate the role of NR2A and NR2C in the SCN, we examined NMDA-induced Ca(2+) elevations in the SCN of mutant mice using a Ca(2+) imaging method. A partial reduction in Ca(2+) elevation was observed in both NR2A-/- and NR2C-/- mice when high concentrations (100 or 300 microM) of NMDA were applied. The present results suggest that NR2A plays a weak role in oscillation or entrainment of the biological clock, and that NR2C does not participate in the functions of circadian oscillation and light entrainment.

Close linkage between calcium/calmodulin kinase II alpha/beta and NMDA-2A receptors in the lateral amygdala and significance for retrieval of auditory fear conditioning

The general mechanism underlying memory and learning is an area under intense investigation and debate, yet this mechanism still remains elusive. Auditory fear conditioning (when a tone is paired with a foot shock) is a simple associative form of learning for which many mechanistic details are known. Lesions of the lateral/basolateral nuclei of the amygdala result in the selective impairment of fear conditioning, indicating that this is a key region for this type of learning. Fear conditioning induces a lasting synaptic potentiation in the lateral nuclei of the amygdala. In addition, recent results from several laboratories suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in the amygdala is required for the acquisition and expression of cue-conditioned fear responses using several kinds of antagonists. Little is known, however, about the signal transduction pathway and molecular substrate underlying fear conditioning. Here we use NMDA receptor-deficient mice to demonstrate that calmodulin-dependent kinase II, CaMKIIbeta, and CaMKIIalpha activation involves the NR2A subunit in the lateral/basolateral amygdala during memory retrieval following auditory fear conditioning. These results suggest that auditory fear conditioning involves a close linkage between NMDA2A receptors and the CaMKII cascade.

Clinical experience of a vacuum-assisted nonroller extra-corporeal circulation system

We designed a nonroller extra-corporeal circulation system (NRECC) to minimize space requirements and to improve the safety and ease of cardiopulmonary bypass. The NRECC includes a circuit, a centrifugal pump, and a vacuum regulator. The vacuum regulator has five channels, each of which can control negative pressure independently. Negative pressure is applied to suctions, a vent, and a venous reservoir. Auto Vent-SV and one-way valves were placed between the suctions/vent and the reservoir. The total space required for the NRECC with a heat exchanger was 0.49 m2, which is much smaller than that of our current roller pump system. The maximum volume through the suction/vent was 2.5 L/min at -100 mmHg measured in a simulated system. We used the NRECC for six CABG cases and compared results with those of five CABG cases managed by traditional roller pump extra-corporeal circulation (RECC). The two systems were compared in terms of set-up time and stability/accuracy of the suction/vent. The set-up time of the NRECC (5.3 +/- 1.9 min) was significantly shorter than that of RECC (29 +/- 3.4 min) (p < .01). Stable and accurate blood flow were achieved with the NRECC operating between -15 mmHg and -25 mmHg. In conclusion, NRECC can run a bypass easily and safely and has the benefit of reducing space requirements and shortening set-up time.

Significance of tumor associated tissue eosinophilia and other inflammatory cell infiltrate in early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Tumor associated inflammatory cell infiltration plays an important role in the biological behavior of cancer as one of the carcinoma-stromal interactions. In this study, we characterized inflammatory cell infiltration on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) and correlated the findings with various clinicopathological factors, including clinical outcome of the patients, in order to study its biological significance. We examined 35 cases of surgically resected early esophageal SqCC or carcinoma with invasion limited to the submucosal layer. We evaluated the abundance of CD4+ T-cell, CD8+ T-cell, B-cell, plasma cell, CD68+ macrophage, neutrophil and eosinophil in the stroma adjacent to the tumor and correlated these findings with clinicopathological factors. The cases without LN metastasis had a significantly larger number of tumor associated eosinophils than those with LN metastasis. Primary lesions in cases without LN metastasis tended to demonstrate more CD68+ macrophage infiltration than those with LN metastasis, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In addition, the cases with more than 50 eosinophils and macrophages per 10 high power field in the primary lesion demonstrated a significantly smaller incidence of LN metastasis than those with less than 50 eosinophils and macrophages per 10 high power field. Thus tumor associated tissue eosinophila, also known as TATE, is considered to be involved in the biological behaviour of early esophageal SqCC, especially in their metastatic potential.

Search for UV-responsive genes in human cells by differential mRNA display: involvement of human ras-related GTP-binding protein, Rheb, in UV susceptibility

The search for genes responsible for the sensitivity of human cells to cell-killing effects of UV is an important area of biological research. To identify candidate genes responsible for UV sensitization, levels of mRNA expression were compared between UV-sensitive RSa cells and UV-resistant variant UV(r)-1 cells, using a differential display method and Northern blot analysis. Messenger RNA expression levels of human Ras homologue enriched in brain (Rheb) and/or a Rheb-like gene were up-regulated and slightly decreased in UV-irradiated RSa and UV(r)-1 cells, compared to in mock-irradiated cells, respectively. RSa and UV(r)-1 cells, both of which were treated with antisense oligonucleotides for Rheb RNA, exhibited an increased resistance to UV cell-killing. It remains unclear why UV(r)-1 cells are resistant to UV yet express Rheb mRNA at high levels. However, the results of antisense experiments together with the up-regulation in UV-irradiated RSa cells, suggest that Rheb is involved in the UV sensitization of both cells to UV cell-killing.

All-trans-retinoic acid modulates expression levels of thyroglobulin and cytokines in a new human poorly differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line, KTC-1

A new human thyroid carcinoma cell line, KTC-1, was established from the malignant pleural effusion of a recurrent thyroid carcinoma patient. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal karyotype, and no p53 mutation in exons 5-9 was detected. This cell line is tumorigenic in athymic nude mice. Histological findings by light and electron microscopy, such as the absence of follicular structures and the existence of intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions and psammoma bodies, indicated transplanted tumors to be a poorly differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. A low expression level of thyroglobulin was detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 and PAX-8 was also detected. No mRNA expression of TSH receptors, thyroid peroxidase, or Na+/I- symporter was detected. Interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor were secreted into the medium. These findings suggest this cell line to be functionally poorly differentiated. Moreover, all-trans-retinoic acid increased the mRNA expression of thyroglobulin and decreased both the mRNA expression and secretion of interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor while significantly stimulating growth. RT-PCR analysis of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) revealed that KTC-1 cells express a moderate level of RARalpha and -gamma, but a low level of RARbeta. This cell line may be useful for studying redifferentiation therapy for thyroid carcinoma.

Nonphotic entrainment by 5-HT1A/7 receptor agonists accompanied by reduced Per1 and Per2 mRNA levels in the suprachiasmatic nuclei

In mammals, the environmental light/dark cycle strongly synchronizes the circadian clock within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) to 24 hr. It is well known that not only photic but also nonphotic stimuli can entrain the SCN clock. Actually, many studies have shown that a daytime injection of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH DPAT), a serotonin 1A/7 receptor agonist, as a nonphotic stimulus induces phase advances in hamster behavioral circadian rhythms in vivo, as well as the neuron activity rhythm of the SCN in vitro. Recent reports suggest that mammalian homologs of the Drosophila clock gene, Period (Per), are involved in photic entrainment. Therefore, we examined whether phase advances elicited by 8-OH DPAT were associated with a change of Period mRNA levels in the SCN. In this experiment, we cloned partial cDNAs encoding hamster Per1, Per2, and Per3 and observed both circadian oscillation and the light responsiveness of Period. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory effect of 8-OH DPAT on hamster Per1 and Per2 mRNA levels in the SCN occurred only during the hamster's mid-subjective day, but not during the early subjective day or subjective night. The present findings demonstrate that the acute and circadian time-dependent reduction of Per1 and/or Per2 mRNA in the hamster SCN by 8-OH DPAT is strongly correlated with the phase resetting in response to 8-OH DPAT.

Search for gravity-responsive genes by PCR-based mRNA differential display in human cells

Mechanisms of molecular responses of human cells to gravity change and/or space radiation are one of the most important physiological problems in space science. We have previously reported that expression levels of several genes are changed in cultured human cells after UVC irradiation, and a few of those genes are responsible for UVC sensitivity. In this study, to find candidates for genes that play roles in susceptibility of human cells to gravity stressors, including those responsible for genetic stability in humans, we analyzed genes expressed differentially after gravity stress in human cells, using a PCR-based mRNA differential display (D.D.) method. Cells used were RSa and its variant cell lines, with discrepant sensitivity to radiation cell-killing and mutagenicity [correction of mutagenecity].

An autopsy case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with massive pulmonary edema and pleural effusion

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most serious complication of ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins, such as human menopausal gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone. These hormones are considered to increase capillary permeability and cause third space fluid shift. We report an autopsy case of severe OHSS in a 28-year-old Japanese female. The patient developed bilateral chest pain and progressive dyspnea during the course of administration of human gonadotropins. Pleural effusion and hypouresis clinically disappeared 4 days after the onset of the symptoms, but the patient died suddenly of rapid respiratory insufficiency. Autopsy examination revealed massive pulmonary edema, intra-alveolar hemorrhage and pleural effusion without any evidence of pulmonary thromboembolism. Histopathological examination of the ovary demonstrated multiple well-developed follicle formations, consistent with OHSS. It is very important to recognize that massive pulmonary edema can occur in a patient with OHSS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first autopsy report of a patient with severe OHSS.

Immunohistochemical distribution of chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II in human tissues

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan member of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. The present study examines the immunohistochemical distribution of COUP-TFII in human adult tissues. In the reproductive and endocrine systems, COUP-TFII immunoreactivity was detected in the stroma, vascular endothelium and smooth muscle, while it was less frequent in adrenal 4 binding protein (Ad4BP) positive steroidogenic cells. In lung, COUP-TFII immunoreactivity was detected in the vascular endothelium of alveolar septae. In kidney, the glomerular endothelium and Bowman's capsule were immunopositive for COUP-TFII. COUP-TFII immunoreactivity in the gastro-intestinal tract, liver and spleen were detected in mesenchymal cells, sinusoid endothelium and reticuloendothelium, respectively. Results from this study demonstrated the detection of COUP-TFII immunoreactivity in all human tissues examined, especially in mesenchymal cells. The widespread expression of COUP-TFII suggests that COUP-TFII may play an important role in the function and homeostasis of various human tissues and organs.

Endomyometriosis arising in the uterosacral ligament: a case report including a literature review and immunohistochemical analysis

We report a case of endomyometriosis arising in the left uterosacral ligament of a 29-year-old woman. The central cavity of the uterine-like mass was lined by pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium and endometrial stroma. The wall of the cyst consisted of bundles of smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated both alpha-estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor immunoreactivities in the epithelial, stromal and smooth muscle cells. A relatively high proliferating activity was also demonstrated in these cells by Ki-67 immunostaining. These findings suggest that the mass was hormone dependent and had a relatively rapid evolution.

Dissociation of writing processes: functional magnetic resonance imaging during writing of Japanese ideographic characters

Dissociation between copying letters and writing to dictation has been reported in the clinical neuropsychological literature. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted in normal volunteers to detect the neurofunctional differences between 'copying Kanji', the Japanese ideographic characters, and 'writing Kanji corresponding to phonological information'. Four tasks were conducted: the copying-Kanji task, the writing-Kanji-corresponding-to-phonogram task, the Kanji-grapheme-puzzle task, and the control task. The right superior parietal lobule was extensively activated during the copying-Kanji task (a model of the copying letters process) and the Kanji-grapheme-puzzle task. These observations suggested that this area was involved in referring the visual stimuli closely related to the ongoing handwriting movements. On the other hand, Broca's area, which is crucial for language production, was extensively activated during the writing-Kanji-corresponding-to-phonogram task (a model of the writing-to-dictation process). The Kanji-grapheme-puzzle task activated the bilateral border portions between the inferior parietal lobule and the occipital lobe, the left premotor area, and the bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA). Since the Kanji-grapheme-puzzle task involved manipulospatial characteristics, these results suggested cooperation between visuospatial and motor executive functions, which may be extensively utilized in demanding visual language processing. The neurofunctional difference between 'copying Kanji' and 'writing Kanji corresponding to phonogram' was efficiently demonstrated by this fMRI experiment.

Recent advances in surgical pathology of adrenal incidentaloma

Adrenal incidentaloma has recently increased in number because of the advances in radiologic diagnostic means. The clinical management and histopathological diagnosis of the resected adrenal mass has therefore become increasingly important. When evaluating the resected adrenal mass of the patients with adrenal incidentaloma, it is very important to evaluate the following aspects: 1) is the mass functional or not? 2) is the mass malignant or not? and 3) is the mass of adrenocortical origin or not? In this mini review, the recent advances in endocrine pathology of adrenal incidentaloma are briefly summarized, with emphasis on the three aspects above,

Postnatal development of a GABA deficit and disturbance of neural functions in mice lacking GAD65

The 65-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) is believed to play an essential role for GABA synthesis in the central nervous system. Using mice with targeted disruption of the GAD65 gene (GAD65(-/-) mice) we investigated the contribution of GAD65 to GABA synthesis in different brain areas during postnatal development and in adulthood. In the amygdala, hypothalamus and parietal cortex of GAD65(+/+) mice an increase of GABA levels was observed during postnatal development, most prominently between the first and second month after birth. This increase appeared to be dependent on GAD65, as it was delayed by 2 months in GAD65(+/-) mice and was not observed in GAD65(-/-) mice. Likely as a consequence of their GABA deficit, adult GAD65(-/-) mice showed a largely abnormal neural activity with frequent paroxysmal discharges and spontaneous seizures. They furthermore displayed increased anxiety-like behaviour in a light/dark avoidance test and reduced intermale aggression, as well as a reduced forced-swimming-induced immobility indicative of an antidepressant-like behavioural change. Adult GAD65(+/-) mice did not show behavioural disturbances except for a reduced aggressive behaviour that was comparable to that in GAD65(-/-) mice. We conclude that GAD65-mediated GABA synthesis may be crucially involved in control of emotional behaviour and indispensable for a tonic inhibition that prevents the development of hyperexcitability in the maturating central nervous system. Aggressive, and possibly other social behaviour may be especially prone to regulation through GAD65-mediated GABA synthesis.

The effects of listening comprehension of various genres of literature on response in the linguistic area: an fMRI study

Using fMRI at a static magnetic field strength of 1.5T, we investigated how comprehension and humor of sentences would correlate to activation of the language areas in listening comprehension of a native language. Sentences with a high comprehension score augmented activation in the left inferior parietal lobule and posterior part of the left superior temporal gyrus, which may be related to semantic processing. Sentences with a high humor score induced activation in Broca's area, which may be associated with syntactic processing and auditory working memory. Furthermore, sentences with a high humor factor and/or a low comprehension score activated the middle frontal gyrus, which may be attributed to auditory working memory.

Involvement of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressed in astroglial cells in circadian rhythm under constant lighting conditions in mice

To clarify the role of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressed glial cells in the circadian clock, we examined GFAP expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) under various lighting conditions in mice. We demonstrated that GFAP expression did not show daily change in the SCN under a light-dark cycle; however, long-term housing under constant lighting conditions led to dramatic changes in GFAP expression, i.e., a decrease in the SCN and an increase in the IGL. Furthermore, mice that had a targeted deletion in the GFAP gene (GFAP mutant mice) showed longer and more arrhythmic circadian activity rhythms in constant lighting conditions than wild-type mice, while GFAP mutant mice exhibited stable circadian rhythms both in a light-dark cycle and constant darkness, and showed normal entrainment to environmental light stimuli. These results suggest that the GFAP-expressed astroglial cells in the SCN and the IGL may have some role in circadian oscillation under constant lighting conditions.

PLC beta 4-independent Ca2+ rise via muscarinic receptors in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus

Cholinergic regulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) has been extensively studied although the intracellular signaling mechanisms are not well understood. We examined immunostaining for phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) families that couple to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) and demonstrated the expression of PLC-beta 1 and beta 4 in the mouse SCN. Ca2+ imaging analysis indicated that the MI-mAChR antagonist, pirenzepine blocked carbachol-induced Ca2+ elevation in the SCN and the response was equivalent between the wild type and the PLC-beta 4-knockout mice. In addition, the knockout mice displayed locomotor and temperature rhythms coupling to 24 h light/dark cycles. Therefore, it was proposed that PLC-beta 1 but not PLC-beta 4 was involved in the mAChR-mediated Ca2+ signaling in the SCN.

Mutant mice lacking ryanodine receptor type 3 exhibit deficits of contextual fear conditioning and activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the hippocampus

As it is known that ryanodine receptor type 3 is expressed in the hippocampus, we examined the contribution of this receptor to contextual fear conditioning behavior and to the activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II using mice lacking the receptor. Ryanodine receptor type 3-deficient mice exhibited impairments of performance in the contextual fear conditioning test, passive avoidance test, and Y-maze learning test. Both the activities of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIbeta and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIalpha were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group in the hippocampus, but not in the cingulate cortex on the testing day 24 h after contextual fear training. However, the activities of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIbeta and alpha were almost the same in the experimental and control groups in the hippocampus on the training day. Ryanodine receptor type 3-deficient mice did not show the increment of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIbeta and alpha activities in the hippocampus on the testing day. In addition, these mutant mice showed the reduction of fear response in the elevated plus-maze test. The present results suggest that calcium-induced calcium release through the activation of ryanodine receptor type 3 in the hippocampus is important to the expression of the performance of contextual learning through the elevation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIbeta and alpha activities.

Immunohistochemical study of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the upper aerodigestive tract

Non-squamous cell carcinoma is a rare but distinct neoplasm of the upper aerodigestive tract. Among these carcinomas, basaloid-squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) has frequently been confused with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. In this study, we examined immunohistochemically the expression of differentiation-related substances, including cytokeratin (CK) subtypes, p53 and p27, and cell adhesion-related molecules E-cadherin and alpha-catenin to clarify the biological features of these neoplasms. We studied seven cases of BSCC of the oesophagus, five cases of ACC and seven cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and trachea were also studied for comparison. Among the cytokeratin subtypes examined, CK14, CK17 and CK19 immunoreactivity was detected in BSCC. ACC and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were immunopositive for CK8, CK14 and CK17 and for CK8, CK14, CK17 and CK19, respectively. These findings suggest that CK subtypes, especially CK8, CK14 and CK17, are useful in differentiating these malignancies. BSCC was more frequently associated with decreased E-cadherin and alpha-catenin immunoreactivity than ACC and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Nuclear p53 immunoreactivity was detected more frequently in BSCC (5 out of 7) than in ACC (2 out of 5) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (4 out of 7). There were no significant differences in p27 immunoreactivity among these carcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunoreactivity was detected in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (2 out of 7), SCC (8 out of 11) and adenocarcinoma (9 out of 9), but it was not detected in BSCC (7) or ACC (5). Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) immunoreactivity was detected only in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (4 out of 7) and adenocarcinoma, but not in BSCC, ACC, or SCC. These findings indicate that BSCC, ACC and mucoepidermoid carcinoma are distinct neoplasms arising in the upper aerodigestive tract. In addition, decreased expression of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin proteins and increased p53 expression in BSCC may be correlated with aggressive behaviour.

Congenital primary cerebral angiosarcoma. Case report

Reports of angiosarcoma arising in the central nervous system are rare. The authors present the case of a 30-day-old infant with clinical manifestations of projectile vomiting and tense anterior fontanelle resulting from a left frontotemporal tumor. Total excision of this highly vascular, well-circumscribed tumor was performed without incident, and histopathological examination revealed a malignant angiosarcoma. Immunohistochemical reaction of the neoplastic cells was diffusely positive for endothelium-specific antigens including factor VIII-related antigen, CD31, and CD34. The final diagnosis of congenital primary cerebral angiosarcoma was thus confirmed. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 2 weeks after the operation. He was in good condition with no sign of recurrence after 11 months; follow-up computerized tomography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and abdominal ultrasonography studies demonstrated no tumor regrowth. The characteristic findings for this tumor on MR imaging, the immunohistochemical findings, and surgical outcome are discussed.

Estrogen receptors in human myeloma cells

It has recently been reported that the human myeloma cell line U266 proceeds to undergo apoptosis after cultivation with the antiestrogen tamoxifen, thus raising the possibility that antiestrogens may be candidates for use in myeloma therapy. To obtain basic information on the effects of antiestrogens on myeloma cells, we investigated the mRNA expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha, ER-beta, and coactivators and corepressors in nine human myeloma cell lines and compared them with those of seven human breast cancer cell lines including four ER-positive and three ER-negative lines. The alterations in cell growth and mRNA expression of the target genes of ER or those of cytokines in the myeloma lines by estradiol or antiestrogens (tamoxifen and toremifene) were also investigated. In addition, effects on membrane Fas expression, appearance of apoptosis, and cell cycle perturbation were analyzed. It was revealed that ER-beta and corepressors were dominantly expressed in myeloma cells, and antiestrogens induced growth inhibition through apoptosis mediated by a Fas-related pathway and G1 arrest of the cell cycle in myeloma cell lines.

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 in ductal carcinoma in situ and intraductal proliferative lesions of the human breast

17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17 beta-HSDs) are involved in the interconversion of biologically active and inactive sex steroids and are considered to play important roles in the in situ metabolism of estrogen in various estrogen dependent tissues. 17 beta-HSD type 1 catalyzes primarily the reduction of estrone (E1) to estradiol (E2), whereas 17 beta-HSD type 2 catalyzes primarily the oxidation of E2 to E1. However, the possible biological roles of these estrogen metabolizing isozymes in human breast cancer, especially in carcinogenesis of the human breast, have not been examined in detail. Because of the potential roles of estrogens in the early stages of human breast carcinogenesis, we have examined the immunolocalization of 17 beta-HSD type 1 and type 2 isozymes and estrogen receptor alpha(ER alpha) in both normal human breast tissue and in breast cancers, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), proliferative disease without atypia (PDWA) or fibrocystic disease and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). We also correlated these findings with clinicopathological findings, Ki67 antigen, progesterone receptor (PR), c-erbB-2, and p53. 17 beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was sporadically detected in non-proliferative or Ki67 negative ductal epithelia of normal breast, but rarely in breast carcinoma cells. 17 beta-HSD type 1 immunoreactivity was detected in 12/22 (54.5%) PDWA cases, 8/26 (30.8%) ADH cases, and 25/40 (62.5%) DCIS cases, respectively. 17 beta-HSD type 1 immunoreactivity was not statistically correlated with the age of the patients, Ki67 labeling index (LI), and PR LI, p-53 and c-erbB-2 immunoreactivity. There was no significant correlation between ER alpha LI and 17 beta-HSD type 1 immunoreactivity. There was a positive correlation between ER alpha and Ki67 LI in PDWA, whereas a negative correlation was detected between ER alpha and Ki67 LI in DCIS. There was no correlation between ER alpha and Ki67 LI in ADH. These results suggest that in human breast epithelial cells, development of ADH and DCIS may be associated with the loss and/or deviation of oestrogen dependent regulation of cell proliferation.

Importance of metabolic monitoring systems as an early prognostic indicator in severe head injured patients

We have analyzed and evaluated what is the best metabolic monitoring system to determine the prognosis for maintenance of neurological function in severe head injured patients. Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) was recognized in fifteen of 22 patients and cerebral contusion in seven in this series. Intracranial pressure (ICP), jugular venous pH and jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation (SjO2) were continuously monitored as soon as possible following stabilization. The measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was carried out using a stable Xenon-computerized tomography (Xe-CT). After measuring CBF, 3% carbon dioxide (CO2) loading was conducted to determine CO2 responses (delta CBF/delta CO2). In patients who died (D), jugular venous pH showed evidence of acidosis (6.3-7.2) with delta CBF/delta CO2 < 1 and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) < 1.21 within several hours of the trauma. On the other hand, arterial pH was shown to be within the normal range. In vegetative state (VS) and severe disability (SD) patients, jugular venous pH was shown to be within normal range, with delta CBF/delta CO2 < 1 and 1.44 < CMRO2 < 1.79. In all of moderate disability (MD) and good recovery (GR) patients, jugular venous pH was shown to be within the normal range, with delta CBF/delta CO2 > 1 and 1.65 < CMRO2 < 1.85. These results suggest that jugular venous pH, CO2 response and CMRO2, were useful as early prognostic indicators in the maintenance of neurological function.

17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 in human breast carcinoma: a correlation to clinicopathological parameters

The expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) type 1 and type 2 was examined immunohistochemically in 111 invasive ductal carcinomas, and correlated with various clinicopathological parameters. This study investigates local regulatory mechanisms of oestrogens in human breast carcinoma. 17Beta-HSD type 1 was immunolocalized in carcinoma cells of 68 out of 111 invasive ductal carcinoma cases (61.3%). 17Beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was not detected in all cases examined. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the immunohistochemical expression of 17beta-HSD type 1 and histological grade of the carcinoma (P < 0.02). There was a significant correlation between 17beta-HSD type 1 and oestrogen receptor (ER) labelling index (LI) (P < 0.05). In addition, carcinoma cells expressing immunoreactive 17beta-HSD type 1 were frequently positive for ER. 17Beta-HSD type 1 was also correlated with progesterone receptor (PR) LI (P < 0.05). There was a significant inverse correlation between 17beta-HSD type 1 and Ki-67 LI (P < 0.0001). No significant correlations were detected between 17beta-HSD type 1 and other clinicopathological parameters, including patient age, menopausal status, stage, tumour size, lymph node status and prognosis. This study suggests that 17beta-HSD type 1 plays an important role in the regulation of in situ oestradiol production in hormone-dependent breast carcinomas.

Temperature mapping using the water proton chemical shift: self-referenced method with echo-planar spectroscopic imaging

An echo-planar spectroscopic imaging method of temperature mapping is proposed. This method is sufficiently faster than the so-called 3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (3D-MRSI) method and does not require image subtractions, unlike the conventional phase mapping method when an internal reference signal is detectable. The water proton chemical shift measured by using the tissue lipid as an internal reference clearly visualized the temperature change in a porcine liver sample in vitro. It was also demonstrated that the internally referenced echo-planar spectroscopic imaging method could markedly reduce a temperature error caused by a simple, translational motion between scans compared with the phase-mapping method.

Immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67, p53, p21, and p27 in benign and malignant apocrine lesions of the breast: its correlation to histologic findings in 43 cases

We examined Ki-67, p53, p21, and p27 immunolocalization in 43 cases of apocrine lesions of the breast and correlated these findings with histologic parameters to understand their biologic significance. Twenty cases were benign, 1 case was borderline, and 22 cases were diagnosed as malignant, including 9 intraductal and 13 invasive apocrine carcinomas. Both the ratio of Ki-67-positive cases (17 of 21 [88.9%] versus 1 of 19 [5.3%]; P < .001) and the Ki-67 labeling index of positive cases examined (15.0% versus 2.7%; P < .005) were significantly higher in malignant than in benign apocrine lesions. None of the benign or borderline cases was immunohistochemically positive for p53, but 15 of 22 malignant cases (68.2%) demonstrated p53 (P < .001). In addition, the ratio of p53-positive cases was significantly higher in high nuclear grade cases (11 of 13 [84.6%]) than in intermediate nuclear grade cases (4 of 9 [44.4%]; P < .05). P53 immunoreactivity was also positively correlated with the nuclear grade of carcinoma cases examined in this study. Neither p21 nor p27 demonstrated any correlation with histologic parameters or findings of the apocrine lesions. Results of these studies suggest that Ki-67 and p53 may be good markers for differentiation between benign and malignant breast apocrine lesions.

Involvement of ryanodine receptor type 3 in dopamine release from the striatum: evidence from mutant mice lacking this receptor

Although it is known that ryanodine receptor type 3 is expressed in the striatum, the function of this receptor has not been elucidated. Therefore, we examined whether caffeine- and ryanodine-induced dopamine release in striatal slices is affected in mice lacking ryanodine receptor type 3. Pretreatment with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the Ca(2+) ATPase pump of the endoplasmic reticulum, abolished caffeine- or ryanodine-induced dopamine release in slices from normal mice. Dopamine concentration in the striatum and KCl-induced dopamine release were unaffected by a ryanodine receptor type 3 deficiency. Ryanodine-induced dopamine release was significantly attenuated in mice lacking ryanodine receptor type 3, whereas caffeine-induced dopamine release was partially attenuated. Caffeine produced a similar hyper-motor activity in both wild and homozygous mice. The present results suggest the involvement of ryanodine receptor type 3 in dopamine release from the striatum.

LOH analyses of premalignant and malignant lesions of human breast: frequent LOH in 8p, 16q, and 17q in atypical ductal hyperplasia

The number of breast cancer patients is increasing yearly, and it is important to establish effective methods for clinical management. We investigated loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumors derived from 23 patients that harbored synchronous lesions of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Fourteen selected microsatellite markers that were mapped to and/or very close to the tumor suppressor genes or regions with frequent LOH in breast cancer. Our results suggested that i) losses of chromosomal regions 8p, 16q, and 17q are early genetic changes, and ii) ADH is a premalignant lesion for the development of breast cancer.

Sensitization of methamphetamine-induced disorganization of daily locomotor activity rhythm in male rats

Methamphetamine (MAP) was administered to rats through drinking water repeatedly (three sessions, one session:administration for 60 days followed by withdrawal of 30 days) in order to examine whether or not MAP-induced disorganization of daily activity rhythm is sensitized. Each session (60 days) was divided into six blocks of 10 days. In the 1st session, daily locomotor activity rhythm of rats became disorganized around at 40 days (4th block) after the start of MAP drinking. However, MAP-induced disorganization of daily activity rhythm appeared at 20 days (2nd block) in the 2nd session and at 10 days (1st block) in the 3rd session following re-start of MAP drinking. On the other hand, the amount of MAP intake was decreased on the 2nd and 3rd sessions as compared with the 1st session. These results indicate that the mechanism of MAP-induced disorganization of daily activity rhythm may involve sensitization.

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in japan

Blood screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies at Japanese Red Cross blood centers has indicated an age-dependent prevalence of HCV infection in the general population of Japan: the older the age, the higher the prevalence. The same pattern was corroborated by the sentinel study conducted in an HCV-endemic area. The high prevalence of HCV in the elderly is most likely due to a spread of HCV infection during the turmoil period just after World War II: in particular by illicit intravenous amphetamine abuse. Fortunately, however, since the rate of newly acquired infection is currently too low to influence HCV prevalence in each age group, the total number of HCV carriers (estimated to be 691,852 for the age group 20-64 years) would decrease spontaneously with generation takeover to approximately 50% of the current number during the decade to come.

Breast cancer with choriocarcinomatous features: A case report with cytopathologic details

A case of breast cancer with choriocarcinomatous features (BCCF) is reported. The patient was a 38-year-old Japanese female with a long history of schizophrenia. Her nursing staff noticed a palpable mass in her right breast, which showed rapid growth. Following cytopathologic confirmation of a malignant breast tumor, she underwent mastectomy with ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection. Histologic examination revealed BCCF, which was positive for placental alkaline phosphatase and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) by immunohistochemistry. The serum HCG level was high. She died 7 months postoperatively, with multiple metastases of BCCF to the chest wall, lung and liver.

Pseudoaneurysms of large arteries associated with AIDS

BACKGROUND

Several vascular complications are known to occur in association with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and recent publications have called attention to the development of pseudoaneurysms of large arteries in patients with AIDS.

CASE REPORT

We report on 2 patients with AIDS aged 23 and 31 years with pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries. After clinical and radiological evaluation by arteriography and computed tomography, the patients were submitted to aneurysmectomy, with the placement of a patch of dacron in the first case and the interposition of a right aorto-iliac and left femoral prosthesis in the second. The second patient developed new aneurysms of the right subclavian and left popliteal arteries 2 months after surgery. Proximal ligation of the right subclavian artery was performed to treat the first aneurysm and resection and interposition of a reversed saphenous vein was carried out to treat the pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. Histopathological examination of the popliteal artery revealed necrotizing arteritis.

Analysis and a long-term follow up of ketosis-onset Japanese NIDDM patients

It has been reported that excessive intake of sugar-containing soft drinks results in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or ketosis (DK) in obese patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). We describe the clinical characteristics and results of long-term follow-up for 24 newly-diagnosed patients with acute-onset NIDDM presenting with DKA or DK. A history of excessive intake of sugar-containing soft drinks was found in 19 (Group A); serious non-diabetic illnesses were found in 5 (Group B). The range of patient ages in Group A was 16 to 57 years while all patients in Group B were 60 years or older. In Group A, no patient was positive for autoantibodies, specific HLAs for Japanese insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or mutation of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene. The body mass indices (BMIs) at onset and admission and serum C-peptide immunoreactivities at admission and discharge were significantly higher in patients in Group A than in patients Group B. In conclusion, we reconfirmed that excessive intake of sugar-containing soft drinks is one of the contributing factors in DKA or DK-onset NIDDM patients. We found no autoimmune mechanism involved in the pathogenesis and that a polymorphism in the beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene could be associated with the development of soft-drink ketosis.

Involvement of motor cortices in retrieval of kanji studied by functional MRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was successfully used to study the activation of the motor cortices during retrieval of Japanese ideogram, kanji. The subjects performed kanji completion tasks to generate a kanji in response to an element which is always written first. In most of the subjects, the contralateral premotor cortex, the presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the bilateral intraparietal sulcus were activated during retrieval of kanji without actual writing nor intentional mental writing. Activation associated with actual writing was shown in the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex and the SMA proper. These results suggested that retrieval of kanji would share the neural basis of motor representation with writing of kanji except for regions directly working for motor output.

A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of listening comprehension of languages in human at 3 tesla-comprehension level and activation of the language areas

Passive listening comprehension of native and non-native language was investigated using high resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at a static magnetic field strength of 3 tesla. Wernicke's area was activated by comprehensive and non-comprehensive languages indicating that this area is associated with common phonological processing of language. The task with comprehensive but non-native language activated Broca's area and angular gyrus most frequently. The activations in these areas may be related to demand in semantic and syntactic processing in listening comprehension. Supplementary motor area and pre-motor area were activated by comprehensive languages but not by non-comprehensive language. These motor controlling areas may be involved in semantic processing. Listening to comprehensive but non-native language seems to demand more networked co-processing.

Inhibition of light- or glutamate-induced mPer1 expression represses the phase shifts into the mouse circadian locomotor and suprachiasmatic firing rhythms

mPer1, a mouse gene, is a homolog of the Drosophila clock gene period and has been shown to be closely associated with the light-induced resetting of a mammalian circadian clock. To investigate whether the rapid induction of mPer1 after light exposure is necessary for light-induced phase shifting, we injected an antisense phosphotioate oligonucleotide (ODN) to mPer1 mRNA into the cerebral ventricle. Light-induced phase delay of locomotor activity at CT16 was significantly inhibited when the mice were pretreated with mPer1 antisense ODN 1 hr before light exposure. mPer1 sense ODN or random ODN treatment had little effect on phase delay induced by light pulses. In addition, glutamate-induced phase delay of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) firing rhythm was attenuated by pretreatment with mPer1 antisense ODN, but not by random ODN. The present results demonstrate that induction of mPer1 mRNA is required for light- or glutamate-induced phase shifting, suggesting that the acute induction of mPer1 mRNA in the SCN after light exposure is involved in light-induced phase shifting of the overt rhythm.

Apoptosis of human endometrium mediated by perforin and granzyme B of NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Endometrial stromal granulocytes (EGs) were found to be a major component of human endometrial stroma in the late secretory phase. However, the role of EGs in the mechanism of human endometrial menstruation has not been clarified. Immunohistochemistry of CD56, perforin, granzyme B, and vimentin, in situ detection of apoptosis by TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick and labeling) and electron microscopy were performed in endometrial tissue samples with normal menstrual cycles. We analyzed the number of immunostained cells in the functional layer of stroma and the number of apoptotic cells detected by TUNEL in the endometrial glandular cells. Double-staining revealed that CD56-positive endometrial stromal cells were simultaneously positive for both perforin and granzyme B, and negative for vimentin, which recognized stromal tissue. Vimentin was positive for the predecidual cells and negative for EGs. CD56-positive EGs involving perforin and granzyme B were progressively recruited during the secretory phases before menstruation. Apoptosis in endometrial glandular cells increased from the late secretory phase, which maximized at the menstrual period. This finding suggests that the cytotoxic granules released from EGs, which are derived from cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, are initiators of the apoptotic pathway that induces endometrial menstruation.

Basement membrane material in ovarian clear cell carcinoma: correlation with growth pattern and nuclear grade

Stromal hyalinization in ovarian clear cell carcinomas has been suggested to be caused by deposition of basement membrane (BM) material, but the biological and diagnostic significance of this finding remains unknown. The distribution of BM material in 17 primary ovarian clear cell carcinomas was examined semiquantitatively using hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemistry with antibodies to laminin and type IV collagen. For comparison, other surface epithelial tumors, including 8 serous tumors of low malignant potential, 10 serous adenocarcinomas, 6 mucinous tumors of low malignant potential, 5 mucinous adenocarcinomas, 6 endometrioid carcinomas, 4 Brenner tumors, 1 transitional cell carcinoma, and 3 undifferentiated carcinomas, were examined. Stromal hyalinization was found in all 17 clear cell carcinomas and was immunoreactive for type IV collagen and laminin. Other types of surface epithelial tumor lacked these findings. In clear cell carcinoma, areas showing a papillary pattern tended to show abundant deposition regardless of nuclear grade, whereas in solid, tubular, or cystic areas, the deposition was more prominent in areas showing high-nuclear-grade features (grade 2 and 3) than in areas with low-nuclear-grade features (grade 1). Dense deposition of BM material recognized as stromal hyalinization on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections in primary ovarian clear cell carcinoma is a characteristic feature that is not seen in other ovarian surface epithelial tumors. This matrix production correlates with high-nuclear-grade features and papillary growth pattern.

[A longitudinal cohort study on the relation between physical condition and masticatory ability in the elderly]

The present study was conducted to determine the relation between physical condition and masticatory ability. The subjects were residents over 65 years old living in three different areas in Sagae City. The physical conditions assessed were height, weight, rate of body fat, grip strength, and bone mineral density. Masticatory ability was evaluated by the test jelly method. The results were as follows: 1) There was a difference in physical condition among subjects from the three residential areas. 2) For males, the group who maintained their masticatory ability exhibited better physical condition than those who did not. As for females, however, the physical condition was more strongly affected by age than masticatory ability.

Potentiating action of MKC-242, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, on the photic entrainment of the circadian activity rhythm in hamsters

Serotonergic projections from the midbrain raphe nuclei to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) are known to regulate the photic entrainment of circadian clocks. However, it is not known which 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtypes are involved in the circadian regulation. In order to verify the role of 5-HT1A receptors, we examined the effects of 5-¿3-[((2S)-1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethyl)amino]-propoxy¿-1,3-b enzodioxole HCl (MKC-242), a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, on photic entrainment of wheel-running circadian rhythms of hamsters. MKC-242 (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) significantly accelerated the re-entrainment of wheel-running rhythms to a new 8 h delayed or advanced light-dark cycle. MKC-242 (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) also potentiated the phase advance of the wheel-running rhythm produced by low (5 lux) or high (60 lux) intensity light pulses. In contrast, 8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT)(5 mg kg(-1), i.p.), a well known 5-HT1A/5-HT7 receptor agonist, only suppressed low intensity (5 lux) light-induced phase advances. The potentiating actions of MKC-242 on light pulse-induced phase advances were observed even when injected 20 or 60 min after the light exposure. The potentiating action of MKC-242 was antagonized by WAY100635, a selective 5-HT1A receptor blocker, but not by ritanserin, a 5-HT2/5-HT7 receptor blocker, indicating that MKC-242 is activating 5-HT1A receptors. Light pulse-induced c-fos expression in the SCN and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) were unaffected by MKC-242 (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.). HPLC analysis demonstrated that MKC-242 (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) decreased the 5-HIAA content in the SCN. The present results suggest that presynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activation may be involved in the potentiation of photic entrainment by MKC-242 in hamsters.

Matrix-producing carcinoma of the breast: case report with radiographical and cytopathological features

A case of matrix-producing carcinoma (MPC), which is a unique variant of breast cancer, is described with cytopathological and radiographical findings. A 75-year-old female presented with a palpable mass in her right breast. After confirmation of the cytopathological diagnosis, the patient received a right mastectomy with ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection. The histopathological examination revealed MPC. The Union Internationalis Contra Cancrum postoperative clinical stage was IIB. The patient is well and without disease 18 months after the surgery.