Molecular cloning and cultivar specific expression of MAP kinases from Capsicum annuum

Two MAP kinases, MK1 and MK2, were cloned from Capsicum annuum (pepper) cv. Subicho using a parsley MAP kinase gene as a heterologous probe. MK1 and MK2 encode stress-inducible protein kinases that can contribute to the response to wounding, UV-C, and cold. MK1 has a 92% amino acid identity with WIPK of tobacco. It was transcriptionally induced in response to wounding. In contrast, no detectable MK1 transcript was found in unwounded leaves of pepper. MK2 has a high level of amino acid homology to MAP kinases, such as NTF4 and SIPK and was constitutively expressed in all tissues. Both MK transcripts were downregulated by UV-C treatment. Each MK protein activation was independently wound-inducible in a cultivar dependent manner. MK1 is phosphorylated in cv. Pungchon but not cv. Subicho; whereas, the MK2 protein activation by wounding is restricted to cv. Subicho. In addition, de novo synthesis of the MK1 protein and tyrosine phosphorylation was rapidly and transiently induced in cv. Pungchon by wounding. In contrast, it is highly unlikely that the MK1 protein is produced in cv. Subicho, even though there is an abundant expression of MK1 mRNA after wounding in this cultivar. In Escherichia coli, which overexpresses MK1, autophosphorylation is observed at conserved threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation sites.

Soliton scattering from a finite cnoidal wave train in a fiber

We analyze the scattering of a soliton from a cnoidal wave train in a fiber theoretically as well as numerically. Solitons recover their original shapes and velocities after collisions, while shapes of cnoidal waves are nearly preserved during collisions. The effect of collisions is described by the change of velocities of solitons, and the theoretical predictions are in good agreement with numerical results.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of granulocytic sarcoma: a clinicopathologic study of 27 cases

BACKGROUND

Because of morphologic similarities, the differential diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma (GS) in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens includes non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma, extramedullary hematopoiesis, poorly differentiated carcinoma, and infection.

METHODS

Twenty-six FNAs and 1 pleural effusion fluid specimen of GS obtained from 23 patients were reviewed for cytomorphologic features and clinical characteristics. The cases were categorized as blastic, immature, or mature GS based on the population of the cells present on the smears.

RESULTS

The patients included 18 men and 5 women (mean age, 54 years). Aspiration sites included subcutaneous or soft tissue (15 cases), lymph nodes (5 cases), bones (3 cases), testis (1 case), ileum (1 case), and liver (1 case). One sample of pleural effusion fluid also was included. Review of the patients' clinical history revealed that GS was secondary to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 17 patients, was secondary to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in 2 patients, and was secondary to acute myelogenous leukemia in 2 patients. GS preceded the manifestation of CML in one patient and of CMML in another patient. Based on the proportions of cells, morphologic classification was attempted and revealed blastic GS in 8 aspirates and 1 pleural effusion fluid specimen, immature GS in 13 aspirates, and mature GS in 5 aspirates. Twelve of 22 specimens from extranodal sites (55%) demonstrated lymphoglandular bodies in the background. Five aspirates showed rare eosinophilic myelocytes. Auer rods were not identified in any of the aspirates. Immunophenotypic and histochemical studies confirmed myeloid and/or myelomonocytic differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

GS especially can be confused with non-Hodgkin lymphoma because of morphologic similarities of the blasts to large cell lymphoma, the presence of lymphoglandular bodies, and the rarity of Auer rods and eosinophilic myelocytes. In conjunction with careful cytomorphologic evaluation, knowledge of the patient's clinical history and use of appropriate immunophenotypic studies should lead to a correct diagnosis.

Distinction of phyllodes tumor from fibroadenoma: a reappraisal of an old problem

BACKGROUND

Using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears, it is difficult to distinguish low grade phyllodes tumor (PT) from fibroadenoma (FA) due to overlapping cytologic features between the two lesions. The authors retrospectively studied 45 histologically proven fibroepithelial breast tumors of which 33 were FA and 12 were PT (1 malignant, 8 borderline, and 3 benign) to define cytologic features that can help in the accurate categorization of these lesions by using FNA samples.

METHODS

The cytologic features analyzed included: 1) epithelial component for number (<5 or >5), architecture, apocrine metaplasia, squamous metaplasia, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitosis; 2) stromal fragments for number (<5 or >5), cellularity (on a scale of 1+ to 3+), borders, cell characteristics, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitosis; 3) individual dispersed stromal cells in the background for cellularity (on a scale of 1+ to 3+), and cellular shape (short/round/oval or long spindle) based on whether they were smaller or larger than 2 times the size of a small round lymphocyte.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with FA was 34 years and of those with PT 44 years. The average size of FA was 2.0 cm, and the average size of PT was 4.0 cm. The characteristics of the epithelial fragments of PT and FA were not significantly different. Stromal fragments were noted in 60% of FA and 83% of PT samples examined. Fifty-six percent of PT and 30% of FA exhibited hypercellular stromal fragments (3+ cellularity), and the difference was not statistically significant. Large club-shaped hypercellular stromal fragments were present only in FA (in 21% of the samples). There was no difference in the overall cellularity of the background stromal nuclei in the two types of lesions. Long spindle nuclei averaging greater than 30% of the dispersed stromal cell population in the background were found only in cases of PT (in 57% of the samples; P < 0.001). Short/round/oval nuclei characterized most FAs. Long spindle nuclei constituting 10-30% of the dispersed stromal cells, however, occurred in both PT and FA to the extent of 43% and 21%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypercellular stromal fragments occur not only in PT, but also in FA, and hence they cannot be used as the sole criterion for making a diagnosis of PT on FNA. The proportion of individual long spindle nuclei (>30%) amid the dispersed stromal cells in the background is the most reliable discriminator between the two lesions. Lesions in which long spindle nuclei constitute between 10% and 30% may represent either PT or FA, and therefore such lesions should be categorized as indeterminate on FNA.

Direct imaging of the pores and cages of three-dimensional mesoporous materials

Mesostructured composite materials, with features ranging from 20 to 500 A in size, are obtained by the kinetically controlled competitive assembly of organic and inorganic species into nanostructured domains. Short-range order is limited, and long-range order is determined by weak forces such as van der Waals or hydrogen-bonding. Three-dimensional mesoporous materials obtained by removing the organic phase are of particular interest for applications such as catalysis and chemical sensing or separation, for which structural features such as cavity shape, connectivity and ordered bimodal porosity are critical. But atomic-scale structural characterization by the usual diffraction techniques is challenging for these partially ordered materials because of the difficulty in obtaining large (> 10 microm) single crystals, and because large repeat spacings cause diffraction intensities to fall off rapidly with scattering angle so that only limited small-angle data are available. Here we present a general approach for the direct determination of three-dimensional mesoporous structures by electron microscopy. The structure solutions are obtained uniquely without pre-assumed models or parametrization. We report high-resolution details of cage and pore structures of periodically ordered mesoporous materials, which reveal a highly ordered dual micro- and mesoscale pore structure.

Surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy accompanying cortical dysplasia

OBJECT

Surgical treatment of cortical dysplasia (CD) together with intractable seizures is challenging because both visualization and localization of the lesion are difficult, correlation with seizure foci requires comprehensive study, and the surgical outcomes reported thus far are unsatisfactory. The authors report their experience in the surgical treatment of CD classified according to a surgical point of view.

METHODS

The definition of CD used in this study was a dysplastic lesion visible on magnetic resonance (MR) images or a lesion that, although not visible on MR images, was diagnosed as moderate-to-severe dysplasia by using pathological analysis. During the last 4.5 years, the authors treated 36 patients with intractable epilepsy accompanied by CD. They divided the 36 cases of CD into four characteristic groups: Group A, diffuse bilateral hemispheric dysplasia; Group B, diffuse lobar dysplasia; Group C, focal dysplasia; and Group D, a moderate to severe degree of CD with a normal appearance on MR images. All but one patient in Group C were monitored in the epilepsy monitoring unit by using subdural electrodes for seizure localization and functional mapping. The incidence of CD among a cohort of 291 patients who had undergone epilepsy surgery at the authors' center during the study period was 12.4%. The mean age of the 36 patients was 21.3 years and the mean age at seizure onset was 8.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 26 months. Twenty-six patients (72.2%) belonged to Engel Class I or II (20 and six, respectively). There were five cases in Group A, nine in Group B, nine in Group C, and 13 in Group D. Patients in Groups A and B were significantly younger at seizure onset and had significantly poorer surgical outcomes compared with patients in Groups C and D (p < 0.05). If outcome is compared on the basis of the extent of removal of CD, patients in whom CD was completely removed had significantly better outcomes than those in whom CD was only partially removed (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that intractable epilepsy accompanied by CD can be treated surgically using comprehensive preoperative approaches. Deliberate resective procedures aimed at complete removal of dysplastic tissue ensure excellent seizure control without permanent neurological deficit.

Avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA from wild and sentinel birds in the United States has genetic homology with RNA from APV isolates from domestic turkeys

Nasal turbinates or swabs were collected from wild ducks, geese, owls, sparrows, swallows, and starlings and from sentinel ducks placed next to turkey farms experiencing avian pneumovirus (APV) infections and were analyzed for APV genome and infectious particles. APV RNA was detected in samples examined from geese, sparrows, and starlings. APV RNA and antibodies were also detected in two different groups of sentinel ducks. Infectious APV was recovered from sentinel duck samples. The APV M gene isolated from the wild birds had over 96% predicted amino acid identity with APV/Minnesota 2A, which was isolated earlier from domestic turkeys showing respiratory illness, suggesting that wild birds may be involved in spreading APV infection.

Susceptibility of broiler chicks to infection by avian pneumovirus of turkey origin

In this paper we present the results of studies on the infectivity of an isolate of avian pneumovirus (APV) from turkeys to broiler chickens. Two-week-old broiler chicks free of antibodies to APV were exposed either by oculonasal or oral route with a cell cultured APV of turkey origin. Chickens from both APV-inoculated groups exhibited clinical signs that included coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes during 2-8 days postinoculation. Tissue samples from birds in the APV-inoculated group were positive for APV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) up to 9 days postinoculation. Samples of blood from both oculonasally and orally infected chickens were positive for APV. Intestinal samples from chickens infected with APV orally were positive for the presence of APV on PCR up to 9 days postinoculation. APV was reisolated from samples taken from chickens in both groups inoculated orally and oculonasally. Sera from birds exposed by the oculonasal or by the oral route showed the presence of APV-specific antibodies.

Expression of stable hepatitis B viral polymerase associated with GRP94 in E. coli

We here presented evidence that a 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP94) was associated with hepatitis B viral (HBV) polymerase in the human liver cell HepG2 and this association could be applied even in Escherichia coli. We investigated the role of GRP94 in the expression and stabilization of HBV polymerase in Escherichia coli by coexpression of the two proteins. The affinity column-purified glutathione S-transferase-tagged HBV polymerase (GST-P, 130 kDa) showed a proper molecular size and reverse transcriptase activity on several exogenous templates and was sensitive to specific inhibitors. The GST-P was associated with the maltose-binding protein-tagged GRP94 (MBP-GRP94, 130 kDa) using analyses by an affinity chromatography, native gel electrophoresis and glycerol gradient centrifugation. However, nondenaturing and partially denaturing activity gel analyses showed two active bands of approximately 260 kDa and approximately 130 kDa, respectively. Furthermore, in the presence of the encapsidation signal RNA template (HBV epsilon RNA), the approximately 260-kDa active band was gradually converted to approximately 130 kDa, which implies that HBV polymerase was dissociated from the chaperone GRP94 and bound preferentially to the HBV epsilon RNA. These results suggested that the chaperone GRP94 was necessary for the stabilization and production of HBV polymerase as an active form.

Specific detection of avian pneumovirus (APV) US isolates by RT-PCR

This report details the development of an RT-PCR assay for the specific detection of US isolates of avian pneumovirus (APV). Of the several primer pairs tested, two sets of primers derived from the matrix gene of APV were able to specifically detect the viral RNA of APV. The nucleotide sequence comparison of the PCR products of APV isolates from Minnesota suggested that these viruses were closely related to the Colorado strain of APV, but were distinct from subtypes A and B European isolates of turkey APV (turkey rhinotracheitis: TRT). This M gene-based PCR was found to be very specific and sensitive. APV as low as 8 x 10(-5) TCID50 (0.0323 microg/ml) could be detected using this assay. In addition, the two primers were able to differentiate isolates from turkeys in Minnesota.

Soft-x-ray emission from small-sized Ne clusters heated by intense, femtosecond laser pulses

Soft-x-ray emission from a cryogenically cooled Ne jet irradiated by intense, 25-fs laser pulses was measured. The Ne spectrum started to drastically change in emitting ions from Ne5+ to Ne7+ below the preexpansion temperature of -120 degrees C. The significant change in the spectrum is attributed to the collisional heating of small-sized Ne clusters formed in the cooled jet. The increase of the laser pulse length from 25 fs to 100 fs resulted in further increase of x-ray emission from Ne7+ states.

Eosin interaction of alpha-synuclein leading to protein self-oligomerization

Among various dyes including congo red, thioflavin S, thioflavin T, eosin, rhodamine 6G, and phenol red, the eosin was the only dye that induced self-oligomerization of alpha-synuclein in the presence of a chemical coupling reagent of N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroquinoline. To analyze chemical nature of the eosin interaction with alpha-synuclein, the phenomenon of self-oligomerization was further examined with eosin congeners such as ethyl eosin, eosin B, phloxine B, erythrosin B, and rose bengal. The followings are the conclusions we have reached. First of all, intactness of the benzoate moiety of eosin and the negative charge on the carboxylic group of the dye are important factors leading to the specific interaction with alpha-synuclein. Secondly, the localized negative charge on the xanthene moiety of eosin is another critical factor for the interaction. As far as substituting halides are concerned, bromides and iodides on the xanthene moiety of the dyes do not make any difference on the alpha-synuclein interaction because both eosin and erythrosin B have induced the common phenomenon of self-oligomerization. The binding curve between eosin and alpha-synuclein was sigmoidal as the dye concentrations were increased. A double reciprocal plot of the saturation curve showed that the maximum number of eosin binding sites on alpha-synuclein was 1.85 with a dissociation constant of 390 microM. The dye binding to the protein appeared to occur via a positive cooperativity. The eosin binding site(s) was suggested to be located predominantly on the NAC region and partly related to the acidic C-terminus of alpha-synuclein. It has been, therefore, expected that this information might be useful to develop alpha-synuclein interactive molecules, which could provide eventual preventive or possible therapeutic means against various alpha-synuclein related disorders including Parkinson's disease.

Metal-catalyzed oxidation of alpha-synuclein in the presence of Copper(II) and hydrogen peroxide

alpha-Synuclein is a component of abnormal protein depositions of Lewy bodies and senile plaques found in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, respectively. By using chemical coupling reagents such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroquinoline, the protein was shown to experience self-oligomerization in the presence of either copper(II) or Abeta25-35. The oligomers which appeared as a ladder on a 10-20% Tricine/SDS-PAGE have been suggested to participate in the formation of protein aggregations by possibly providing a nucleation center. Since oxidatively modified protein could increase its own tendency toward protein aggregation, metal-catalyzed oxidation of alpha-synuclein has been examined with copper(II) and hydrogen peroxide in the absence of the coupling reagent. Intriguingly, the protein was also self-oligomerized into an SDS-resistant ladder on the gel. This biochemically specific copper-mediated oxidative oligomerization was shown to be dependent upon the acidic C-terminus of alpha-synuclein because the C-terminally truncated proteins such as alpha-syn114 and alpha-syn97 were not affected by the metal and hydrogen peroxide. More importantly, the oxidative oligomerization was synergistically enhanced by the presence of Abeta25-35, indicating that the peptide interaction with alpha-synuclein facilitated the copper(II) binding to the acidic C-terminus and subsequent oxidative crosslinking. It has been, therefore, suggested that abnormalities in copper and H(2)O(2) homeostasis and certain pathological factors functionally similar to the Abeta25-35 could play critical roles in the metal-catalyzed oxidative oligomerization of alpha-synuclein, which may lead to possible protein aggregation and neurodegenerations.

In vitro cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from contact lens containers in Korea by crystal violet staining and LDH release assay

In order to observe the cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp., which were isolated from contact lens containers as ethiological agents for the probable amoebic keratitis in Korea, the crystal violet staining method and LDH release assay were carried out. In the crystal violet staining method, among eight contact lens container isolates, isolate 3 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS5) showed 83.6% and 81.8% of cytotoxicity, and isolate 7 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS37) showed 28.2% and 25.1% of cytotoxicity, in 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml lysate treatments, respectively. Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and A. healyi showed 84.0% and 82.8% of cytotoxicity. Similar results were observed in A. castellanii and A. hatchetti which showed 83.6% and 75.5% of cytotoxicity. Acanthamoeba royreba and A. polyphaga showed 9.0% and 1.7% of cytotoxicity. In the LDH release assay, isolate 3 (20.4%) showed higher cytotoxicity than other isolates in 1 mg/ml lysate treatment. The results provide that at least isolate 3 has the cytotoxic effect against CHO cells and seems to be the pathogenic strain.

Structural and functional role of cysteinyl residues in tobacco acetolactate synthase

Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is the common enzyme in the biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine. The role of four cysteinyl residues in tobacco ALS was determined using site-directed mutagenesis and cysteine-specific cleavage. The C411A mutation abolished the enzymatic activity, as well as the binding affinity for the cofactor FAD. The activation constant of C411S for FAD is approximately 50-fold higher than that of wALS. The C607S mutation did not significantly affect the kinetic parameters. The IC(50) values of C411S and C607S for ALS-inhibiting herbicides are not much different from those of wALS. Two mutants, C163S and C309S, are labile and readily degraded to peptide fragments. The treatment of wALS with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid, specific for cleavage of the N-terminal side of cysteine, yielded three peptides of 37.0, 22. 0, and 7.0 kDa. This fragmentation pattern is consistent with that deduced from the amino acid sequence of tobacco ALS, assuming the disulfide bond between Cys163 and Cys309. These results suggest that Cys411 is involved in the binding of FAD and that the intrachain disulfide bond between Cys163 and Cys309 plays a key role in maintaining the correct conformation of tobacco ALS.

Involvement of SPARC in in vitro differentiation of skeletal myoblasts

SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) is an extracellular Ca(2+)-binding glycoprotein associated with the morphogenesis and remodeling of various tissues. Here, involvement of SPARC in the myogenesis of skeletal myoblasts was investigated in vitro. First, the differential expression of SPARC mRNA during the myogenesis was initially identified by a differential display reverse transcription (DDRT)-PCR method. The expression of the SPARC gene was significantly up-regulated during the differentiation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts. Second, the treatment with anti-SPARC antibody almost completely prevented the differentiation of myoblasts. Third, the treatment with EGTA, a Ca(2+) chelator that is known to inhibit the fusion of C2C12 myoblasts, reversibly inhibited the up-regulation of SPARC gene expression. On the other hand, the treatment with A23187, a Ca(2+) ionophore, rapidly and dramatically increased the level of SPARC transcript. Taken together, these results suggest that SPARC may play a critical role(s) in the morphological change of myoblasts, and that the expression of SPARC gene may be controlled by Ca(2+)-dependent pathway in myogenesis.

Apoptosis of primary-culture rat microglial cells induced by pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp

To determine whether trophozoites and lysates of pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp. induce apoptosis in primary-culture microglial cells, transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examinations, assessment of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay were performed. When a trophozoite of pathogenic Acanthamoeba culbertsoni came in contact with a microglial cell, the digipodium was observed by TEM. Nuclear chromatin condensation was observed in 10% of microglial cells, while it was not revealed when they were cocultured with weakly pathogenic Acanthamoeba royreba trophozoites. DNA fragmentation in microglial cells cocultured with the A. culbertsoni lysate was detected by electrophoresis, showing DNA ladder formation, whereas it was hardly observed in microglial cells cocultured with A. royreba. DNA fragmentation of microglial cells was also confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. The fluorescence of TdT-stained apoptotic bodies became intensely visible with microglial cells cocultured with the A. culbertsoni lysate. In contrast, with microglial cells cocultured with the A. royreba lysate, only a background level of fluorescence of TdT-stained apoptotic bodies was detected. These results suggest that some rat microglial cells cocultured with pathogenic A. culbertsoni undergo cytopathic changes which show the characteristics of the apoptotic process, such as nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression under ischemic stress in human meningiomas

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific antigen and angiogenic factor that plays a role in angiogenesis. We analyzed the expression of four VEGF mRNA isoforms in meningiomas. Among 35 meningiomas, 11 came from patients who underwent complete (n=4) or partial (n=7206=189 in all samples. However, the VEGF121 and 165 isoforms were significantly upregulated in samples from patients who underwent partial preoperative embolization. The diffusible VEGF121 isoform may be important for vascularity and edema formation in meningiomas.

Epithelial cells and other cytologic features of pseudomyxoma peritonei in patients with ovarian and/or appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: a study of 12 patients including 5 men

BACKGROUND

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PP) is a rare condition. Cytologic evaluation of peritoneal fluid often is an initial diagnostic test for possible ovarian and/or appendiceal primary tumors. Previous studies suggest that patients with PP who have epithelial cells (ECs) in their peritoneal fluid usually have a less favorable prognosis than patients with acellular PP. To the authors' knowledge, few reports of PP in the cytologic literature cite the presence of ECs.

METHODS

Twelve cases of PP diagnosed by cytologic examination at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center over 15 years were identified. In all cases, primary tumors were confirmed histologically. All available cytologic smears and cell block sections were reviewed for cytomorphology, with particular attention given to the presence of ECs. A correlation between the presence of ECs and patient outcome also was sought (median follow-up, 26 months).

RESULTS

Two patients had ovarian neoplasms, six patients (one female and five males) had appendiceal neoplasms, and four patients had synchronous ovarian and appendiceal tumors. Cytologic features included mucin pools (12 of 12 patients), ECs (11 of 12 patients), mesothelial or mesothelial-like cells (10 of 12 patients), histiocytes (11 of 12 patients), and fibroblast-like or spindle cells (6 of 12 patients). ECs were columnar with mucinous features in the majority of cases, and the number of ECs in each case was variable, ranging from 1+ (rare) to 3+ (many). Of the 11 patients with available follow-up data, 6 had recurrent disease, 4 had persistent disease, and 1 patient with acellular PP was alive without clinical evidence of disease after 24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previous PP cytology reports, the current study frequently identified ECs (92%). Because of the potential prognostic implication of ECs in patients with PP, a diligent search for ECs is warranted. Indication of the presence or absence of ECs in the cytology report may be useful when PP is diagnosed.

Characterization and gene cloning of monoclonal antibody specific for the hepatitis B virus X protein

The hepatis B virus X protein (HBx) has been thought to be implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although many functions of HBx have been reported, it is not clear which of HBx functions is important in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. To study HBx function, we produced a monoclonal anti-HBx Ab secreted by hybridoma cell clone H7 and mapped its epitope to a region of HBx between amino acids 29 and 48 by Western blot with truncated forms of HBx and by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) with synthetic HBx peptides. The variable regions of H7 anti-HBx Ab were cloned by polymerase chain reaction using the degenerate-primers and by the 5' rapid amplification-cDNA end method. The sequence analyses revealed that the variable gene segments of the heavy and light chains are the members of mouse heavy chain variable gene 1 family and kappa light chain variable gene 2 family, respectively. In addition, J(H)2 or Jkappa4 gene segment at the end of the heavy-chain or light-chain variable region and DSP2.x gene segment in the CDR 3 of heavy chain were identified.

MR angiography of moyamoya disease before and after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of MR angiography in revealing moyamoya disease before and after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients (51 hemispheres) with angiographically confirmed moyamoya disease who underwent encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis were included in the study. Findings on preoperative MR angiography were compared with those on conventional angiography. Postoperative neurologic status was categorized as poor, fair, good, or excellent. Postoperative MR angiography was examined for the appearance of the superficial temporal artery, changes in moyamoya vessels, and transdural collateral vessels into the middle cerebral artery territory.

RESULTS

Preoperative MR angiography revealed moyamoya disease in all patients (diagnostic accuracy, 100%). MR angiography correctly depicted the degree of internal carotid artery stenosis in 37 arteries (73%), moyamoya vessels in 33 hemispheres (65%), and the degree of stenosis in the middle, anterior, and posterior cerebral arteries in 125 (82%) of 153 arteries. After surgery, 39 hemispheres showed an excellent outcome, eight showed a good outcome, two a fair outcome, and two a poor outcome. On postoperative MR angiography, vascular supply to the middle cerebral artery territory via transdural collateral vessels increased in 28 hemispheres (55%) and decreased in four (8%). The size of the superficial temporal artery increased in 41 (80%) of 51 hemispheres. The extent of moyamoya vessels decreased in 27 hemispheres (53%) after surgery.

CONCLUSION

MR angiography can show the changes in the superficial temporal artery and development of transdural collateral vessels after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis. Because MR angiography is noninvasive, it is valuable for evaluating postoperative changes.