Novel erythrocyte pits in the small tropical ruminant, lesser mouse deer

We examined unique erythrocyte pits of the peripheral blood and bone marrow in the lesser mouse deer, Tragulus javanicus, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Under the SEM observation, the pit was observed as a hole on both mature erythrocytes of the peripheral blood and immature erythrocytes of the bone marrow. By the TEM, the mature erythrocytes had a vacuole, which showed complicated shape and occupied considerable space within the cytoplasm. The vacuole was communicated extracellularly by perforation, which corresponded to the hole on the cell surface. In the bone marrow, erythroblast and reticulocytes have a cytoplasmic vacuole. This abnormal feature of the erythrocytes is peculiar to the mouse deer, and not found in other tropical ruminants. Despite the disadvantage of volume loss from the small erythrocytes, the mouse deer were healthy and showed no signs of anaemia.

Effects of colloidal iron overload on renal and hepatic siderosis and the femur in male rats

Genetic hemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder, and osteopenic and osteoporotic. Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) appears to fall with rising hepatic iron concentrations. A critical role for iron in mediating tissue injury is played via hydroxyl radical formation in nephrotoxicity. We investigated the effects of a colloidal iron overload on renal function, organ siderosis, and femoral bone in male rats. Iron overload reduced body growth, and increased the weights of the liver and spleen. Marked deposition of iron was noted in liver and kidney. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were decreased, and the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were increased with the reduction in plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels, i.e. functions of the liver and kidney might be affected by reactive oxygen species such as the superoxide radical, H2O2, and the hydroxyl radical produced by overloaded iron. Damage to the proximal tubular epithelial cells of the kidney and a loss of connectivity of cancellous bone in the epiphysis and of trabecular bone in the metaphysis of the distal femur were observed in iron-overloaded rats with a reduction of femoral bone mineral density, i.e. reabsorption of calcium from the proximal tubular epithelial cells of the kidney might be affected and urinary discharge of calcium might be elevated. It was suggested that iron overload gave rise to osteoporosis combined with renal dysfunction and liver iron overload syndrome.

Painless self-monitoring of blood glucose at finger sites

INTRODUCTION

Skin punctures at alternative sites can reduce the pain associated with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). However, delays in detection of blood glucose at alternative sites during rapid systemic blood glucose change have been reported. Accordingly, we developed a novel method of finger pricking and tested it to see if it would both reduce or eliminate pain and accurately reflect systemic glucose levels, even during rapid changes.

METHODS

Each of 35 healthy volunteers (10 females and 25 males; mean age 36.6 years, range 18-82 years) received 5 serial punctures from a lancet device on randomly selected fingers. The puncture target was the dorsal side of the finger between the nail and the distal finger joint. We used a lancet device designed for accurate punctures of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mm depths. Immediately afterward, as a control, a conventional fingertip puncture was done on the front of a 6th finger. After each puncture, subjects were asked whether or not they felt pain.

RESULTS

Following punctures at depths of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively, 31 of 35 subjects (89%) and 33 of 35 subjects (94%) felt no pain. Following conventional punctures, all 35 subjects (100%) felt pain. Blood sample volumes> or =2microL were obtained in all cases except for two punctures at 0.2 mm depth. Blood glucose levels did not differ with differing puncture sites, (conventional fingertip sites vs. alternative sites used in this study).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that 0.2 and 0.3 mm punctures at our alternative finger site - the dorsal side of the finger between the nail and the distal finger joint - can provide blood samples sufficient for SMBG, substantially redu-ces the proportion of subjects who experience pain, and accurately reflects systemic glucose levels.

Cooperative interaction between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha and GATA transcription factors regulates ATP-binding cassette sterol transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8

Cholesterol homeostasis is maintained by coordinate regulation of cholesterol synthesis and its conversion to bile acids in the liver. The excretion of cholesterol from liver and intestine is regulated by ATP-binding cassette half-transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8. The genes for these two proteins are closely linked and divergently transcribed from a common intergenic promoter region. Here, we identified a binding site for hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) in the ABCG5/ABCG8 intergenic promoter, through which HNF4alpha strongly activated the expression of a reporter gene in both directions. The HNF4alpha-responsive element is flanked by two conserved GATA boxes that were also required for stimulation by HNF4alpha. GATA4 and GATA6 bind to the GATA boxes, coexpression of GATA4 and HNF4alpha leads to a striking synergistic activation of both the ABCG5 and the ABCG8 promoters, and binding sites for HNF4alpha and GATA were essential for maximal synergism. We also show that HNF4alpha, GATA4, and GATA6 colocalize in the nuclei of HepG2 cells and that a physical interaction between HNF4alpha and GATA4 is critical for the synergistic response. This is the first demonstration that HNF4alpha acts synergistically with GATA factors to activate gene expression in a bidirectional fashion.

Resolution of chiasmata in oocytes requires separase-mediated proteolysis

In yeast, resolution of chiasmata in meiosis I requires proteolytic cleavage along chromosome arms of cohesin's Rec8 subunit by separase. Since activation of separase by the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) is supposedly not required for meiosis I in Xenopus oocytes, it has been suggested that animal cells might resolve chiasmata by a separase-independent mechanism related to the so-called "prophase pathway" that removes cohesin from chromosome arms during mitosis. By expressing Cre recombinase from a zona pellucida promoter, we have deleted a floxed allele of separase specifically in mouse oocytes. This prevents removal of Rec8 from chromosome arms and resolution of chiasmata. It also hinders extrusion of the first polar body (PBE) and causes female sterility. mRNA encoding wild-type but not catalytically inactive separase restores chiasma resolution. Both types of mRNA restore PBE. Proteolytic activity of separase is therefore essential for Rec8's removal from chromosome arms and for chiasma resolution but not for PBE.

Kudo type-5 total elbow arthroplasty in mutilating rheumatoid arthritis

We studied 11 patients (14 elbows) with gross rheumatoid deformity of the elbow, treated by total arthroplasty using the Kudo type-5 unlinked prosthesis, and who were evaluated between five and 11 years after operation. Massive bone defects were augmented by autogenous bone grafts. There were no major complications such as infection, subluxation or loosening. In most elbows relief from pain and stability were achieved. The results, according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, were excellent in eight, good in five and fair in one. In most elbows there was minimal or no resorption of the grafted bone. There were no radiolucent lines around the stems of the cementless components. This study shows that even highly unstable rheumatoid elbows can be replaced successfully using an unlinked prosthesis, with augmentation by grafting for major defects of bone.

Comparison of two types of ulnar component in type-5 Kudo total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term results (more than ten years) of two types of cemented ulnar component with type-5 Kudo total elbow arthroplasty in a consecutive series of 56 patients (60 elbows) with rheumatoid arthritis, and to compare the results in elbows above and below a Larsen grade IV.

There was no radiolucency around the humeral component. Patients in whom a metal-backed ulnar component and a porous-coated stem were used had better clinical results and significantly less progression of radiolucent line formation around the ulnar component. They also had a significantly better long-term survival than patients with an all-polyethylene ulnar component. The clinical results of arthroplasty using all-polyethylene ulnar components were inferior, regardless of the degree of joint destruction.

We conclude that the type-5 Kudo total elbow arthroplasty with cementless fixation of the porous-coated humeral component and cemented fixation of a metal-backed ulnar component is acceptable and well-tolerated by rheumatoid patients.

Overexpression of glucose transporter 1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas: a marker for poor prognosis

Recently, Glut1 (human erythrocyte glucose transporter) expression has been demonstrated in various tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic utility of Glut1 expression in esophageal carcinomas. We studied Glut1 expression by immunohistochemistry of paraffin sections from 63 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. All 63 carcinomas expressed Glut1. The mean percentage of positively stained tumor cells was 77.8% (median, 84.7%). There were two staining patterns in positive cells: 'strongly positive' and 'weakly positive'. The percentage of 'strongly positive' cells (%Glut1-SP) ranged from 0% to 95.6% (mean, 32.3%; median, 27.4%). The 5-year survival rate for patients with a high %Glut1-SP (> 30%) was significantly lower than that for patients with a low %Glut1-SP (< 30%) (P < 0.01). Statistical analysis revealed that the relative risk of death for patients with high %Glut1-SP was 2.02 times that for patients with low %Glut1-SP (P = 0.064), suggesting a possible independent predictive value for %Glut1-SP.

Topographic effects on adhesive force mapping of stretched DNA molecules by pulsed-force-mode atomic force microscopy

Adhesive interaction between a tip and a sample surface was examined on a microscopic scale by pulsed-force-mode atomic force microscopy (PFM-AFM). The signal measured by monitoring pull-off force is influenced by various factors such as topography, elasticity, electrostatic charges, and adsorbed water on surfaces. Here, we focus on the topographic effects on the adhesive interaction. To clarify the topographic influence, the adhesive force measurement of a stretched DNA molecule with a smaller radius of curvature than that of a tip was carried out at low relative humidity (RH) with an alkanethiol-modified tip. The experimental conditions such as low RH and the use of the alkanethiol-modified tip were required to minimise the influence of water capillary force on hydrated DNA strands. The hydrophobic modification of a substrate surface was also important to minimise the adsorbed water effect. The DNA molecules were stretched on the substrate surfaces by an immobilisation process called a dynamic molecular combing method. The two-component vapour-phase surface modification with an alkylsilane mixed with a silane derivative containing an amino end group enhanced the DNA adsorption due to the electrostatic interaction. The experimental results for the topographic effects on the adhesive force mapping were reproducible.

Observation of removal of an Fmoc protecting group by scanning tunneling microscopy

We demonstrate here by imaging successive surface reactions in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) at molecular scale with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM): (i) SAM matrices formation with 1-octanethiol on Au(111) in ethanol, (ii) insertion of N-Fmoc-aminooctanethiol into the SAM matrices in ethanol, and (iii) removal of the Fmoc protecting group with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA). The total reaction is formation of SAMs containing a small amount of NH2 terminated molecules in the CH3 terminated SAM matrices. After the reaction of the protecting group with TAEA, STM imaging revealed the decrease in heights of the inserted molecules on average. We attributed this observation to removal of the protecting group by taking account of a convolution of electronic and topographic contributions to observed STM heights. Apparent areas of the terminal groups, however, became larger on removal. The increase in the areas was attributed to water adsorption to the NH2 terminal group under air.

Investigation of saddle trajectories for cardiac CT imaging in cone-beam geometry

This paper investigates cone-beam tomography for a wide class of x-ray source trajectories called saddles. In particular, a mathematical analysis of the number of intersections between a saddle and an arbitrary plane is given. This analysis demonstrates that axially truncated cone-beam projections acquired along a saddle can be used for exact reconstruction at any point in a large volume. The reconstruction can be achieved either using a new algorithm presented herein or using a formula recently introduced by Katsevich (2003 Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 21 1305-21). The shape of the reconstructed volume and the properties of saddles make saddles attractive for cardiac imaging. Three examples of saddles are presented with a discussion of implementation on devices similar to modern C-arm systems and multislice CT scanners. Reconstruction with one of these saddles has been tested using computer-simulated data, with and without truncation. The imaged phantom for the truncated data is a FORBILD head phantom (representing the heart) that has been modified and embedded inside the FORBILD thorax phantom. The non-truncated data were generated by excluding the thorax. The reconstructed images demonstrate the accuracy of the mathematical results.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of salmon olfactory glutathione S-transferase class pi (N24) in the olfactory system of lacustrine sockeye salmon during ontogenesis and cell proliferation

In mammals, glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the olfactory epithelium is involved in assistance of the olfactory reception by the xenobiotic metabolism. We previously reported the protein and gene expressions of salmon olfactory GST class pi (soGST) in the olfactory receptor cells (ORCs) of the salmonid fish. However, the chronological appearances of soGST in ORCs during ontogeny and cell proliferation are still unknown in this species. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry of soGST using an antibody specific to soGST in the olfactory system (olfactory placode, olfactory pit, olfactory epithelium, olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb) of lacustrine sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka) embryos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) experimental fish. The projection of olfactory nerve bundles from the olfactory pit to the presumptive olfactory bulb was identified at embryonic day 28 after fertilization. The olfactory cilia were first detected on the apical surface of ORCs at day 43. soGST-immunoreactivity was first detected within the olfactory pit cells at day 55. At 58 day, the number of soGST-immunoreactive cells increased markedly in the olfactory epithelia, and soGST-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the olfactory nerves and olfactory bulbs. By in vivo uptake of BrdU in 1-year-old fish, we observed for the first time at day 7 after labeling that the olfactory epithelia showed ORCs in which both soGST-immunoreactivity and BrdU coexisted. These results indicate that soGST is synthesized in the mature ORCs of lacustrine sockeye salmon after cell formation and differentiation.

Uni-axial cyclic stretch induces Cbfa1 expression in spinal ligament cells derived from patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) is characterized by ectopic bone formation in the spinal ligaments. Mechanical stress, which acts on the posterior ligaments, is thought to be an important factor in the progression of OPLL. To clarify this mechanism, we investigated the effects of in vitro cyclic stretch (120% peak to peak, at 0.5 Hz) on cultured spinal ligament cells derived from OPLL (OPLL cells) and non-OPLL (non-OPLL cells) patients. The mRNA expressions of Cbfa1 (an osteoblast-specific transcription factor), type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin and integrin beta1 (a mechanotransducer) were increased by cyclic stretch in OPLL cells, whereas no change was observed in non-OPLL cells. The effects of cyclic stretch on the spinal ligament tissues derived from OPLL and non-OPLL patients were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against Cbfa1. The expression of Cbfa1 was increased by cyclic stretch at the center of the spinal ligament tissues of OPLL patients, whereas no change was observed in the tissues of non-OPLL patients. Furthermore, U0126, a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase (MEK), suppressed the stretch-induced mRNA expressions of Cbfa1, ALP and type I collagen in OPLL cells. These results suggest that in OPLL cells, mechanical stress is converted by integrin beta1 into intracellular signaling and that Cbfa1 is activated through the MAP kinase pathway. Therefore, we propose that mechanical stress plays a key role in the progression of OPLL through an increase in Cbfa1 expression.

Imaging stretched single DNA molecules by pulsed-force-mode atomic force microscopy

The effect of a surface water layer on DNA strands deposited on a substrate was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). DNA molecules were deposited and stretched on chemically modified glass coverslips by a molecular combing method. Lambda bacteriophage DNA molecules were aligned on the organosilane-modified substrate surfaces by chemical and physical adsorption during the molecular combing. The combed DNA molecules were observed in humidity-controlled air and in aqueous solutions by pulsed-force-mode AFM (PFM-AFM). Chemical modification of cantilevers with an Au-coated tip by organothiol compounds was also applied to DNA observation. Mapping adhesive forces in aqueous media was useful to discriminate chemically the DNA strands from the substrate surface. The results suggest that PFM-AFM can be used widely to image the stretched DNA molecules on the silane-modified substrates.

Validity of simple mucosal biopsy criteria combined with endoscopy predicting patients with ulcerative colitis ultimately requiring surgery: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Recent mucosal biopsy criteria combined with endoscopy effectively differentiate patients with ulcerative colitis ultimately requiring surgery (UC-S) from those receiving medication alone (UC-M). However, the criteria were inconvenient in practical use because of the need for complicated calculations, and the validity has not been verified in other institutes where the indications for surgery may differ. The aims of this multicenter study were to propose simple criteria in which calculation can be performed by mental arithmetic and to measure their validity.

METHODS

Based on the above original criteria, we constructed simple criteria in which coefficients and constant were simplified to integral numbers. The criteria consisted of the diagnostic categories, highest-risk, high-risk, unpredictable, low-risk, and lowest-risk of surgery. The validity of these proposed criteria was evaluated in 121 patients with UC-S and 186 with UC-M from 11 institutes.

RESULTS

The categories of high-risk and low-risk had sensitivities exceeding 86.0% and specificities exceeding 95.2%, and the validities were maintained at high levels in most individual institutes. There was little difference in validity between the proposed and original criteria when testing using the same patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite simplified coefficients and constant, the proposed criteria reliably predicted the eventual clinical outcome of patients with ulcerative colitis and would be helpful in determining the necessity of surgery.