Transverse acoustic excitations in liquid Ga

The transverse acoustic excitation modes were detected by inelastic x-ray scattering in liquid Ga in the Q range above 9 nm(-1) although liquid Ga is mostly described by a hard-sphere liquid. An ab initio molecular dynamics simulation clearly supports this finding. From the detailed analysis for the S(Q,omega) spectra with a good statistic quality, the lifetime of 0.5 ps and the propagating length of 0.4-0.5 nm can be estimated for the transverse acoustic phonon modes, which may correspond to the lifetime and size of cages formed instantaneously in liquid Ga.

Magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging for predicting the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is important in determining therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the clinical utility of magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging compared with that of non-magnifying high-resolution endoscopy or high-frequency endoscopic ultrasonography in predicting the depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The techniques were carried out in 72 patients with 101 superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, which were then resected by either endoscopic mucosal resection or esophagectomy. The histological invasion depth was divided into two: mucosal or submucosal carcinoma. We investigated the relationship between endoscopic staging and histology of tumor depth. Non-magnifying high-resolution endoscopy, magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging, and high-frequency endoscopic ultrasonography had overestimation/underestimation rates of 7/5, 4/4 and 8/3%, respectively. The sensitivity rates for the three techniques were 72, 78, and 83%, respectively, and the specificity rates were 92, 95, and 89%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the three endoscopic techniques. Clinical utility of magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging does not seem to be significantly different from that of non-magnifying high-resolution endoscopy or high-frequency endoscopic ultrasonography in predicting the depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging may have potential to reduce overestimation risks of non-magnifying high-resolution endoscopy or high-frequency endoscopic ultrasonography.

Epithelioid cells in mediastinal lymph nodes of cattle without cancer

Epithelioid cells are found in lymph nodes in cases of metastatic carcinoma; however, epithelioid cells with benign features have also been discovered incidentally in lymph nodes. Epithelioid cells were observed in mediastinal lymph nodes of cattle without cancer during routine diagnostic necropsy. To explain this finding, the authors evaluated the prevalence and histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features retrospectively using mediastinal lymph nodes from 110 cattle and found that 66 of the lymph nodes contained epithelioid cells. In all 66 nodes, most of the epithelioid cells were individual or aggregated in nodal sinuses; in 21 nodes, some epithelioid cells formed tubular structures. The individual and aggregated epithelioid cells were mostly considered to be mesothelial in origin by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination; presumably, they entered the lymph nodes via lymphatic vessels, because they were found in afferent lymphatic vessels and nodal sinuses. Although the presence of epithelioid cells in lymph nodes prompts suspicion of metastatic carcinoma, the epithelioid cells in these bovine lymph nodes did not disrupt nodal architecture, lacked atypia or mitotic figures, and did not invade nodal parenchyma.

Role of a serine residue (S278) in the pore-facing region of the housefly L-glutamate-gated chloride channel in determining sensitivity to noncompetitive antagonists

Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), fipronil and picrotoxinin are noncompetitive antagonists (NCAs) of L-glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls), yet their potencies are weaker than those on gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABARs). The A302S mutation of Drosophila RDL (resistant to dieldrin) GABAR confers NCA resistance, and housefly GluCls (MdGluCls) possess S278 as the residue corresponding to the A302. Thus, the effects of S278A mutation on the NCA actions on MdGluCls were investigated. The S278A mutation resulted in enhanced blocking by NCAs of the MdGluCl response to 30 microM L-glutamate. However, such actions of gamma-HCH and picrotoxinin, but not of fipronil, on the S278A mutant were reduced with 200 microM L-glutamate. Further increases in the L-glutamate concentration led to potentiation by NCAs of the mutant response to L-glutamate.

Steroid receptor signalling in the brain--lessons learned from molecular imaging

Studies with green fluorescent protein (GFP) have revealed the subcellular distribution of many steroid hormone receptors to be much more dynamic than previously thought. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) are powerful techniques with which to examine protein-protein interaction and the mobility of tagged proteins, respectively. FRET analysis revealed that steroid treatment (with corticosterone or testosterone) induces direct interaction of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and importin alpha in the cytoplasm and that, shortly after nuclear entry, the GR detaches from importin alpha. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and androgen receptor (AR) show the same trafficking. Upon oestradiol treatment, ERalpha and ERbeta in the same cell are relocalised to form a discrete pattern and are localised in the same discrete cluster (subnuclear foci). FRAP analysis showed that nuclear ERalpha and ERbeta are most dynamic and mobile in the absence of the ligand, and that mobility decreases slightly after ligand treatment. Genomic as well as non-genomic actions of steroid hormones influence the cellular function of target tissues spacio-temporally.

Structural and electronic properties of expanding fluid metals

It has been theoretically predicted that interacting electron gas suffers a negative compressibility when the electron density is sufficiently reduced. Dielectric anomaly is another expression of compressional instability in which the static dielectric function of electron gas changes sign from positive to negative. In a medium with a negative dielectric function, like charges can attract. Expanding fluid alkali metals are the ideal system in which such instability of electron gas can be probed via the structural response of ions. We have performed x-ray diffraction and small angle x-ray scattering measurements using synchrotron radiation for expanding fluid rubidium and cesium. On the basis of the experimental results we discuss the existence of compressional instability and dielectric anomaly in three-dimensional electron gas.

Isolation and characterisation of four cDNAs encoding neuromedin U (NMU) from the brain and gut of goldfish, and the inhibitory effect of a deduced NMU on food intake and locomotor activity

In rodents, neuromedin U (NMU; U for its original effects examined in the uterus) is a multifunctional neuropeptide implicated in the regulation of the circulatory and digestive systems and energy homeostasis, especially appetite. However, there is no available information on the nature and physiological roles of NMU in fish. Therefore, we attempted to isolate and characterise transcripts encoding NMU from the brain and gut of the goldfish, and to examine the involvement of NMU in the regulation of feeding behaviour in this species. We identified four cDNAs encoding three NMU orthologs from the brain and gut. Putative peptides consisting of 21, 25 and 38 amino acid residues (NMU-21, NMU-25 and NMU-38) were deduced from their nucleotide sequences. Two mRNAs for NMU-25 were strongly expressed in the gut and weakly expressed in the brain and testis. By contrast, mRNA for NMU-21 was strongly expressed in the brain and weakly expressed in the peripheral tissues. Expression of mRNA for NMU-38 was weakly expressed only in the brain. Therefore, we examined the effect of feeding status on the expression of NMU-21 mRNA in the brain. Fasting for 7 days induced a significant decrease in the expression levels of NMU-21 mRNA in the brain. We also synthesised NMU-21 after deducing its C-terminal amide from the NMU-21 mRNA, and then investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of NMU-21 on food intake and locomotor activity in the goldfish. NMU-21, injected i.c.v., suppressed food intake and locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that NMU orthologs exist in fish, and that the NMU-21 deduced from them can potently inhibit food intake and locomotor activity in goldfish.

[The saccular coronary aneurysm associated with coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulae]

Coronary artery fistulae are relatively rare congenital anomalies. Those associated with saccular coronary artery aneurysms are even rarer. Including the current case, only 65 such cases have been reported in Japan. A 62-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of abnormal shadow on the chest X-ray. The enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a giant saccular coronary aneurysm on the left side of the pulmonary artery. Multi-detector row CT (MDCT) scan demonstrated the coronary artery aneurysm was connected to the left anterior descending artery. Coronary angiography revealed 2 aneurysms with bilateral coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulae. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy and ligation of fistulae under cardiopulomonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful and postoperative coronary angiography revealed complete resection of the aneurysms and only slight blood flow through the fistulae. She was discharged on the 10th postoperative day.

Direct hemoperfusion with a cytokine-adsorbing device for the treatment of persistent or severe hypercytokinemia: a pilot study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cytokine overproduction has been noted during the aggravation of clinical conditions. Countermeasures to control hypercytokinemia are therefore important in critical care. We investigated the clinical efficacy of hemoadsorption therapy using a new cytokine-adsorbing device in critically ill patients with persistent or severe hypercytokinemia.

METHODS

Direct hemoperfusion using the CYT-860, a cytokine-adsorber column (CYT-860-DHP), was performed in critically ill patients with hypercytokinemia. To evaluate the efficacy of CYT-860-DHP, changes in pathological and clinical parameters were examined.

RESULTS

Seven patients with hypercytokinemia and a SOFA score of > or = 5 underwent CYT-860-DHP treatment. Four patients survived 28 days after CYT-860-DHP treatment. Significant decreases in blood levels of cytokines were observed. PaO2/F(I)O2 improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

The possibility that CYT-860-DHP treatment can reduce blood cytokine levels and thereby improve the general condition of patients was suggested. These findings warrant the initiation of a prospective randomized trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of CYT-860-DHP treatment.

Histological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Canine Ovary

In the present study, 15 canine ovaries without morphological lesions were examined histologically and immunohistochemically by using a large number of proteins including AE1/AE3, cytokeratin7 (CK7), CK13, CK20, vimentin, desmin, alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), calponin, S100, Neurofilaments, Inhibinalpha, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and neuron-specific enolase. Ovarian structures observed in this study included surface epithelium (SE), cortical tubules (CT), tunica albuginea (TA), stromal cells (SC), internal endocrine cells (IE), rete ovarii (RO) and fallopian tubes (FT). SE, CT, RO and FT were broadly immunoreactive for desmin. Besides AE1/AE3 and vimentin, desmin was also closely linked to these structures. Rete ovarii forming a reticular structure showed a positive reaction to S100. Surface epithelium was immunoreactive for PLAP at a significantly high level. In conclusion, these results indicate a specific segment of immunoreactivity as well as the broad range of immunoreactivity in canine ovary. The distinct patterns of immunoreactive for various kinds of proteins will play an important role in facilitating their identification and discrimination even in a normal canine ovary with a complex structure.

CDC20, a potential cancer therapeutic target, is negatively regulated by p53

The p53 protein inhibits malignant transformation through direct and indirect regulation of transcription of many genes related to cell cycle, apoptosis and cellular senescence. A number of genes induced by p53 have been well characterized, but biological significance of genes whose expression was suppressed by p53 is still largely undisclosed. To clarify the roles of p53-suppressive genes in carcinogenesis, we analysed two data sets of whole-genome expression profiles, one for cells in which wild-type p53 was exogenously introduced and the other for a large number of clinical cancer tissues. Here, we identified CDC20 that was frequently upregulated in many types of malignancies and remarkably suppressed by ectopic introduction of p53. CDC20 expression was suppressed by genotoxic stresses in p53- and p21-dependent manners through CDE-CHR elements in the CDC20 promoter. Furthermore, small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of p53 induced CDC20 expression in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. As we expected, treatment of cancer cells with siRNA against CDC20 induced G(2)/M arrest and suppressed cell growth. Our results indicate that p53 inhibits tumor cell growth through the indirect regulation of CDC20 and that CDC20 might be a good potential therapeutic target for a broad spectrum of human cancer.

Multiple hepatic peribiliary cysts in a young pig

Histopathologic features of hepatic peribiliary cysts were described in a young slaughtered pig. The animal was an apparently healthy 6-month-old pig of mixed breed. Macroscopically, all lobes of the liver contained numerous cysts of varying size containing serous fluid in all lobes. Histopathologically, the cysts were located mainly around the large bile duct and in the connective tissue of the portal tracts. Within serial sections, these cysts were assumed to be solitary or multilocular, but they were separated from the bile duct. The cysts were lined by a single layer of columnar, cuboidal, and flattened epithelial cells. Occasionally, goblet cells were observed. The epithelial cells were stained with periodic acid-Schiff/alcian blue and high-iron diamine/alcian blue, indicating the presence of neutral mucin, sialomucin, and sulfomucin. Grimalius' method revealed the presence of endocrine cells in the lining epithelium. There was no bile pigment in the cysts by the Hall method.

[Perioperative coronary spasm in the modified Bentall's operation for localized dissecting aneurysm of Valsalva sinuses]

A 55-year-old man had suffered from chest oppression while asleep for 1 to 2 years. Moderate aortic regurgitation and aneurysm of Valsalva sinuses were revealed by echocardiography. It was diagnosed as chronic localized dissecting aneurysm of Valsalva sinuses during the operation, and modified Bentall's operation was performed. The patient was extubated 2 hours after the operation. ST segment depression in leads I, aV(L) and V3-V6, and elevation in leads III and aV(R) suddenly occurred 5 hours after the operation. However, hemodynamics was very stable, and he complained of no chest pain. Cardiac asystole was detected 7 hours after the operation, and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support as well as intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) was immediately started. Emergency coronary angiography revealed acute myocardial infarction due to severe coronary spasm in the left coronary artery. The patient expired on the 3rd postoperative day.

A novel rapid genetic diagnosis for peritoneal recurrence in gastrointestinal cancer patients

21052

Background: The prediction of peritoneal recurrence in gastrointestinal cancer patients is extremely important in order to prevent an unfavorable prognosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of a novel rapid RNA amplification system with transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) to detect isolated tumor cells in peritoneal washes of gastrointestinal cancer patients as an intra-operative genetic predictor of peritoneal recurrence. To clarify the characteristic qualities of TRC, we compared the results with those of one-step real-time RT-PCR. Methods: A total of 325 cytology-negative gastrointestinal cancer patients (164 gastric cancer, 161 colorectal cancer) were included. This study was approved by the institutional review board of our hospital and all patients provided written informed consent. Peritoneal washes of Douglas cavity were collected from patients. One-half of each wash was used for cytopathology and the other half was used for molecular diagnosis. Total RNA was extracted from cells which were separated from washes, and TRC and one-step real-time RT-PCR of multiple marker genes (CEA, CK20 mRNA) were performed using a TRCRapid-160 and LightCycler, respectively. Results: The rapidity and simplicity of the TRC is superior to that of one-step real-time RT-PCR. The detection time of marker genes by TRC was only 20 minutes as compared to 70 minutes of real-time RT-PCR. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the TRC were equal to those of real-time RT-PCR. Molecular detection of CEA and/or CK20 transcripts of the peritoneal washes by TRC showed a significant correlation to the depth of invasion, venous invasion, lymph node invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal metastasis and stage. The peritoneal recurrence- free and overall survival rates of CEA and/or CK20 transcript-positive patients were significantly shorter than those of marker gene-negative patients. CEA and/or CK20 transcripts in peritoneal washes were independent prognostic factors of peritoneal recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion: TRC may be more useful than real-time RT-PCR due to its rapidity and simplicity for the intra-operative genetic diagnosis of peritoneal recurrence in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Isolated intracavitary metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the right atrium without inferior vena cava involvement; report of a case]

A 63-year-old female had been treated for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) since 3 years before. She developed symptoms of dyspnea and echocardiography revealed a large tumor in the right atrium. The stalk of tumor was attached to the intraatrial septum just above the tricuspid valve and the tumor was floating between the right atrium and the right ventricle according to cardiac rhythm. The size of tumor was 30 x 15 mm in diameter. She was admitted to our hospital for emergency operation. She was operated for cardiac tumor under cardiopulmonary bypass successfully and the postoperative course was uneventful. But the pathology reported direct intracavitary metastasis of HCC without intravascular involvement. She was discharged on the 7th postoperative day for the treatment of HCC.

Medium-range fluctuations accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition in expanded fluid hg

We have carried out small angle x-ray scattering experiments of expanded fluid Hg in the metal-nonmetal (M-NM) transition region around 9.0 g cm(-3). Increase of small angle scattering intensity following the Ornstein-Zernike equation is clearly observed in the M-NM transition region as well as near the liquid-vapor critical point at 5.8 g cm(-3). The short-range correlation length, R, becomes twice as large in the M-NM transition region as in the critical region. The enhancement of R in expanded fluid Hg suggests a new type of fluctuations reflecting a first-order M-NM transition.

Comparison of oral stereognosis in relation to age and the use of complete dentures

The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related difference in oral sensory function by testing oral stereognostic ability (OSA) and to determine the effect of wearing complete dentures on OSA. Subjects were 20 dentate and 30 edentulous elderly patients free from oral symptoms and pathologies, and 30 younger dentate students as controls. The OSA tests were conducted with test pieces of 12 shaped forms. The duration time for recognition was noted and the answers were recorded using a three-point scale. anova and paired t-tests were used to examine significant differences. P-values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The OSA score in older dentate participants and complete denture wearers was significantly higher than in younger dentate subjects. However, no significant difference was found in the OSA score between older dentate participants and complete denture wearers. When older edentulous subjects removed the maxillary and mandible complete dentures, the OSA score was significantly lower and the response time significantly longer than with dentures. Within the limitations of this study, an age-related difference in oral sensory function, as measured by OSA tests, was found. However, oral sensory function was not significantly different between fully dentate persons and complete denture wearers in the elderly.

Instability of the electron gas in an expanding metal

We have measured x-ray diffraction and small-angle x-ray scattering of fluid rubidium by reducing electron density down to the range where the compressibility of the interacting electron gas has been theoretically predicted to become negative. Negative compressibility is closely associated with a negative value of the static dielectric function, which makes the screened Coulomb interaction among like charges overall attractive. It was clearly observed that the interatomic distance decreases in spite of the fact that mean interatomic distance increases with expansion, suggesting that an attractive interaction among like charges, ions in this case, is enhanced. These findings indicate that the observed structural features are evidence of the compressional instability of the 3D electron gas.

Data Processing for Radioimmunoassay Standard Curve Using Microcomputer: A New Basic Program for Weighted Logit-Log Transformation

A new BASIC program of the weighted linear, quadratic and cubic logit-log regression methods for data processing of radioimmunoassay standard curve was developed using a microcomputer. Using this program, three regression analyses are calculated and the table for root mean square of residuals in each regression are shown for the selection of the regression method. The data of three radioimmunoassays of human pancreatic enzymes and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor were examined by this program and compared with those processed by the four parameter logistic method. The weighted cubic logit-log regression showed better fit in radioimmunoassays of human pancreatic enzymes with larger molecular weights. The present program is useful and practicable for its simplicity and accuracy.

Functional characterization of Musca glutamate- and GABA-gated chloride channels expressed independently and coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes

Ligand-gated chloride channels (LGICs) are important targets for insecticides and parasiticides. Genes encoding subunits of two LGICs, a glutamate-gated chloride channel (MdGluCl-alpha) and a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channel (MdRdl), were cloned from house-flies (Musca domestica L.). These genes were first expressed independently in Xenopus laevis oocytes by cRNA injection in order to investigate the pharmacology of these ligand-gated channels using two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology. It was found that L-glutamate and GABA activated the MdGluCl-alpha homo-oligomers with an EC(50) value of 30 microM and the MdRdl homo-oligomers with an EC(50) value of 101 microM, respectively. Both channels were chloride ion-permeable, and the MdRdl channel was more sensitive to chloride channel blockers, such as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), fipronil and picrotoxinin, than the MdGluCl-alpha channel. MdGluCl-alpha required only 1-2 days of incubation after cRNA injection to be expressed in oocytes, whereas 4-7 days of incubation was necessary to achieve MdRdl expression. However, when the cRNA of MdGluCl-alpha was injected at a dose of 1% (w/w) 1 day after the injection of the cRNA of MdRdl, a significant increase in the current amplitude of responses to GABA was observed, and the incubation period necessary for MdRdl expression became shorter. These results suggest that MdGluCl-alpha assists in the expression of MdRdl when the two are coexpressed.

Medullary sponge kidney in a 10-year-old Shih Tzu dog

Medullary sponge kidney was diagnosed in a 10-year-old male Shih Tzu dog with a long history of hyposthenuria, but with no other findings indicating renal failure or hormonal aberration. At the dog's death from heart failure, an autopsy was performed. On gross morphology, bilateral kidneys were normal size and had many cysts ranging from the corticomedullary junction to renal papillae. Histopathologic findings showed that almost all of the cysts were lined by monolayered or multilayered and columnar or cuboidal epithelium with chilium similar to epididymis. Immunohistochemically, all of these cells were strongly positive for AE1/AE3 and negative for vimentin. Many of these cells were positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and only a few cells were positive for desmin. The results of staining are the same as those for epithelium of the collecting duct of normal canine kidney. This is the first report of this pathologic entity in the canine kidney.

[Impending rupture of aneurysm of Salmonella-infected aortic arch]

We report a case of a 67-year-old man with Salmonella infected aortic arch aneurysm. The patient presented with persistent high fever, chest pain, back pain and hoarseness. Laboratory studies showed the presence of severe inflammation. Both impending rupture and saccular aneurysm were suspected by preoperative computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography and diagnosis was, therefore difficult to make. We conducted semi-emergency total aortic arch replacement, under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion. Salmonella was identified in the aneurysmal wall and antibiotics were administered for 6 weeks until CRP was normalized, when they were replaced by oral antibiotics. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the 60th postoperative day. He continues to take oral antibiotics.

Co-localization of TFF2 with gland mucous cell mucin in gastric mucous cells and in extracellular mucous gel adherent to normal and damaged gastric mucosa

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is mucin associated peptide that has a mucosal barrier function in addition to participating in repair and healing. We examined the localization of TFF2 and gastric mucins in gastric mucous cells, the surface mucous gel layer (SMGL) adherent to normal gastric mucosa, and in the mucoid cap covering gastric erosions. Carnoy's solution, or formalin/picric acid-fixed paraffin embedded materials from resected stomachs and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded gastric biopsy materials were used. Sections were immunostained for the TFF2 and histochemically stained for gastric mucins. In addition, thick sectioned gastric mucosa fixed in Carnoy's solution were stained with FITC-labeled GSA-II lectin specific for gland mucous cell mucin and examined for three-dimensional images of the SMGL using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin were found intermixed together in the gastric gland mucous cells, in the SMGL in laminated layers, and in the mucoid cap. A laminated arrangement of continuous sheets of gland mucous cell mucin in the SMGL was demonstrated in the three-dimensional images. Co-localization of the TFF2 with gland mucous cell mucin suggests a physical interaction between the TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin. The TFF2 trapped in the adherent mucins may be responsible for mucosal defense, healing, and repair.

Regulation by orexin of feeding behaviour and locomotor activity in the goldfish

Orexin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that is implicated in the regulation of feeding behaviour and the sleep-wakefulness cycle in mammals. However, in spite of a growing body of knowledge concerning orexin in mammals, the orexin system and its function have not been well studied in lower vertebrates. In the present study, we first examined the effect of feeding status on the orexin-like immunoreactivity (orexin-LI) and the expression of orexin mRNA in the goldfish brain. The number of cells showing orexin-LI in the hypothalamus of goldfish brain showed a significant increase in fasted fish and a significant decrease in glucose-injected fish. The expression level of orexin mRNA in the brains of fasted fish increased compared to that of fed fish. We also examined the effect of an i.c.v. injection of orexin or an anti-orexin serum on food intake and locomotor activity in the goldfish. Administration of orexin by i.c.v. injection induced a significant increase of food intake and locomotor activity, whereas i.p. injection of glucose or i.c.v. injection of anti-orexin serum decreased food consumption. These results indicate that the orexin functions as an orexigenic factor in the goldfish brain.

Pathogenicity of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) in different species of birds and mammals

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been occurring in domestic poultry in Asia since 1996. In the beginning of 2004, HPAI outbreaks were caused by H5N1 virus in two farms and a group of pet chickens in different areas of Japan. In the present study, the pathogenicity of A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1), which had been isolated from a dead chicken during the first outbreak in Japan, was assessed in chickens, quails, budgerigars, ducklings, mice, and miniature pigs by experimental infection. The virus was highly pathogenic to all the birds tested. Mice were susceptible to infection with a low mortality rate and miniature pigs were resistant to infection with the virus.

Chromosomal change during 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) therapy in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia: the growth of a 6-MP-refractory clone that already exists at onset

Among 11 JMML children, two had an abnormal karyotype, and nine had a normal karyotype at onset. In one patient with trisomy 8 and four patients with a normal karyotype, a new clone with an aberrant karyotype emerged 1-14 months after 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) therapy as shown by G-banding analyses. Fluorescence in situ hybridization disclosed that an abnormal clone existed in approximately 3-6% of bone marrow cells at onset or before 6-MP therapy in all the four cases examined, and increased to approximately 12-90% during the treatment. In culture with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, cytogenetically abnormal clones that proliferated during 6-MP therapy possessed significantly less sensitivity to the antimetabolite, compared with cells that decreased in numbers after the therapy. A PTPN11 mutation was detected in all of granulocyte-macrophage colonies irrespective of karyotypic aberration in one patient, whereas approximately 80% of erythroid colonies and 20% of mixed colonies possessed neither a PTPN11 mutation nor chromosomal abnormalities. The appearance of chromosomal aberrations shown by G-banding during 6-MP therapy in some JMML cases may result, in part, from the growth of a 6-MP-refractory clone that already exists at onset. It is possible that treatment with 6-MP promotes progression of the disease.

Three-dimensional computer-aided design based design sensitivity analysis and shape optimization of the stem using adaptive p-method

The number of stem designs for total hip arthroplasty is increasing, and occasionally design changes have yielded unexpected clinical results. At present, we are not able to clearly identify which parameter of the stem is most important, and the optimum value of many parameters. The goals of this study were to identify which parameter is most important, to understand the effect of design change, and to find the optimum stem shape. For this purpose, we used adaptive p-method together with three-dimensional computer-aided design software program for the design sensitivity analysis (DSA) and shape optimization of the stem. The results suggested that increasing the lateral and medial width of the distal cross-section together with decreasing the medial-lateral width and the medial radius of the distal cross-section from the default value would lead to a decrease in the largest maximum principal stress of the distal cement. The medial width of middle cross-section, however, was not so simple. The result of DSA suggested that decreasing this parameter from the default value decreased the stress in the distal cement, but the optimum shape was obtained by increasing this parameter. The method used in this study will assist our engineers and surgeons in the process of modifying and optimizing the stem design.

Association of candidal activity with denture use and salivary flow in symptom-free adults over 60 years1

The purpose of this study was to examine the amount of palatal mucosa Candida species associated with denture use and stimulated salivary flow in symptom-free adults over 60 years. The subjects were 351 (189 men and 162 women) independently living elderly people with a mean age of 66.7 +/- 4.3 (SD) years. Candidal activity of palatal mucosa was evaluated by the pH change in the medium that was associated with the acid production of the yeast. Subjects whose stimulated salivary flow rate was less than 0.5 ml/min were placed in the hyposalivation group. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine if an independent variable was statistically significant after controlling for other variables. Candidal activity of the palatal mucosa was significantly associated with the dental status of the maxillae (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001), but was not significantly associated with age or drug intake. In maxillary denture wearers, Candidal activity of palatal mucosa had a significantly positive correlation with candidal activity of tissue fitting surfaces of maxillary dentures (r = 0.806, P < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high candidal activity of the palate was significantly associated with being male and wearing maxillary removable dentures. Stimulated salivary flow rate was likely to be negatively related to high candidal activity (P = 0.07). This study suggests that the activity of Candida species in the oral cavity is associated with the wearing of removable dentures and stimulated salivary flow, independent of age or gender even in the relatively healthy elderly.

Developmental changes in the expression of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA in the monkey thalamus: northern blot and in situ hybridization studies

The expression of growth-associated protein-43 has been related to axonal elongation and synaptic sprouting. Using the Northern blot analysis, we investigated the developmental changes of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA in the thalamus of macaque monkeys. The amount of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA was high at embryonic day 125, and decreased at postnatal day 1. It increased again at postnatal day 8, reached its peak value at postnatal days 50-70, and then decreased gradually until postnatal year 1. We previously reported that the amount of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA in the cerebral cortex decreased roughly exponentially during perinatal and postnatal periods and that it approached the asymptote by postnatal day 70 [Oishi T, Higo N, Umino Y, Matsuda K, Hayashi M (1998) Development of GAP-43 mRNA in the macaque cerebral cortex. Dev Brain Res 109:87-97]. The present findings may indicate that extensive synaptic growth of thalamic neurons continues even after that of cortical neurons has finished. We then performed in situ hybridization to investigate whether the expression level of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA was different among various thalamic nuclei. In the infant thalamus (postnatal days 70-90), moderate to intense expression of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA was detected in all thalamic nuclei. Quantitative analysis in the infant thalamus indicated that the expression levels were different between the nuclear groups that are defined by the origin of their afferents. The expression in the first order nuclei, which receive their primary afferent fibers from ascending pathways [Guillery RW (1995) Anatomical evidence concerning the role of the thalamus in corticocortical communication: a brief review. J Anat 187 (Pt 3):583-592], was significantly higher than that in the higher order nuclei. While moderate expression was also detected in the adult dorsal thalamus, the expression in the first order nuclei was almost the same as that in the higher order nuclei. Thus, the in situ hybridization experiments indicated that the transient postnatal increase in the amount of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA, which was shown by the Northern blot analysis, was mainly attributed to enhanced expression in the first order nuclei during the postnatal period. This may be a molecular basis for environmentally induced modification of thalamocortical synapses.

Reduction of PTEN protein and loss of epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation in lung cancer with natural resistance to gefitinib (IRESSA)

Gefitinib (IRESSA), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor, has antitumour activity in the advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) setting. However, in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC, the addition of gefitinib to standard chemotherapy regimens failed to increase survival. These results suggest the need for improved patient selection and combination rationales for targeted therapies. We have identified subpopulations of an adenocarcinoma cell line that are naturally resistant to gefitinib, and have analysed the cDNA expression profiles, genomic status of EGFR gene and the effect of gefitinib on signalling pathways in these cell lines in order to identify key mechanisms for naturally acquired resistance to gefitinib. Gefitinib-resistant subpopulations demonstrated increased Akt phosphorylation (not inhibited by gefitinib), reduced PTEN protein expression and loss of the EGFR gene mutation when compared with parental cell lines. These differences in Akt and PTEN protein expression were not evident from the cDNA array profiles. These data suggests that (1) the EGFR gene mutation may be possibly lost in some cancer cells with other additional mechanisms for activating Akt, (2) reintroduction of PTEN or pharmacological downregulation of the constitutive PI3K-Akt-pathway activity may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in cancers with gefitinib resistance.

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus with giant hepatic cavernous hemangioma

A 39-year old woman with antiphospholipid antibody positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted to our department because of high fever, liver dysfunction and high level of C-reactive protein. At hospitalization, there was no anemia or jaundice. A tumor was palpable in the epigastric region, and there was tenderness in this region, but no muscular defense. There were no findings which indicated disease activity of SLE. The result of abdominal ultrasonography showed that there was a giant tumor, which occupied the majority of the left lobule of the liver, and a nonuniform ultrasound image was observed inside the tumor. The result of dynamic computed tomography (CT) showed peripheral globular enhancement, and enhancement then extended to the tumor center with time. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with multiple hepatic hemangiomas. After admission, anemia rapidly deteriorated, and platelet count tended to decline. Therefore, intratumor hemorrhage was suspected, and emergent angiography was performed. For hemostatic purposes, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and extended left hepatic lobectomy were performed. In patients with autoimmune diseases such as SLE and antiphospholipid syndromes, when thrombocytopenia is observed, care should be paid to identifying its cause, considering thrombocytopenia may be induced by hemangioma, although these cases are extremely rare.

Pathogenicity of H5 influenza viruses for ducks

Four H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses and an avirulent reassortant H5N1 virus were tested for their pathogenicity in domestic ducks. A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) (Ck/Yamaguchi/04) isolated from a dead bird during the HPAI outbreak in Japan and A/duck/Yokohama/aq-10/03 (H5N1) (Dk/Yokohama/03) isolated from duck meat at a quarantine inspection for importation from China replicated in multiple organs including the brain of ducks. The ducks infected with Ck/Yamaguchi/04 did not show any clinical signs, while those infected with Dk/Yokohama/03 showed neurological signs. The ducks infected either with A/Hong Kong/483/97 (H5N1) or A/tern/South Africa/61 (H5N3), or with an avirulent H5N1 reassortant, did not show any clinical signs. Virus-specific antibodies were detected in the sera of the ducks infected with each of the five strains tested, indicating that all of the viral strains infected and replicated in the birds. Dk/Yokohama/03 grew in multiple organs more rapidly than did Ck/Yamaguchi/04. Considerable titers of virus were detected in the brain of the ducks infected with Dk/Yokohama/03 and these birds showed neurological signs. The present results demonstrate that the pathogenicity of influenza viruses for ducks does not correlate with that for chickens and that replication of the virus in the brain is critical for ducks to show neurological signs.