Immunohistochemical expression of growth factors in subacute thyroiditis and their effects on thyroid folliculogenesis and angiogenesis in collagen gel matrix culture

The inflammatory-mechanistic basis of subacute thyroiditis remains unclear. To elucidate the roles of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the inflammatory process, their immunoexpression was examined in biopsy specimens of ten cases. At the granulomatous stage, all cases expressed VEGF, bFGF, PDGF, and TGF-beta1 in monocytes/macrophages infiltrating into follicle lumina, and in both epithelioid histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells of the granulomas. In fibroblasts and endothelial cells around the granulomas, all cases displayed VEGF, bFGF, and PDGF, but TGF-beta1 was detected only in fibroblasts in two cases. No cases expressed EGF in any of the above cell types. At the regenerative stage, all cases expressed VEGF, bFGF, and EGF in regenerating thyrocytes, whereas three and no cases displayed PDGF and TGF-beta1, respectively. Ten, seven and six cases expressed PDGF in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and monocytes, respectively. In these cell types, all cases expressed VEGF and bFGF, whereas no cases displayed TGF-beta1 and EGF. To estimate the roles of these growth factors in thyroid tissue regeneration, their effects on thyroid folliculogenesis and angiogenesis were examined using collagen gel culture of thyrocytes and endothelial cells, respectively. Cell proliferation was also studied by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake. EGF decreased follicle formation and TGF-beta1 drastically inhibited it, but the others had no effect. VEGF showed the greatest effect on vessel formation, although all of the others promoted it. EGF and VEGF or bFGF caused the highest BrdU uptake in thyrocytes and endothelial cells, respectively. The data suggest firstly, that at the granulomatous stage of subacute thyroiditis, growth factor-rich monocytes/macrophages infiltrating into follicle lumina trigger the granulomatous reaction, and VEGF, bFGF, PDGF, and TGF-beta1 produced by the stromal cell types tested mediate the reaction; secondly, that at the regenerative stage, EGF serves follicle regeneration through its mitogenic effect on thyrocytes, although some cofactors with EGF are involved in folliculogenesis and the decreased expression of TGF-beta1, a fibrogenic factor, contributes to thyroid tissue repair; and thirdly, that VEGF and bFGF are more responsible for the angiogenesis at both stages than the other factors studied.

Novel lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and trimethylene carbonate forming poly(ester carbonate)s

Poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)s were prepared by the lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and trimethylene carbonate having carbonate content from 0 to 100%. Their thermal properties and enzymatic degradability were measured. The L,L-, D,D- and D,L-lactides were copolymerized with trimethylene carbonate by porcine pancreatic lipase to produce random copolymers having molecular weights of up to 21000. The glass transition temperature (Tg of the copolymer was dependent on the carbonate content and the Tg values linearly decreased from 35 degrees C (polylactide) to -8 degrees C [poly(trimethylene carbonate)]. Among the lipases tested, the porcine pancreatic lipase and proteinase K showed biodegradability towards poly(ester-carbonate)s.

Energy filtering transmission electron microscopy using the new JEM-2010FEF

The new JEM-2010FEF electron microscope provides useful techniques based on energy filtering as an omega-type energy filter is integrated into a thermal field-emission 200 kV transmission electron microscope. For example, the zero-loss imaging improves the contrast of high resolution lattice images as well as images of precipitates or lattice defects in alloys. The acquisition time for elemental mapping with core-loss electrons is one order in magnitude shorter than with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The removal of inelastically scattered electrons enables us to observe weak lines in convergent-beam electron diffraction patterns from a thicker specimen with a probe size 1-2 nm in diameter. A combination of the field emission gun and sensitive recording media such as an imaging plate and a slow-scan CCD camera makes the energy filtering more powerful.

Blood flow rate in normal and tumor-bearing rats in conscious state, under urethane anesthesia, and during systemic hypothermia

The blood flow rates of 14 tissues in the body were determined by microsphere method using normal and tumor-bearing rats kept conscious or under urethane anesthesia. The effects on the blood flow rate in the tissues were assessed for multimodal therapy, systemic hypothermia for ischemic brain injury, and local hyperthermia and angiotensin II-induced hypertensive chemotherapy for cancer. Urethane anesthesia showed no effect on cardiac output, while there was a tendency of decrease of blood flow rate and % of cardiac output in each tissue other than muscle tissue, in which they increased as a counterbalance, in normal and tumor-bearing rats. Systemic hypothermia gave results similar to those of urethane anesthesia in normal rats, but for tumor-bearing rats, it decreased cardiac output, and consequently the blood flow rate in most tissues. Brain blood flow rate was about half of that in the conscious rats. Local hyperthermia also decreased the cardiac output and blood flow rate in each tissue, including the tumor tissue. Angiotensin II-induced hypertension showed no effect on cardiac output, had various effects on blood flow rate in each tissue, and led to no increase in the tumor blood flow rate. Simulations based on the physiological pharmacokinetic modeling suggested that intramuscular injection of a lung-specific derivative of ceftazidime would provide the ideal biodistribution to ensure its optimal therapeutic efficacy during systemic hypothermia. This methodology, namely the pharmacokinetic simulation based on the physiological values of the body, will provide a useful piece of information on drug delivery systems under various conditions.

Differences in the biological effects of in vitro irradiation by 65 MeV protons and 137cesium gamma-rays

Using the irradiation system constructed for research in radiation biology, we have investigated the differences in the biological effects of in vitro irradiation by 65 MeV protons and by 137Cs gamma-rays. Survival curves were generated using V79 cells. The effects on biological parameters (SF2, RBE) of protons were greater than gamma-rays. Furthermore, 3H-thymidine incorporation in KOSC-3 cells, which display the p53 gene mutation, was inhibited by protons much more than by gamma-rays. On the other hand, in bleomycin-sensitive SCCKN cells, 3H-thymidine incorporation decreased more than in bleomycin-resistant SCCTF cells, however, both were inhibited by protons much more than by gamma-rays. In this study, the biological parameters and 3H-thymidine incorporation caused by 65 MeV protons were more severe than those caused by 137Cs gamma-rays.

[Ultrasound biomicroscopic findings of anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation]

We performed ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) on 5 eyes with anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation (AHFVP), which had developed after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. AHFVP was observed as a thick membrane or a mass image which extended from the vitreous base to the pars plicata, and was apparently differentiated from the anterior vitreous membrane and cilliary body. UBM showed proliferative stalks extending from sclerotomy sites toward the anterior vitreous membrane. These UBM images indicated that AHFVP originated from sclerotomy sites. UBM also enabled us to detect traction detachment of the peripheral retina associated with AHFVP, which could not be observed by conventional B-mode echography. Thus UBM is useful in establishing a diagnosis of AHFVP, and this technique is valuable to determine the indication and the timing of surgical treatment for AHFVP.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human oral squamous cell carcinoma: its association with tumour progression and p53 gene status

AIMS

To correlate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis; and to assess whether p53 gene status is associated with VEGF expression in human cancers.

METHODS

Tumour specimens from 45 patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas were examined. Expression of VEGF was determined using an immunohistochemical method, and a tumour was considered positive when more than 5% of the neoplastic cells showed VEGF immunoreactivity. The p53 gene status was screened using a polymerase chain reaction--single strand conformation polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

VEGF positive staining was detected in 19 (42.2%) of the 45 cases. VEGF immunoreactivity did not correlate with the histological degree of tumour differentiation, clinical stages, or lymph node metastasis. The patients with VEGF positive tumours had a significantly worse prognosis than those with VEGF negative tumours. The five year overall survival rate of the VEGF negative patients was 76.5%, as compared with 48.8% for the VEGF positive patients. No significant association between VEGF expression and the p53 gene status of the tumours was found.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF is a good prognostic indicator of the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The p53 gene status does not seem to be associated with VEGF expression in these cancers.

[An experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for an intrapulmonary needle under CT-guided marking]

A 46-year-old female visited a near hospital, complaining of repeating skin eruption with spontaneous remission. A chest X-ray and CT examinations revealed a needle in the left S6, about 5 mm in length, which was suspected of causing the eruption. She was admitted to our hospital for operation. After CT-guided marking, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed. Because the needle was too small to be palpable, we decided to respect of it with the lung surrounding the marker and clamped the lung, followed by finding the needle finally. The analysis of the removed needle showed that it contained lead and tin besides iron, nickel and chromium, which are components of stainless steel. Although dermatological examination could not reveal the relation between the needle and the eruption, it has never recurred since the operation. It is thought that CT-guided marking is very useful for resection of an intrapulmonary needle and that a foreign body should be removed for the possibility of being harmful.

Assessment of the caries activity test (Cariostat) based on the infection levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in 2- to 13-year-old children's dental plaque

It is generally agreed that mutans streptococci and lactobacilli are associated etiologically with dental caries. The caries activity test, Cariostat, was designed to measure the pH decrease caused by microorganisms in the plaque sample obtained from the buccal surfaces. Researchers found the test to be a reliable, diagnostic, and predictive device. Incubation was done on MS and MSB plates in an atmosphere of 95 percent N and 5 percent CO at 37 degrees C and for 48 hours. The relationship of the Cariostat scores and the pH values are shown in a table. The test scores are shown for two age-groups: Ages two-to-six years with primary dentitions, and ages five-to-thirteen years with mixed dentitions. The advantages of the Cariostat test are: the sampling method is simple and the time of analysis is short; the test can be used for the very young and for patients difficult to manage; and it requires no specialized knowledge or equipment.

Histopathologic and radiographic findings of the simple bone cyst

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between histopathologic and radiographic findings and to discuss the cause of the simple bone cyst.

STUDY DESIGN

Histopathologically, we classified 53 simple bone cysts into two types. Type A has a connective tissue membrane and type B has a partially thickened wall with dysplastic bone formation. Radiographically, we evaluated the following: margin, radiolucency, or radiopacity, relationship with tooth apices, bucco-lingual bone expansion, and displacement of the mandibular canal.

RESULTS

Bone expansion and radiopacity were closely related to histopathologic findings although there was no correlation between the histopathologic findings and radiographic margin, relationship with tooth apices, and displacement of mandibular canal. Local recurrence was more likely to be observed in patients diagnosed as having type B than type A lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Type A and type B bone cysts may have different causes. Cysts determined radiographically to be radiopaque, those diagnosed as type B histopathologically, and cysts that have been treated surgically should all be followed by radiographic examinations.

Changes in phenotypic expression of osteoblasts after X irradiation

Changes in the phenotypic expression of osteoblasts after X irradiation were investigated. Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells at the actively proliferating, confluent and postproliferation stages were subjected to 10 Gy X irradiation. Irradiation at the confluent stage enhanced accumulation of type I collagen normalized to the DNA content. Irradiation at all stages down-regulated the expression of osteocalcin, but the levels of osteopontin and osteonectin mRNAs were unchanged from the control level. After irradiation at the later stages, the time-dependent increase in alkaline phosphatase activity per cell exceeded that in the control cells. The localization of alkaline phosphatase-positive cells was concordant with that of calcification. In addition, the quality of the calcium deposits was found to be similar to that in control cells as determined by energy dispersive spectrometry and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus, even if the cells were not exactly the same morphologically. The changes in phenotypic expression observed here are closely related to the enhancement of calcification observed in a previous study.

Epstein-Barr virus infection and response to radiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

We have retrospectively investigated the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in 45 cases of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the oral cavity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We analyzed the association between EBV infection and the clinicopathological characteristics, tumor response to radiotherapy, or prognosis to determine the clinical significance of EBV. EBV DNA was detected in 29 cases (64.4%) of SCCs. No significant differences were observed between the presence or absence of EBV. Our results indicate that EBV infection is not related to tumor response to radiotherapy, or the prognosis of the patients.

[Corneal endothelial cell damage associated with pars plana vitrectomy]

We performed a prospective study of corneal endothelial damage associated with pars plana vitrectomy in 51 eyes of 46 patients. The corneal endothelium was examined with a specular microscope preoperatively and three months postoperatively. The mean endothelial cell loss for 51 eyes was 11.54%. The 51 eyes were divided into three groups, and the mean cell loss was 25.85% in the pars plana lensectomy (including anterior capsule removal) combined group, 7.53% in the phacoemulsification combined group, and 1.91% in the phakic group. The corneal epithelium removal did not affected the cell loss. The cell loss for the phacoemulsification combined group did not differ significantly from that for the control group (6 eyes received only phacoemulsification). In the pars plana lensectomy combined group the cell loss was related significantly with gas tamponade duration. This study suggests that we must note the endothelial cell damage in vitrectomy-pars plana lensectomy combined with gas tamponade.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 induces a mesenchyme-like cell shape without epithelial polarization in thyrocytes and inhibits thyroid folliculogenesis in collagen gel culture

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) induces a mesenchyme-like cell shape in some epithelial cell types. To clarify the role of TGFbeta1 in the morphological regulation of thyrocytes, we performed collagen gel culture of porcine thyrocytes with serum-free medium. TGFbeta1-nontreated cells organized follicles. In contrast, the cells treated with 10 ng/ml TGFbeta1 became spindle shaped, i.e. they resembled mesenchymal fibroblasts, and did not form follicles. To characterize the spindle-shaped cells, we examined the fine structures and expression of thyroglobulin (Tg) and cytoskeletal proteins using electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting. TGFbeta1-nontreated cells had microvilli at the apical side facing follicle lumen and had basal lamina at the basal side in contact with collagen gel. TGFbeta1-treated cells showed both microvilli and basal lamina at the basal side. TGFbeta1-nontreated cells expressed Tg, whereas TGFbeta1-treated cells showed no expression. TGFbeta1-nontreated cells barely expressed vimentin, but they expressed enough cytokeratin. TGFbeta1-treated cells extensively displayed vimentin along with the change in shape to become spindle-like and retained a decreased expression of cytokeratin. TSH (10 mU/ml) did not essentially influence any TGFbeta1 effects on the cells. These results indicate that TGFbeta1 induces a mesenchyme-like cell shape accompanied by cytoskeletal molecular change and the loss of both epithelial polarization and a function in thyrocytes, and that it results in inhibiting thyroid folliculogenesis with or without TSH.

Transcondylar approach for dural arteriovenous fistulas of the cervicomedullary junction

BACKGROUND

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal arteriovenous connections on the surface of the dura. The site of the fistula is most commonly in the thoracic and lumbosacral regions and they are rarely located in the cervical region.

CASES

The patients had two asymptomatic dural arteriovenous fistulas of the cervicomedullary junction fed by the left posterior meningeal artery and draining to the dilated coronal venous plexus and the radiculomedullary vein.

RESULTS

The lesions were successfully treated by surgical interruption of the intrathecal vein with coagulation via a suboccipital transcondylar approach and a condylar fossa approach. Both patients left the hospital without significant deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that dural arteriovenous fistulas in the cervical region be surgically treated.

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of arbutin cinnamate in an organic solvent and application of transesterification to stabilize plant pigments

Arbutin cinnamate was synthesized from arbutin (4-hydroxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside) and vinyl cinnamate by regioselective transesterification with a bacterial lipase in acetonitrile. The product was identified by NMR and FAB-MS analyses. These spectra showed that one ester bond was formed between the primary alcohol moiety of the D-glucose of arbutin and the carboxyl residue of cinnamic acid. Furthermore, plant pigments such as isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) and callistephin (pelargonidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) were also converted to their corresponding cinnamate esters in the same manner.

Hypermethylation in the retinoblastoma gene is associated with unilateral, sporadic retinoblastoma

We previously reported 9 unilateral, sporadic retinoblastomas with hypermethylation in the 5' region of the RB gene, and we found that CpG methylation in the RB promoter inhibits the binding of the retinoblastoma binding factor 1 (RBF-1) and the activating transcription factor (ATF)-like factors, thereby resulting in a considerable reduction in RB promoter activity. In this study, we screened for hypermethylation in 121 additional cases of retinoblastoma, and found 5 tumors with hypermethylation, including 4 unilateral, sporadic tumors, and one hereditary tumor. The hereditary tumor had a germline deletion of one allele, and the hypermethylation was an acquired, epigenetic change in the other allele. Another tumor had hypermethylation restricted to approximately 800 base pairs in the RB promoter region including the essential RBF-1 and ATF sites. The frequency of hypermethylation in unilateral, sporadic tumors was 9.3% combining our previous and present examinations (13 among 140), whereas the frequency was 1.0% in bilateral hereditary tumors (one among 101). The statistical analyses using the chi-square test indicated significant correlation between hypermethylation and unilateral, sporadic tumors (p < 0.05). These results suggest that hypermethylation in the RB gene is always an acquired, epigenetic change and causes about 9% of unilateral, sporadic tumors.

Alteration of T-cell subsets in the lymph nodes from cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus

Alterations of T-cell subsets in the lymph nodes from FIV-infected cats in various clinical disease stages were examined histologically. In the early stage of infection (AP stage), follicular hyperplasia accompanied by expansion of the paracortical area was observed. Follicular involution and depletion with reduced paracortical area was observed in the ARC and AIDS stage nodes. The maximum section area of the entire popliteal lymph node was expanded significantly in the AP nodes. The paracortical area expanded in the AP nodes and decreased in the ARC and AIDS stage nodes. The cell density in the paracortical area in the AP nodes did not show a significant increase, while there was a significant reduction in the ARC and AIDS stage nodes. The lymph node CD4/CD8 ratio in the AP and ARC stages significantly decreased as compared with that of uninfected control cats, but conversion of the ratio was not seen. The estimated total numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the maximum section were increased in the AP stage but significantly decreased in the ARC and AIDS stages. Our study indicated that the lymphocyte depletion in the terminal ARC and AIDS stages of FIV infection was associated with both CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells. Findings obtained in this study might provide useful information for studying the pathophysiology of FIV infection.

Determination of amino acids in biological fluids by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection

A selective and sensitive method for the determination of protein and non-protein amino acids in biological fluids by capillary gas chromatography (GC) has been developed. The amino acids in the samples were directly converted into their N(O,S)-isobutoxycarbonyl methyl ester derivatives and measured by GC with nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection (NPD) using a DB-17ht capillary column. Using this method, the derivatives of the 21 protein amino acids and the 25 non-protein amino acids provided excellent NPD responses and were quantitatively and reproducibly resolved within 28 min. The lower detection limits of these amino acids, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, were ca. 6-150 pg injected. The calibration curves for each amino acid in the range of 0.02-2 micrograms were linear and sufficiently reproducible for quantitative analysis. This method was successfully applied to small urine and serum samples without prior clean-up; there was no evidence of interference from coexisting substances. Overall recoveries of amino acids added to urine and serum samples were 83-112%. The intra-assay and inter-assay R.S.D. of amino acids in these samples were 0.3-8.9% (n = 3) and 1.9-15.8% (n = 3), respectively.

Induction of p53 protein by carbon-ion and proton beam irradiation in two close human lymphoblastoid cell lines with different p53 status

In this study, we compared the kinetics of the postirradiation p53 protein expression for carbon ion beam (290 MeV/n, LET 75 keV/mu m) and proton beam (65 MeV) with that of (13)7Cs-gamma ray. We used two human lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the same donor with different p53 status. Wild-type p53 protein increased after irradiation and it was dose-dependent. Meanwhile, the mutated p53 protein level did not show any increase with irradiation. With the three forms of radiation, there was no significant difference as regards the p53 protein kinetics.

Immunocytochemical detection of enhanced expression of c-myc protein in the heart of cardiomyopathic hamster

An immunocytochemical study was performed to examine the expression of cellular c-myc protein in the heart of 30-, 120- and 180-day-old cardiomyopathic Syrian UM-X7.1 hamsters. The heart of age- and sex-matched BIO-RB hamster was used as normal control. In paraffin sections, an immunostaining for c-myc was markedly increased in cytoplasm of cells from the UM-X7.1 heart as compared with that of the BIO-RB heart which showed a weak staining. However, c-myc was localized in nuclei of cells in frozen sections of the heart. Specific cell types of the heart were differentiated with anti-vimentin, and we found that the increased expression of c-myc was present in nuclei of muscle cells of the UM-X7.1 myocardium. A quantitative study of c-myc-positive nuclei of muscle and nonmuscle cells was carried out by a video micrometer. The mean number of c-myc-positive nuclei of muscle cells was significantly higher in the cardiomyopathic heart than in the control heart from hamsters of all ages studied. These results suggest that the increase of c-myc protein may relate to the pathological state or pathogenesis of the hereditary cardiomyopathy.