Synthesis and characterization of xylan-coated magnetite microparticles

This work evaluates an experimental set-up to coat superparamagnetic particles in order to protect them from gastric dissolution. First, magnetic particles were produced by coprecipitation of iron salts in alkaline medium. Afterwards, an emulsification/cross-linking reaction was carried out in order to produce magnetic polymeric particles. The sample characterization was performed by X-ray powder diffraction, laser scattering particle size analysis, optical microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. In vitro dissolution tests at gastric pH were evaluated for both magnetic particles and magnetic polymeric particles. The characterization data have demonstrated the feasibility of the presented method to coat, and protect magnetite particles from gastric dissolution. Such systems may be very promising for oral administration.

[Extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma]

We analyzed 14 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). 14 men had a mean age of 58.5 years. Preoperarive histological diagnosis was as follows: epithelial 12, biphasic 1, sarcomatous 1. Postoperative diagnosis was: 8, 5, 1, respectively. According to staging of International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG), 3 patients had stage 11 disease, 8 did stage Ill and 3 did stage IV, postoperatively. The operative mortality rate was 7% (1 death), and morbidity rate was 50% (7 cases). The median survival time and 2- and 5-year survival rate were 20.2 months, 33. 8.3%, respectively. EPP for strictly selected patients has been successful in improving survival of patients with negative-node, epithelial type and negative residual tumors.

[Clinical diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma]

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma is important because of its rapid progress. But diagnosis of this disease is often difficult. We reviewed 64 cases with a pathological diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in the past 14 years in our hospital. We made diagnosis of this disease by cytologic study of pleural fluid (11 cases), percutaneous needle biopsy (16), thoracoscopic biopsy (34), or surgery (2). When cytologic findings are inconclusive, thoracoscopic biopsy is the most effective method for diagnosis and should be done without delay.

[Collision cancer of squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung; report of a case]

We report a rare case of a primary collision cancer in the lung consisting of squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma. A 65-year-old man with an abnormal shadow in the right S6 was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by transbronchial lung biopsy. A right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological stage of squamous cell carcinoma was IIIA (T2N2M0). The other element diagnosed by pathological examination was small cell carcinoma of which pathological stage was IA (T1N0M0). Each element was clearly distinguished and touched each other. Following the operation, the patient received systemic chemotherapy against small cell carcinoma with cisplatin and irinotecan hydrochloride for 1 course, and cisplatin and etoposide for 3 courses. Since the prognosis of collision cancer is generally reported to be influenced by more advanced element of cancer, the prognosis of the present case is suspected to be dependent on the squamous cell carcinoma.

Analyses of the factors influencing bone graft infection after delayed cranioplasty

BACKGROUND

Several factors influencing bone graft infection after delayed cranioplasty are analyzed in order to reduce the occurrence of infection.

METHODS

For about 10 years, from March 1995 to February 2005, delayed cranioplasty was performed for 206 cases. The cases comprised 124 males and 82 females. Age distribution of the patients ranged from 6 months to 79 years old. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 1834 days. Autogenous bone, which was preserved in 100% ethanol at -20 degrees C and autoclaved before operation, was used in 54 patients. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was used in 55 patients. Custom-made PMMA was used in 3 patients. Custom-made titanium mesh was used in 77 patients. Custom-made ceramics (Alumina-ceramics 10 cases and hydroxyapatite 7 cases) was used in 17 patients.

FINDINGS

Autoclaved and autogenous bone graft and PMMA have a significantly high rate of graft infection. Titanium mesh has the significantly lowest rate of graft infection. Alumina-ceramic has a merit that it has sufficient strength, however the number of cases using custom-made ceramics including alumina-ceramic was relatively small, and thus we cannot find significant differences in infection rate compared with that of other materials. There was no statistically significant difference in the bone graft infection rate among four categories of preceding diseases; cerebrovascular diseases, head trauma, infectious diseases, and brain tumour.

CONCLUSION

Autoclaved and autogenous bone grafts and PMMA have a significantly higher rate of graft infection. Titanium mesh has the significantly lowest rate of graft infection.

[Pleomorphic lung cancer; a clinicopathologic study]

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma is a comparatively rare histologic type of lung carcinoma, and the incidence among all lung carcinomas has been reported to be 0.4%. We reported our experience with 8 patients who had been diagnosed as pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, and discussed clinicopathologically the preoperative diagnosis and treatment. In 2 of 8 patients, preoperative transbronchial lung biopsy revealed spindle cell component, highly suggesting pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma. All patients underwent surgical treatment and 2 of then had incomplete resections because of intrathoracic disseminations or carcinomatous pericarditis. Pathological findings showed invasions into the surrounding thoracic organs such as the chest wall, pericardium, adjacent pulmonary lobe or mediastinal pleura in 5 cases, intrapulmonary metastasis of the same lobe in 3 and lymph node involvement in 3. Recurrence occurred in 6 patients immediately after the operation. Although the preoperative diagnosis of biphasic tumor such as pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma is difficult, it is possible to suspect the diagnosis when sarcomatous components were detected by preoperative biopsy. The efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not been established yet, and thus we would like to emphasize that surgery might be the treatment of choice.

[Surgical resection of T3 and T4 lung cancer]

Lung cancer invading neighboring anatomical structures such as the chest wall, pericardium, diaphragm, and left atrium are categorized as T3 or T4, which is regarded as locally advanced lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate results of surgical treatment of T3-4N0-2M0 non-small cell lung cancer according to involved organs. From 1981 to April 2005, 148 patients with lung cancer invading neighboring organs were surgically treated in our hospital. The 5-year survival was 41.4% in all cases. According to 5-year survival of clinical characteristics, the chest wall (parietal pleura) group (45.5%) had a significantly better prognosis compared with the left atrium (0%, p = 0.03) and diaphragm (0%, p = 0.04) groups. T3N0 (50.3%), IIB (55.4%), IIIA (44.6%), and complete resection groups (49.0%) showed a significantly better prognosis compared with T3N2 (27.9%, p = 0.01), III B (0%, p < 0.0001), and incomplete resection groups (13.9%, p < 0.0001), respectively. These results indicate that the prognosis of patients with N2 disease or incomplete resection remains poor in regardless with the type of involved organs.

Quantitative analysis of hyperosmotic and hypothermic blood-brain barrier opening

Hyperosmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by mannitol is being used to enhance drug transport in human brains. Recently, cooling of the solution has been reported to have potential to open the BBB. However, the mechanism in barrier opening and closure remains elusive. We studied the rapid changes in cerebrovascular permeability after hyperosmotic and hypothermic BBB opening in rats, and then demonstrated that the Na+/Ca++ exchange blocker (KB-R7943) prolongs opening. BBB opening was attained by using intra-arterial infusion of hyperosmotic mannitol (1.6 M) and 1.1 M mannitol (which is less hyperosmotic than commonly used mannitol) at 4 degrees in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. To measure the changes in cerebrovascular permeability, perfusate-containing [14C]-sucrose was infused intra-arterially at different time points following hyperosmotic and hypothermic stress. Cerebrovascular permeability was then measured with the in situ brain perfusion technique. 1.6 M Mannitol produced opening of the BBB but the duration of the opening was less than 30 minutes. Use of 1.1 M Mannitol at 4 degrees indicated the same results. We then investigated the effect of a Na/Ca ion exchange blocker (KB-R7943) in both hyperosmotic and hypothermic BBB opening. KB-R7943 extended BBB opening up to 30 min without affecting the peak level of BBB permeability at 5 minutes. Our findings represent important experimental information regarding pharmacological manipulation of BBB opening. The possibility of prolonging the transient opening of the BBB has major clinical implications.

Polymorphism of 17 STRs by multiplex analysis in Japanese population

Genotype and distribution of allele frequencies at 17 STRs were studied in 526 unrelated Japanese individuals using the PowerPlex 16 system and the AmpFlSTR Identifiler.

Analysis of the mouse transcriptome based on functional annotation of 60,770 full-length cDNAs

Only a small proportion of the mouse genome is transcribed into mature messenger RNA transcripts. There is an international collaborative effort to identify all full-length mRNA transcripts from the mouse, and to ensure that each is represented in a physical collection of clones. Here we report the manual annotation of 60,770 full-length mouse complementary DNA sequences. These are clustered into 33,409 'transcriptional units', contributing 90.1% of a newly established mouse transcriptome database. Of these transcriptional units, 4,258 are new protein-coding and 11,665 are new non-coding messages, indicating that non-coding RNA is a major component of the transcriptome. 41% of all transcriptional units showed evidence of alternative splicing. In protein-coding transcripts, 79% of splice variations altered the protein product. Whole-transcriptome analyses resulted in the identification of 2,431 sense-antisense pairs. The present work, completely supported by physical clones, provides the most comprehensive survey of a mammalian transcriptome so far, and is a valuable resource for functional genomics.

In vivo selective expansion of gene-modified hematopoietic cells in a nonhuman primate model

A major problem limiting hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy is the low efficiency of gene transfer into human HSCs using retroviral vectors. Strategies, which would allow in vivo expansion of gene-modified hematopoietic cells, could circumvent the problem. To this end, we developed a selective amplifier gene (SAG) consisting of a chimeric gene composed of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor gene and the estrogen receptor gene hormone-binding domain. We have previously demonstrated that primary bone marrow progenitor cells transduced with the SAG could be expanded in response to estrogen in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of the SAG in the setting of a clinically applicable cynomolgus monkey transplantation protocol. Cynomolgus bone marrow CD34(+) cells were transduced with retroviral vectors encoding the SAG and reinfused into each myeloablated monkey. Three of the six monkeys that received SAG transduced HSCs showed an increase in the levels of circulating progeny containing the provirus in vivo following administration of estrogen or tamoxifen without any serious adverse effects. In one monkey examined in detail, transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells were increased by several-fold (from 5% to 30%). Retroviral integration site analysis revealed that this observed increase was polyclonal and no outgrowth of a dominant single clonal population was observed. These results demonstrate that the inclusion of our SAG in the retroviral construct allows selective in vivo expansion of genetically modified cells by a non-toxic hormone treatment.

Two mutations of the Gsalpha gene in two Japanese patients with sporadic pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia

Pseudohypoparathyroidism Ia (PHP-Ia), is an inherited disease with clinical hypoparathyroidism caused by parathyroid hormone resistance (PTH), and shows the phenotype of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO), including short stature, obesity, round face, brachydactyly, and subcutaneous ossification. This disease is caused by mutation that inactivates the alpha-subunit of Gs, the stimulatory regulator of adenylyl cyclase. Here, a novel frameshift mutation (delG at codon 88) in exon 4, and a missense mutation (R231H) in exon 9 of the Gsalpha gene were identified in two Japanese patients with sporadic PHP-Ia. Deletion of a G in exon 4 at codon 88 in the first patient produced a premature stop codon, resulting in the truncated protein. The second patient had a previously reported R231H mutation. Because this amino acid is located in a region, switch 2, that is thought to interact with the betagamma subunit of Gsalpha protein, this mutation may impair Gs protein function. We report here one novel Gsalpha mutation, and note that mutations in Japanese patients with PHP-Ia are probably heterogeneous.

Quantitative analysis of papaverine-mediated blood-brain barrier disruption in rats

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a permeability barrier of interconnected brain capillary endothelial cells. Intraarterial infusion of papaverine relieves cerebral vasospasms by inhibiting smooth muscle contractions and it may simultaneously lead to a disruption of BBB permeability. To date, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon and the quantification of BBB disruption remains elusive. We first examined the changes in cerebrovascular permeability after an intracarotid infusion of papaverine (0.20%) in rats by an in situ brain perfusion technique. We then demonstrated that changes in cerebrovascular permeability depend on the concentration of papaverine. This is the first study in which the degree of BBB disruption was accurately quantified in terms of [(14)C]sucrose and it was demonstrated that papaverine has a prolonged effect on cerebrovascular permeability. This result suggests the importance of in vivo experiments for a precise evaluation of permeability for many other agents, particularly for the central nervous system.

Quantification of early blood-brain barrier disruption by in situ brain perfusion technique

Osmotic disruption is currently being used to circumvent the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enhance the delivery of therapeutic molecules in human brains. To date, however, the time course during the early phase of disruption has not been clarified. In order to demonstrate the rapid change in cerebrovascular permeability after BBB disruption in rats, we developed a method of in situ brain perfusion to demonstrate the earliest reversibility in cerebrovascular permeability. Osmotic BBB disruption was attained by intracarotid infusion of hypertonic mannitol. Perfusate containing [14C]-sucrose was infused at different time points following osmotic stress followed by measuring cerebrovascular permeability. The earliest BBB disruption was seen to occur 5 min after osmotic stress, after which the exact time course of cerebrovascular reversibility was studied. The protocol reported here, in contrast with those reported in previous studies, was shown to be qualitative, simple, and fast. In addition, the method can be applied to measure any low BBB permeability molecules. This protocol should be helpful for any research focused on enhancing drug delivery into the brain following osmotic BBB disruption.

Endoscopic treatment for a huge neonatal prepontine-suprasellar arachnoid cyst: a case report

A huge prepontine-suprasellar arachnoid cyst was identified by fetal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. It was successfully treated with a two-stage operation using a neuroendoscope. The first operation during the neonatal period consisted of implantation of a cyst-peritoneal shunt. In the second operation, the cyst was fenestrated with the aid of a neuroendoscope. The cyst membrane was seen to cover the foramen magnum and to extend continuously to the ventral surface of the brain stem. At the foramen magnum, it was pulsating synchronously with the pulsation of the vertebral artery, which was suggestive of the mechanism of cyst growth. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted to replace the cyst-peritoneal shunt. Endoscopic cyst fenestration is a less invasive alternative for the treatment of arachnoid cysts and can also be used for young children. In that case, however, special care should be taken to avoid complications, especially if the cyst exerts considerable pressure on the critical areas of the brain.

Quantitative morphometric analysis of fine needle aspirates of breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Reports of morphometric analysis using computerized digitized images of fine needle aspirates of breast cancer are rare. We aimed to evaluate whether quantitative morphometric estimations of cytological nuclear features could be used for preoperative prediction of the risk of recurrence as well as chemosensitivity.

METHODS

Seventy consecutive breast cancer patients were treated with preoperative chemotherapy (Doxifluridine 800 mg/body/day, orally) for 4 weeks and subsequently they underwent surgery. Using Papanicolaou-stained cytological materials, computerized morphometric analyses were performed. Mean nuclear area (NA) was measured and the coefficient of variation of NA (NACV) was calculated as the quantitative parameter of nuclear atypism. NA and NACV were compared with prognostic factors (tumor size, histological grade, hormone receptor status, nodal status, and ploidy status), and with the response to the chemotherapy.

RESULTS

NA and NACV were significantly associated with hormone receptor status and ploidy status (p<0.05). NACV correlated with histological grade (p<0.05). Neither NA nor NACV were associated with tumor size and nodal status. Patients with high NACV (>35%) had lower rates of disease-free survival (p<0.05) than those with low NACV (< or =35%). Responders to preoperative chemotherapy had statistically larger NA, higher NACV and higher S-phase fraction at the time of diagnosis compared with non-responders (p<0.001, p<0.0005, and p<0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Morphometric analysis of preoperative fine needle aspirates reflects important clinical information, such as the risk of recurrence, and particularly, chemosensitivity.

Adult T-cell lymphoma involving the leptomeninges associated with a spinal cord schwannoma

Adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL-L) developing initially in the meninges is rare. An autopsy case of ATL-L with an acute onset of meningitis and generalized lymphadenopathy in association with a cervical cord schwannoma is reported here. A 78-year-old woman with sensori-motor weakness of both arms over a 1-year period, developed febrile episodes and drowsiness with neck stiffness. Lumbar puncture revealed an increased protein content (161 mg/dL) and increased cell count (463/3) consisting of 99% of lymphocytes which contained atypical lymphocytes with multilobulated nuclei ('flower cells'), which are characteristic of ATL-L. Viral titers were positive only for HTLV-I antibodies (serum X 640: CSF X 16). Biopsy of an enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node revealed malignant lymphoma of the T-cell type. Brain MRI was negative, whereas an intradural extramedullary mass was found at the C4 level. With a diagnosis of ATL-L stage IV, chemotherapy was commenced, which was effective in reducing the generalized lymphadenopathy as well as the cervical mass and restoring the CSF findings to normality. The cervical cord mass was verified to be a solitary schwannoma, and ATL-L involvement was found not only in the leptomeninges, but also within the cervical cord schwannoma.

The role of nitric oxide in reoxygenation injury of brain microvascular endothelial cells

OBJECT

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in reperfusion injury of the brain is still controversial. The authors demonstrate that NO injures the brain capillary endothelial cells in a reoxygenation state by the formation of peroxynitrite.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1) Rat brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) were isolated by a two-step enzymatic purification method. The BCECs were identified by the presence of factor VIII. 2) Anaerobic cell preparations were achieved by purging under nitrogen gas with 0.5% CO2 at 37 degrees C for 20 minutes and then reoxygenating in an incubator. To ascertain the degree of BCEC injury after anoxia and reoxygenation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was measured. The production of NO was measured by the Griess method. 3) The cell-protective effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME), and S-Methyl-ITU (i-NOS blocker) were studied.

RESULTS

1) Both L-NAME and SOD protected the cells from reoxygenation injury. The protective effect of L-NAME was dose-dependent. S-Methyl-ITU did not protect the cells. 2) The NO production after anoxia/reoxygenation was blocked by L-NAME.

CONCLUSION

NO from the BCEC can injure the cells themselves through the formation of peroxynitrite under anoxia/reoxygenation conditions. Increased NO production after anoxia can be attributed to the induction of e-NOS.

SCA17, a novel autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by an expanded polyglutamine in TATA-binding protein

Genetic etiologies of at least 20% of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) have yet to be clarified. We identified a novel spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) form in four Japanese pedigrees which is caused by an abnormal CAG expansion in the TATA-binding protein (TBP) gene, a general transcription initiation factor. Consequently, it has been added to the group of polyglutamine diseases. This abnormal expansion of glutamine tracts in TBP bears 47--55 repeats, whereas the normal repeat number ranges from 29 to 42. Immunocytochemical examination of a postmortem brain which carried 48 CAG repeats detected neuronal intranuclear inclusion bodies that stained with anti-ubiquitin antibody, anti-TBP antibody and with the 1C2 antibody that recognizes specifically expanded pathological polyglutamine tracts. We therefore propose that this new disease be called SCA17 (TBP disease).