Development of a magnetizing stage for in situ observations with electron holography and Lorentz microscopy

A magnetizing stage, by which approximately horizontal magnetic fields can be applied to thin-foiled specimens, has been developed so that magnetization process can be observed in situ with electron holography and Lorentz microscopy. It is possible to apply magnetic field up to 200 Oe without serious image distortion by utilizing the magnetizing stage, beam-deflection-back coils and a magnetically shielded objective lens. The devised system can be used to studies of magnetization processes in many soft magnets.

Association between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and inflammatory bowel disease in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pleiotropic cytokine that induces the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and also to regulate Th2 cytokines. Recently, association studies between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and several Th1- or Th2-mediated inflammatory diseases were reported. In inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), recent evidence suggests that IL-18 is involved in the pathogenesis.

METHODS

Using DNA direct sequencing, we investigated IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms at -607C/A and -137G/C. Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies were determined in 210 Japanese patients with UC, 205 patients with CD, and 212 controls.

RESULTS

In UC, the -137C allele frequency was significantly higher in the proctitis-type patients than in controls (Pc = 0.0068). The -137 genotype frequency was also significantly different in the proctitis-type patients than in controls (Pc = 0.032). No other allele and genotype frequencies were significantly associated with UC after Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, the frequency of haplotype 2 (-607A, -137C), which had a lower promoter activity and IFN-gamma mRNA level than the other haplotypes as previously reported, was significantly higher in the proctitis-type patients than in controls (Pc = 0.01). In CD, we could not find any significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms may not be associated with disease susceptibility but related to the extent of disease in UC.

Surgical anatomy and efficient modification of procedures for selective extradural anterior clinoidectomy

OBJECTIVE

The surgical anatomy of structures surrounding the anterior clinoid process (ACP) was examined in 39 cadavers to enable safe performance of selective extradural anterior clinoidectomy.

METHODS

The lateral portion of the optic canal (OC) at the end of the orbit was defined as point A, and the lateral margin of the dural insertion into the superior orbital fissure (SOF) as B. A vertical line from A to the lateral margin of the ACP was assumed to define a crossing, defined as C. Distances between A and B, C and B, and C and A were measured. The length and width of OC and the optic strut were also measured.

RESULTS

The mean distances between A and B, C and B, and C and A were 11.8, 8.9 and 6.3 mm, respectively. The mean length and width of OC were 8.9 and 5.7 mm, and those of the optic strut 5.4 and 2.4 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We propose a modified, efficient procedure for selective extradural anterior clinoidectomy, as follows. Drilling is started from the point approximately 9 mm posterior to the lateral margin of the dural insertion into the SOP, and pointed medially in the direction with a right angle to the lateral margin of the ACP. After drilling about 6 mm to reach the lateral border of the OC, unroofing of the OC is carried out to remove the ACP en bloc by fracturing of the optic strut. Using the present procedure, the distance of drilling of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone is minimized.

Comparison between mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing knees in bilateral total knee replacements

The purpose of this study was to compare mid-term results of mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing in bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Twenty-two patients underwent bilateral TKA with a mobile-bearing prosthesis (Rotaglide, Corin, UK) on one side and a fixed-bearing prosthesis (NexGen-CR, Zimmer, USA) on the other. There were 21 female patients, and in 18 patients, the diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis. The average age was 59.6 (35-78) years. In all procedures, the posterior cruciate ligament was retained and patella re-surfaced. The average follow-up in the mobile-bearing group was 98 (79-107) months and 96 (79-107) months in the fixed-bearing group. At the final follow-up, the knee score was 91.8 points and 91.1 points, respectively, and the function score 65.5 points. The range of motion was similar in the two groups (1.1-106.9 degrees; 0.4-106.9 degrees). Five patients favoured the fixed-bearing prosthesis, but 16 found no difference. In patients with bilateral TKA, there was no difference in the short-term result between mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing prostheses.

Two amino acid substitutions in acetylcholinesterase associated with pirimicarb and organophosphorous insecticide resistance in the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The complete coding sequences of two acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genes, Ace1 (orthologous to Drosophila Ace) and Ace2 (paralogous to Ace), from the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) were identified and sequences from carbamate resistant and susceptible strains compared. No change in the amino acid sequences was found in Ace1, while two amino acid substitutions, Ser431Phe and Ala302Ser, were detected between resistant and susceptible strains in Ace2. The position of Ser431Phe corresponds to one of fourteen aromatic residues lining the active site gorge and is located in the acyl pocket. Ala302Ser is located at one of the three residues which form the oxyanion hole in the active site of AChE. The Ser431Phe and Ala302Ser substitutions may play a role in pirimicarb and organophosphate resistance, respectively.

Comparison of the activities of multinucleated bone-resorbing giant cells derived from CD14-positive cells in the synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the morphology and function of multinucleated bone-resorbing giant cells derived from CD14-positive cells in the synovial fluids (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

CD14-positive cells were obtained by magnetic-activated cell sorting of primary cultures of mononuclear cells from the SF. Multinucleated bone-resorbing giant cells were induced from the CD14-positive cells in the presence or absence of cytokines. We examined various characteristics, including osteoclast markers, fusion index and bone-resorption activities of the multinucleated giant cells.

RESULTS

Multinucleated giant cells were induced from the CD14-positive cells in the SF of the RA and OA patients by the addition of interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5 and IL-7, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), respectively. These multinucleated giant cells were positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), carbonic anhydrase II, actin, vitronectin receptor and the calcitonin receptor. However, the average values for the number of nuclei, fusion index and bone-resorption functions of the SF cells from the RA patients were significantly higher than those derived from the OA patients.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the induction and activities of multinucleated bone-resorbing giant cells may play a pivotal role in bone destruction, and that these processes may be enhanced significantly in RA patients.

Neck and abdominal muscle activity during a sniff

Measurement of sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) is now used widely as a simple, non-invasive assessment of global respiratory muscle strength, even though the technique evolved originally from measurements of trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) that reflect the status of the diaphragm. The relative participation of major respiratory muscles, apart from the diaphragm, in the generation of SNIP is not known. Therefore, we examined the activity during a sniff of both neck and abdominal "accessory" muscles. In seven young adults we implanted fine wire EMG electrodes under direct vision with high-resolution ultrasound into scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and transversus abdominis. SNIP was measured during sniffs that were short and sharp, from low to maximal intensity, in both standing and supine postures. Mean maximum SNIP was -105.6cmH2O (SD 32.9) in supine and -94.5cmH2O (26.6) in the standing posture, (difference NS). In every subject, scalene activity appeared even at the lowest SNIP, and increased linearly with increasing SNIP. Sternomastoid activity appeared at higher SNIP levels in three of seven subjects. By contrast, trapezius activity was never present at low SNIP, and appeared in only 2 subjects at maximum SNIP. Sniff abdominal expiratory activity was inconsistent with no activity of transversus in four of seven subjects even at greatest SNIP. Thus, we observed differential activation among these non-diaphragm respiratory muscles during SNIP; while some accessory muscles were very active, others were unlikely to contribute to generation of SNIP. Clinically, this indicates SNIP will be impacted unequally by loss of function of specific respiratory muscles.

Intestinal goblet cell autoantibody associated enteropathy

This report describes a case of refractory enteropathy with circulating intestinal goblet cell autoantibodies (IGA). A 19 year old man with hyperthyroidism had suffered from protracted diarrhoea for nearly 10 years. Histological examination showed evidence of collagenous enterocolitis. The diarrhoea did not improve despite fasting under total parenteral nutrition. An immunofluorescence assay demonstrated IGA without anti-enterocyte autoantibodies, the hallmark of autoimmune enteropathy, although other criteria were fulfilled. None of 109 controls, including 55 cases of inflammatory bowel disease and one of lymphocytic colitis, had IGA. This case is considered to be a variant of autoimmune enteropathy, and might be a distinct entity.

Localization of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in human osteoarthritic cartilage and osteophyte

OBJECTIVES

To examine the localization of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 mRNA and protein in human osteoarthritic (OA) articular cartilage and osteophyte.

DESIGN

Five normal, four growing and 14 OA human cartilage samples, graded histomorphologically by Mankin Score, were studied by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for the expression of BMP-2.

RESULTS

BMP-2 mRNA was present in chondrocytes in neonatal growing articular cartilage, but was scarcely present in normal adult articular cartilage. In OA articular cartilage, BMP-2 mRNA and protein were detected in both clustering and individual chondrocytes in moderately or severely damaged OA cartilage. In moderately damaged OA cartilage, BMP-2 mRNA was localized in both upper and middle zone chondrocytes, but was not detected in deep layer chondrocytes. In severely damaged OA cartilage, cellular localization of BMP-2 mRNA was extended to the deep zone. In the area of osteophyte formation, BMP-2 mRNA was intensely localized in fibroblastic mesenchymal cells, fibrochondrocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts in newly formed osteophytic tissue. The pattern of BMP-2/4 immunolocalization was associated with that of mRNA localization.

CONCLUSIONS

BMP-2 mRNA and BMP-2/4 were detected in cells appearing in OA tissues. BMP-2 was localized in cells of degenerating cartilage as well as osteophytic tissue. Given the negative localization of BMP-2 in normal adult articular cartilage, BMP-2 might be involved in the regenerating and anabolic activities of OA cells, which respond to cartilage damage occurring in osteoarthritis.

Attenuation of hypercapnic carbon dioxide chemosensitivity after postinfarction exercise training: possible contribution to the improvement in exercise hyperventilation

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the responsible mechanisms of increased slope of minute ventilation relative to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO(2)) during exercise after acute myocardial infarction without overt signs of heart failure, patients who had an acute myocardial infarction were examined after participating in a three month supervised exercise training programme.

DESIGN

Exercise testing, hypercapnic CO(2) chemosensitivity measurement (rebreathing method), and pulmonary function test were repeated at entry and after three months in 50 acute myocardial infarction patients with neither symptoms nor signs of heart failure who completed the training programme. Ten patients who performed initial inhospital training served as controls.

RESULTS

Age, peak oxygen uptake, left ventricular ejection fraction, CO(2) chemosensitivity, respiratory parameters (percentage of predicted normal vital capacity (%VC), forced expiratory volume in one second, and carbon monoxide transfer factor (%TLCO)) were all significantly correlated with VE/VCO(2) slope. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (beta = 0.29, p = 0.01), %TLCO (beta = -0.27, p = 0.01), and CO(2) chemosensitivity (beta = 0.49, p < 0.001) were independent determinants of VE/VCO(2) slope. After three months, there was no significant change in these parameters in the control group. Peak oxygen uptake, %TLCO, and %VC and attenuation in CO(2) chemosensitivity increased significantly in the training group. The VE/VCO(2) slope decreased marginally (p = 0.11). The changes in VE/VCO(2) slope were correlated only with those in CO(2) chemosensitivity (r = 0.50, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

After acute myocardial infarction, exercise hyperventilation is seen in association with aging, enhanced hypercapnic CO(2) chemosensitivity, and reduced TLCO, even in the absence of overt heart failure. The correlation of VE/VCO(2) attenuation after training with the reduction in CO(2) chemosensitivity suggests that exercise training may reduce increased VE/VCO(2) slope, at least partially by reducing CO(2) chemosensitivity.

Expression and distribution of transcripts for sonic hedgehog in the early phase of fracture repair

Localization and expression of mRNAs for sonic hedgehog (Shh) at a fracture site in the early phase postfracture were investigated by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A closed fracture was made in the midshaft of the right tibia of 5-week-old ICR mice, and fractured sites were harvested prefracture (day 0) and on days 2 and 12. In situ hybridization revealed that transcripts for Shh were not detected on day 0, but they were detected in proliferating callus-forming cells in the periosteum and the surrounding tissue, and in the medullary cavity prior to apparent new cartilage and bone formation. Gli 1 (a signaling mediator for Shh) and bone morphogenetic protein-4 transcripts were colocalized with those for Shh transcripts on day 2. The RT-PCR showed that Shh mRNA was detected in the PCR product from day 2, but not from days 0 and 12. These findings are the first description about the activation of Shh gene in the early postfracture reaction.

Novel autoantibodies to pituitary gland specific factor 1a in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

We recently identified a new protein, pituitary gland specific factor 1a (PGSF1a), that is specifically transcribed in the pituitary gland. In our investigation of anti-PGSF1a antibody for pituitary diseases, we examined it in patients with RA and other autoimmune diseases. We unexpectedly discovered the frequent existence of anti-PGSF1a antibody in patients with RA. We therefore examined the prevalence of this antibody to understand its clinical significance in RA.

METHODS

Anti-PGSF1a antibody was detected by radioligand assay using recombinant (35)S-labelled PGSF1a protein. Antibody activity is expressed as an index that was obtained by comparison with normal pooled serum.

RESULTS

RA patients had a significantly higher mean anti-PGSF1a antibody index (n=46, 1.28+/-0.38, P < 0.001) than healthy controls (n=36, 1.04+/-0.13). Indices greater than the cut-off value (mean+2 S.D. of healthy controls) were found in 43.5% (20/46) and 10.0% (2/20) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis, respectively. There was no correlation between the activities of anti-PGSF1a antibodies and titres of rheumatoid factor (RF) or serum C-reactive protein concentrations, but RA patients with more erosive disease had a higher mean anti-PGSF1a antibody index. Four of eight sera samples obtained from RF-negative RA patients were positive for anti-PGSF1a antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Anti-PGSF1a antibody is a useful new marker for the diagnosis of RA, especially for RF-negative RA, and may relate to clinical manifestations of RA.

Amylin in human pancreatic islets

AIMS

Double and triple immunocytochemical staining was used to co-localise amylin with four pancreatic hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide.

METHODS

Normal human adult islets were initially stained for amylin using the avidin-biotin alkaline phosphatase method. The stained sections were subsequently stained for four pancreatic hormones, respectively, with the immunoperoxidase method.

RESULTS

The same islet cells that were positively stained for amylin, were also positively stained for insulin, and were positively stained for glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide in lesser cell numbers.

CONCLUSIONS

Amylin is known to co-secrete and is co-localised with insulin and three other islet hormones are co-localised with amylin. This co-localisation of amylin with all four pancreatic hormones may support a role for amylin in secretory processes of these hormones.

Effects of Roxithromycin on the production of lipase and neutrophil chemotactic factor by Propionibacterium acnes

BACKGROUND

The macrolide antibiotic roxithromycin is effective against acne associated with inflammation, but the mechanism by which this is achieved has not been clarified.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the effects of roxithromycin on the production of lipase and neutrophil chemotactic factor by Propionibacterium acnes in vitro.

RESULTS

Roxithromycin significantly inhibited the production of lipase and neutrophil chemotactic factor by P. acnes at a concentration one eighth of the MIC, at which the growth curve of P. acnes is not affected.

CONCLUSION

One mechanism of the effectiveness of roxithromycin in acne therapy is thought to be the inhibition of bacterial lipase and neutrophil chemotactic factor production by P. acnes.