[Congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis; report of a case]

We experienced a successful surgical case of extended aortoplasty by means of Doty's method (two sinus reconstruction) for congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). Case was 12-year-old boy, who had no complaint except heart murmur. The retrograde aortography demonstrated localized stenosis just above the aortic valve, and it was an hour-glass type. The preoperative peak systolic pressure gradient between the left ventricle and ascending aorta was 56 mmHg, which was improved postoperatively. This case showed excellent results. Doty's aortoplasty was favorable method for SAS without deformity of aortic valve and coronary obstruction.

An Immunological System for the Detection of Pepper mild mottle virus in Soil from Green Pepper Fields

A reliable method, based on the double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), was developed for the extraction of viruses from soil and optimized for the detection of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in soil taken from green pepper (Capsicum annuum) fields. When added to phosphate buffer, Tween 20 increases extraction efficiency and skim milk increases the specificity for PMMoV. Samples positive by DAS-ELISA were verified by inhibition testing using specific anti-PMMoV antibody, immuno-electron microscopy, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and inoculation tests on assay plants. Our system for detecting PMMoV in soil was successfully tested on samples from 22 infected and uninfected fields in Japan. When used before seedlings are planted, this method allows for the prediction of possible damage to cultivated plants by soil-borne PMMoV.

Production and induction of manganese peroxidase isozymes in a white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus

The production of MnP by Pleurotus ostreatus in different liquid cultures was investigated. The highest level of activity was observed after 8 days of culture in peptone-glucose-yeast extract medium (PGY), whereas maximal activity was achieved after 30 days in glucose-yeast extract medium (GY). MnP was purified to homogeneity from PGY (designated MnP-PGY) and GY (MnP-GY). The isoelectric points of MnP-PGY and MnP-GY were 3.77 and 4.06, respectively. The molecular mass of both enzymes was 42 kDa. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified MnPs and nucleotide sequence of cloned mnp indicated that MnP-GY has VTCATGQTTANE at the N-terminus, whereas MnP-PGY has ATCADGRTTANA. A putative exposed tryptophan residue (W170) was found in MnP-GY. Both isozymes oxidized veratryl alcohol, although the K(m) of MnP-GY was lower than that of MnP-PGY. Thus, the presence of peptone in the medium affected the production of MnP isozymes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that the synthesis of MnP isozymes is controlled by culture conditions at the transcriptional level.

Achievement of ultralow emittance beam in the accelerator test facility damping ring

For high luminosity in electron-positron linear colliders, it is essential to generate low vertical emittance beams. We report on the smallest vertical emittance achieved in single-bunch-mode operation of the Accelerator Test Facility, which satisfies the requirement of the x-band linear collider. The emittances were measured with a laser-wire beam-profile monitor installed in the damping ring. The bunch length and the momentum spread of the beam were also recorded under the same conditions. The smallest vertical rms emittance measured at low intensity is 4 pm at a beam energy of 1.3 GeV, which corresponds to the normalized emittance of 1.0x1.0(-8) m. It increases by a factor of 1.5 for a bunch intensity of 10(10) electrons. The measured data agreed to the calculation of intrabeam scattering within much better than a factor of 2.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor withdrawal and ACE gene polymorphism

AIMS

Withdrawal of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may affect the progression of chronic renal failure and an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene may influence it.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and benign nephrosclerosis who discontinued ACE inhibitor use. The relationship between the decline of renal function after the withdrawal and the influencing factors such as ACE gene polymorphism, blood pressure and proteinuria were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients (initial serum creatinine 0.5 - 6.5 mg/dl) had been treated and discontinued ACE inhibitor use. Only patients with the II or DI genotypes of the ACE gene developed the deterioration of renal function, starting at 2 months after the withdrawal. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the level of proteinuria after the withdrawal, presence of the insertion of ACE gene and serum creatinine level at the time of withdrawal mainly influenced the decline of renal function after the withdrawal (adjusted R2 = 0.48).

CONCLUSION

Withdrawal of ACE inhibitor causes the deterioration of renal function in patients with the II or DI genotypes, high proteinuria after the withdrawal, and high serum creatinine level at the withdrawal, which probably causes the rebound increase in serum ACE activity.

Expression of LDL receptor and uptake of LDL in mouse preimplantation embryos

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to address the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) on mouse preimplantation embryos.

METHODS

The temporal expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) mRNAs in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos up to the hatched blastocyst stage were analyzed by RT-PCR and nested PCR techniques. Simultaneously, the expression of LDLR in the protein level was analyzed by fluorescent immunohistochemistory at oocyte, 4-cell embryo and blastocyst. Uptake of LDL was analyzed using the LDL labeled with the fluorescent probe DiO.

RESULTS

LDLR mRNA was detected at oocyte, 8-cell, morula, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst stages. P450scc mRNA was detected at oocyte, 1-cell, 2-cell, 4-cell, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst stages. LDLR protein was detected in blastocyst. P450scc protein was detected in oocyte, 4-cell, and blastocyst. LDL-DiO was taken into embryo at blastocyst stage and this uptake was competitively suppressed by excess unlabeled LDL.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested from the present study that LDLR may play an essential role in uptake of exogenous LDL into blastocyst stage and cholesterol derived from LDL may be the source of steroid hormone synthesis.

Adult case of squamous cell carcinoma arising on congenital esophageal stenosis due to fibromuscular hypertrophy

This study relates to an adult case of squamous cell carcinoma arising on congenital esophageal stenosis. The patient was a 65-year-old man who had suffered from dysphagia and vomiting since birth and was diagnosed as having congenital esophageal stenosis. The patient had not received any treatment because his symptoms were mild. The patients suffered from severe dysphagia since he was 20 years old and had received balloon therapies several times; however, the effects were transient. After admission to our hospital, he underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed a thick muscular mucosae associated with hypertrophic fibromuscular components and poorly to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the region of stenosis. This case report is the first of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma arising on congenital esophageal stenosis.

Suppressive effects of selectin inhibitor SKK-60060 on the leucocyte infiltration during endotoxin induced uveitis

BACKGROUND

It is well known that selectin is involved in the development of endotoxin induced uveitis (EIU), and has a major role in leucocyte infiltration. Recently, a novel selectin inhibitor (SKK-60060) that can block P and L selectins in vitro has been developed. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of SKK-60060 on the inflammatory reaction during EIU in rats by studying leucocyte-endothelium interactions.

METHODS

EIU was induced in Lewis rats by footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SKK-60060 was administered 15 minutes before LPS injection, and its suppressive effects on inflammatory leucocyte behaviour were evaluated in vivo with acridine orange digital fluorography; the diameters of retinal arteries and veins were also measured. After these studies, aqueous humour was collected to evaluate leucocyte infiltration and protein leakage.

RESULTS

After LPS injection, rolling leucocytes were observed in major retinal veins, followed by leucocyte infiltration into the vitreous cavity. Following treatment with SKK-60060, leucocyte rolling was significantly inhibited in the retinal veins (p <0.01), and subsequent leucocyte infiltration into the vitreous cavity was also significantly suppressed (p <0.01). Retinal vasodilation was also substantially suppressed in SKK-60060 treated rats (p <0.01). Similarly, leucocyte infiltration and protein leakage into the aqueous humour were reduced significantly by SKK-60060 (p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

SKK-60060 treatment significantly inhibited the inflammatory reaction induced by LPS. Its inhibitory effects on P and L-selectin resulted in suppression of leucocyte infiltration and the subsequent inflammatory reaction caused by accumulated leucocytes. The current findings suggest that SKK-60060 may be useful in the management of uveitis.

Invasive ductal carcinoma of the mammary gland in a mare

A 21-year-old thoroughbred mare had a 35 x 14 x 10 cm mass involving the mammary gland. Metastases were found in the kidneys, lungs, skeletal muscles, and regional lymph nodes. Histopathologic examination of the tumor revealed a ductal solid carcinoma with extensive intraductal and intralobular involvement and focal infiltration of the adjacent stroma. The intralobular neoplasms were divided into irregularly shaped islands and sheets of polygonal and spindle-shaped epithelial cells by thick or thin fibrous connective tissue bundles. The neoplastic cells had a small or moderate amount of cytoplasm that stained faintly with eosin and round or oval hyperchromatic nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were strongly positive for Lu-5, weakly positive for AE1/AE3, vimentin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, and negative for cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 14, alpha-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and S100. The neoplasm was diagnosed as an invasive ductal carcinoma of the mammary gland with multiple metastases.

Amelioration of osteoporosis by menatetrenone in elderly female Parkinson's disease patients with vitamin D deficiency

Significant reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) occurs in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), correlating with immobilization and with vitamin D deficiency, and increasing the risk of hip fracture, especially in elderly women. As a biological indicator of compromised vitamin K status, an increased serum concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Oc) has been associated with reduced BMD in the hip and an increased risk of fracture in otherwise healthy elderly women. We evaluated treatment with vitamin K(2) (menatetrenone; MK-4) in maintaining BMD and reducing the incidence of nonvertebral fractures in elderly female patients with PD. In a random and prospective study of PD patients, 60 received 45 mg of MK-4 daily for 12 months, and the remaining 60 (untreated group) did not. At baseline, patients of both groups showed vitamin D and K(1) deficiencies, high serum levels of ionized calcium, and glutaminic residue (Glu) Oc, and low levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)(2)D], indicating that immobilization-induced hypercalcemia inhibits renal synthesis of 1,25-(OH)(2)D and compensatory PTH secretion. BMD in the second metacarpals increased by 0.9% in the treated group and decreased by 4.3% in the untreated group (p < 0.0001). Vitamin K(2) level increased by 259.8% in the treated group. Correspondingly, significant decreases in Glu Oc and calcium were observed in the treated group, in association with an increase in both PTH and 1,25-(OH)(2)D. Ten patients sustained fractures (eight at the hip and two at other sites) in the untreated group, and one hip fracture occurred among treated patients (p = 0.0082; odds ratio = 11.5). The treatment with MK-4 can increase the BMD of vitamin D- and K-deficient bone by increasing vitamin K concentration, and it can also decrease calcium levels through inhibition of bone resorption, resulting in an increase in 1,25-(OH)(2)D concentration.

Extremely low vertical-emittance beam in the accelerator test facility at KEK

Electron beams with the lowest, normalized transverse emittance recorded so far were produced and confirmed in single-bunch-mode operation of the Accelerator Test Facility at KEK. We established a tuning method of the damping ring which achieves a small vertical dispersion and small x-y orbit coupling. The vertical emittance was less than 1% of the horizontal emittance. At the zero-intensity limit, the vertical normalized emittance was less than 2.8 x 10(-8) rad m at beam energy 1.3 GeV. At high intensity, strong effects of intrabeam scattering were observed, which had been expected in view of the extremely high particle density due to the small transverse emittance.

Calponin and h-caldesmon expression in atypical fibroxanthoma and superficial leiomyosarcoma

To evaluate smooth muscle differentiation, myogenic markers [desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and muscle-specific actin (HHF35)] have been widely used. Calponin and h-caldesmon, which are cytoskeleton-associated actin-binding proteins, have been reported to be more specific myogenic markers, especially since myofibroblasts express a small amount of h-caldesmon. Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) occurs in the sun-exposed skin of the elderly and follows a benign clinical course. Histologically, AFX, which is a pleomorphic spindle cell tumor and considered to be a superficial variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, also mimics leiomyosarcoma. AFX has been thought to differentiate along pathways with fibrohistiocytic and myofibroblastic phenotypes. AFX ( n=10), superficial leiomyosarcoma (S-LMS) ( n=17) and benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) ( n=17) were analyzed for myofibroblastic and smooth muscle differentiation immunohistochemically from the viewpoint of comparison. AFX and BFH showed immunoreactivities respectively for calponin (3/10, 11/17), desmin (3/10, 1/17), SMA (3/10, 13/17), and HHF35 (1/10, 5/17), but failed to express h-caldesmon (0/10, 0/17). S-LMS had a high immunoreactive rate of calponin (17/17), desmin (13/17), SMA (16/17), and HHF35 (16/17), while also expressing caldesmon (11/17). The results reveal that AFX and BFH have immunoreactivities for several myogenic markers, with myofibroblastic differentiation (calponin: +/-, h-caldesmon: -), but without the smooth muscle differentiation seen in S-LMS (calponin:+, h-caldesmon: +/-). In addition, calponin and h-caldesmon are considered to be useful markers for distinguishing AFX from S-LMS.

A case of complex odontoma associated with an impacted lower deciduous second molar and analysis of the 107 odontomas

OBJECTIVE

Odontoma is a comparatively common odontogenic tumor, and it may lead to interference with the eruption of its associated tooth. Odontomas are mostly associated with permanent teeth, and they are rarely associated with deciduous teeth. The purpose of this report is to analyze 107 odontomas and to present a case of complex odontoma associated with a lower deciduous second molar.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

The 106 cases were analyzed with regard to the following parameters: age, gender, location, erupted teeth, congenital missing teeth, radiological features, histopathological features and prognosis.

RESULTS

Of the 106 cases, 41 were complex odontoma, 62 were compound odontoma, and three were immature odontoma. Compound odontoma had a predilection for the anterior. Complex odontoma occurred more often at the mandible.

CONCLUSION

Odontoma located above the tooth crown of lower deciduous molar did not behave clinically different from that associated with permanent tooth. An odontoma could be related with a supernumerary tooth or a missing tooth. If odontomas, which interfered with tooth eruption, were extirpated early, the impacted teeth would probably erupt normally and be normal in shape.