Galectin-1 is a component of neurofilamentous lesions in sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), abnormal accumulation of neurofilaments induces pathological changes such as axonal spheroids, cord-like neurite swellings, and perikaryal conglomerate inclusions in degenerating motor neurons of the spinal cord, and the accumulation seems to cause motor neuron degeneration in this disease. Such ALS lesions were intensely labeled with HepSS-1, a monoclonal antibody to heparan sulfate. Since the identification of HepSS-1-immunoreactive substance seems to be an important step for understanding the molecular pathology of ALS, we purified the substance from human spinal cord tissue to homogeneity. Amino acid sequence of the protein was consistent with that of galectin-1. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against recombinant human galectin-1 showed that galectin-1 was accumulated in these lesions in ALS. Although HepSS-1 was believed to be specific for heparan sulfate, it reacted with recombinant human galectin-1 which has no heparan sulfate moiety. The results show that galectin-1 is a component of the neurofilamentous lesions in ALS. Since galectin-1 has axonal regeneration-enhancing activity, the abnormal accumulation of galectin-1 to the lesions seems to be related to the pathological process of ALS.

An efficient synthesis of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-O-cyclohexyl-L-tyrosine

A facile and efficient synthesis of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-O-cyclohexyl-L-tyrosine [Boc-Tyr(Chx)-OH] is described. Boc-Tyr-OH was treated with NaH in dimethylformamide and then with 3-bromocyclohexene to give N-Boc-O-(cyclohex-2-enyl)-L-tyrosine [Boc-Tyr(Che)-OH] in 70% yield. Hydrogenation of Boc-Tyr(Che)-OH over PtO2 afforded Boc-Tyr(Chx)-OH in almost quantitative yield. The highest yield was achieved when a side product in the synthesis of Boc-Tyr-OH, Boc-Tyr(Boc)-OH, was not removed, because it was also converted to Boc-Tyr(Che)-OH without any additional manipulations. The new synthetic method described here is convenient for practical use, and would facilitate the widespread use of the Chx group for the hydroxy-protection of Tyr.

Minimizing displacement of the proximal segment after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy in asymmetric cases

PURPOSE

This study evaluated a modified sagittal split ramus osteotomy designed to minimize displacement of the proximal segmentation asymmetric cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nine patients with facial asymmetry were corrected with modified bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy from November 1992 to February 1999. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were traced and compared. The angle of mandibular rotation of the proximal segments was obtained by measuring the intersection of lines passing through the upper rim of the orbit and the lateral border of the proximal segment. The condition of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was evaluated clinically by measuring the interincisal distance and looking for any untoward symptoms.

RESULTS

The data showed an average 1.94 degrees +/- 1.18 degrees difference between the preoperative and postoperative condition and no clinical signs of TMJ symptoms. These findings support the use of this procedure for treating asymmetric mandibles.

Isolation of differentiated squamous and undifferentiated spindle carcinoma cell lines with differing metastatic potential from a 4-nitroquinoline N-Oxide-induced tongue carcinoma in a F344 rat

One differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line (RSC3-E2) and two undifferentiated tumor cell lines (RSC3-LM and RSC3-E2R) with different metastatic potential were established from a 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO)-induced differentiated SCC in F344 rat tongue. The RSC3-E2 subline was isolated from a parental cell line (RSC3-P) by single cell cloning in vitro, whereas the RSC3-LM subline was isolated from a lung metastatic focus after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of RSC3-P cells. The RSC3-E2R cell line was isolated from a lung metastatic focus following s.c. injection of RSC3-E2 cells after X-irradiation in vitro. The RSC3-E2 cell line is keratin-positive and grows as a keratinizing tumor in nude mice, whereas RSC3-LM and RSC3-E2R cells are keratin-negative, vimentin-positive and form undifferentiated tumors. When s.c. injected into nude mice, the RSC3-E2 cell line proved to be non-metastatic, while the RSC3-LM cell line was metastatic by both hematogenous and lymphogenous routes, and the RSC3-E2R cell line was metastatic only hematogenously. In vitro relative growth rates and in vitro invasion activity of these cell lines were in the order RSC3-LM > RSC3-E2R > RSC3-E2. Chromosome analysis revealed two peaks with modal chromosome numbers of 83 and 78 for RSC3-P cells and single peaks at 83, 78 and 56 for RSC3-LM, RSC3-E2 and RSC3-E2R cell lines, respectively. Common structural abnormalities on chromosome 11 were shared by all cell lines. Mutation analysis of the p53 gene using a yeast functional assay demonstrated RSC3-LM cell line to have a point mutation at codon 269, whereas RSC3-E2 and RSC3-E2R had double mutations at codons 106 and 170 on each allele. These results suggest that the two undifferentiated RSC3-LM and RSC3-E2R tumor cell lines with different metastatic potential were generated from differentiated SCC cells via different genetic pathways as a consequence of tumor progression in vivo and in vitro, respectively. These cell lines should provide a useful model for understanding mechanisms of hematogenous and lymphogenous metastasis, as well as tumor progression of oral SCCs.

Three-pion interferometry results from central Pb+Pb collisions at 158A GeV/c

Three-particle correlations have been measured for identified pi(-) from central 158A GeV Pb+Pb collisions by the WA98 experiment at CERN. A substantial contribution of the genuine three-body correlation has been found as expected for a mainly chaotic and symmetric source.

Can implants be correctly angulated based on surgical templates used for osseointegrated dental implants?

When placing osseointegrated dental implants, the site, angulation and depth of implants can be designed using a computed tomography (CT) or conventional X-ray tomography. To correctly identify placement pre-surgically, various kinds of surgical templates have been proposed. Although it is thought to be important to use templates, no material has been published on their accuracy. The purpose of this study was to propose a method for evaluating the placement accuracy using a specific surgical template. Twenty-one implants were evaluated in 6 patients with mean age of 50.7 years. All implants were implanted by two step surgery in the posterior mandible. A surgical template based on the CT images and the abutment replica on the working models were used for the evaluation of the accuracy of implant placement. The difference between the proposed and actual directions was measured by a milling machine. The difference in the angles between the proposed direction and actual direction were from 0.5 degrees to 14.5 degrees. The average was 5.0 degrees, and there were 12 implants (57%) within 5.0 degrees. This study demonstrated the accuracy of the template described in this article.

Magnetic resonance arthrography of the temporomandibular joint

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the usefulness of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRAr) in imaging the pathologic temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirteen TMJs of 11 patients with chronic TMJ pain and disability were examined with MRAr. T1-weighted and T2-weighted first spin-echo sequence with fat suppression images were obtained after the intra-articular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine.

RESULTS

The disc, the posterior attachment, and the presence of perforations and adhesions were evaluated in each image. All of these anatomic and pathologic structures were clearly detected.

CONCLUSION

MRAr appears to be a promising imaging modality in detecting adhesions and perforations in the TMJ. The MRAr findings simplified the decision of whether a patient should undergo surgery.

The effect of an intra-articular bone fragment in the genesis of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an intra-articular bone fragment on the genesis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Twenty-two adult sheep had a unilateral operation of removal of the temporal and condylar articular surfaces, plus discectomy with or without insertion of an intra-articular bone fragment. Functionally, radiologically, macroscopically and histologically, in the group with the intra-articular bone fragment, the joints showed more advanced ankylosis both at one and three months after the operation, as compared to the group with no intra-articular bone. This study shows that the bone fragment increases the extent of ankylosis in the sheep model. The clinical significance of the various experimental findings of this study and others in the same series is presented.

Promotional effects of CO2 laser on DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis as shown by immunohistochemistry of the placental form of glutathione S-transferase

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the kinetics of the expression of the placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GST-P), a useful marker of premalignant lesions, and cell proliferation after CO2 laser surgery on the carcinogen-initiated epithelium.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

CO2 laser incisions were made on buccal pouch epithelium of 36 hamsters after initiation by 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) (group 1, G1), and scalpel incisions were similarly made on 33 animals (group 2, G2). Twenty animals not treated further after initiation were used as DMBA-treated controls. Incidence of malignant transformation, expression of GST-P, and cell proliferation were examined.

RESULTS

The incidence of malignant transformation in G1 and G2 increased significantly (G1: P < 0.001; G2: P < 0.05) compared with that in DMBA-treated controls. GST-P expression of hyperplasia in G1 and G2 decreased significantly (P < 0.001) compared with that in DMBA-treated controls. In hyperplasia, cell proliferation of the GST-P-negative area was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that of the GST-P-positive area.

CONCLUSION

The incisions, particularly by the CO2 laser, on the initiated areas made expression of GST-P decrease and cell proliferation increase in the GST-P-negative areas. These incisions may serve to promote malignant transformation.

Small-angle X-ray scattering from semi-dilute solutions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous acetonitrile solutions

Interaction parameters of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in acetonitrile–water mixed solvent were determined by using small-angle X-ray scattering. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements were carried out in conditions of the semi-dilute poor solvent regime and just below the lower critical solution temperature. From concentration dependence of the correlation length, the binary and ternary cluster integrals were determined. The contribution of the segment–segment interactions to the entropy S int and the enthalpy H int has been calculated from the temperature dependence of these cluster integrals. It has been found that both values are positive. On addition of a small amount of acetonitrile into aqueous solution of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), S int and H int increase with increasing acetonitrile content. Upon further addition of acetonitrile, these values decreased.

Long-term prognosis of BSSO mandibular relapse and its relation to different facial types

The bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) has evolved into an effective and preferred surgical procedure for mandibular setbacks. As with all surgical procedures designed to setback the mandible, relapse occasionally occurs after BSSO procedures. Several factors have been suggested to play a contributory role in this relapse. The present study was performed to determine the stability of the mandibular position over the course of long-term observation. Different facial patterns that could potentially be used as predictors of relapse were examined. The study included cases of skeletal mandibular prognathism, with the patient in each case having undergone surgical correction involving a BSSO at least 5 years prior to the study. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed in order to classify facial patterns. Angular and linear cephalometric measurements, consisting of SN-Pogonion angle, SN-occlusal plane angle, and Pogonion depth and height, were compared at 1 year postoperatively and at the long-term follow-up. A significant correlation between facial type and relapse pattern was confirmed at the long-term assessment of prognosis.

Clinical features of primary hyperparathyroidism: preoperative localization and parathyroidectory

The introduction of the multichannel autoanalyser made measurement of serum calcium concentrations easier, and led to a dramatic change in clinical presentations. The reliable methods such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands has long been sought to increase the cure rate of surgical treatment. We report the clinical feature of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Patients were classified into four stages in chronological order. The early patients (the first stage, 1970-1979) were mainly diagnosed in the treatment of urolithiasis. Approximately 20% of patients in the second stage (1980-1986) were symptom-free, and hypercalcemia was detected by autoanalyzer. Patients in the third stage (1987-1993) underwent preoperative localization studies including CT. scintigraphy, ultrasonography and MRI. The recent patients (the fourth stage, 1993-1999) were mostly treated in the present hospital. In the first stage, PHPT was an uncommon metabolic disorder hat was typically associated with nephrolithiasis and was two to three times more common in men than in women. In the second, third and fourth stages, PHPT is a common and often symptomless endocrine disorder. The ratio of male to female is decreasing, because men are dominant in stone-formers. Four parathyroid glands were searched carefully in the first and second stages, and unilateral cervical exploration was performed in some preoperatively localized parathyroid glands in the third and fourth stages.

Effect of limited jaw motion on ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in sheep

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of limited movement of the jaw on ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Eighteen adult sheep were divided into two groups. In Group 1, the temporal and condylar articular surfaces were removed together with the disc on the right. In Group 2, we did the same procedures but in addition the jaw movements were limited by a wire. One sheep was killed just after the operation, four at one month, and four at three months, in each group. The range of jaw movements preoperatively and at the time of death were recorded. The joints were examined radiologically, macroscopically, and histologically. We used a scoring system to assess the radiological changes and histological extent of ankylosis. At one month, the joint spaces were filled with fibrous tissue, but a small joint space existed in all four joints in Group 1. In Group 2, there was full ankylosis in two joints and partial ankylosis in two joints. At three months, similar ankylotic changes were seen in both groups. The histological score for ankylosis at one month showed that those in Group 2 were significantly more ankylosed than in Group 1 (P<0.01). The range of jaw movements was more limited at one month in Group 2, both vertically and to the left, and was significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01) at three months. Limitation of jaw motion hastens the progress of TMJ ankylosis.

O-(N-succinimidyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate-N-hydroxysuccinimide-CuCl2: a facile and reliable system for racemization-free coupling of peptides having a carboxy-terminal N-methylamino acid

Simultaneous use of N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu) and CuCl2 with a HOSu-based uronium coupling reagent, O-(N-succinimidyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate, has been found to eliminate the racemization of the carboxy-terminal N-methylamino acid residue during the segment condensation.

Facile synthesis of a chitosan hybrid of a laminin-related peptide and its antimetastatic effect in mice

Laminin, a cell adhesion protein, consists of three peptide chains (alpha-1, beta-1 and gamma-1). The beta-1 chain contains a Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) sequence that has been found to inhibit experimental metastasis in mice. We have prepared a hybrid of a water-soluble chitosan and a laminin-related peptide, and have examined its inhibitory effect on experimental metastasis in mice. A laminin-related peptide, acetyl-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-betaAla-OH (Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH), was prepared by a solid-phase method. Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH was then reacted with a water-soluble chitosan. BetaAla is a spacer and was placed to avoid racemization of the Arg residue when the peptide was coupled with chitosan. Although chitosan has amino groups, they did not react with the peptide. Four methods were tried to achieve a coupling reaction, the diphenylphosphoryl azide method, the diisopropylcarbodiimide/1-hydroxybenzotriazole method, the water-soluble carbodiimide (WSC), and the 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) method, but all four methods were unsuccessful. Therefore, a small spacer, tert-butyloxycarbonyl-Gly, was intercalated in chitosan, by the TBTU method, to facilitate its coupling with the peptide. After removal of the protecting group, the Gly-chitosan was coupled with Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH by the water-soluble carbodiimide method to give Ac-YIGSRbetaAG-chitosan. Conjugation of the peptide with the larger chitosan molecule did not reduce the inhibitory effect of the peptide on experimental metastasis in mice, it actually potentiated the antimetastatic effect, demonstrating that chitosan may be effective as a drug carrier for peptides.

Short-term effect of deep-frozen stored auricular cartilage allograft repair on the osteoarthritic sheep temporomandibular joint

The initial effect of deep-frozen stored auricular cartilage replacement was tested on the progression of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in sheep. Bilateral osteoarthritis was induced in the sheep temporomandibular joint. Three months later, discectomy and deep-frozen auricular cartilage allograft repair were performed unilaterally, with the other side being left as a control. Six months post induction of osteoarthritis, 3 months post repair, the sheep were killed. The stored auricular cartilage allografts were not firmly attached to the surrounding tissue and tended to be markedly thinned and perforated. The effect of storage detrimentally affected the properties of the graft.

Effect of unilateral condylectomy on the sheep temporomandibular joint

Unilateral condylectomy was performed on five young adult sheep. The animals were killed at three months and both joints and the excised condyles were examined macroscopically and histologically. All five showed pronounced regeneration of the condylar head on the operated side. The articular surface was fibrous and fused to the disc. Four of the five opposite joints showed medial remodelling. Young sheep have a higher regenerative capability than human adults of equivalent age, and similar reactions to those of children.

Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle. A case report

A 52-year-old woman presented with pain on the right temporal region, restricted mandibular movement and a gradually developing malocclusion. Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle was suspected based on diagnostic imaging. Local resection with preservation of the condylar head resulted in complete resolution of symptoms.

Decreased disk-eminence ratio is associated with advanced stages of temporomandibular joint internal derangement

OBJECTIVE

To examine the possible correlation between the stage of internal derangement and the antero-posterior length of the disk in relation to the length of the articular eminence.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty asymptomatic volunteers with normal joints and 120 patients with TMJ dysfunction underwent MR imaging. The A-P length of the disk in relation to the length of the articular eminence (D/E ratio) was measured.

RESULTS

The D/E ratio was 0.95 in the asymptomatic volunteers, 0.83 in patients with disk displacement with reduction, 0.74 in those with disk displacement without reduction and 0.57 in the patients with disk displacement and osteoarthritis. The relationship between the D/E ratio and the stage of internal derangement was statistically significant (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The D/E ratio decreases with advancing internal derangement. We suggest that it is a reliable numerical method for staging the degree of the internal derangement.

[Consent to enrollment in randomized clinical trials]

Multi-facility joint randomized clinical trials for cancer treatment are the most common method of current clinical study. However, the difference in the rate of participation in multi-facility randomized clinical trials may damage the resulting general validity. Therefore, we studied whether the rate of participation in randomized clinical trials is different between university hospitals and other general hospitals using a questionnaire (with anonymity preserved). There were 744 subjects from university hospitals and 339 from general hospitals participating in the study. The results showed that 10.9 percent of those from university hospitals were willing to participate, against 28.1 percent who were not. Of those from general hospitals (public hospitals in this study) 10.6 percent answered that they would participate and 27.4 percent that they would not. Little difference was found in the rate of participation in randomized clinical trials between university hospitals and other general hospitals. The focus is thus on doctors to solve the possible differences between the facilities in further multi-facility joint studies.

The role of the disk in sheep temporomandibular joint ankylosis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the disk in intraarticular ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.

STUDY DESIGN

Twelve adult sheep were divided into 2 groups. In group 1, removal of the temporal and condylar articular surfaces was performed on the right temporomandibular joint and the disk was maintained; in group 2, removal of the articular surfaces and diskectomy were performed on the right temporomandibular joint. One sheep from each group was killed just after surgery and 5 sheep from each group were killed at 3 months. The joints were examined radiologically, macroscopically, and histologically. The range of jaw movements was recorded preoperatively and at sacrifice.

RESULTS

Each of 2 sheep in group 2 had lost 4% of their body weight by 3 months; all of the other sheep maintained or increased their weight. The range of jaw motion to the right was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (P<.01). In group 1, fibrous repair of the articular surface and regeneration of the condylar head was seen. In group 2, each of the joints showed a total fibrous ankylosis with some calcification. There was a statistically significant difference in radiologic score between the groups (P<.0001). Histologic scores for group 1 demonstrated significantly lower scores on the degree of ankylosis scale and degree of calcification scale (P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the presence of the disk prevented the development of fibrous intraarticular ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.