Genome editing by introduction of Cas9/sgRNA into plant cells using temperature-controlled atmospheric pressure plasma

Previously, we developed a technique to introduce a superfolder green fluorescent protein (sGFP) fusion protein directly into plant cells using atmospheric-pressure plasma. In this study, we attempted genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9) system using this protein introduction technique. As an experimental system to evaluate genome editing, we utilized transgenic reporter plants carrying the reporter genes L-(I-SceI)-UC and sGFP-waxy-HPT. The L-(I-SceI)-UC system allowed the detection of successful genome editing by measuring the chemiluminescent signal observed upon re-functionalization of the luciferase (LUC) gene following genome editing. Similarly, the sGFP-waxy-HPT system conferred hygromycin resistance caused by hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) during genome editing. CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins targeting these reporter genes were directly introduced into rice calli or tobacco leaf pieces after treatment with N2 and/or CO2 plasma. Cultivation of the treated rice calli on a suitable medium plate produced the luminescence signal, which was not observed in the negative control. Four types of genome-edited sequences were obtained upon sequencing the reporter genes of genome-edited candidate calli. sGFP-waxy-HPT-carrying tobacco cells exhibited hygromycin resistance during genome editing. After repeated cultivation of the treated tobacco leaf pieces on a regeneration medium plate, the calli were observed with leaf pieces. A green callus that was hygromycin-resistant was harvested, and a genome-edited sequence in the tobacco reporter gene was confirmed. As direct introduction of the Cas9/sgRNA (single guide RNA) complex using plasma enables genome editing in plants without any DNA introduction, this method is expected to be optimized for many plant species and may be widely applied for plant breeding in the future.

Temperature-controlled atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment induces protein uptake via clathrin-mediated endocytosis in tobacco cells

Previously, we developed a method that uses temperature-controlled atmospheric-pressure plasma to induce protein uptake in plant cells. In the present work, we examined the mechanism underlying such uptake of a fluorescent-tagged protein in tobacco leaf cells. Intact leaf tissue was irradiated with N₂ plasma generated by a multi-gas plasma jet and then exposed to the test protein (histidine-tagged superfolder green fluorescence protein fused to adenylate cyclase); fluorescence intensity was then monitored over time as an index of protein uptake. Confocal microscopy revealed that protein uptake potential was retained in the leaf tissue for at least 3 h after plasma treatment. Further examination indicated that the introduced protein reached a similar amount to that after overnight incubation at approximately 5 h after irradiation. Inhibitor experiments revealed that protein uptake was significantly suppressed compared with negative controls by pretreatment with sodium azide (inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis) or sucrose or brefeldin A (inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis) but not by pretreatment with genistein (inhibitor of caveolae/raft-mediated endocytosis) or cytochalasin D (inhibitor of micropinocytosis/phagocytosis), indicating that the N₂ plasma treatment induced protein transportation across the plant plasma membrane via clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Resin Cement-Zirconia Bond Strengthening by Exposure to Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Multi-Gas Plasma

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gas species used for low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment, using various gas species and different treatment times, on zirconia surface state and the bond strength between zirconia and dental resin cement. Three groups of zirconia specimens with different surface treatments were prepared as follows: untreated group, alumina sandblasting treatment group, and plasma treatment group. Nitrogen (N₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), argon (Ar), and air were employed for plasma irradiation. The bond strength between each zirconia specimen and resin cement was compared using a tension test. The effect of the gas species for plasma irradiation on the zirconia surface was investigated using a contact angle meter, an optical interferometer, an X-ray diffractometer, and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy. Plasma irradiation increased the wettability and decreased the carbon contamination on the zirconia surface, whereas it did not affect the surface topography and crystalline phase. The bond strength varied depending on the gas species and irradiation time. Plasma treatment with N₂ gas significantly increased bond strength compared to the untreated group and showed a high bond strength equivalent to that of the sandblasting treatment group. The removal of carbon contamination from the zirconia surface and an increase in the percentage of Zr-O₂ on the zirconia surface by plasma irradiation might increase bond strength.

Synthesis and acid–base properties of a proton-bridged biaryl compound based on pyridylazulene

We report the synthesis and acid–base properties of 1,1′-bi(2-pyridylazulene) and the crystal structure of its mono-protonated form in which pyridyl moieties are interacted by an intramolecular hydrogen bond.

Automatic detection of informative frames from wireless capsule endoscopy images

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is a new clinical technology permitting visualization of the small bowel, the most difficult segment of the digestive tract. The major drawback of this technology is the excessive amount of time required for video diagnosis. We therefore propose a method for generating smaller videos by detecting informative frames from original WCE videos. This method isolates useless frames that are highly contaminated by turbid fluids, faecal materials and/or residual foods. These materials and fluids are presented in a wide range of colors, from brown to yellow, and/or have bubble-like texture patterns. The detection scheme therefore consists of two steps: isolating (Step-1) highly contaminated non-bubbled (HCN) frames and (Step-2) significantly bubbled (SB) frames. Two color representations, viz., local color moments in Ohta space and the HSV color histogram, are attempted to characterize HCN frames, which are isolated by a support vector machine (SVM) classifier in Step-1. The rest of the frames go to Step-2, where a Gauss Laguerre transform (GLT) based multiresolution texture feature is used to characterize the bubble structures in WCE frames. GLT uses Laguerre Gauss circular harmonic functions (LG-CHFs) to decompose WCE images into multiresolution components. An automatic method of segmentation was designed to extract bubbled regions from grayscale versions of the color images based on the local absolute energies of their CHF responses. The final informative frames were detected by using a threshold on the segmented regions. An automatic procedure for selecting features based on analyzing the consistency of the energy-contrast map is also proposed. Three experiments, two of which use 14,841 and 37,100 frames from three videos and the rest uses 66,582 frames from six videos, were conducted for justifying the proposed method. The two combinations of the proposed color and texture features showed excellent average detection accuracies (86.42% and 84.45%) with the final experiment, when compared with the same color features followed by conventional Gabor-based (78.18% and 76.29%) and discrete wavelet-based (65.43% and 63.83%) texture features. Although intra-video training-testing cases are typical choices for supervised classification in Step-1, combining a suitable number of training sets using a subset of the input videos was shown to be possible. This mixing not only reduced computation costs but also produced better detection accuracies by minimizing visual-selection errors, especially when processing large numbers of WCE videos.

Plk1 regulates liver tumor cell death by phosphorylation of TAp63

We previously found that Plk1 inhibited the p53/p73 activity through its direct phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the functional role of Plk1 in modulating the p53 family member TAp63, resulting in the control of apoptotic cell death in liver tumor cells. Immunoprecipitation and in vitro pull-down assay showed that p63 binds to the kinase domain of Plk1 through its DNA-binding region. in vitro kinase assay indicated that p63 is phosphorylated by Plk1 at Ser-52 of the transactivating (TA) domain. Plk1 decreased the protein stability of TAp63 by its phosphorylation and suppressed TAp63-induced cell death. Furthermore, Plk1 knockdown in p53-mutated liver tumor cells transactivated p53 family downstream effectors, PUMA, p21(Cip1/WAF1) and 14-3-3sigma, and induced apoptotic cell death. Double knockdown of Plk1/p63 attenuated Plk1 knockdown-induced apoptotic cell death and transactivation. Intriguingly, both Plk1 and p63 are highly expressed in the side population (SP) fraction of liver tumor cells compared to non-SP fraction cells, suggesting the significance of Plk1/TAp63 in the control of cell death in tumor-initiating SP fraction cells. Thus, Plk1 controls TAp63 by its phosphorylation and regulates apoptotic cell death in liver tumor cells. Plk1/TAp63 may be a suitable candidate as a molecular target of liver tumor treatments.

TAp63-dependent induction of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) plays a critical role in the regulation of keratinocyte differentiation

Since p63-deficient mice display severe defects in formation of epidermis, p63 has been considered to be a multi-isoform p53 family member essential for epidermal development. However, it is still unclear how p63 could contribute to keratinocyte differentiation. In the present study, we have found that TAp63alpha is induced in association with the upregulation and a secretion of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) during the keratinocyte differentiation of HaCaT cells bearing p53 mutation. Short interference RNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous TAp63 resulted in a remarkable reduction of GDF15. Luciferase reporter assay and reverse transcription-PCR analysis demonstrated that enforced expression of TAp63alpha significantly increases the luciferase activity driven by GDF15 promoter and the expression of GDF15. Consistent with these results, the proximal p53/p63-binding site within the GDF15 promoter region was required for the TAp63alpha-mediated transcriptional activation of GDF15, and TAp63alpha was recruited onto this site. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous GDF15 permitted cell growth and inhibited the expression of the differentiation markers such as keratin 10 and involucrin in response to differentiation stimuli. Taken together, our present results provide a novel insight into understanding the molecular mechanisms behind TAp63alpha-mediated keratinocyte differentiation.

A case of metastatic malignant hemangiopericytoma of the ovary: recurrence after a period of 17 years from intracranial tumor

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon vascular tumor. Primary or metastatic hemangiopericytoma of the ovary is extremely rare. A 48-year-old Japanese woman had a tumor in the neck. Simultaneously, a solid ovarian tumor was detected. She had received treatment for intracranial hemangiopericytoma 17 years previously. For the ovarian tumor, she underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The left ovarian tumor weighed 1510 g and its cut surface was solid without areas of hemorrhage or necrosis. It was microscopically composed of tightly packed tumor cells outside of many vascular vessels. One or two mitotic figures were counted per 10 high power fields. Immunohistochemically, vimentin was expressed but factor-VIII-related antigen, CD 31, and CD 34 were not expressed in the tumor cells. Electron microscopy showed that the tumor cells were grown outside of the endothelium-lined vascular spaces. A discontinuous external basal lamina was also observed. We present a case of metastatic malignant hemangiopericytoma of the ovary from a primary intracranial hemangiopericytoma with a long interval of 17 years.

Tracking of a bronchoscope using epipolar geometry analysis and intensity-based image registration of real and virtual endoscopic images††A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands (Mori et al., 2001)

This paper describes a method for tracking the camera motion of a flexible endoscope, in particular a bronchoscope, using epipolar geometry analysis and intensity-based image registration. The method proposed here does not use a positional sensor attached to the endoscope. Instead, it tracks camera motion using real endoscopic (RE) video images obtained at the time of the procedure and X-ray CT images acquired before the endoscopic examination. A virtual endoscope system (VES) is used for generating virtual endoscopic (VE) images. The basic idea of this tracking method is to find the viewpoint and view direction of the VES that maximizes a similarity measure between the VE and RE images. To assist the parameter search process, camera motion is also computed directly from epipolar geometry analysis of the RE video images. The complete method consists of two steps: (a) rough estimation using epipolar geometry analysis and (b) precise estimation using intensity-based image registration. In the rough registration process, the method computes camera motion from optical flow patterns between two consecutive RE video image frames using epipolar geometry analysis. In the image registration stage, we search for the VES viewing parameters that generate the VE image that is most similar to the current RE image. The correlation coefficient and the mean square intensity difference are used for measuring image similarity. The result obtained in the rough estimation process is used for restricting the parameter search area. We applied the method to bronchoscopic video image data from three patients who had chest CT images. The method successfully tracked camera motion for about 600 consecutive frames in the best case. Visual inspection suggests that the tracking is sufficiently accurate for clinical use. Tracking results obtained by performing the method without the epipolar geometry analysis step were substantially worse. Although the method required about 20 s to process one frame, the results demonstrate the potential of image-based tracking for use in an endoscope navigation system.

A case of metastatic malignant hemangiopericytoma of the ovary: Recurrence after a period of 17 years from intracranial tumor

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon vascular tumor. Primary or metastatic hemangiopericytoma of the ovary is extremely rare. A 48-year-old Japanese woman had a tumor in the neck. Simultaneously, a solid ovarian tumor was detected. She had received treatment for intracranial hemangiopericytoma 17 years previously. For the ovarian tumor, she underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The left ovarian tumor weighed 1510 g and its cut surface was solid without areas of hemorrhage or necrosis. It was microscopically composed of tightly packed tumor cells outside of many vascular vessels. One or two mitotic figures were counted per 10 high power fields. Immunohistochemically, vimentin was expressed but factor-VIII-related antigen, CD 31, and CD 34 were not expressed in the tumor cells. Electron microscopy showed that the tumor cells were grown outside of the endothelium-lined vascular spaces. A discontinuous external basal lamina was also observed. We present a case of metastatic malignant hemangiopericytoma of the ovary from a primary intracranial hemangiopericytoma with a long interval of 17 years.

An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a follicle-stimulating hormone-secreting gonadotroph adenoma occurring in a 10-year-old girl

Female gonadotroph adenomas with endocrinological symptoms are uncommon. Six cases of such adenomas have been reported in the literature: two were girls who presented with precocious puberty and four were premenopausal women with accompanying multiple ovarian cysts. We describe here a 10-year-old Japanese girl with a gonadotroph macroadenoma and present detailed morphological findings of the tumor. The patient's chief complaints were nausea, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral multiple ovarian cysts. Endocrinological assays showed elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (33.7 mIU/ml) and estradiol (3840 pg/ml). MRI of the head showed a large pituitary tumor. Two transsphenoidal operations and subsequent radiation therapy were performed. Immunohistochemically, more than half the tumor cells were positive for anti-FSH-beta monoclonal antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells exhibited a fairly uniform picture of rounded cells. Their nuclei were slightly irregular and contained heterochromatin, and their cytoplasm contained many round, dense core granules, measuring 140-260 nm in diameter, together with well-developed organelles. An in vitro study showed that the tumor cells in primary culture produced FSH (1089.0 mIU/ml). To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of an FSH-secreting gonadotroph adenoma occurring in childhood.

Spiral, herringbone, and triple-decker silver(I) complexes of benzopyrene derivatives assembled through eta(2)-coordination

Three novel silver(I) complexes with benzopyrene derivatives were synthesized and characterized in this paper. Treatment of AgClO(4)*H(2)O with 7-methylbenzo[a]pyrene (L(1)) afforded [Ag(2)(L(1))(toluene)(0.5)(ClO(4))(2)](n)() (1) which exhibits a 2-D sheet structure with double-stranded helical motifs. Reaction of AgCF(3)SO(3) with dibenzo[b,def ]chrysene (L(2)) gave rise to an unprecedented cocrystallization structure, ([Ag(2)(L(2))(CF(3)SO(3))(2)][Ag(2)(toluene)(2)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)])(n)() (2), formed by a 2-D neutral lamellar polymer and a 1-D neutral rodlike one. The ligand benzo[e]pyrene (L(3)) coordinated to silver(I) ions generating a closed triple-decker tetranuclear complex [Ag(4)(L(3))(4)(p-xylene)(ClO(4))(4)] (3) which can be regarded as a stacking polymer owing to existing intermolecular pi-pi stack interactions. The structural diversity of the silver(I) coordination polymers with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is not only related to the stacking patterns of free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the crystalline state, but also the geometric shapes of the molecules for these free ligands. In addition, the coordination of solvents to metal ions plays a crucial role in the formation of the unprecedented coordination polymeric architectures. The ESR spectroscopic results, conductivity, and synthesis properties are also discussed.

Spiral, herringbone, and triple-decker silver(I) complexes of benzopyrene derivatives assembled through eta(2)-coordination

Three novel silver(I) complexes with benzopyrene derivatives were synthesized and characterized in this paper. Treatment of AgClO(4)*H(2)O with 7-methylbenzo[a]pyrene (L(1)) afforded [Ag(2)(L(1))(toluene)(0.5)(ClO(4))(2)](n)() (1) which exhibits a 2-D sheet structure with double-stranded helical motifs. Reaction of AgCF(3)SO(3) with dibenzo[b,def ]chrysene (L(2)) gave rise to an unprecedented cocrystallization structure, ([Ag(2)(L(2))(CF(3)SO(3))(2)][Ag(2)(toluene)(2)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)])(n)() (2), formed by a 2-D neutral lamellar polymer and a 1-D neutral rodlike one. The ligand benzo[e]pyrene (L(3)) coordinated to silver(I) ions generating a closed triple-decker tetranuclear complex [Ag(4)(L(3))(4)(p-xylene)(ClO(4))(4)] (3) which can be regarded as a stacking polymer owing to existing intermolecular pi-pi stack interactions. The structural diversity of the silver(I) coordination polymers with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is not only related to the stacking patterns of free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the crystalline state, but also the geometric shapes of the molecules for these free ligands. In addition, the coordination of solvents to metal ions plays a crucial role in the formation of the unprecedented coordination polymeric architectures. The ESR spectroscopic results, conductivity, and synthesis properties are also discussed.

[Three cases of occupationally induced herpetic whitlow in health care workers]

Herpetic whitlow is one of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, and is known as an occupational disease. In Japan, however, there have been only a few reports of this disease. Recently, we experienced three cases of herpetic whitlow in health care workers. They presented painful vesicles on the right ring finger, the left thumb and the left index finger, respectively. All of them were considered to have been infected by HSV when they were engaged in mouth care of inpatients. We reviewed these three cases from the aspect of occupational medicine, and propose the following three points for preventing this serious nosocominal infection to health care workers: 1) re-education and enlightenment for the workers regarding hazardous behavior of HSV, 2) keeping the hands and fingers free from skin impairments, and 3) early diagnosis and treatment for herpetic whitlow of health care professionals to prevent further nosocominal infection.

Six cases of metastatic malignant melanoma with apparently occult primary lesions

We report here six cases of malignant melanoma in which metastatic lesions were detected first. Of these, two cases showed some peculiar features: one exhibited widespread subcutaneous bleeding, probably due to venous rupture, and the other case had a rare primary lesion on the penis. In the Japanese literature, there have been 46 cases of malignant melanoma in which metastatic lesions were detected prior to the initial ones. The preferential site for metastasis was the lymph node (32 cases). The primary lesion was unknown in 35 patients. The outcomes were available for 36 of the 46 patients; 23 died, including 18 who died within two years.

[Occupational contact dermatitis in women]

In work in which women predominate, the highest rate of the occupational contact dermatitis is seen among hairdressers and medical nursing staffs. Twelve such cases are presented and several points regarding the diagnosis and treatments are discussed. The patients were five hairdressers, two dental technicians, two nurses and three woman divers. A patch test was useful in identifying the allergens or irritants in most cases.

Bridged silver(I) complexes of the polycyclic aromatic compounds tetraphenylethylene and 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene

For the purpose of investigating the coordination behavior of the sterically congested alkenes and exploring the possibility of cofacial complexation in the polycyclic aromatic system for formation of extended polymeric networks, tetraphenylethylene (tphe) and 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene (tphb) have been studied with regard to their complexation with a silver(I) ion. The crystal structures of [Ag(tphe)(ClO4)(p-xylene)], [Ag2(tphe)(ClO4)2], [Ag4(tphe)(CF3SO3)4], [Ag2(tphb)(ClO4)2], and [Ag2(tphb)(CF3SO3)2], together with the metal-free ligands tphe and tphb, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The pi-electron-rich cleft in organic components is found to offer a potential site for complexation, which can be utilized to generate an interesting array of organometallic compounds with one- and two-dimensional frameworks.

Distribution and cytological properties of macrophages in human Fallopian tubes

The macrophages in human Fallopian tubes of women in the reproductive and postmenopausal periods were examined with a focus on their morphological properties by immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy. The fine structure of the smooth muscle cells in the Fallopian tubes was also investigated during the reproductive period. For immunohistochemical staining, we used two monoclonal antibodies that were specific for human macrophages, namely PM-1K and PM-2K. PM-1K recognizes human monocytes/ macrophages corresponding to CD68, and PM-2K recognizes tissue macrophages. PM-1K-positive cells were always present and their numbers increased significantly during the menstrual and early to mid-secretory phases. In contrast, relative numbers of PM-2K-positive cells were small throughout the menstrual cycle. In the postmenopausal period, few PM-1K-positive cells were detected, but PM-2K-positive cells remained. The macrophages during the secretory phase in the endosalpingeal stroma had well-developed intracytoplasmic organelles, but relatively few cytoplasmic vacuoles and granules. In the same phase, many cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage appeared in the vascular lumen of the endosalpingeal stroma. The macrophages during the menstrual phase had well-developed intracellular organelles, with cytoplasmic vacuoles and granules of various sizes and configurations. During the late secretory phase, just prior to menstruation, the smooth muscle cells contained few cytoplasmic filaments but electron-lucent or electron-dense lysosome-like bodies were seen. These findings suggested the presence of macrophages in human Fallopian tubes. It is possible that such macrophages might be involved in the physiological functions of the tubes during the reproductive period and moreover that they might participate in the reconstruction of the muscle layer of the tubes.

2-D interwoven and 3-D 5-fold interpenetrating silver(I) complexes of 1-(isocyanidomethyl)-1H-benzotriazole and 1,3-bis(dicyanomethylidene)indan

This paper presents novel and distinctive organosilver polymers with intriguing structure motifs, constructed from iodoacetonitrile (L1), 1-(isocyanidomethyl)-1H-benzotriazole (L2), 1,3-bis(dicyanomethylidene)indan (L3), and silver(I) salts, respectively. Treatment of L1 with AgClO4 generated [Ag(L1)(ClO4)]n (1), whose X-ray determination revealed a 2-D wavy sheet structure with square grids. Reaction of L2 with AgPF6 gave rise to a novel 2-D wavy interwoven network, ([Ag(L2)(PO2F2)0.5])n (2). The complex [Ag2(L3)2]n (3) obtained by reaction of AgClO4 with L3 can be regarded as unprecedented 3-D 5-fold interpenetrating nets with columnar aromatic stacks and indicates semiconductive behavior. The IR, ESR spectroscopic results, conductivities, and structural features of the complexes are discussed, respectively. The present findings may provide insight into the coordination versatility of silver(I) and polynitrile ligands and an inspiration for the self-assembly of novel supramolecular networks with multifunctional ligands. Crystal data: 1, C2H2AgINClO4, orthorhombic, Pca2(1) (No. 29), a = 14.503(1) A, b = 5.104(2) A, c = 10.2019(9) A, Z = 4; 2, C8H6AgN4PF4O, orthorhombic, Pnna (No. 52), a = 12.2705(3) A, b = 21.150(1) A, c = 10.040(1) A, Z = 8; 3, C30H10Ag2N8, triclinic, P1 (No. 2), a = 14.920(2) A, b = 11.896(2) A, c = 7.400(4) A, alpha = 86.55(2) degrees, beta = 80.87(2) degrees, gamma = 74.47(1) degrees, Z = 2.

[Seven cases of radiation-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma]

We report 7 cases of radiation-induced skin cancer. The diagnosis was based on the history of radiotherapy for benign skin diseases (5 cases) and of occupational exposures to medical doctors (2 cases). All cases were squamous cell carcinomas which arose from chronic radiodermatitis. The estimated latent period of these tumors ranged from 6 to 64 years, with an average of 29.9 years. After surgical treatments of the lesions, no local recurrences were observed in all cases. Benign skin diseases had sometimes been treated with low-energy radiation before the 1960s. Considering the estimated latent period, the peak time point of developing risk of radiation-induced skin cancer by such treatment has been already passed, however, the danger of it should not be ignored in future. In association with multiplicity of radiation usage, occupational exposure of radiation may develop the risk of occurrence of skin cancer in future. Therefore, we should recognize that radiation-induced skin cancer is not in the past. In the cases of chronic skin diseases showing warty keratotic growth, erosion and ulcer, we should include chronic radio-dermatitis in the differential diagnosis. It is necessary to recall all patients about the history of radiotherapy or radiation exposure. Rapid histopathological examination is mandatory because of the suspicion of radiation-induced skin cancer.

Electron microscopic study of Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Among the several forms of Langerhans cell histocytosis (LCH), Letterer-Siwe disease is the most acute disseminated multisystemic variant. The course of Letterer-Siwe disease is usually rapid and fatal. We report here a cases of Letterer-Siwe disease which showed a good response to chemotherapy. We also describe the unusual ultrastructural findings in the histiocyte-like cells in this case.

[A case of occupational contact dermatitis due to hydroxylamine]

A 36-year-old man, working in a chemical industry, had a generalized pruritic eruption. A forty-eight hour patch test revealed positivity for 1% hydroxylamine. Prevention of exposure to this chemical resulted in a dramatic improvement of the symptoms. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as occupational contact dermatitis due to hydroxylamine. There has been few case reports of contact dermatitis due to hydroxylamine. Histopathological examination revealed a marked spongiosis and a spongiotic bulla formation in the epidermis and follicular infundibulum, suggesting an allergic reaction.

Structural studies of silver(I) coordination polymers with aryl iodide derived ligands

This paper reports novel silver polymers, built with iodine--silver interactions, with interesting structural motifs. Four silver(I) coordination polymers of the aryl iodide derived ligands, triiodobenzoic acid (HL1), tris(4-iodophenyl)amine (L2), and 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (HL3), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of Ag(CH3COO) with HL1 yielded [Ag(L1)] (1), whose structural analysis revealed 2D layers of ladders connected through weak Ag...I interaction. Reactions of AgClO4 and L2 in benzene and nitrobenzene afforded, respectively, two different products, [Ag(L2)(H2O)]ClO4.C6H6(2) and [Ag(L2)(ClO4)](3). While the structure of 2 could be described as a 2D layer of square and octagons perpendicular to [100], complex 3 is formed by 2D layers of the same topology of 2 (8(2).4), alternating as ABAB. In contrast, complex 4, [Ag2(H2L3)(CF3SO3)3], obtained by reaction of Ag(CF3SO3) and HL3, was found to consist of a 2D layer based on columnar arrays AgH2L3-Ag(triflate). The solid-state FT-IR and 109Ag NMR spectra of theses complexes are discussed on the basis of their crystal structures.

Automated anatomical labeling of the bronchial branch and its application to the virtual bronchoscopy system

This paper describes a method for the automated anatomical labeling of the bronchial branch extracted from a three-dimensional (3-D) chest X-ray CT image and its application to a virtual bronchoscopy system (VBS). Automated anatomical labeling is necessary for implementing an advanced computer-aided diagnosis system of 3-D medical images. This method performs the anatomical labeling of the bronchial branch using the knowledge base of the bronchial branch name. The knowledge base holds information on the bronchial branch as a set of rules for its anatomical labeling. A bronchus region is automatically extracted from a given 3-D CT image. A tree structure representing the essential structure of the extracted bronchus is recognized from the bronchus region. Anatomical labeling is performed by comparing this tree structure of the bronchus with the knowledge base. As an application, we implemented the function to automatically present the anatomical names of the branches that are shown in the currently rendered image in real time on the VBS. The result showed that the method could segment about 57% of the branches from CT images and extracted a tree structure of about 91% in branches in the segmented bronchus. The anatomical labeling method could assign the correct branch name to about 93% of the branches in the extracted tree structure. Anatomical names were appropriately displayed in the endoscopic view.

Increased serum levels of 5-S-cysteinyldopa and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in a patient with a uterine amelanotic metastasis from a primary vaginal malignant melanoma

A 75-year-old Japanese woman, who had an enlarged uterus and two nodules on the anterior vaginal wall, underwent wide excision of the anterior vaginal wall, bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, modified radical hysterectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection. Her serum level of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) was elevated, but her serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) level was within normal limits. Histologic examination of the vaginal wall revealed atypical melanocytes at the dermoepidermal junction and numerous melanin-containing granules in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. The tumor in the uterus consisted of sheets of anaplastic cells with evidence of diminished melanization. Five months after her initial presentation, she developed a recurrence and expired. The serum level of ICAM-1 was beyond the normal limit at the time of recurrence. Both the serum 5-S-CD and the ICAM-1 levels became elevated after recurrence and appeared to be correlated with disease progression.

Effect of ultrafiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass for pediatric cardiac surgery

The effect of ultrafiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was evaluated for correcting ventricular septal defects with associated pulmonary hypertension in patients less than 18 months old. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 concentrations in the blood, ultrafiltrate, and urine were measured. The blood IL-6 concentration increased to 128.4+/-20.2 pg/ml by the end of surgery, which is lower than the concentration seen in adult patients (273.1+/-48.2 pg/ml, p < 0.02). The blood IL-8 concentration was not significantly different than that of adults. The total amounts of excreted IL-6 in the ultrafiltrate and urine during CPB were 11.5+/-0.32 pg/kg and 0.32+/-0.07 pg/kg, respectively (p < 0.05). The total amounts of excreted IL-8 in the ultrafiltrate and urine were 4.64+/-0.69 pg/kg and 1.92+/-0.56 pg/kg, respectively (p < 0.05). No differences were seen in these values for excretion between children and adults. We conclude that ultrafiltration during CPB in pediatric patients is more effective in removing proinflammatory cytokines than in adults and more effective than renal filtration alone.

Serum interleukin-2 receptor for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

The value of measuring soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the sera of patients with joint pain as a predicting parameter for the future development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was examined. sIL-2R was measured by the ELISA method. Sixty-four patients with joint pain (suspected RA: sus-RA) but no bone or joint destruction were enrolled over 2 years and 47 were selected for the study. Eleven patients whose diagnosis was sus-RA after a year of observation were successively followed-up for 5 years. Two-thirds of the patients whose sIL-2R levels were higher than those of normal healthy adults (< 82 pmol/l; mean +2SD) developed RA within a year. On the other hand, one-quarter of the patients with normal levels of sIL-2R also developed RA within a year. The presence of two or three of the following three items in patients with joint pain without any bone and joint destruction was thus indicated to be useful for the early diagnosis of RA: elevated CRP level (> or = 1.0 mg/dl), positive rheumatoid factor (RF) (> or = 30 IU/ml) and an elevated sIL-2R level (> or = 100 pmol/l). Sensitivity and specificity were 72.7% and 96.0%, respectively. The probability of development of RA is expressed as P = 1/[1 + exp(2.673 - 0.01784 x sIL-2R - 0.4398 x CRP - 0.004835 x RF)], with R2 = 0.3083 and p<0.0005. On the other hand, the sIL-2R levels did not correlate with any future bone or joint changes within a year of observation. The above criteria may therefore hopefully justify the early treatment of patients with joint pain using drugs that can modify the patients' immune function. However, the validity of these criteria still need to be examined more thoroughly in the future.

Blunt cardiac trauma: successful repair of right atrium rupture

Cardiac rupture due to blunt trauma is usually fatal. We recently cared for a patient of atrial rupture without hemopericardium after MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) which was successfully repaired, and this experience prompted this report.

Everting closure for interrupted aortic arch, ventricular septal defect, and severe subaortic stenosis

Interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect in the neonate is sometimes complicated by severe subaortic stenosis from posterior deviation of the infundibular septum. We have developed a novel approach to the treatment of this condition. The infundibular septum is penetrated from the right-ventricular side to the left-ventricular outflow tract. It is compressed with patch fixation. The lower margin of the infundibular septum is everted. Three consecutive neonates were treated. The smallest diameters of the left-ventricular outflow tract were 3,4, and 2.5 mm. All patients survived the operation and were discharged from the hospital. They remained well 2 to 7 years after the repair and were in normal sinus rhythm without a left bundle branch block or any significant pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities. Follow-up two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography demonstrated no residual shunt, no left-ventricular outflow-tract pressure gradient, and no aortic regurgitation. This technique provides effective widening of the left-ventricular outflow tract, and is more safely and easily performed than conventional methods.

Distribution and fine structure of macrophages in the human ovary during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause

We evaluated the distribution and ultrastructural characteristics of macrophages in the ovaries of women of reproductive ages, during pregnancy, and after menopause, by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. Macrophages appeared around the ovarian follicle with its development. Their organelles were poorly developed, and no vacuoles or granules were observed in the cytoplasm. Macrophages were also present in the cavity of the atretic follicle, being larger in size than those in the developing follicle and characterized by cytoplasmic vacuoles and granules of a lysosomal nature. With the luteinization of the follicle, macrophages were seen to be distributed inside and outside the corpus luteum, but constituted only a minor population as compared with other kinds of leukocytes. The intracellular organelles were well-developed, including the lysosomal granules. In early pregnancy, the number of macrophages was noticeably increased in the corpus luteum. They were observed mainly outside the corpus luteum, and stained strongly with hCG immunohistochemically. Macrophages were present in the regressing corpus luteum and in the corpus albicans. Numerous lipid droplets and elongated cholesterol crystals were seen in the cytoplasm. Macrophages therefore appeared to be present throughout the ovarian cycle and may be involved in the development and atresia of the follicles and the progression and the regression of luteal tissues.

[Successful treatment of myocardial infarction of left main trunk by emergent CABG under IABP and PCPS support]

We experienced a successful treatment of acute myocardial infarction which was due to left main trunk obstruction. A 54-year-old man with no history of angina was transported by a rescue squad in cardiogenic shock, and diagnosed by electrocardiography with a wide range of myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary arteriography was performed under IABP support, revealing 99% stenosis in the left main trunk. Percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization (PTCR) was performed, but suddenly cardiac arrest was happened. He was put on emergency percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). A Palmaz-Schatz stent was implanted for reperfusion, but the patient was hemodynamically unstable with frequent ventricular arrhythmia and pulmonary edema. 24 hours later he underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and CPB could be terminated intraoperatively. His cardiac function was very low and LVEF was 20%. All grafts were patent. On the rehabilitation he was discharged on postoperative day 162 and has returned to work in his office one year postoperatively.

Intra-abdominal bleeding after repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

A case is reported of sudden rupture of a subcapsular hematoma of the liver (SHL) due to birth injury occurring after complete repair of a total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a 3-day-old male infant. Autopsy showed a wide bruised surface of liver parenchyma. Although making a diagnosis of SHL may be difficult before neonatal cardiac surgery, special care on this quite rare complication must be taken in neonates with difficult delivery.

[A case of primary pulmonary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery]

We report the pulmonary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery which is encountered infrequently. The patient, a 67-year-old man, was admitted with right heart failure. Diagnosis was not established completely by computed tomography of the thorax, pulmonary angiogram and pulmonary scintigram, therefore chronic pulmonary thromboembolism was suspected. Palliative resection was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass and total circulatory arrest. Pathologic examination of the resected tumor revealed pulmonary intimal sarcoma, which originated from the pulmonary artery. The patient died four months postoperatively. The cause of death was determined by autopsy to be recurrent pulmonary intimal sarcoma invading the left atrium and multiple metastasis of the brain, pancreas, adrenal glands and right lung.

[A case report on mitral valve replacement associated with antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus]

Mitral valve replacement (MVR) was performed on a 36-year-old woman for mitral valve regurgitation. The patient suffered from antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient required 4 times plasma exchanges to prevent embolization to the cerebral arteries. A decrease in the anticardiolipin beta 2-glycoprotein I complex level was achieved and MVR was performed with a relatively good postoperative course. Anticoagulation therapy had been continued, but one year postoperatively the patient fell down a staircase and suffered acute epidural hematoma. Emergency operation was performed. The patient, however, died due to cerebral hemorrhage.

Role of macrophages in ovarian follicular development

The effects of macrophages on granulosa cell proliferation were examined using gonadotropin-primed immature female rats and osteopetrotic (op/op) mice, a model defective in monocyte-macrophage lineage cells. Macrophages were found in the follicles at various developmental stages in rats and mice. The labeling index with [3H]thymidine of cultured rat granulosa cells was maximal when they were cultured with peritoneal macrophages at a macrophages:granulosa cell ratio of 0.01. This ratio was similar to those in rat preantral and antral follicles in vivo. In op/op mice, the number of developing follicles was markedly reduced, but increased after daily macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) administration. In the antral follicles of op/op mice, both granulosa cells and macrophages were significantly decreased in number but were increased after M-CSF treatment. Double immunohistochemical staining revealed that epidermal growth factor (EGF)-positive cells were macrophages in the developing rat follicles. These findings suggest that macrophages are located in the developing follicles and participate in promoting granulosa cell growth through a paracrine mechanism by secreting EGF and other cytokines.

[One-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect]

Three neonates with type A interrupted aortic arch were successfully repaired through a median sternotomy incision during profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in the past one year. Two aortic cannulas, a small plastic one (Cardicorp) in the ascending aorta and a long one inserted through the pulmonary artery and patent ductus arteriosus into the descending aorta. Two Pacifico's venous cannulas were inserted into superior and inferior vena cavae respectively. No dissection and encircling were required around three major branches from the aortic arch and both right and left pulmonary arteries. During a cooling phase a large ventricular septal defect was closed followed by circulatory arrest. It was possible to resect a patent ductus arteriosus and mobilize the descending thoracic aorta for anastomosis to the side of the ascending aorta without removal of the aortic cannula in the aorta. New instruments and development of cardiopulmonary bypass could bring a successful one-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect more safely and easily than before.