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During craniofacial development, cranial neural crest ( NC)-derived mesenchymal cells migrate to pharyngeal arches and contribute extensively to neurons, Schwann cells, smooth muscle cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and odontoblasts, forming maxillofacial structures. In vitro models using model organism cells, such as African clawed frog ( Xenopus Laevis) and mouse ( Mus Musculus), were developed to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of cranial NC development. Recent studies using human embryonic stem cells ( hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hi PSCs) have enabled the generation of human NC cells ( NCCs) in vitro to provide insight into human NC development. Understanding molecular mechanisms underlying craniofacial development will contribute to develop novel embryotoxicity tests and to decrease the incidence of drug-induced congenital anomalies in the craniofacial region, such as cleft lip or cleft palate. Here, we review culture methods to derive NCCs in vitro from Xenopus presumptive ectoderm (animal caps), mouse embryonic stem cells ( mESCs), and human pluripotent stem cells ( hPSCs) and discuss how these in vitro models can be used to help clarify the mechanisms underlying craniofacial development and for developing embryotoxicity tests predicting drug-induced congenital anomalies in the craniofacial region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmentation of IgA production has been postulated for the development of IgA nephropathy. An influenza HA vaccine was administered to healthy adults and patients with IgA nephropathy to elucidate if there was any in vivo alteration of antibody production in response to antigenic stimulation in these patients. The vaccine was administered s.c. in a dose of 350 CCA units at an interval of 4 weeks. IgG, IgA and IgM class antibodies lo influenza HA antigens and three classes of rheumatoid factors (RF) were determined using a solid phase fluorescence immunoassay. The titres of IgG class antibodies to influenza HA antigens did not change significantly in either group after the vaccination. No significant differences were observed in the titres of IgG antibodies between the two groups. IgA antibodies were significantly increased only in patients in the 4th week and continued to the 8th week. The titres of IgA antibodies were always higher in patients than in controls during the study period. IgM antibodies were significantly increased stepwise in both groups to an equal degree. IgG and IgA RF were always higher in patients than in controls. IgM RF were significantly increased and higher than in controls in the 8th week in patients. It is concluded that patients with IgA nephropathy might be high responders for IgA antibody production, and that polyclonal activation might be associated with increased IgA production following in vivo antigenic stimulation in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma is a lymphoproliferative disorder aetiologically associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I infection. A cutaneous lesion often develops in the disease, and in rare cases, is even the only manifestation. Here we report a rare case of‘cutaneous’ adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma with neither atypical cells in the peripheral blood nor lymph node involvement. All nodular lesions were completely eliminated after local electron beam irradiation (20 Gy/nodule in total). To evaluate whether or not there were residual lymphoma cells in the skin, we performed PCR to detect clonal T cell receptorγ gene rearrangements. The sample from the nodule before irradiation showed evidence of a rearranged band, which was not detected at the same site after treatment nor in any peripheral blood. The findings suggest that this procedure is useful for the evaluation of therapeutic effects and the early detection of lymphoma recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pathogenesis of posttransplant coronary artery disease, which is thought to be a major form of chronic rejection after cardiac transplantation, is not fully understood. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) on endothelial cells induces reduction of NO release and up-regulation of adhesion molecules, thereby contributing to the development of vascular atherosclerosis. Herein, we investigated the expression of LOX-1 mRNA in murine allografted hearts that develop diffuse coronary obstruction. Allogeneic (C57BL/6 to BALB/c) and syngeneic (C57BL/6 to C57BL/6) heterotopic cardiac transplants were removed the 10th posttransplant day. LOX-1 mRNA expression was measured by RT-PCR. The heartbeat of the allografts gradually weakened and was almost stopped on day 10, whereas syngeneic hearts continued to pulsate throughout the experiment. Histologically, allografts showed fibrous luminal narrowing of the coronary arteries with severe mononuclear cell infiltration. In contrast, the vascular architecture of syngeneic grafts was almost normal. Marked increase in LOX-1 mRNA expression was observed only in allografts. The results indicate that alloimmune responses induce up-regulation of LOX-1 mRNA in transplanted hearts. Increased LOX-1 may be involved in the progression of obstructive vascular changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a letter to the editor about the histopathology of envenomation by Japanese viper bite.

This article focuses on a study related to URGE-8, an anti-neutrophil monoclonal antibody that attenuates acute lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CPB causes systemic inflammatory response with neutrophil activation that results in multiple organ dysfunction including lung. These results suggest that URGE-8 enhances the lung function after CPB via the blockade of the production of cytokine and chemokine in this rat model. The use of antineutrophil antibody before CPB seems to be a promising prophylactic therapy for CPB-induced acute lung injury.

An abstract of the conference paper "Severe massive postpartum bleeding in a high-grade perinatal center of emergency and general hospital," by T. Hoshino and colleagues is presented.

Experiments based on the isomer-spectroscopy method were performed using the secondary beam line at RCNP, Osaka University. Recently, a new γ-ray spectroscopy method was established using fusion reaction induced by low-energy RI beam. This method enables us to study high-spin states of nuclei in wider mass region where it is difficult to populate them by using the combination of stable beams and stable targets. This method works well although low production of nuclei, because (1) the combination of beams and targets can be selected with large-reaction cross section and (2) high-S/N measurement can be performed by the event-by-event detection to select the events correlated with RI beam, which reduces background γ rays, competing with γ rays emitted from fusion products. As the first step, high-spin states of 142Pr were studied using fusion reaction induced by low-energy 17N RI beam. Large cross section was obtained by the 130Te(17N,5n) reaction with 4.9 MeV/u 17N beam. Event selection, which was carried out by the event-by-event detection with low-beam intensity of 2×104 pps, enables high-S/N measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which developed a phoswich detector composed of a plastic scintillator and a bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillator for a continuous blood-sampling system. Configuration of the phoswich detector; Performance of the detector; Discussion and conclusion.

We developed a full-ring “add-on PET” prototype which is brain-dedicated and consists of a RF-head coil with four-layer depth-of-interaction (DOI) PET detectors for integrated PET/MRI in order to evaluate performance of our previously proposed add-on PET system and to investigate the mutual influences between the individual PET and MRI modalities when they are integrated in simultaneous measurements. In this add-on PET prototype, the DOI detectors are mounted on the head coil and close to the patient head. As a result, higher sensitivity and higher spatial resolution can be achieved for the integrated PET/MRI, compared with conventional whole body PET/MRI systems. In addition, implementation cost can be reduced, tuning of the RF-coil can be optimized and PET and MRI images can be obtained simultaneously in exactly the same positions. Specifically, the full-ring prototype consists of eight DOI-PET detectors and a birdcage type head coil of a 3T MRI. The radius of the PET ring is 123.9 mm. The distance from the center to the RF-coil elements is 130.5 mm. The scintillator blocks consist of lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate scintillators arranged in 19×6×4 layers with reflectors inserted between them. The size of each crystal element is 2.0 mm×2.0 mm ×5.0 mm. We evaluated performance of the full-ring prototype in simultaneous measurements of the integrated PET/MRI. We obtained spatial resolutions of 2.3 mm at the center of the field-of-view (FOV) and lower than 3.5 mm in the whole FOV. The energy resolution of 19.4% was obtained for 511 keV gamma-rays. In addition, we observed no degradation of PET performance caused by the MRI measurement. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the MRI image was 209.4 in simultaneous measurements with the PET. The maximum ΔB 0 and maximum difference of the secondary magnetic field due to the eddy current effect were smaller than 0.8 ppm and ±5.0 μT, respectively. We concluded that sufficient spatial resolution and detector performance of the PET were obtained for the add-on PET prototype even in the simultaneous measurements with the MRI. The influence of the PET detectors on the static magnetic field and the SNR of the MRI images were not problems, although the eddy current effect must be suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We are developing a PET-MRI system which consists of PET detectors integrated with the head coil of the MRI in order to realize high spatial resolution and high sensitivity in simultaneous measurements. In the PET-MRI system, the PET detectors which consist of a scintillator block, photo-detectors and front-end circuits with four-layer depth-of-interaction (DOI) encoding capability are placed close to the measured object. Therefore, the proposed system can achieve high sensitivity without degradation of spatial resolution at the edge of the field-of-view due to parallax error thanks to the four-layer DOI capability. In this paper, we fabricated a prototype system which consists of a prototype four-layer DOI-PET detector, a dummy PET detector and a prototype birdcage type head coil. Then we used the prototype system to evaluate the performance of the four-layer DOI-PET detector and the reciprocal influence between the PET detectors and MRI images. The prototype DOI-PET detector consists of six monolithic multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) arrays (S11064-050P), a readout circuit board, two scintillator blocks and a copper shielding box. Each scintillator block consists of four layers of Lu1.8Gd0.2SiO5:Ce (LGSO) scintillators and reflectors are inserted between the scintillation crystals. The dummy detector has all these components except the two scintillator blocks. The head coil is dedicated to a 3.0T MRI (MAGNETOM Verio, Siemens) and the two detectors are mounted in gaps between head coil elements. Energy resolution and crystal identification performance of the prototype four-layer DOI-PET detector were evaluated with and without MRI measurements by the gradient echo and spin echo methods. We identified crystal elements in all four layers from a 2D flood histogram and energy resolution of 15–18% was obtained for single crystal elements in simultaneous measurements. The difference between the average energy resolutions and photo-peak positions with and without MRI measurements was lower than 0.3 percentage points and 1.7% for all layers. The results indicated that these performances were sufficient as PET detectors for the proposed PET-MRI system and there was no influence from the MRI measurements on the PET imaging in the simultaneous measurements. The signal-to-noise ratio of the MRI image and static magnetic field of the MRI were also evaluated with and without measurements of the PET detectors. The maximum decrease of the static magnetic field due to the LGSO scintillators was approximately 1ppm. The signal-to-noise ratio decreased from 242.80 without the PET detector to 44.948 in simultaneous measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spin-polarized radioactive nuclear beams at TRIUMF enable a new spectroscopic method which efficiently assigns spins and parities of the daughter levels by taking advantage of the asymmetric β-decay of the polarized parent nucleus. This method was successfully applied to structure studies of 29Mg and 30Mg in connection with the physics of the “island of inversion”. In 29Mg, two low-lying levels with intruder configuration were assigned. In 30Mg, coexistence of spherical shape, prolate shape and γ-collectivity was strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the first step of systematic studies on neutron-rich Mg isotopes, the structure of 28Mg has been investigated by β-decay spectroscopy of spin-polarized 28Na at TRIUMF. Spin-parity assignments have been successfully performed for levels in 28Mg by taking advantage of the anisotropic β decay. Previous assignments for three levels were reconfirmed. New assignments were performed for four levels including a newly found 2+ level at 7.461 MeV. The experimental results were compared, on a level-by-level basis, with the shell-model calculation in the model space restricted to the sd shell. Overall good agreement between the experimental and theoretical results indicates dominance of the normal configurations in most of the 28Mg levels. High performance of the present method promises successful application to heavier Mg isotopes to elucidate the shell evolution in the region of the N = 20 island of inversion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level structures of 28Mg and 29Mg have been investigated by the β-decay of spin-polarized28Na and 29Na at ISAC, TRIUMF. The detailed β-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements were performed. New γ rays and β transitions were observed both in 28Mg and 29Mg. We have succeeded in assigning spins and parities of many levels in 28Mg and 29Mg. Comparison with shell model calculations using USD Hamiltonian suggest that the structure of 28Mg and 29Mg are well explained in the sd-shell configurations, except for two levels at 1.095 and 1.430 MeV in 29Mg. This suggests negative parity assignments for these levels. The evolution of sd-pf shell is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glutamate system including N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) affects synaptic formation, plasticity and maintenance. Recent studies have shown a variable (GT)n polymorphism in the promoter region of the NMDA subunit gene ( GRIN2A) and a length-dependent inhibition of transcriptional activity by the (GT)n repeat. In the present study, we examined whether the GRIN2A polymorphism is associated with regional brain volume especially in medial temporal lobe structures, in which the NMDA-dependent synaptic processes have been most extensively studied. Gray matter regions of interest (ROIs) for the bilateral amygdala and hippocampus were outlined manually on the magnetic resonance images of 144 healthy individuals. In addition, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was conducted to explore the association of genotype with regional gray matter volume from everywhere in the brain in the same sample. The manually measured hippocampal and amygdala volumes were significantly larger in subjects with short allele carriers ( n = 89) than in those with homozygous long alleles ( n = 55) when individual differences in intracranial volume were accounted for. The VBM showed no significant association between the genotype and regional gray matter volume in any brain region. These findings suggest that the functional GRIN2A (GT)n polymorphism could weakly but significantly impact on human medial temporal lobe volume in a length-dependent manner, providing in vivo evidence of the role of the NMDA receptor in human brain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial calcium regulation plays a number of important roles in neurons. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is highly polymorphic, and its interindividual variation is associated with various neuropsychiatric diseases and mental functions. An mtDNA polymorphism, 10398A>G, was reported to affect mitochondrial calcium regulation. Volume of hippocampus and amygdala is reportedly associated with various mental disorders and mental functions and is regarded as an endophenotype of mental disorders. The present study investigated the relationship between the mtDNA 10398A>G polymorphism and the volume of hippocampus and amygdala in 118 right-handed healthy subjects. The brain morphometry using magnetic resonance images employed both manual tracing volumetry in the native space and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in the spatially normalized space. Amygdala volume was found to be significantly larger in healthy subjects with 10398A than in those with 10398G by manual tracing, which was confirmed by the VBM. Brain volumes in the other gray matter regions and all white matter regions showed no significant differences associated with the polymorphism. These provocative findings might provide a clue to the complex relationship between mtDNA, brain structure and mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein implicated in such diverse biologic processes as lymphocyte activation and homing, extracellular matrix adhesion, and cellular migration. Primary transcripts of the CD44 gene can be alternatively spliced to produce a variety of messenger RNA (mRNA) species. The standard form of CD44 mRNA contains sequences from at least 20 genomic exons; variant mRNAs contain sequences from one or more additional exons (v1-10). Predominant expression of a specific CD44 variant, i.e., CD44v8-10, in several human carcinomas has been described previously. In this study, we developed a novel molecular approach for detecting cancer cells that overexpress CD44v8-10 mRNA.Methods: After finding that CD44v8-10 was predominantly expressed in non-small-cell lung and bladder carcinomas and that CD44v10 was predominantly expressed in leukocytes, we developed a competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (CC-RT-PCR) that allows quantification of the relative expression of these two mRNA species in clinical specimens (i.e., determination of a v8-10/v10 ratio). CC-RT-PCR analysis was applied to pleural effusion specimens from patients with benign or malignant lung diseases as well as to spontaneously voided urine samples from patients with benign or malignant urologic diseases.Results: Fifty two of 54 samples from patients with benign diseases expressed CD44v10 predominantly (v8-10/v10 ratio < or = 0.65), whereas 46 of 61 samples from patients with malignant diseases expressed CD44v8-10 predominantly (v8-10/v10 ratio > 1.00) (two-sided P < .001). CC-RT-PCR detected predominant expression of CD44v8-10 in cytologically negative samples from 11 patients who were later diagnosed with malignant disease.Conclusions: CC-RT-PCR analysis of CD44v8-10 expression could be an important adjunct to cytologic examination in cancer diagnosis, especially in detecting exfoliated cancer cells in pleural effusions and urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoshimatsu S, Ando Y, Terazaki H, Sakashita N, Tada S, Yamashita T, Suga M, Uchino M, Ando M (Kumamoto University School of Medicine; and Saiseikai Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan). Endoscopic and pathological manifestations of the gastrointestinal tract in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I (Met30). J Intern Med 1998; 243: 65–72. ObjectivesTo evaluate the characteristic changes in the gastrointestinal tract in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) (Met30), both fibre gastroscopy and colonoscopy studies were performed in FAP (Met30) patients. Microscopic changes were also examined in autopsied and biopsied materials from patients with FAP, and compared with data from autopsied samples from patients with AL amyloidosis, and secondary amyloidosis patients. DesignEndoscopic and histopathological study. SettingKumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan. SubjectsNine patients with FAP (Met30) underwent fibre gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Six autopsied and 23 biopsied gastrointestinal samples from FAP patients, four from autopsied amyloidosis (including two myeloma associated form), and two from autopsied secondary amyloidosis patients were examined for histopathological study. Main outcome measuresFibre gastroscopy and colonoscopy were employed for macroscopic study. Congo red and H-E staining were performed for histopathological study. Macroscopic changes in the gastrointestinal tract and microscopic differences in the amyloid distribution pattern were compared between the different types of amyloidosis. ResultsFibre gastroscopy and colonoscopy for nine FAP patients revealed that four showed a fine granular appearance in the duodenum, three showed lack of lustre, and two showed mucosal friability in the gastrointestinal tract; however, no macroscopic abnormality was observed in four other FAP patients. Histopathological examination of tissue from FAP patients revealed that, although a small amount of amyloid was recognized in the submucosa perivascular layer, a significant amount of amyloid was seen in and around the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract, but very little in Auerbach's nerve plexus. In total, the amount of deposited amyloid in the tissues was small compared with that in other types of systemic amyloidosis, such as AL and secondary amyloidosis. ConclusionThese results suggest that the major reason why FAP patients show such severe gastrointestinal symptoms, compared with other types of systemic amyloidosis, may be because of the deposition of a significant amount of amyloid in the nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Possibility of successful hysteroscopic resection of fetal heart beat-positive Caesarean scar pregnancy under ultrasound guidance" by T. Hoshino and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Ultrasonographic guidance in hysteroscopic resection of Caesarean scar pregnancy at six weeks of gestation with laminaria cervical dilatation" by T. Hoshino, T. Miyamoto, A. Usuki and others is presented.

An abstract of the article "A case of congenital toxoplasmosis stillbirth diagnosed at ultrasonography and at autopsy finally with the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis stillbirth calculated from the autopsy database and vital statistics," by T. Hoshino and colleagues is presented.