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Marbling defined by the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat, so-called Shimofuri, is an economically important trait of beef cattle in Japan. The endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 ( EDG1) gene, involved in blood vessel formation, has been previously shown to be expressed at different levels in musculus longissimus muscle between low-marbled and high-marbled steer groups. It is located within the genomic region of a quantitative trait locus for marbling, and thus was considered as a positionally functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling. In this study, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and the 3′ UTR of EDG1, referred to as c.- 312A>G and c.*446G>A, respectively, were detected between the two steer groups. The two SNPs were associated with the predicted breeding value for beef marbling standard number by analyses using a population of Japanese Black beef cattle. The effect of genotypes at each of the SNPs on the predicted breeding value for subcutaneous fat thickness was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Reporter gene assays revealed no significant differences in gene expression between alleles at each of the SNPs. These findings suggest that EDG1 SNPs, although they may not be regarded as a causal mutation, may be useful for effective marker-assisted selection to increase the levels of marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal changes in the gastric evacuation rate ( R) and gut contents of a wild population of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss feeding on natural prey at four water temperatures (2, 7, 9 and 12° C) were measured. The R and mass of the gut contents increased with water temperature, and prey items changed seasonally. These results suggest that the R of fish feeding on natural food depends primarily on water temperature, with their consumed prey being a secondary factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here present a rare case of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) in a Japanese man. 4 months after cholecystectomy due to cholecystitis, a diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) was strongly suspected. Lymphoma cells were diffusely observed in the bone marrow parenchyma, but were absent in the vascular spaces. The patient died of respiratory failure and at autopsy a small number of lymphoma cells in the extravascular parenchyma of the adrenal gland and bone marrow were seen. Serial sections of the surgically resected gallbladder retrospectively confirmed the diagnosis of IVL. In addition, congestion and edema were observed in the connective tissue layer. It is possible that edema or ischemia in the gallbladder wall or at other anatomic sites due to the circulation disturbance induced by the intravascular obstruction of lymphoma cells may have caused the initial symptoms. In conclusion, clinicians and pathologists should keep in mind that the gallbladder may be initially involved in IVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marbling, as defined by the amount of intramuscular fat, is an economically important trait in beef cattle. Intramuscular fat deposition is postulated to arise mainly from a series of adipogenic events in intramuscular adipocyte-lineage cells and in the physiological or anatomical milieux surrounding them. This study was designed to investigate gene-expression patterns associated with fat deposition in musculus longissimus muscle, including adipocyte-lineage cells and part of the milieux. Differential-display PCR (ddPCR) was used to examine expression differences between low-marbled and high-marbled steer groups at 8, 10, 12 and 14 months of age, encompassing the time that marbling starts to appear. Seventy-four of 2114 total bands on ddPCR gel-bands were significant ( P < 0.05) for the group effect, the interaction effect between group and age, or both the group and the interaction effects. Sequence analysis of 72 of these bands revealed 77 genes, including 35 annotated genes and 42 novel sequences. Among the 35 annotated genes, 6 ( BTG2, PDHB, SORBS1, TRDN, TTN and MGP) have been related to changes in intramuscular fat deposition, possibly by exerting effects on adipocyte-lineage cells or on the milieux surrounding them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ; CJ) pollinosis has been reported to occur naturally in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata ) as well as in humans. Most human patients and monkeys with pollinosis have specific IgE for Cry j 2, a major allergen of CJ pollen. Objective The main purpose of this study was to identify IgE B cell epitopes of Cry j 2 using a synthetic peptide in humans, monkeys and mice. Methods We synthesized 38 overlapping peptides that span the entire length of Cry j 2. We examined the B cell epitopes of Cry j 2 that are recognized by IgE in the sera of human patients and monkeys with pollinosis and immunized mice using synthetic peptides of Cry j 2. We also examined the reaction of Cry j 2-specific mouse monoclonal IgG antibodies to the peptides. Furthermore, we conducted a histamine release assay with leucocytes from a pollinosis patient using human serum albumin (HSA) conjugated with the peptides as a B cell epitope. Results We found that 16 of the 20 pollinosis patients who had specific IgE to Cry j 2 also exhibited IgE reaction with some Cry j 2 peptides. Of these 16 patients, 10 exhibited IgE reaction with Cry j 2 peptide no. 13 (121 GQCKWVNGREICNDRDRPTA140 ). Five of the seven monkeys with CJ pollinosis exhibited a reaction with peptide no. 13. Furthermore, IgE in mice immunized with Cry j 2 and two mouse monoclonal IgG antibodies reacted with peptide no. 13. Peptide no. 13-conjugated HSA showed the release of histamine from basophils. Furthermore, to determine the minimum epitope in peptide no. 13, we conducted an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition test. The core of the epitope in humans, monkeys and mice was 124 KWVNGREI131 . Conclusion We found that 124 KWVNGREI131 is an important B cell epitope recognized by IgE in humans, monkeys and mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Although the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) is not clear, a small proportion of cases with OLP are reported to transform to cancer. We examined the epithelial cell proliferation status of OLP to relate the labelling index to microscopic features surveyed routinely in pathology. Mucosal biopsies obtained from 44 cases diagnosed with OLP with an intact oral epithelium and 10 normal control specimens from Japanese subjects were immunohistochemically stained with MIB and p53 antibodies. The Ki67 labelling index (LI) was significantly higher in OLP compared with normal controls. A particularly large number of OLP lesions (64%) were p53 positive. No association was, however, found with p53 expression and the Ki67 LI. Atrophic and flat epithelia had a quantitatively higher LI, which did not significantly differ from acanthotic biopsies. Increased cell proliferation in OLP is likely to be a secondary phenomenon due to the damage inflicted on keratinocytes by infiltrating mononuclear cells in the submucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-adipocyte factor-1 (pref-1), originally identified in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, is known to play a key role in inhibiting the adipose conversion. As a first step to study the involvement of the PREF1 gene in intramuscular adipose tissue development in cattle, which has an economic importance for beef cattle, we have isolated the bovine PREF1 cDNA and genomic clones and characterized expression in abdominal adipose and promoter region of the bovine PREF1 gene. We have detected two bovine PREF1 splice-isoforms, PREF1C2 and PREF1A, in abdominal fat tissue. The RT-PCR experiment revealed that the two isoforms are identified in neonatal, but no in adult abdominal fat tissue, suggesting age-dependent suppression of the bovine PREF1 gene expression in the form of PREF1C2 and PREF1A in abdominal fat tissue. By mapping the regulatory region of this gene, we have shown that at least two regions within 1121 bp upstream of putative transcription start site are sufficient to confer promoter activity, when accompanied by a short region including the transcription start site. The chromosomal location of the PREF1 gene was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The PREF1 gene locates on bovine chromosome 21q24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression profile of genes in specific tissues is studied through analysing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and provides useful information for characterizing gene function and tissue physiology. Analysis of ESTs is achieved by partial sequencing and characterization of clones isolated randomly from cDNA libraries. In the present study, we analysed the genes expressed in the somatic nuclear transfer-derived cloned bovine foetus in the early period of foetal development. To this aim, we constructed a directionally cloned cDNA library from somatic nuclear transfer-derived cloned 60 day-old whole foetus of cattle and sequenced 3′ end of 510 randomly isolated clones. By BLASTN analysis, we identified 403 unique clones: 186 showed homology to previously identified genes, 123 matched uncharacterized ESTs and 94 showed no significant matches to sequences already present in DNA databases. Analysis of these cDNA clones revealed that this library contained a variety of functional genes, while foetuin, insulin-like growth factor 2, collagen type I αI and maternal G10 transcript genes were the most abundant transcripts. Our study allowed the establishment of a first list of genes expressed in bovine whole foetus. In future, the list of genes might help facilitate the understanding of physiology of foetal development in somatic nuclear transfer-derived cloned bovine foetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary It has been reported that fattening causes bovine adipose tissue development associated with an enlargement in adipocyte cell size. As a first study to elucidate mechanisms of bovine adipose tissue development during fattening, our experiment was designed to characterise gene expression in bovine adipose tissue before and after fattening. We randomly isolated a large number of cDNA clones derived from bovine adipose tissue before and after fattening. Sequence analysis of the isolated clones showed that 3 and 10 clones from before and after fattening, respectively, correspond to genes related to adipocyte development and/or function in the adipose tissue. In addition, we isolated cDNA clones that possess negative signal by hybridising the cDNA population from the adipose tissue after fattening with that before fattening as a probe. As a result, we identified five types of transcripts observed in the adipose tissue after fattening but not before fattening. Two of the five are likely to encode bovine orthologs of phospholipase A2 and RNA helicase p68, while the other three represent unknown genes. Further functional investigation of the identified genes might lead to elucidation of mechanisms of bovine adipose tissue development during fattening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary To develop a new immunotherapy for Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica; CJ) pollinosis, we evaluated the use of DNA immunization by inoculating mice with plasmid DNA encoding Cry j 1 as a CJ pollen major allergen (pCACJ1). Repeated intramuscular (i.m.) inoculation of BALB/c mice with pCACJ1 produced anti‐Cry j 1 antibody responses, which were predominately of the immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) type. Furthermore, this inoculation suppressed immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG1 antibody responses to subsequent alum‐precipitated Cry j 1 injections. Splenic T cells isolated from mice inoculated with pCACJ1 i.m. secreted interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), but not interleukin (IL)‐4, in vitro upon stimulation with Cry j 1 as well as with p277–288, a peptide corresponding to the T‐cell epitope of Cry j 1. In contrast, inoculation of BALB/c mice with pCACJ1 by gene gun injection caused response predominantly of the IgG1 type, and enhanced production of anti‐Cry j 1 IgE antibodies to subsequent alum‐precipitated Cry j 1 injections. Splenic T cells isolated from pCACJ1‐innoculated mice by gene gun injection secreted both IFN‐γ and IL‐4 in vitro, upon stimulation with Cry j 1 as well as with p277–288. These findings suggest that i.m. inoculation with pCACJ1 effectively elicits Cry j 1‐specific T helper 1 (Th1)‐type immune responses, resulting in inhibition of the IgE response to Cry j 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two patients became infested with Gnathostoma nipponicum after eating raw loach-fish they had caught in a rice field in central Japan. A fragment of Gnathostoma was found in a biopsy from one of them. The sera of both patients reacted with Gnathostoma antigen using indirect immunofluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on blocks of the paraffin-embedded parasite sample and the viscera of a fish from the same rice field. The risk of eating raw freshwater fish is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Japanese cedar (Cryptmeria japoniea: CJ) pollinosis is one of the most important allergic diseases in Japan. Recently, the second major allergen (Cry j II) was isolated from CJ pollen. There have been no prevalence studies of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II among a large number of patients with pollinosis. Objective- This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II. We measured specific IgE antibodies to these allergens in the sera of 145 patients. Furthermore, comparison of the sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II was examined by the histamine release assay. Methods Specific IgE antibodies to Cry j I and Cry j II were assayed by a fluorometric ELISA. Allergen-specific histamine release was measured by a radioimmunoassay kit. Results More than 90% of 145 patients had specific IgE antibodies to both allergens, the remainder had specific IgE to either one or the other. There were seasonal changes in the level of specific IgE. The changes in the levels of anti-Crv j II IgE antibodies were parallel to those of anti-Crv j I IgE. The histamine release assay with leucocytes from the patients demonstrated that the allergenic potency of the two allergens is almost the same. Conclusion Cry j II is an as important a major allergen as Cry j I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunodominant regions of the Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j 2 for T-cell immunity were determined with whole peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from seven allergic patients and three nonallergic subjects. Cry j 2-stimulated T-cell proliferation was inhibited by anti-HLA-DR, but not by anti-HLA-DQ antibody, indicating that the responding T cells recognized the allergen peptides associated with HLA- DR molecules. It was found that seven regions of Cry j 2. i.e., regions corresponding to amino acid numbers 1-26, 70-84, 151-167, 187-203, 252 279, 283-314, and 345-362, were immunodominant for T-cell proliferation. Thus, Cry j 2 bears a limited number of immunodominant regions despite polymorphic features of HLA-DR in the immune system. This suggests the possibility of molecularly designing Cry j 2 antagonists that could downregulate allergic reactions to Japanese cedar pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined Cry j 2, a major allergen of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, for polygalacturonase enzyme activity, since a nucleotide sequence of cDNA of Cry j 2 showed a significant homology with that of tomato polygalacturonase. Polygalacturonase is well known to depolymerize preferentially polygalacturonic acid (PGA) by hydrolysis. However, Cry j 2 did not act on PGA, but was found to depolymerize pectin and methylesterified PGA in a dose-dependent manner. The substrate specificity of Cry j 2 was different from that of polygalacturonase derived from Aspergillus niger. The depolymerizing activity of Cry j 2 reached a maximum at 50%-60% of methylesterification of PGA. In contrast, polygalacturonase showed its maximum activity of PGA, and the activity decreased as the degree of methylesterification increased. Interestingly, the pectin-depolymerizing activity of Cry j 2 was due to a hydrolysis, but not a lyase, activity which splits the glycosidic bonds by β-elimination, since no unsaturated uronides were found by measurement of absorbance at 235 nm in the reaction mixture. The enzyme activity was markedly inhibited by anti-Cry j 2 antibodies. These results indicate that Cry j 2 probably has polymethylgalacturonase enzyme activity, as postulated by von Neukom in 1963, although existence of this activity has not yet been proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of analyzing the partial amino acid sequences of Cry j I, a major allergen ot Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, we found a peptide fragment which has a significant homology to some pectate lyase isozymes secreted by plant pathogenic bacteria Therefore, we investigated whether Cry j I has pectate lyase activity Cry j I reacted with polygalacturonic acid, resulting in the release of unsaturated uronide products. The optimum temperature and pH for the reaction were 60-70°C and pH 10 . The enzymatic reaction had an absolute Ca2+ ion requirement. These characteristics were very compatible with the character of the pectate lyase isozymes reported previously. These results clearly show that Cry j I has pectate lyase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of recombinant human interleukin-lβ (rhIL-lβ) on alveolar bone resorptive activity in rats were examined. Continuous administration of rhIL-1β or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was given via osmotic pumps for 3, 7 and 14 days to rats with silk ligatures around second maxillary molars. Other animals without ligatures received insertion of pumps containing rhIL-l β or remained untreated. Sections were subject to three different stains: - hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) for histology, acid phosphatase (ACPase) activity for osteoclast detection, and immunohistochemistry using anti-rat monocyte/macrophage monoclonal antibody (ED 1). In addition, body weight, plasma calcium and phosphorus levels were monitored. The mean body weight of rats receiving rhIL-1 β was significantly lower (P<0.05 to P<0.0l) compared with untreated rats throughout the experimental period. On Day 7, plasma calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly lower in rats receiving rhIL-1 β than in rats receiving PBS only (P<0.05). Sections revealed a moderate inflammatory cell infiltrate reaching near the alveolar crest in both groups with ligatures on Day 3. Only rats receiving rhIL-1 β exhibited enhancement of inflammatory cell invasion on Days 7 and 14. In rats receiving rhIL-l β with ligatures, numerous resorption lacunae containing ACPase-positive multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), coinciding with ED1- positive cells, were located on the mesial side of the septum where extensive bone resorption had occurred throughout the experimental period. In animals receiving rhIL-l β without ligatures, compared with untreated rats, increased ACPase-positive cells were observed on the mesial side of the septum on Day 3. In animals receiving PBS only, a few ACPase-positive cells were observed confined to the mesial regions where slight bone resorption occurred on Days 7 and 14. These results indicate that the administration of rhIL-l β3 accelerated alveolar bone destruction in ligature-induced periodontal tissue inflammation over a two-week period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis has been reported to occur naturally in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) as well as humans. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific to Cry j 1, a major allergen in Japanese cedar pollen, we identified five independent epitopes (EPA to EP-5) on the molecule. The epitopes recognized by IgE antibodies in the sera of humans and monkeys with the pollinosis were analysed by an IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition method with these mAb. In human patients, the mAb to EPA strongly blocked the binding of IgE antibodies in all patients' sera to Cry j 1. The reaction patterns of IgE antibodies in monkeys, however, varied among the troops of monkeys. In some troops, the mAb to EPA showed a blocking pattern similar to that for human patients. In other troops, mAb to EP-4 and EP-5 blocked binding of IgE. These results indicate that some, but not all, monkeys have antibody responses to the major allergen similar to those of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(a) Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed a diffuse erythematous and ulcerated mucosa with hemorrhage involving entire remnant stomach. Gastrointestinal: Recurrence of pembrolizumab-induced severe gastritis after tapering steroid therapy Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) demonstrated a diffuse erythematous and ulcerated gastric mucosa with hemorrhage involving the entire remnant stomach (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

A 58-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of an abnormal chest shadow. Chest CT showed an 18-mm ground-glass opacity in the right upper lobe, which became enlarged over time, and lung cancer was suspected. At the same time, a tracheal bronchus originating directly from the trachea was observed. She underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. During surgery, in addition to the tracheal bronchus, a pulmonary vein variation was seen running dorsal to the pulmonary artery. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Tracheal bronchus is a rare anomaly, with an incidence of 0.1%-5%. Since tracheal bronchus is often accompanied by pulmonary vessel variations and may be associated with repeated previous infections, care should be taken when performing thoracoscopic lung resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental implant therapy has achieved highly successful and predictable clinical results. However, in order to obtain high success rate and long-term stability, adequate bone quality and quantity are still required. In particular, implant fixture characteristics may also play an important role in poor bone quality and quantity site. Recently, a newly-designed fixture has been developed for clinical demand, which has a tapered body to get primary stability, a conical connection design to prevent marginal bone loss and to obtain accurate prosthesis, and new titanium alloy microstructure surface to enhance osseous-integration and prevent of fixture fracture. Therefore, the new fixture seems to have potential to increase indication of simultaneous approach of fixture placement in the case of poor bone quality and quantity case. Aim/Hypothesis: The aim of this case series is to present clinical results of simultaneous implant fixture placement using the newly-designed fixture and bovine bone mineral in three bone augmentation cases. Material and Methods: Bone augmentation and simultaneous fixture placement were operated using the seven fixtures and bovine bone mineral in three patients (2 males and 1 female). Case 1: Single stage fixture placement procedure. After removing fractured tooth and granulation tissue, the fixture and bovine bone mineral were immediately placed in the dehiscence area of coronal buccal bone of the extraction socket. Case 2: Removal of mandibular osteomyelitis and simultaneously fixture placement. After removing the osteomyelitis and granulation tissue from mandibular diseased site, the fixture placement and bone graft were performed simultaneously. Case 3: Bi-lateral sinus floor elevation using lateral window approach and simultaneous fixture placement: one side was 3 mm height remaining bone and the other side was suffered from maxillary sinus mucus retention cyst. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs were administered after surgery, and the sutures were removed after confirming adequate wound healing approximately 2 weeks of post-surgery. The prosthesis was manufactured using a CAD/CAM system and hybrid composite resin. All the prostheses were screw retained and multiple case was using SR abutment®. Results: In the case of 1 and 2, each fixture achieved over 30 N/cm primary stability, only using apical 3–4 threads of the new fixture for placement. Moreover, in the case 3, the fixture achieved primary stability using only 1 coronal thread, under the condition of 3 mm remaining bone height. Then, the prosthetic treatment was performed after three month. In the case of periimplant soft tissue complications after prosthetic treatment, vestibuloplasty surgery was performed at the second stage operation. Successful osseous-integration was obtained in each fixture, and no marginal bone loss was observed. And all the patients were comfortable with favorable aesthetics and function of oral rehabilitation. Especially, in the case 1, the peri-implant soft tissue was positioned with more coronal height than before treatment, without mucogingival plastic treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: This new fixture with the improved design and surface microstructure seems to achieve favorable and stable healing in a short period in the case of simultaneous fixture placement with bone augmentation. In addition, the thickness of peri-implant soft tissue was maintained, even without additional surgical plastic treatment at the aesthetic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor regarding bronchoscopic removal of mucus casts in a boy with plastic bronchitis is presented.

The article reflects on radiation hybrid mapping of genes showing intramuscular fat deposition-associated expression changes in bovine musculus longissimus muscle. A study detected 77 bovine genes showing this kind of expression changes in muscle. The gene mapping shows the expected bovine-specific fragments.

Studies the mapping of bovine CEBPD gene to BTA14q15-17. Genetic linkage mapping of a polymorphic microsatellite marker; Polymerase chain reaction conditions; Genetic polymorphism and chromosomal locations.

Reports on the chromosomal localization of expressed sequence tags for ACTG1, AHSG, COL1A1, GNAS1, and RPLP1 in the bovine fetus. DNA sequence; Primer sequences; Mendelian inheritance.

Characterizes the chromosomal assignments of expressed sequence tags from a complementary DNA library. Localization of collagen binding protein; Correlation coefficient between segregation patterns of two genes; Homology of bovine chromosomes 15 and 21 to human chromosomes 11, 14 and 15.

An abstract of the article "Immune tolerance induction using chorionic villus sampling (CVS) technique in rodent models" by M. Endo and colleagues is presented.