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Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the characteristic radiological features of early-stage pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods Between 2009 and 2016, 510 PC patients were selected from our hospital cancer registry database based on International Classification of Diseases for Oncology-3 (C25). Among them, 64 patients (42 males and 22 females; median age, 74 [range, 59-91]) had received repeated abdominal radiological examinations before their diagnosis of PC and were retrospectively investigated for specific radiological findings. The subjects underwent the following imaging examinations: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluoroglucose-positron emission tomography. Results Characteristic radiological features before diagnosis of PC were classified into the following 9 features: pancreatic duct ectasia (n = 16), focal low-density area (n = 15), change of cyst size (n = 8), localized tissue atrophy (n = 7), distal atrophy (n = 4), mass in pancreatic lipomatosis tissue (n = 2), mass concomitant with the already known cyst (n = 2), protrusion (n = 1), and parenchymal disproportion (n = 1). Fifty-three cases (84%) had more than one characteristic radiological feature before diagnosis of PC, and their median observation period until diagnosis was 24 (range, 1-120) months. Conclusions The 9 characteristic radiological features provide an opportunity to diagnose PC at an early stage.

When ligaments are injured, reconstructive surgery is sometimes required to restore function. Methods of reconstructive surgery include transplantation of an artificial ligament and autotransplantation of a tendon. However, these methods have limitations related to the strength of the bone-ligament insertion and biocompatibility of the transplanted tissue after surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new reconstruction methods and pursue the development of artificial ligaments. Elastin is a major component of elastic fibers and ligaments. However, the role of elastin in ligament regeneration has not been described. Here, we developed a rabbit model of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) rupture and treated animal knees with exogenous elastin [100 µg/(0.5 mL·week)] for 6 or 12 weeks. Elastin treatment increased gene expression and protein content of collagen and elastin (gene expression, 6-fold and 42-fold, respectively; protein content, 1.6-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively), and also increased the elastic modulus of MCL increased with elastin treatment (2-fold) compared with the controls. Our data suggest that elastin is involved in the regeneration of damaged ligaments.

鳴門教育大学では，教員教育国際協力センターの教員が中心となって，国別研修「ケニア初等理数科教授法改善プロジェクト」のフォローアップ調査を実施している．2016年3月にフォローアップ調査の一環として，ケニア共和国ナイロビ市内のカレンC初等学校で授業研究会が実施された．この授業研究では，ケニア人教師と日本人教師が7年生の分数の割り算の授業を行い，その後，それぞれの授業について，合同の授業検討会が開催された．本稿では，ケニア人教師と日本人教師の授業の様子を分析するとともに，授業検討会での意見をふまえてケニアの初等学校における数学授業の問題点について考察を行った．

Although prognosis in patients with localized osteosarcoma has been dramatically improved by the introduction of multiple chemotherapy agents known as combination chemotherapy, there is growing concern about the development of secondary malignant neoplasms. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl in whom the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma of bone localized on the shaft of left femur was made 2 years after successful treatment without radiotherapy for osteosarcoma of right proximal femur. EWS-FLI1 fusion gene was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. To our knowledge, this is the first case with Ewing sarcoma of the bone as a secondary malignant neoplasm developed in osteosarcoma survivor. We collected 15 cases, included this case, with secondary Ewing sarcoma family of tumor by utilizing the PubMed search and might consider the causes of this secondary cancer.

The semiconductor characteristics of anatase TiO2(001) films, which were pulsed laser-deposited on a 0.05 wt % Nb-doped SrTiO3(001) single crystal electrode, as well as the film/electrolyte heterointerfaces were investigated by the ultrahigh-vacuum electrochemistry approach. In addition to the current–voltage measurements, equivalent circuit modeling in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at different electrode potentials reveals that the flat band potential of anatase TiO2 films shifts by +0.5 V when the film thickness increases with (1 × 4) surface reconstruction more visible in reflection high energy electron diffraction. The possible origins of the observed flat band potential shift will be discussed from the viewpoint of electric double layer effects, mainly of donor-type surface states and surface reconstruction, compared with the results of single crystal rutile TiO2(110).

In this study Raman (RS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic techniques were exploited to study 11 retrieved liners made of remelted highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE), with the intent to elucidate their in-vivo mechanical and chemical degradation. The retrievals had different follow-ups, ranging from a few months to 7 years of implantation time and belong to the first generation of highly cross-linked and remelted polyethylene clinically introduced in 1999, but still currently implanted. Raman assessments enabled to discriminate contributes of wear and creep on the total reduction of thickness in different locations of the cup. According to our results, although the most of the viscoelastic deformation occurred during the first year (bedding-in period), it progressed during the steady wear state up to 7 years with much lower but not negligible rate. Overall, the wear rate of this remelted HXLPE liner was low. Preliminary analysis on microtomed sections of the liners after in-vivo and in-vitro accelerated aging (ASTM F2003-02) enabled to obtain a phenomenological correlation between the oxidation index (OI) and the amount of orthorhombic phase fraction (αc), which can be easily non-destructively measured by RS. Profiles of αc obtained from different locations of the cups were used to judge the oxidative degradation of the 11 retrievals, considering also the ex-vivo time elapsed from the revision surgery to the spectroscopic experiments. Low but measurable level of oxidation was detected in all the short-term retrievals, while in the middle-term samples peaks of OI were observed in the subsurface (up to OI=4.5), presumably induced by the combined effect of mechanical stress, lipid absorption and prolonged ex-vivo shelf-aging in air.

When ligaments are injured, reconstructive surgery is sometimes required to restore function. Methods of reconstructive surgery include transplantation of an artificial ligament and autotransplantation of a tendon. However, these methods have limitations related to the strength of the bone-ligament insertion and biocompatibility of the transplanted tissue after surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new reconstruction methods and pursue the development of artificial ligaments. Elastin is a major component of elastic fibers and ligaments. However, the role of elastin in ligament regeneration has not been described. Here, we developed a rabbit model of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) rupture and treated animal knees with exogenous elastin [100 µg/(0.5 mL·week)] for 6 or 12 weeks. Elastin treatment increased gene expression and protein content of collagen and elastin (gene expression, 6-fold and 42-fold, respectively; protein content, 1.6-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively), and also increased the elastic modulus of MCL increased with elastin treatment (2-fold) compared with the controls. Our data suggest that elastin is involved in the regeneration of damaged ligaments.

Using an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) electrochemistry approach with pulsed laser deposition (PLD), we investigated the band-gap state for TiO2(110). In the PLD chamber, a TiO2(110) surface was cleaned by annealing in O2 enough for it to exhibit a sharp (1 × 1) reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) pattern. The cleaned TiO2(110)-(1 × 1) sample then underwent electrochemical measurements without exposure to air, showing the band-gap state at -0.14 V vs. Ag by Mott-Schottky plot analysis. The band-gap state gradually disappeared under UV illumination at +0.6 V vs. Ag due to photoetching, and reappeared on reduction in a vacuum and/or deposition of a fresh TiO2 film. These results indicated that the electrochemically observed band-gap state for TiO2(110) was a defect state due to oxygen deficiency, most probably identical to that observed under UHV, which does not necessarily exist on the surface. A quantitative analysis of the defect density suggests that the origin of this defect state is not the surface bridging hydroxyls or oxygen vacancies, but rather the interstitial Ti(3+) ions in the subsurface region.

We describe a 15-year-old girl with a novel germline p53 splice site mutation who developed an osteosarcoma. She received several cycles of chemotherapy with complete resection of the primary tumor without amputation, and has maintained remission for 18 months. Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome was suspected based on familial history. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a novel germline p53 gene mutation resulting in a G to A transition at position +1 at the donor splice site of intron 6, creating a 6 amino acid insertion. This case provides interesting insight into the phenotype-genotype correlation in LFL syndrome with a TP53 splicing mutation.

As a matter of fact, the in vivo oxidative degradation of highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) still remains one of the limiting factors that affect the long term survivorship of joint replacements. Recent studies clearly pointed out that also the new generation of highly cross-linked and remelted polyethylene components in total hip and knee replacement underwent unexpected oxidation after 5–10 years of implantation. The standard methodology to investigate the oxidation of polyethylene (PE) relies on the use of infrared spectroscopy, which, if from one hand is a reliable technique for the detection of oxidized species containing carbonyl group, on the other hand it is not capable of discriminating the fraction of carboxyl acids that is responsible for chain scission and subsequent deterioration of the mechanical properties of the polymer. In the present study we validate a new protocol based on Raman spectroscopy, which is suitable on assessing the structural degradation of polyethylene induced by oxidation. Following in vitro accelerated aging experiments, the oxidation index ( OI ) of different commercially available HXLPEs, as calculated by infrared spectroscopy according to ASTM standard, has been univocally correlated to the most severe variation of crystalline phase ( α c ), as calculated by Raman spectroscopy. In each material, locations with equal values of OI showed different degree of recrystallization induced by chain scission, confirming that infrared spectroscopy might overestimate the effective mechanical degradation of the polymer. In addition, as compared to the standards based on infrared spectroscopy, this new method of assessing oxidation enables to investigate the degradation occurring on the original surface of HXLPE components, due to the nondestructive nature of Raman spectroscopy and its high spatial resolution. Statement of Significance In the present study we validate a new protocol based on Raman spectroscopy, which is suitable on assessing the structural degradation of polyethylene induced by oxidation. In fact, the standard methodology to investigate the oxidation in polyethylene relies on the use of infrared spectroscopy, which is capable of detecting the presence of oxidized species containing carbonyl group, the main products of oxidation in polyolefins. If from one hand this technique enables quantitative analysis of oxidation, on the other hand it is not capable of discriminating the fraction of species with carbonyl groups responsible for the chain scission. In fact, esters, ketones and carboxyl acids are products of oxidation with carbonyl groups commonly formed on polyethylene at the end of the oxidative cascade initiated by the presence of free radicals, but only the latter are responsible for the chain scission and the subsequent deterioration of the mechanical properties. The oxidation index as obtained according to the ASTM standards is not univocally correlated to a certain degree of mechanical deterioration, but, in simple words, two retrievals with the same amount of carbonyl groups might have had different degradation of the mechanical properties. Recrystallization is a direct consequence of the reduction of molecular weight that occurs after chain scission. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a viable non-destructive method to assess the fraction of crystalline phase in polyethylene and, due to its high spatial resolution, is perfectly suitable to analyze the microstructural modification at the mesoscopic scale, where the effects of oxidation manifest themselves. The aim of the present paper is twofold: i) to compare the microstructural modifications caused by in vitro oxidation on 5 different types of polyethylene currently available on the market of joint replacements; ii) to establish a protocol based on the comparative analysis of IR and RS results to obtain a phenomenological correlation capable to judge the mechanical deterioration of the material induced by the oxidative degradation.

We newly developed self-expandable covered stents by combining two of our original technologies. Of these, the first is the dip-coating covering method that was developed previously for balloon-expandable stents; the other is the newly developed self-expandable Nitinol stents, namely, Sendai stents. The three types of covered stents with the expansion diameter of 4.5, 5.0, or 6.0 mm thus obtained had a laser-processed microporous elastomeric cover film (pore diameter: 100 microm, interpore distance: 250 microm). Although the film was extremely thin (approximately 15 microm), the film could be expanded without causing any damage, the strut was completely embedded within the film, and the luminal surface of the film was smooth and flat. Mechanical properties such as ideal flexibility to follow the shapes of arteries were almost retained even after covering. As appropriate drugs, the blood-contacting inner and tissue-contacting outer surfaces of the film were differentially coated with argatroban for antithrombogenicity or FK506 for anti-inflammation, respectively. The preliminary in vivo study indicated that the covered stents mounted in the delivery catheter were navigated and placed to appropriate position in the arteries, and permissible neointimal thickening after 1-month implantation was observed similarly in noncovered stents.

Although epithelioid cell histiocytoma is considered a variant of fibrous histiocytoma (dermatofibroma), the histogenesis of this condition remains controversial. A recent investigation suggested the possibility that epithelioid cell histiocytoma is an angioformative fibrous histiocytoma. We report a case of epithelioid cell histiocytoma underlying a damaged artery. This epithelioid cell histiocytoma with a central area of hemorrhage was associated with a medium-sized artery in the reticular dermis running vertically up to the lesion. Both the artery in the reticular dermis and its centrally branched artery in the subcutaneous tissue showed mural injury and intraluminal epithelioid endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemically, the labeling rate for each of the antibodies studied in the epithlioid cells was as follows: 40% for Factor XIIIa, 5% for CD34, 20% for factor VIII-related antigen, and 10% for alpha-smooth muscle cell actin. This case may support the view that epithelioid cell histiocytoma is a vascular and angioformative fibrous histiocytoma.

19歳の男性。1週間前からの食欲不振と嘔気を主訴に来院し，糖尿病性ケトアシドーシスと診断された。嘔気が出現した同じ時期より，上背部，腰部などにそう痒を伴う紅色丘疹が多発してきた。皮疹は網目状の色素沈着を伴っていた。病理組織学的所見では，真皮上層の血管周囲性の炎症細胞浸潤と軽度の液状変性を認め，苔癬様組織反応に相当する所見と考えた。以上より，色素性痒疹と診断した。インスリン療法によりケトーシスは改善したが，そう痒と皮疹が残存したため，ミノサイクリン療法を開始したところ，軽快した。今回，糖尿病と関連した色素性痒疹の本邦論文報告例を検討し，ケトーシスと皮膚症状との関連について，文献的考察を加え報告した。

53歳の維持透析中の女性。口囲の潮紅と口唇のびらん，両腋窩の潮紅とびらんがあり，右手背に水疱を伴う紅斑を認め，Nikolsky現象陽性であった。下肢に浸潤を触れる紫斑が散在していた。発熱などの全身症状があり，強い炎症所見を認め敗血症と考えた。感染病巣と考えられる部位より表皮剥脱毒素産生Staphylococcus aureusが検出された。病理組織検査にて右手背の水疱部は表皮の顆粒層レベルで水疱形成がありブドウ球菌性熱傷様皮膚症候群と診断した。また，下肢の紫斑部は真皮の小血管に血栓を認め，血管壁内と周囲に炎症細胞浸潤がみられ敗血疹と診断した。腎不全と透析，およびNSAIDsの内服が誘因となって両者を合併したと考えた。

78歳男性。1992年右陰嚢腫大が出現し, 9年後に腹部, 左側胸部に腫瘤が出現した。さらに翌年, 左眼瞼下垂が出現し, CT上頭蓋内に病変を認めたため入院となった。腹部と左側胸部に紫紅色, 弾性硬の腫瘤を, 眼所見では両側眼瞼下垂と左動眼神経麻痺を認めた。血液検査では総蛋白の増加, 蛋自分画でM-蛋自陽性だった。骨髄穿刺所見で異常はなかった。病理組織所見では真皮上層から皮下組織にかけてびまん性に細胞浸潤を認めた。腫瘍細胞は軽度異型性を示し, 車軸様の核を有するなど形質細胞の特徴を有していた。免疫組織学的に腫瘍細胞は形質細胞マーカーに陽性を示した。遺伝子再構成は免疫グロブリンJHで認めた。精巣腫瘤も同様の所見を示したことから精巣原発の髄外性形質細胞腫と診断した。治療は放射線療法と化学療法を併用し, 一時縮小したが, 9ヵ月後に腫瘤が再び増大, 背部や膝窩に多発してきたため, 外科的切除と化学療法を併用した。

症例1:76歳,女性。1999年8月下旬より,後頭部に索状の硬結を認め,頭痛,発熱を伴うため当科入院。入院時,両側浅側頭動脈および後頭動脈に索状の肥厚を認め,微熱が持続し,CRPとESRは上昇していた。浅側頭動脈生検にて中膜を中心にリンパ球,組織球の浸潤を認め,巨細胞を伴う肉芽腫性炎症の所見であった。以上より側頭動脈炎と診断。Prednisolone 40mg/dayの内服後より発熱,炎症所見の改善とともに頭部の索状硬結は急速に消失した。症例2:80歳,女性。2001年8月上旬より,側頭部から後頭部にかけて索状の硬結,頭痛,発熱が出現したため当科入院。入院時検査所見および病理組織像も症例1と同様であり,側頭動脈炎と診断した。自験2症例の特徴は浅側頭動脈のみならず後頭動脈にも病変をきたしたことであり,本邦報告例において後頭動脈に病変をきたした症例は過去に4例と稀であった。

Ribosomes are central to protein synthesis and our understanding of ribosomes has advanced antibiotics research. The proteomic study of ribosomes presented here utilizes a combination of differential centrifugation and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to analyze ribosomes from various species in a teaching laboratory setting. Five biologically varied species were used: Escherichia coli (bacteria), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), Bos taurus (cow), Gallus gallus (chicken), and Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Chinook salmon). Samples were lysed, ribosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation using a discontinuous sucrose gradient and the individual protein subunits were separated via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Tryptic digest and MALDI-TOF MS were then conducted on fifteen bands excised from the gel, and the mass spectra of both the whole protein sample and peptides were analyzed. Five out of these fifteen bands were positively identified as various ribosomal proteins, with two uncertain identifications. Additionally, three of the five positively identified proteins that travelled the same distance on the gel were determined to be orthologous. Finally, a class of 14 Biochemistry II students utilized these protocols, identified 3 ribosomal proteins and provided their evaluations of the ultracentrifugation-proteomics teaching laboratory. Key Words: Proteomics, MALDI-TOF MS, ultracentrifugation, ribosomes, teaching laboratory

症例は47歳女性。23歳時第1子を出産したより両下肢の知覚が徐々に低下し,その後両足底に潰瘍を形成し増大した。また42歳頃からは尿意の消失と尿失禁を認めていた。初診時,両足底外側荷重部に深くえぐられたような潰瘍を認め,周囲皮膚の角質肥厚を伴っていた。また,両足底から下腿にかけL5～S1の領域に温痛覚,振動覚,位置覚の低下を認めた。患者は幼少時より腰仙部に皮膚陥凹を認めており,脊髄MRIにて脊椎管内脂肪腫に伴う低位脊髄円錐および二分脊稚の所見を認めた。以上の所見により脊髄係留症候群およびこれに起囚した足穿孔症と診断した。脊髄係留症候群に伴う足穿孔症について過去の報告例をもとに文献的考察を加えた。

今回の研究に先だって排便状況とアトピー性皮膚炎や白癬などの皮膚疾患罹患状況との関連性について調査対象者本人の自己申告に基づくアンケートを実施した。その結果,排便状況,特に下痢症状と皮膚疾患に何らかの関連性が存在する可能性が示唆されたため,足白癬を対象に排便状況との関連を検討した。陸上自衛隊員(足白癬罹患者27名,健常対照者9名)を対象に調査した。足白癬患者群の皮膚症状の評価は自覚症状と皮膚所見,cottor-swab sampling methodにより得られたコロニー数を基に総合的に判定した。足白癬患者群でcotton-swab sampling methodによるコロニー数毎の腸内細菌占有率と,健常対照者群の腸内細菌占有率を比較したところ,Bifidobacteriumのみ危険率0.05未満で各群との有意差があり,足白癬の症状の程度が悪いほど腸内のBifidobacteriumの占有率は低く,足白癬を含めたその他の感染症の成立または維持に腸内ビフィズス菌が関与している可能性が示唆された。

XPS spectra associated with surface core-level shifts (SCLS) for the InSb{111}A, B-(2×2) surfaces are fitted with the curves represented by the Voigt function. While testing as to how the Voigt function changes with detection angle, the Lorentzian width included in the function remains almost unchanged, whereas the Gaussian width becomes broadened with an increase in detection angle. This Voigt function allows to decompose a spectrum of interest into bulk and SCLS component with sufficient intensity, realizing quantitative estimation for the SCLS intensity.

症例は75歳の男性。両側膝関節から下腿伸側の浸潤性紅斑のほか, 両足底に多発性の出血性丘疹·血疱と両前腕伸側に直径約5cm, 弾性硬の皮下腫瘤を呈していた。病理組織所見にていずれの皮疹もleukocytoclastic vasculitisを示し, 持久性隆起性紅斑と診断した。前腕伸側の皮下腫瘤はリウマチ因子陽性のため, リウマチ結節との鑑別を要したが, 生検組織及び骨X線像より本症の皮疹と考えた。また, 胸部X-Pにて両側肺野に間質性肺炎を認めた。DDSによる治療を開始したところ, 前腕部皮下結節を含むすべての皮疹の著明な改善とともに咳嗽, 喀痰などの呼吸器症状も改善した。持久性隆起性紅斑は多彩な臨床像を呈するが, 本邦における皮下腫瘤の報告例は無いため報告した。

RP105 was originally discovered as a mouse B-cell surface molecule that transmits an activation signal. The signal leads to resistance against irradiation-induced apoptosis and massive B-cell proliferation. Recently, we found that mouse RP105 is associated with another molecule, MD-1. We have isolated here the human MD-1 cDNA. We show that human MD-1 is also associated with human RP105 and has an important role in cell surface expression of RP105. We also describe a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that recognizes human RP105. Expression of RP105 is restricted to CD19+ B cells. Histological studies showed that RP105 is expressed mainly on mature B cells in mantle zones. Germinal center cells are either dull or negative. RP105 is thus a novel human B-cell marker that is preferentially expressed on mature B cells. Moreover, the anti-RP105 MoAb activates B cells, leading to increases in cell size, expression of a costimulatory molecule CD80, and DNA synthesis. The B-cell activation pathway using RP105 is conserved in humans. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (atrophic DFSP) is a variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), and is clinically characterized by depressed lesions. We report a patient with a typical atrophic DFSP lesion with marked eosinophilic infiltration. The patient was a 55-year-old woman with a dark-red, depressed lesion in the epigastric region. Histopathological examination of the lesion showed proliferation of fibroblast-like cells in a storiform pattern in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor cells was positive for CD34. The lesion was histopathologically typical of DFSP, but no elevated lesion was clinically observed. Thus, a diagnosis of atrophic DFSP was made. Moreover, this tumor tissue exhibited marked eosinophilic infiltration. To our knowledge, they are no reports of eosinophilic infiltration in DFSP tissue. Therefore, this seems to be an extremely rare case of DFSP.

症例は55歳，男性。慢性炎症性脱髄性多発根神経炎に対し，5日間の免疫グロブリン大量療法を施行。投与開始5日目から両手指に小水疱がみられ，さらに両足底にも同様の皮疹が出現するため，当科に紹介された。初診時，両手指，手掌，両足底に軽度のそう痒を伴う小水疱，漿液性丘疹を多数認めた。病理組織学的所見では，表皮内に海綿状態と水疱形成，真皮浅層の血管周囲へのリンパ球浸潤を認めた。臨床病理組織学的所見より異汗性湿疹と診断した。慢性炎症性脱髄性多発根神経炎などの免疫ニューロパチーに対する免疫グロブリン大量療法後に生じる異汗性湿疹について考察を加え報告した。

We describe a 15-year-old girl with a novel germline p53 splice site mutation who developed an osteosarcoma. She received several cycles of chemotherapy with complete resection of the primary tumor without amputation, and has maintained remission for 18 months. Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome was suspected based on familial history. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a novel germline p53 gene mutation resulting in a G to A transition at position +1 at the donor splice site of intron 6, creating a 6 amino acid insertion. This case provides interesting insight into the phenotype-genotype correlation in LFL syndrome with a TP53 splicing mutation.

RP105 is a mouse B cell surface molecule that transmits a growth-promoting signal and is implicated in the life/death decision of B cells. RP105 has tandem repeats of a leucine-rich motif in the extracellular domain that is expected to be involved in protein-protein interactions. In the present study, a cDNA clone encoding the human homologue of RP105 was isolated. The amino acid sequence of human RP105 is highly homologous to that of mouse RP105 with 74% identity, and the leucine-rich repeats are well conserved. The expression of the human RP105 transcript was detected in some B cell lines, a histiocytic leukemia cell line, and peripheral blood leukocytes. We also determined the chromosomal locations of the mouse RP105 gene (Ly64 locus) and the human RP105 gene (LY64 locus). Interspecific mouse backcross analysis was used to map the Ly64 locus at the distal region of chromosome 13. The human LY64 locus was localized to 5q12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization, confirming the syntenic relationship between these regions of the mouse and human chromosomes.

We analyzed the incidence of infiltrative mass-type tongue carcinomas (IMTC) induced in 550 rats by continuous oral administration of 0.001% 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide solution for 180 days. The study included various crosses of susceptible Dark-Agouti rats (DA) and resistant Wistar/Furth rats (WF). DA showed a 93.6% incidence of IMTC measuring more than 5 mm in their largest diameter, while WF showed only a 4% incidence. Reciprocal F1 and F2 hybrids mated by DA and WF showed 47.5% and 45.8% incidences, respectively. Meanwhile, reciprocal backcrossed hybrids to DA and WF showed 73.7%, and 24.6% incidences, respectively. Segregation of the incidences suggests that there are two autosomal dominant genes, one linked to the susceptibility of DA and the other to the resistance of WF.

Signals through the B cell antigen receptor lead to a variety of cellular events such as activation, anergy, and apoptosis. B cells select these outcomes to establish and maintain self-tolerance, and to mount adequate antibody responses. However, it is not fully understood how one and the same signal causes such different consequences. In the present study, we have studied the effect of activation signals on the outcome of responses to antigen receptor ligation. Two distinct growth-promoting signals were used to activate B cells. Ligation of either RP105, a newly discovered B cell surface molecule, or the CD40 molecule, drove B cells to proliferate. Resultant blastic cells were then exposed to anti-immunoglobulin M (IgM). Blast cells that had been stimulated with anti-RP105 ceased growing and underwent apoptosis after cross-linking of surface IgM. Coligation of the Fc gamma receptor IIB with surface IgM augmented, rather than aborted, this response. In contrast to RP105-activated B cells, blast cells that had been activated by CD40 ligation were unaltered by anti-IgM. On the other hand, CD40-activated B cells became extremely susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis, whereas RP105-activated B cells were much less sensitive. Anti-IgM-induced apoptosis in RP105 blasts was independent of Fas, because it was demonstrable with Fas-deficient MRL-lpr/lpr mice. These results demonstrate that the nature of an initial activation signal has a great influence on the fate of activated B cells after (re)engagement of the antigen receptor. RP105, as well as CD40, may be important in this life/death decision.

症例は75歳女性，2000年6月肉眼的血尿を主訴に当院泌尿器科を受診し，膀胱鏡下生検にて膀胱癌(transitional cell carcinoma[以下TCCと略す]，組織学的異型度: Grade[以下Gと略す]2，T2[癌浸潤が筋層に及ぶ])と診断，同年9月膀胱全摘および尿管皮膚瘻造設術を受けた(TCC，G3，pT3b［肉眼的に膀胱周囲組織への浸潤が確認できる]，N0[所属リンパ節転移なし]，M0[遠隔転移なし])。手術後8ヵ月目に腹部正中から左下腹部にかけて丹毒様の紅斑と左下肢の浮腫が出現してきた。皮膚生検にて真皮深層から脂肪織にかけて異型性に富む細胞を多数認め，膀胱癌皮膚転移と診断した。抗癌剤(M-VAC)による化学療法を予定していたが，皮疹が出現してから約1ヵ月後，心不全にて死亡した。

We reexamined 11 cases of trichoblastoma, and two cases of trichoblastoma with basal cell carcinoma (BCC)-like foci were found. In these two trichoblastomas with BCC-like foci, the BCC-like foci were often localized in peripheral or deep areas of lesions extending out of the fibrocytic stroma. Immunohistochemistry was performed in five conventional trichoblastomas and in two trichoblastomas with BCC-like foci, using antibodies against CK20 and CK15. No CK20-positive Merkel cells and no expression of CK15 were seen in any neoplastic aggregations of the two trichoblastomas with BCC-like foci. In contrast, increased numbers of Merkel cells and positive staining for CK15 were observed in all five trichoblastomas without BCC-like foci. The five trichoblastomas without BCC-like foci included two trichoblastomas with a popped out or shelled out appearance, which characteristically had a thick fibrous capsule surrounding the fibrotic stroma, demonstrating numerous Merkel cells in the aggregations. Some trichoblastomas may undergo mutations, resulting in the development of foci of BCC and in the loss of the expression of CK15 as well as the disappearance of Merkel cells.

We report on a case of a 61-year-old woman with a giant polypoid BCC, measuring 7.1 x 5.0 x 2.2 cm, on the genital region (the pubic area). The histopathological features of this BCC interestingly showed fibroepithelioma of Pinkus with cornification, and merging with nodular BCC with extensive cornification (so-called keratotic BCC). The giant BCC with features of fibroepithelioma of Pinkus is exceedingly rare.

We attempt measurements of nondestructive and repeatable current?voltage (I?V) and capacitance?voltage (C?V) characteristics across the oxide/electrolyte interface for single-crystal SrTiO3 (STO) and its homoepitaxial films as a model system by the ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV)-electrochemistry approach. Direct comparisons of these characteristics before and after the growth of films and/or chemical treatments allow us to more reliably obtain some insights on the interface and bulk crystal quality of STO, in terms of which the irreversible surface reforming process as well as the frequency dependence of C will be discussed in this paper.

Background Vibrio vulnificus infection causes rapidly progressive skin lesions and sepsis in compromised hosts with liver cirrhosis, and is often fatal. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are important. Objectives To clarify the characteristics of V. vulnificus infection that distinguish it from other cutaneous and soft-tissue bacterial infections and to confirm that serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels are useful in early diagnosis, and are a prognostic factor for, V. vulnificus infection. Methods We analysed the clinical and laboratory findings (especially serum CPK levels) in eight patients with V. vulnificus infection who were treated at the Saga Medical School Hospital between January 1989 and December 1999. Results All eight patients had liver dysfunction and typical skin manifestations. Six had eaten raw seafood before onset. Seven patients had initial skin manifestations in their legs or feet and eventually died, despite prompt therapy in the intensive care unit. CPK levels of six of these seven patients were already elevated at their initial presentation. Only one patient, with skin manifestations solely on his left hand, showed and maintained a normal CPK level and survived. In 23 patients with cutaneous and soft-tissue infections (10 with necrotizing fasciitis, three with erysipelas, 10 with cellulitis), only three patients with necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) showed CPK elevation. Conclusions A high level of serum CPK in cutaneous or soft-tissue bacterial infection is considered useful for an early diagnosis of V. vulnificus infection and STSS. A history of eating raw seafood, underlying liver disease and multiple lesions suggest a diagnosis of V. vulnificus infection, rather than STSS.

RP105 is a leucine-rich repeat molecule that is expressed on mouse B cells and transmits a growth-promoting signal. An anti-RP105 Ab precipitated additional molecules as well as RP105. These molecules were found to be a mouse homologue of chicken MD-1. Chicken MD-1 was previously isolated as a v-myb-regulated gene, since its transcription increases rapidly after v-myb induction. Mouse MD-1, when transiently expressed as an epitope-tagged protein, is secreted in culture fluid but tethered to the cell surface by coexpressed RP105. An association of these molecules was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with the anti-RP105 Ab and subsequent probing of the epitope tag on MD-1. Moreover, MD-1 has an effect on the expression of RP105. In transient transfection of RP105, the percentage of RP105-positive cells increased more than twice with the coexpression of MD-1. The stable expression of MD-1 conferred approximately a sevenfold increase in cell surface RP105 on a cell line that expresses RP105 alone. Thus, MD-1 is physically associated with RP105 and is important for efficient cell surface expression.

This study was designed to establish an experimental animal model for elucidating the early stages of odontogenic cysts and tumors. It involves the in vitro treatment of tooth germs with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) at the early bell stage and their subsequent transplantation into the kidney subcapsular space. While all tooth germ transplants of the control group not exposed to the carcinogen showed continued tooth development with no pathological lesions, 21 of 23 4NQO-treated tooth germs developed into similar appearing keratinized cysts with or without associated tooth structures. The remaining two transplants failed to develop cysts and formed only a tooth. The present experimental procedure was effective in inducing keratinized cystic lesions that exhibit some similarities to human odontogenic keratocysts or primordial cysts.

Whole frontal sections of the mandibular bone from 18 patients with gingival squamous cell carcinoma showing direct bone invasion were prepared for histometrical analysis by a non-decalcified grinding method. The osteoclast cytoplasmic area in tumor sites was larger and its relative frequency distribution was broader than that of osteoclasts in non-tumor sites. The index of bone resorption was significantly increased, while that of bone formation was decreased, in the tumor sites compared to the non-tumor sites (P < 0.01). In the tumor sites, the indices of bone resorption and formation in the group showing greatest chemotherapy and radiation therapy effects (CRE) were significantly different from those in the group with low CRE (P < 0.01). A history of irradiation therapy was associated with significantly decreased bone resorption (P < 0.05).

In the present study, we have used a newly developed microdialysis system to perfuse the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of conscious rats during spontaneous intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Chromatographic (HPLC-ECD) analysis of the perfusates showed that dopamine (DA) release increased, but with an unstable pattern during the actual period of self-stimulation. On the other hand, the main DA metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphhnylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, and a serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were all markedly enhanced by self-stimulation, but with different time courses. These findings indicate that self-stimulation of the MFB in rats induces increases in both DA and serotonin activities in the NAC. Such changes may be involved in mediating self-stimulation of the MFB.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus found in avian excreta, soil, and decayed wood [1]. The respiratory tract is the primary route of cryptococcal infection from yeast inhalation, and the infection can disseminate to most other organs [2, 3], although the main target organs are the lungs and the central nervous system (CNS) [4]. The most common manifestations in cases of CNS involvement are meningitis and meningoencephalitis [5, 6]. An extradural lesion of cryptococcal infection in the CNS is a rare entity that is usually accompanied by osteomyelitis [7–14]. Cryptococcal infection is mostly found in immunocompromised patients [2, 4, 5]. However, up to 10–40 % of reported cases have been in immunocompetent individuals [5, 6, 15, 16]. An extremely rare case of isolated extradural cryptococcoma at the sacral spine without a contiguous bone lesion in an immunocompetent man is described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of extradural cryptococcoma without a bone lesion.

We report that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), the active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), inactivated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) when MPP+ was directly infused into the striatum. We examined both in vitro TH activity and TH content measured by an enzyme immunoassay in the rat striatum after MPP+ was administered by an in vivo brain microdialysis probe. MPP+ caused the inhibition of TH activity but did not influence TH content in the ipsilateral striatum. These results indicate that MPP+ may cause an acute inactivation of TH after continuous exposure at the high concentrations.