Genetic variations of human neuropsin gene and psychiatric disorders: polymorphism screening and possible association with bipolar disorder and cognitive functions.

Human neuropsin (NP) (hNP) has been implicated in the progressive change of cognitive abilities during primate evolution. The hNP gene maps to chromosome 19q13, a region reportedly linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Therefore, hNP is a functional and positional candidate gene for association with schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive ability.

Uretero-appendiceal fistula.

We report a case of uretero-appendiceal fistula. A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with high grade fever and loss of 5 kg of body weight over 6 months. Pyonephrosis was diagnosed.

Diffusion abnormalities of the uncinate fasciculus in Alzheimer's disease: diffusion tensor tract-specific analysis using a new method to measure the core of the tract.

Introduction: Our aim was to determine diffusion abnormalities in the uncinate fasciculus (UF) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) using a new method for measuring the core of the tract.

Methods: We studied 19 patients with AD and 19 age-matched control subjects who underwent MRI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTT of the UF was generated.

Extensive loss of arterial medial smooth muscle cells and mural extracellular matrix in cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL).

Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) is a distinctive clinicopathologic entity characterized by young adult-onset non-hypertensive vasculopathic encephalopathy accompanied by alopecia and disco-vertebral degeneration. CARASIL arteriopathy is histopathologically characterized by intense arteriosclerosis without the deposition of granular osmiophilic materials. Until now, the obliterative arteriosclerosis is the presumptive cause of subcortical ischemia in CARASIL; however, a detailed vascular pathology leading to diffuse leukoencephalopathy remains unclear.

Immunochemical and immunohistochemical studies on distribution of elastin fibres in human atherosclerotic lesions using a polyclonal antibody to elastin-derived hexapeptide repeat.

A polyclonal antibody to elastin-derived hexapeptide repeat, H-(Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly)(3)-NH(2), was prepared in order to investigate the differences between elastin fibres in intimal hyperplasia and media in human atheroscleroic lesions. The hexapeptide repeat and alpha-elastin were recognized by this polyclonal antibody in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but other elastin-derived peptides such as tetrapeptide repeat, pentapeptide repeat and nonapeptide were not. In the series of hexapeptide repeats, H-(VGVAPG)(n)-NH(2) where n is 1-7, the polyclonal antibody reacted strongly with oligomers (n = 3-7) and weakly with dimer (n = 2), but not with monomer (n = 1).

La autoantigen translocates to cytoplasm after cleavage during granzyme B-mediated cytotoxicity.

Our recent report demonstrated that apoptosis-specific autoantibodies against granzyme B-induced cleavage fragments of SS-B (La) were found in the sera from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. The objective of this study was identified by the intracellular redistribution of La autoantigen during granzyme B-induced apoptosis. We developed green fluorescence protein (GFP)-La and GFP-LaDelta220 (generation of granzyme B-specific cleavage of La protein) fusion proteins.

Assessment of health-related quality of life after radiofrequency ablation or laparoscopic surgery for small renal cell carcinoma: a prospective study with medical outcomes Study 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during follow-up period in patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or laparoscopic surgery for small renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: From December 2004 through September 2006, for 37 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and underwent percutaneous RFA (n = 20) or laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (n = 17) at our institution. HRQoL was evaluated prospectively using SF-36 Health survey pre- and post-operatively (1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery).

[A case of primary testicular malignant lymphoma associated with contralateral testicural recurrence after a seven-year interval].

A 70-year-old male presented to our hospital in October 1999 complaining of right scrotal swelling. Right high ligation of testis was performed. Pathological examination demonstrated a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) originating from the right testis.

Bone edema determined by magnetic resonance imaging reflects severe disease status in patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine the significance of bone edema, detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We simultaneously examined serologic variables, MRI of wrist sites and finger joints of both hands, clinical disease activity score (DAS), and HLA-DR typing at entry in 80 patients with early-stage RA.

Results: The number of bones scored as positive for bone edema correlated with the number of sites scored as positive for MRI synovitis and MRI bone erosion, rate of enhancement (E-rate), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

Naftopidil, a selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, inhibits growth of human prostate cancer cells by G1 cell cycle arrest.

Alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonists are generally prescribed for benign prostate hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms. Naftopidil, a selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, is frequently used in Japan because it has fewer side effects. Here we demonstrate for the first time that naftopidil has growth inhibitory effect in androgen-sensitive and -insensitive human prostate cancer cell lines.

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation for adrenocortical adenoma with Cushing syndrome: outcomes after mean follow-up of 33 months.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and therapeutic effects of image-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation used for the treatment of adrenocortical adenoma with Cushing syndrome.

Methods: From February 2003 to May 2005, 4 consecutive patients with adrenocortical adenoma and Cushing syndrome received percutaneous RF ablation. All tumors were in the left adrenal gland, with a mean tumor size of 2.

Localization of CKII beta subunits in Lewy bodies of Parkinson's disease.

We reported previously that phosphorylation by casein kinase II (CKII) regulates the interaction between alpha-synuclein and its binding partner synphilin-1, and that both CKII alpha and beta subunits co-localize with alpha-synuclein in cytoplasmic inclusions in transfected cells. In this study, we extended these observations to the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and examined whether CKII subunits are present in Lewy bodies. Immunohistochemical studies on PD brains harboring Lewy bodies revealed a positive stain for CKII beta but not for CKII alpha.

Paclitaxel Carboplatin chemotherapy as a second-line chemotherapy for advanced platinum resistant urothelial cancer in Japanese cases.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of Paclitaxel Carboplatin (Pca) therapy in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and platinum based chemotherapy failure.

Patients And Methods: From April 2001 to September 2005, 18 patients were enrolled in this trial. The patients received methotrexate, vinblastine and doxorubicin cisplatin (M-VAC) therapy prior to Pca therapy.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 is an inhibitor of parasite-derived cysteine proteases.

The physiological significance of the squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 (SCCA1) and SCCA2, members of the ovalbumin serpin family, remains unresolved. In this study, we examined whether SCCA1 or SCCA2 inhibits protozoa- or helminth-derived cysteine proteases. SCCA1, but not SCCA2, potently inhibited the cysteine protease activities of CPB2.

Autosomal dominant leukoencephalopathy with mild clinical symptoms due to cerebrovascular dysfunctions: a new disease entity?

A family with cerebrovascular dysfunctions and extensive white matter lesions was presented. The proband had suffered migraine. His brother showed syncopal episodes and migraine.

Effect of autologous bone-marrow cell transplantation on ischemic ulcer in patients with Buerger's disease.

Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans, also known as Buerger's disease, is characterized by peripheral occlusive changes in the arteries of the upper and lower limbs and treatment is often ineffective. Intramuscular transplantation of autologous bone marrow-mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) has been recently reported as improving the symptoms and clinical manifestations in patients with severely ischemic limbs, mostly caused by arteriosclerosis obliterans. The present study focused on the patients with Buerger's disease presenting with rest pain and/or skin ulcer uncontrolled by conventional treatments.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with transarterial embolization is useful for treatment of stage 1 renal cell carcinoma with surgical risk: results at 2-year mean follow up.

Objectives: Despite laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic cryotherapy being performed lately, an even less invasive treatment would be desirable in high-risk patients. Under local anesthesia with i.v.

Human astrocytes express aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-4 in vitro and in vivo.

Aquaporins (AQP) constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of integral membrane water transport channel proteins. Previous studies indicate that AQP1 is expressed exclusively in the choroid plexus epithelium, while AQP4 is localized on the vascular foot of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) under physiological conditions. To investigate a role of AQP in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases involving astrogliosis we studied the expression of AQP1 and AQP4 in cultured human astrocytes and brain tissues of multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral infarction and control cases.

IL-25 augments type 2 immune responses by enhancing the expansion and functions of TSLP-DC-activated Th2 memory cells.

Interleukin (IL) 25 (IL-17E), a distinct member of the IL-17 cytokine family, plays important roles in evoking T helper type 2 (Th2) cell-mediated inflammation that features the infiltrations of eosinophils and Th2 memory cells. However, the cellular sources, target cells, and underlying mechanisms remain elusive in humans. We demonstrate that human Th2 memory cells expressing distinctive levels of IL-25 receptor (R) are one of the responding cell types.

Effect of IL-13 receptor alpha2 levels on the biological activity of IL-13 variant R110Q.

Background: IL-13 is a key cytokine associated with the asthmatic phenotype. IL-13 signals via its cognate receptor, a complex of IL-13 receptor (IL-13R) alpha 1 chain with IL-4 receptor alpha; however, a second protein, IL-13Ralpha2, also binds IL-13. Recently a polymorphic variant of IL-13 (R110Q) has been shown to be associated with atopy.

Cutting edge: direct action of thymic stromal lymphopoietin on activated human CD4+ T cells.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that promotes CD4(+) T cell homeostasis and contributes to allergic and inflammatory responses. TSLP can act directly on mouse CD4(+) T cells, but in humans, the available data have indicated that TSLP receptors are not expressed on CD4(+) T cells and that TSLP instead activates dendritic cells, which in turn promote the proliferation and differentiation of CD4(+) T cells. We now unexpectedly demonstrate the presence of TSLP receptors on activated human CD4(+) T cells.

[Clarification of the pathogenesis and development of clinical examination for allergic diseases].

The incidence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased in recent decades in Japan; therefore, it is important to establish ways to diagnose allergic patients based on their pathogenesis and to treat them. Allergic diseases are complicated and diverse disorders in which various cells and mediators are involved; however, it is widely accepted that they are Th2-type inflammations triggered by the invasion of allergens. It is known that either IL-4 or IL-13, particularly the latter, has an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma among Th-2 type cytokines; however, it is unclear how IL-4 or IL-13 causes asthmatic phenotypes.

Bisphenol A induces permanent squamous change in mouse prostatic epithelium.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer of plastic products widely used in daily life, and has weak estrogenic activity. In this study, male BALB/c mice were treated with BPA and diethylstilbestrol (DES) in adult and fetal periods to investigate whether BPA could affect prostatic epithelial differentiation. Eight-to 9-week-old mice treated for 3 weeks with subcutaneous implants of 0.

Prostate-specific antigen half-life and pretreatment prostate-specific antigen: crucial predictors for prostate-specific antigen trend in delayed-combined androgen blockade therapy.

Purpose: To elucidate the crucial predictors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) trends and determine the usage of anti-androgen treatment during delayed-combined androgen blockade (CAB) leading to a PSA level below 0.2 ng/mL.

Materials And Methods: From January 2001 to December 2004, 105 prostate cancer patients were enrolled.

Toll-like receptor in salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome: functional analysis by human salivary gland cell line.

Objective: We investigated expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) in labial salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and functional TLR expression in the cultured salivary gland cell line.

Methods: Expression of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in labial salivary glands was examined by immunohistochemistry. Human salivary gland (HSG) cell-line cells were cultured with TLR ligands [peptidoglycan, poly (I:C) and lipopolysaccharide], and CD54 expression and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production was studied.