ADAM17 regulates TNF-α expression upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation in oral keratinocytes.

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-converting enzyme and was first identified as the enzyme that cleaves the prodomain of TNF-α, a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in immune regulation and a variety of inflammatory responses in destructive periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to verify the presence of ADAM17 in the gingival epithelium and elucidate its involvement in the release of TNF-αin oral keratinocytes. Immunohistochemical analyses of ADAM17 were performed in gingival tissues obtained from patients and in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs).

Mutations in B3GALT6, which encodes a glycosaminoglycan linker region enzyme, cause a spectrum of skeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Proteoglycans (PGs) are a major component of the extracellular matrix in many tissues and function as structural and regulatory molecules. PGs are composed of core proteins and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains. The biosynthesis of GAGs starts with the linker region that consists of four sugar residues and is followed by repeating disaccharide units.

Phosphorylcholine (PC)-bonded protein A affinity chromatographic medium for high-throughput purification with reduced non-specific protein adsorption.

A protein A affinity chromatographic medium based on porous silica modified with phosphorylcholine (PC) groups and amino groups (PNSP) was synthesized. The PC groups functioned as suppressors of non-specific protein adsorption. Recombinant protein A was bound to the amino groups on PNSP with a glutaraldehyde used as a spacer (PNSP-PA).

An activated medium with high durability and low nonspecific adsorption: application to protein A chromatography.

Activated media allow the user to easily synthesize a variety of affinity media. We have developed a novel activated medium based on porous silica modified with phosphorylcholine (PC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) groups for the purpose of high-throughput purification and reducing nonspecific protein adsorption. The PC groups function as suppressors of nonspecific protein adsorption, whereas the NHS groups are able to covalently bind to the primary amino groups of ligands.

High-sensitivity simultaneous analysis of ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 in human plasma.

A method to determine ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 in human serum was developed by using high-performance liquid chromatography consisting of a semi-microcolumn switching system and an electrochemical detector (ECD), which requires minimized sample pre-treatments. A linear dynamic range was obtained from 1.0 to 5000 ng/mL, and recovery values of 89-105% were observed in a low-concentration region of 10-50 ng/mL.

A protein recycling system for nuclear magnetic resonance-based screening of drug candidates.

A sample-treating system for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based interaction screening between drug candidates (small molecules) and a protein of interest was developed by applying high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technology. The system prepares a test solution by mixing a (15)N-labeled protein solution and a solution of each candidate compound, loads it to a flow cell-type NMR probe, and recycles the protein after the data acquisition. The system was designed to behave differently according to the information obtained in NMR measurements.

A hippocampal lesion detected by high-field 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Nearly 80% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have some types of lesion identified by conventional 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed high-field 3 T MRI in a 5-year-old patient with recurrent complex partial seizures who was diagnosed as having right temporal lobe epilepsy based on the results of single photon emission computed tomography and ictal video-electroencephalogram monitoring, because 1.

Leukoencephalopathy around a tumor cyst following intracystic methotrexate injection.

A 4-year-old female with choroid plexus carcinoma developed progressive disturbance of consciousness 2 years after postoperative treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and focal methotrexate injection into a residual tumor cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed white matter lesions localized around the expanding large cyst. A malignant recurrence of choroid plexus carcinoma with a propensity of cerebrospinal fluid overproduction was suspected.

Choroid plexus carcinoma presented with spinal dysfunction caused by a drop metastasis: a case report.

A 2-year-old girl demonstrating gait disturbance and dysuria was evaluated and showed two large remote tumors at the left lateral ventricle and lower spinal canal. Pathological analysis demonstrated both of the tumors to be choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) with high MIB-1 labeling index. The enhanced mitotic propensity would have contributed to an early stage of drop metastasis from the primary site to the sacral sac and following accelerated formation of a longitudinal tumor, which had grown in the subarachnoid space conforming to the spinal canal and finally caused the presenting symptoms of spinal dysfunction.

Characteristic developmental expression of amyloid beta40, 42 and 43 in patients with Down syndrome.

We immunohistochemically studied the expression of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), Abeta40, Abeta42, and Abeta43 in the frontal lobes of 20 Down syndrome (DS) patients and 13 controls. The immunoreactivity for each antibody was different in the degree of intensity and the chronological pattern of expression. APP and Abeta43 immunoreactivity was increased in neurons initially, and then Abeta43 and 42 immunoreactivity appeared in diffuse plaques from 32 years of age.

Myelin transcription factor 1 (MyT1) immunoreactivity in infants with periventricular leukomalacia.

Myelin transcription factor 1 (MyT1) is a zinc-dependent, DNA-binding protein, and is known to be expressed in early progenitors of oligodendrocytes. We examined the immunoreactivity of MyT1 in developing human brains and brains with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) to understand the relationship between the expression of MyT1 and myelination in PVL brains. MyT1-positive glial cells were first detected at 19 gestational weeks (GWs) and then gradually increased until 26-29 GWs in the control group.

[A case of Menkes disease with urinary bladder hemorrhage].

We report a case of Menkes disease with urinary bladder hemorrhage. Diverticulums were found at 1 year and 3 months of age. He had repetitive urinary tract infections at 2 years old and died of urinary hemorrhage at 2 years and 9 months.