Examination of Risk Factors and Expression Patterns of Atypical Femoral Fractures Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database: A Retrospective Pharmacovigilance Study.

Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is a rare complication related to the use of bisphosphonates (BPs). Herein, we analyzed the risk factors and onset patterns of AFF using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database and reported the findings. First, the independent risk factors for AFF were gender (female), high body mass index, and medical history of osteoporosis, arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

An immunohistochemical study of placental syncytiotrophoblasts in neonatal hemochromatosis.

Introduction: Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a rare neonatal disorder that results in liver cirrhosis with hemosiderin deposition in the liver and other organs, similarly to hereditary hemochromatosis. Excess iron is transferred from the mother to fetus through the placenta in NH. We examined the expression of iron metabolism-related substances in placental syncytiotrophoblasts (STB) by immunostaining to clarify how the transfer of iron through STB increases in NH.

Immunohistochemical analysis of transporters related to clearance of amyloid-β peptides through blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in human brain.

A large number of previous reports have focused on the transport of amyloid-β peptides through cerebral endothelial cells via the blood-brain barrier, while fewer reports have mentioned the transport through the choroid plexus epithelium via the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Concrete roles of these two pathways remain to be clarified. In this study, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of transporters/receptors that are supposed to be related to the clearance of amyloid-β peptides in the choroid plexus epithelium, the ventricular ependymal cells and the brain microvessels, using seven autopsied human brains.

An immunohistochemical study of human platelets using a rabbit antibody against H18-K24 of apolipoprotein CIII (HATKTAK).

H18-K24 of human apolipopotein CIII (Apo CIII) (HATKTAK) is an activator of the macromolecular activators of phagocytosis from platelets (MAPPs). Using a rabbit antibody against HATKTAK, we performed an immunohistochemical study of human platelets. Indirect ELISA showed that this antibody reacts with Apo CIII-derived peptides with a C-terminal of HATKTAK, but not with Apo CIII.

Effects of flow patterns and hemodynamic force on vascular endothelium in the temporary arteriovenous shunt loop in rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a risk of thrombosis in the temporary arteriovenous shunt loop (TAVSL). The authors established a TAVSL model in the rabbit. Experimental groups were divided into non-heparin treated and heparin treated.

CD36 expression in the brains of SAMP8.

SAMP8, senescence accelerated mice with age-related deficits in memory and learning, are known to show age-related increases of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and immunopositivity for amyloid-β (Aβ) proteins, and moreover to be under elevated oxidative stress. The elevated expression of class B scavenger receptor CD36, which is the receptor of oxidized LDL and also one of efflux transporters of Aβ proteins in the cerebral vessels, is thought to mediate free radical production in cerebral ischemia and induce oxidative stress. Accordingly, by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemical techniques, we examined whether the expression of CD36 was increased in the brains of 10-12-week-old SAMP8 with elevated oxidative stress.

Prenatal high-dose immunoglobulin treatment for neonatal hemochromatosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Neonatal hemochromatosis is a difficult disorder to cure, and it has a high rate of recurrence. High-dose immunoglobulin treatment is very effective as prenatal treatment for recurrent neonatal hemochromatosis. A 34-year-old pregnant Japanese woman underwent high-dose immunoglobulin treatment for recurrent neonatal hemochromatosis.

Effects of D-allose on the endocytic activity of dendritic cells and the subsequent stimulation of T cells.

We examined the effects of a rare sugar, D-allose, which is 6-carbon monosaccharide, on endocytosis and T cell stimulation by dendritic cells (DCs). The endocytosis of BCG-anti-BCG immune complexes by DCs markedly decreased in D-allose-containing medium. Co-culture with T cells (mixed leukocyte reaction, MLR) of DCs, which had been exposed to BCG in D-allose-supplemented medium, induced apoptosis of CD4(+) T cells in a manner dependent on D-allose concentration.

Platelet high-density lipoprotein activates transferrin-derived phagocytosis activators, MAPPs, following thrombin digestion.

Macromolecular activators of phagocytosis from platelets (MAPPs), transferrin-derived phagocytosis activators released from platelets, activate leukocytic phagocytosis via Fcγ receptors. It has been found that MAPPs can be prepared using stored platelets or their lysate. Using this artificial MAPP production system, it has been found that they can be produced from precursors (tetrameric and dimeric transferrins) following reaction with a low-molecular-weight (LMW) activator of MAPPs, which is liberated from a high-molecular-weight activator of MAPP (HMW activator) by reaction with thrombin.

Blockade of AT1 receptors protects the blood-brain barrier and improves cognition in Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.

Background: The present study tested the hypothesis that inappropriate activation of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to the pathogenesis of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and cognitive impairment during development of salt-dependent hypertension. Effects of an angiotensin II (AngII) type-1 receptor blocker (ARB), at a dose that did not reduce blood pressure, were also examined.

Methods: Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats at 6 weeks of age were assigned to three groups: low-salt diet (DSS/L; 0.

Atrial natriuretic peptide enhances recovery from ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats.

Recovery from ischemic acute kidney injury requires the replacement of damaged tubular cells. This repair process involves epidermal growth factor (EGF) synthesized in medullary the thick ascending limbs (mTAL) of Henle. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a hormone synthesized by the cardiac atria, increases glomerular filtration rate and renal medullary blood flow.

The expression of LDL receptor in vessels with blood-brain barrier impairment in a stroke-prone hypertensive model.

We previously reported that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function was deteriorated in vessels located in the hippocampus in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). In order to assess whether substances with oxidative stress such as amyloid-beta (Abeta) can be scavenged in the BBB-damaged vessels, we examined the gene expression of representative efflux and influx transporters of Abeta, such as low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), LDL-related protein 1 (LRP1), and the receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) in the hippocampus of SHRSP with the BBB impairment and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) without the impairment. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that LDLR gene expression was increased in the samples of SHRSP compared with those of WKY, while there was no significant difference in LRP1 or RAGE gene expression between SHRSP and WKY.

[Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsies under a guide of real-time three image computed tomography].

Purposes: Experiences of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsies under a guide of a real time 3 image display computed tomography (3 image CT) is reported.

Materials And Methods: Twenty seven biopsies from 23 patients were performed. For 3 image CT, Somatom was used.

Macrophage involvement in Epstein-Barr virus-related tumors.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known as a causative agent of Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and approximately 10% of stomach carcinoma cases. In other human cancers, EBV gene expression including lytic infection protein detected using in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence staining has been reported. Moreover, the expression and replication of EBV genes in cultured normal macrophages and in histiocytes of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis have been identified.

Age-related changes in P-glycoprotein expression in senescence-accelerated mouse.

P-glycoprotein, the gene product of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (Abcb1), is a representative efflux transporter of cerebral vessels. It was recently reported that the expressions of P-glycoprotein and Abcb1 gene were increased in hippocampal vessels with blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage in stroke-prone hypertensive rats. SAMP8, senescence-accelerated mice with age-related deficits in memory and learning, are known to show age-related damage of BBB.

RAGE, LDL receptor, and LRP1 expression in the brains of SAMP8.

SAMP8, senescence-accelerated mice with age-related deficits in memory and learning, are known to show age-related increases of amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression and to be under elevated oxidative stress. The receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) is a representative influx transporter of APP or amyloid-beta (A beta) protein in cerebral vessels, while low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and LDL-related protein 1 (LRP1) are efflux transporters. These receptors play roles not only in clearance of A beta protein but also in control of oxidative stress.

Abcb1a and Abcb1b expression in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM).

It was recently reported that some strains of senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) including SAMR1 had a spontaneous retroviral insertional mutation in the ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B, member 1A (Abcb1a) gene, while other strains including SAMP8 had not. The Abcb1 gene product, P-glycoprotein, is a representative efflux transporter of cerebral vessels. In this study, using brain samples of SAMR1, Abcb1a gene-mutant mice, and of SAMP8 without that mutation, we examined the gene expression of some representative ATP-binding cassettes, such as Abcb1a, Abcb1b, Abcc, and Abcg2, and the protein expression of P-glycoprotein by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemical techniques.

Medulloblastoma with myogenic differentiation showing double immunopositivity for synaptophysin and myoglobin.

Reported herein is a case of medulloblastoma with myogenic differentiation in a 3-year-old girl who died 1 year after appearance of clinical signs. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a mass lesion in the cerebellar vermis. She underwent total resection of the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the brain and spinal cord.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 is increased in vessels with blood-brain barrier impairment in a stroke-prone hypertensive model.

We previously reported that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function was deteriorated in vessels located in the hippocampus, but not the cerebral cortex, in 3-month-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Recently published data suggest that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 play a critical role in the BBB disruption in stroke or cerebral ischemia. In this study, we examined gene and protein expressions of MMPs in the BBB-damaged hippocampal vessels of 3-month-old SHRSP, in the cerebral cortical vessels without BBB damage of SHRSP, and in the hippocampal and cerebral cortical ones without BBB damage of 3-month-old Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats.

Paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy in a patient with advanced esophageal cancer: An autopsied case report.

We report the first autopsied case of paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy associated with esophageal cancer in the literature. The patient had acute flaccid paraplegia and urinary retention, and had a good recovery of strength of both legs in response to corticosteroids. MRI showed a characteristic lesion with post-gadolinium enhancement of the cervical to mid-thoracic spinal cord at the onset, which has never been reported.

Factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendritic cells in keloids and hypertrophic and mature scars.

Keloids and hypertrophic scars have several common features. Both are reddish, firm, slightly protruding lesions that consist of proliferative fibroblastic cells and collagenous tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of factor XIIIa (FXIIIa)-positive dermal dendritic cells to formation of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoproliferative diseases of the lung.

There have been few studies regarding the etiology of lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung. To examine the possible involvement of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in these diseases, EBV mRNAs, proteins and DNA, were detected. Two non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) originating in the lung, 5 mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (MALT lymphoma) of the lung, 1 lymphoid hyperplasia of the lung and 1 lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP), were subjected to mRNA in situ hybridization, indirect immunofluorescence staining and PCR.

Predominant expression of lysosomal N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase in macrophages revealed by immunochemical studies.

Bioactive N-acylethanolamines, including anandamide (an endocannabinoid), N-palmitoylethanolamine (an anti-inflammatory substance), and N-oleoylethanolamine (an anorexic substance) are enzymatically hydrolyzed to fatty acids and ethanolamine. Fatty acid amide hydrolase plays a major role in this reaction. In addition, we cloned cDNA of an isozyme termed "N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA)" [K.

Accumulation of triosephosphate isomerase, with sequence homology to Beta amyloid peptides, in vessel walls of the newborn piglet hippocampus.

We investigated whether beta-amyloid (Abeta)-like immunoreactivity was seen in the brains of newborn piglets. The immunoreactivity for Abeta(1-42) and Abeta(1-40) proteins, but not Abeta precursor protein, was present in CD68-positive perivascular cells of the hippocampus and in parts of the meninges. It was colocalized with immunoreactivity for receptor for advanced glycation end product and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.