A combination of IFN-beta and temozolomide in human glioma xenograft models: implication of p53-mediated MGMT downregulation.

Purpose: Methylation of the O(6)-methyguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter in gliomas has been reported to be a useful predictor of the responsiveness to temozolomide (TMZ). In our previous experiments, we observed that IFN-beta sensitized TMZ-resistant glioma cells with the unmethylated MGMT promoter and that the mechanism of action was possibly due to attenuation of MGMT expression via induction of TP53. In this study, (1) we explored the synergistic effect of IFN-beta and TMZ in the animal model, and (2) clarified the role of IFN-beta induced TP53 in the human MGMT promoter.

Fine structure and enzymatic degradation of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] and stereocomplexed poly(lactide) nanofibers.

Fiber morphology and crystalline structure of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (P(3HB)) and stereocomplexed poly(lactide) (PLA) nanofibers were investigated by using scanning and transmission electron microscopies and X-ray and electron diffractions. In the P(3HB) nanofibers spun from less than 1 wt% 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) solution, planar zigzag conformation (beta-form) as well as 2(1) helix conformation (alpha-form) structure was formed. Based on the electron diffraction measurement of single P(3HB) nanofiber, it was revealed that the molecular chains of P(3HB) align parallel to the fiber direction.

Single-base mismatch recognition using partially double-stranded probes having various lengths.

We have focused on the nucleation-synchronized DNA strand exchange reaction (ns-SER) as a format of a single-base mismatch detection. We employed a partially double-stranded (PDS) DNA probe having a single-stranded (ss) portion. We could rapidly resolve a single-base mismatch by the ns-SER rates of the PDS probe with target DNAs.

Discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms by strand exchange assay using partially double-stranded probes.

Previously we designed the partially double-stranded (PDS) probes that have protruding single-stranded portion for a single-base mismatch analysis. The single-stranded portion is engineered to sense existences of mismatches in the counterparts and to transduce it in strand exchange rates. Here we report the influence of probe length and operating conditions, such as temperature and buffer conditions, on the mismatch resolution using the PDS probes.

[Two cases of main trunk artery occlusion associated with multiple cerebral aneurysms].

We report 2 cases of multiple aneurysms (AN) associated with main trunk artery occlusion. CASE 1: A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with dysarthria and weakness of the right side of the body. Computed tomography (CT) showed cerebral infarction in the left corona radiata.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy and bilateral ureteric ligation for muscle-invasive bladder cancer in a patient on hemodialysis.

Laparoscopic cystectomy and bilateral ureteric ligation were performed on a 52-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Her volume of urine production was approximately 100 mL/day. Excisions of the bladder and uterus with ligation of the bilateral ureter were conducted completely laparoscopically.

[A case of rheumatoid factor-positive hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis].

A 54-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of progressive gait disturbance, starting with left abdominal pain 1 month previously. She developed acute paraparesis and stocking-anesthesia type sensory disturbance within a few days. MR imagings on admission, revealed an encircled subdural mass at the Th1-9 vertebral level, and her spinal cord was compressed at several places at the Th5-6.

[A case of high-aged idiopathic spinal cord herniation from dural defect].

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation was assumed to be a rare disease. However, the incidence of discovering this condition appears to have been increasing recently with advances in neuroradiological diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomographic myelogram (CTM). We present herein an operated case of high-aged idiopathic spinal cord herniation.

Delayed hemorrhage from completely obliterated arteriovenous malformation after gamma knife radiosurgery.

A 43-year-old female was treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for right frontal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) manifesting as absence seizures. Complete nidus obliteration was confirmed on angiography 4 years after GKS. However, she experienced recurrence of her previous seizures and delayed hemorrhage occurred within the treated nidus, despite absence of abnormalities by repeated angiography 81 months after GKS.

Systemic IGF-I treatment inhibits cell death in diabetic rat retina.

Diabetic retinopathy can result in apoptotic cell death of retinal neurons, as well as significant visual loss. It is further known that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels are reduced in diabetes and that IGF-I can prevent cell death in many cell types. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that systemic treatment with IGF-I could inhibit death of neuroretinal cells in diabetic rats by examining the expression of proapoptotic markers.

[Case of clipping of a ruptured aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery (P2) via the transchoroidal-fissure approach].

A 59-year-old female was found to be drawn in a swimming pool and transferred to our hospital. The patient was comatose on admission (Hunt & Kosnk: Grade IV). Computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with thick hematoma in the left ambient cistern.

Investigation of the structure of cellulose in LiCl/DMAc solution and its gelation behavior by small-angle X-ray scattering measurements.

Cellulose gels were prepared from cellulose in lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) solution. When the cellulose concentration in the solution is above the one at which cellulose molecules overlap, cellulose gels were formed. While the gel prepared by the addition of water was turbid, the one prepared by the ion exchange was colorless, transparent, and optically anisotropic.

Differences in humoral immunity between a non-rejection group and a rejection group after ABO-incompatible renal transplantation.

Background: Renal transplantation across the blood barrier is a unique model for investigating the humoral response to different carbohydrate antigens. However, in such a renal transplantation, the characteristics of B cells as well as of the antibodies produced by B cells are less well defined.

Methods: In the present study we investigated B cell subsets (i.

EGFR mutations in patients with brain metastases from lung cancer: association with the efficacy of gefitinib.

Gefitinib--a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-associated tyrosine kinase--has demonstrated efficacy in a subgroup of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) who fail conventional chemotherapy. It is also reported to have an antitumor effect in brain metastases from NSCLC. Additionally, EGFR mutations have shown a strong association with gefitinib sensitivity for NSCLC.

Brain metastases from apocrine carcinoma of the scalp: case report.

Apocrine carcinoma is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm that occurs most frequently in the axilla. Although it usually shows an indolent clinical course, it often metastasizes to regional lymph nodes and sometimes to lungs or bones. However, a literature search did not reveal any report describing the detailed clinical course of brain metastases from apocrine carcinoma.

Effect of IGF-I on DNA, RNA, and protein loss associated with brain atrophy and impaired learning in diabetic rats.

Brain atrophy in diabetic dementia (DD) may be due to a catabolic state with DNA loss. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels are reduced in diabetes, and IGF replacement may ameliorate brain protein loss. Subcutaneous minipumps released vehicle (Db + Veh) or IGF-I (Db + IGF-I) in diabetic rats.

IFN-beta down-regulates the expression of DNA repair gene MGMT and sensitizes resistant glioma cells to temozolomide.

Alkylating agents, such as temozolomide, are among the most effective cytotoxic agents used for malignant gliomas, but responses remain very poor. The DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) plays an important role in cellular resistance to alkylating agents. IFN-beta can act as a drug sensitizer, enhancing toxicity against a variety of neoplasias, and is widely used in combination with other antitumor agents such as nitrosoureas.

The mechanism responsible for accommodation after living-related kidney transplantations across the blood barrier.

The mechanism responsible for accommodation in renal transplantations across the blood barrier remains unclear. We recently encountered two patients with accommodated status after living-related kidney transplantations across the blood barrier. Both developed elevations of anti-blood-group antibodies to titers over 128x after transplantation, despite excellent renal function.

Intraventricular chordoid meningioma presenting with Castleman disease due to overproduction of interleukin-6. Case report.

A rare case of chordoid meningioma in the lateral ventricle observed in an adult is reported. The first clinical manifestation of the disease was a prolonged fever of unknown origin. Abnormalities in the patient's blood chemistry, principally polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia (immunoglobulin [Ig]G, IgA, and markedly IgE) and an elevated serum level of C-reactive protein, were associated with the disease.

Aurora-B dysfunction of multinucleated giant cells in glioma detected by site-specific phosphorylated antibodies.

Object: The origin of multinucleated giant cells in glioma has not been made clear. In a previous paper the authors studied multinucleated giant tumor cells by using mitosis-specific phosphorylated antibodies to determine the phosphorylation of intermediate filaments and demonstrated that these cells stay in the early mitotic stage, undergoing neither fusion nor degeneration. In the current study the authors investigated the possible genetic causes of multinucleated giant tumor cells.

[Currarino triad: a case report].

The authors report a case of Currarino triad with a combination of anterior sacral meningocele and mature teratoma, sacral body deformity, anorectal stenosis, and tethered cord. A newborn girl suffered from vomiting, abdominal distension and constipation. Initially, a diverting colostomy was performed at the age of one month.

[Arthritis following intravesical instillation of BCG for urothelial cancers].

Background: Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is efficient for prophylaxis of superficial bladder cancer and treatment for carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the upper urethelial cancer. However, the incidence of adverse effects is relatively high, and those include reactive arthritis. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence and the outcome of reactive arthritis following intravesical BCG therapy for urothelial cancers.

Systemic insulin-like growth factor-I administration prevents cognitive impairment in diabetic rats, and brain IGF regulates learning/memory in normal adult rats.

Diabetic patients have impaired learning/memory, brain atrophy, and two-fold increased risk of dementia. The cause of cognitive disturbances that progress to dementia is unknown. Because neurotrophic insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels are reduced in diabetic patients and rodents, and IGF can cross the blood-central nervous system barrier (B-CNS-B), the hypothesis was tested that IGF administered systemically can prevent cognitive disturbances, independently of hyperglycemia and a generalized catabolic state.

Effect of solvent exchange on the solid structure and dissolution behavior of cellulose.

Effects of solvent exchange and milling on the solid structure of cellulose were investigated, using small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and solid-state NMR. The solvent exchange facilitated the dissolution of cellulose in LiCl/DMAc with no change of the crystalline structure of cellulose. In contrast, the milling never facilitated the dissolution of cellulose, though the crystalline structure was almost destroyed.