[Weekly paclitaxel therapy for locoregional lymph node recurrence of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer].

We treated 7 patients with locoregional lymph node recurrence of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer with weekly paclitaxel (TXL) therapy. TXL was administered by 30-minute infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m2 after short premedication every week on an outpatient basis. Administration was continued for 3 weeks with a 1 week rest.

Clinicopathological features of gastric cancer cases and aberrantly expressed recoverin.

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is an ocular manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome whereby immunological reactions toward recoverin, a retina-specific calcium binding protein, and other retinal antigens aberrantly expressed in tumor cells lead to the degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells. Recently we reported that aberrant expression of recoverin was identified in more than 50% of tumor cells and their cell lines from several kinds of cancers, including gastric cancer, lung carcinoma, and other cancers. To elucidate the clinicopathological significance of aberrantly expressed recoverin in cancer cells, we performed immunocytochemical analysis using a monoclonal antibody against human recoverin.

Setting and flexural properties of metal-resin composite using Ag-Cu particles as filler and chemical accelerator.

A metal-resin composite material was experimentally prepared by mixing a powder consisting of Ag-Cu particles and BPO with a paste consisting of UDMA-based monomer and 4-META in the absence of tertiary amine. The working time and setting time were mainly affected by the amounts of 4-META, BPO and metal particles, most of them fulfilling the requirements for working time and setting time specified in ISO 4049:2000 in the present experimental conditions. The flexural strength ranged from 49.

Novel spirocyclic trichothecanes, spirotenuipesine A and B, isolated from entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes.

Entomopathogenic fungi forming fruiting bodies have been employed as tonics and antitussives from ancient times. Paecilomyces tenuipes, which is also called Isaria japonica, is a very popular entomopathogenic fungus and is often considered a health food in northeast Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. We cultivated the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes.

Rosbin: a novel homeobox-like protein gene expressed exclusively in round spermatids.

Mammalian spermiogenesis is a complex process occurring in a highly coordinated fashion within the seminiferous tubules. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling haploid germ cell differentiation, we have isolated haploid germ cell- specific cDNA clones from a subtracted cDNA library of mouse testis. One of these cDNAs, Rosbin, is 3.

Susceptibility gene for non-obstructive azoospermia in the HLA class II region: correlations with Y chromosome microdeletion and spermatogenesis.

We previously reported an association between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 in the HLA class II region and non-obstructive azoospermia in Japanese men. To identify possible associations between the HLA-DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 allele in the HLA class II region and azoospermia factor (AZF) deletion in the Y chromosome, we performed genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the AZF region. We then determined spermatogenic impairment (Johnsen score) in testicular biopsy specimens from patients with or without the DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 haplotype.

[A case report of BK virus nephropathy after an ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation].

We present a case of 29-year-old female who underwent an ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation from her father. The serum creatinine (s-Cr) level of this patient was stabilized about 1.1-1.

[A case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra].

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra is extremely rare. We herein describe the 33rd case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra in Japan. A 54-year-old female who presented with pollakisuria was referred to our department.

Study of pharmacological effects of nilvadipine on RCS rat retinal degeneration by microarray analysis.

In our recent study, we found that the Ca(2+) antagonist, nilvadipine caused significant preservation of photoreceptor cells in The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats [Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis.

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys part 1. Application of developed investment for Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy.

The objective of this study is to develop a casting investment that prevents the blackening of the cast surface of noble metal alloys. The experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which the metallic powders such as boron (B), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) were added as oxidizing agents. An Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human orthologue of the oppo 1 gene encoding a sperm tail protein.

We report here the molecular cloning and characterization of a human orthologue of oppo 1, a mouse gene encoding a male germ-cell-specific sperm tail protein, and the organization of its genomic structure. The mRNA of the human oppo 1 gene (h-oppo 1) was expressed exclusively in the testis, and the 30 kDa protein encoded by the mRNA was detected in human testis and sperm. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that human OPPO 1 protein was localized in the flagellae of ejaculated sperm.

von Hippel-Lindau disease type 2A in a family with a duplicated 21-base-pair in-frame insertion mutation in the VHL gene.

Background: von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), also called angiomatosis retinae, is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It is frequently associated with other tumors in the central nervous system, kidneys, or adrenal glands. In order to investigate the relationship between genotype and corresponding phenotypes, we performed molecular genetic analysis in a Japanese patient with VHL type 2A.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the protamine-1 and -2 genes of fertile and infertile human male populations.

Although various genetic factors have been implicated in human male infertility, the causative genes for the different types of idiopathic male infertility have not been elucidated. Protamines, which are the major DNA-binding proteins in the sperm nucleus, package the DNA into the sperm head. Analysis of the human protamine-1 (PRM1) and -2 (PRM2) gene sequences in 226 sterile male patients and in 270 proven-fertile male volunteers revealed four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PRM1 coding region, which did not cause any amino acid substitutions, and one SNP in the PRM2 gene, which produced translation termination.

Differential expression of succinyl CoA transferase (SCOT) genes in somatic and germline cells of the mouse testis.

Succinyl CoA:3-oxo acid CoA transferase (SCOT/OXCT; EC 2.8.3.

Aberrantly expressed recoverin is functionally associated with G-protein-coupled receptor kinases in cancer cell lines.

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is an ocular manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome whereby immunological reactions toward recoverin (Rec), a retina-specific Ca(2+) binding protein, and its aberrant expression in tumor cells lead to the retinal degeneration. To elucidate functional roles of the aberrantly expression in cancer cells, we performed immunoprecipitation using anti-human Rec mAb. We observed co-precipitation of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and caveolin-1 with Rec from cell lysates of 293 or SSTW cells.

Electroretinographic findings in three family members with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis associated with a novel Pro192Thr mutation of the XLRS1 gene.

Purpose: To present ocular findings in three family members with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) associated with a novel Pro192Thr mutation.

Cases: We examined 21- (Case 1), 17- (Case 2), and 10-year-old (Case 3) male patients who showed wheel-like cystic lesions in the macula and a silver-gray reflex in the peripheral retina. Case 2 was a cousin of Case 1.

Conventional multiple or microdissection testicular sperm extraction: a comparative study.

Background: Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) with ICSI is becoming the first-line treatment for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Recently, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR) by microdissection TESE was reported to be higher than by conventional TESE. However, a comprehensive comparison between multiple and microdissection TESE patients including histological findings has not been reported.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative material. Part 4. Flexural strength and flexural modulus of metal-resin composite using Ag-In alloy particles as filler.

The flexural strength and flexural modulus of an experimental metal-resin composite, which used Ag-In alloy particle as the filler, were evaluated. The effect of acid treatment and heat treatment on the Ag-In alloy particle was investigated. The flexural strength of the experimental metal-resin composites ranged from 65.

Molecular cloning and characterization of oppo 1: a haploid germ cell-specific complementary DNA encoding sperm tail protein.

We isolated a cDNA clone specifically expressed during spermatogenesis from a subtracted cDNA library of mouse testis. The cDNA consisted of 1085 nucleotides and had an open reading frame of 870 nucleotides encoding a putative protein of 290 amino acid residues. Northern blot analysis revealed a 1.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human orthologue of male germ cell-specific actin capping protein alpha3 (cpalpha3).

We report here the molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human actin capping protein alpha3 (cpalpha3) cDNA, an orthologue of the mouse male germ cell-specific cpalpha3, and the organization of the human cpalpha3 genomic structure. The entire coding region of the human cpalpha3 cDNA showed 82.1% similarity with the mouse cpalpha3.

Regulation and function of ascorbate peroxidase isoenzymes.

Even under optimal conditions, many metabolic processes, including the chloroplastic, mitochondrial, and plasma membrane-linked electron transport systems of higher plants, produce active oxygen species (AOS). Furthermore, the imposition of biotic and abiotic stress conditions can give rise to excess concentrations of AOS, resulting in oxidative damage at the cellular level. Therefore, antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes function to interrupt the cascades of uncontrolled oxidation in each organelle.

Fate of hepatocyte and sinusoidal lining cell function and kinetics after extended cold preservation and transplantation of the rat liver.

We investigated the chronological profile of graft damage and recovery after liver cold ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, with particular attention to the role of apoptosis on hepatocyte and sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) damage. Male Lewis rats underwent rearterialized orthotopic liver transplantation using grafts subjected to a short (University of Wisconsin [UW] solution for 1 hour [UW1h]) and prolonged period (UW16h) of cold preservation. Experiments were performed immediately after preservation and 4 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after reperfusion.

Overexpression of a cyanobacterial fructose-1,6-/sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase in tobacco enhances photosynthesis and growth.

Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a cyanobacterial fructose-1,6/sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase targeted to chloroplasts show enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and growth characteristics under atmospheric conditions (360 p.p.m.