BMP inhibition stimulates WNT-dependent generation of chondrogenic mesoderm from embryonic stem cells.

WNT and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling are known to stimulate hemogenesis from pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells. However, osteochondrogenic mesoderm was generated effectively when BMP signaling is kept to a low level, while WNT signaling was strongly activated. When mesoderm specification from ES cells was exogenous factor dependent, WNT3a addition supported the generation of cardiomyogenic cells expressing lateral plate/extraembryonic mesoderm genes, and this process involved endogenous BMP activities.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (two-point fixed ESD) for early esophageal cancer.

Background: We have been attempting to improve the safety, reliability and simplicity of endoscopic submucosal dissection for the treatment of early esophageal cancer and to shorten the time needed for this operation.

Methods: The present study involved nine patients with well-differentiated intramucosal early esophageal cancer over 20 mm in diameter. Two-point fixed endoscopic submucosal dissection was carried out.

Characterization of a blue-copper protein, auracyanin, of the filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii.

A blue-copper protein auracyanin of the filamentous anoxygenic phototroph Roseiflexus castenholzii was purified and characterized. Genomic sequence analysis showed that R. castenholzii has only one auracyanin, whereas Chloroflexus aurantiacus is known to have two auracyanins, A and B.

Analysis of plasma membrane proteome in soybean and application to flooding stress response.

The plasma membrane acts as the primary interface between the cellular cytoplasm and the extracellular environment. To investigate the function of the plasma membrane in response to flooding stress, plasma membrane was purified from root and hypocotyl of soybean seedlings using an aqueous two-phase partitioning method. Purified plasma membrane proteins with 81% purity were analyzed using either two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry and protein sequencing (2-DE MS/sequencer)-based proteomics or nanoliquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS)-based proteomics.

A case of gastric adenocarcinoma arising from a fundic gland polyp.

A rare case of gastric adenocarcinoma arising on the surface of a fundic gland polyp is reported. A 36-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for examination and treatment of a polyp that had been detected in another hospital. She did not have a history of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Repeatability and reproducibility of corneal curvature measurements using the Pentacam and Keratron topography systems.

Purpose: To compare the repeatability and reproducibility of corneal curvature measurements using the Pentacam eye scanner (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) and Keratron corneal topographer (Optikon 2000 SpA).

Methods: Axial topography maps were used to acquire measurements. Twenty-six eyes of 26 healthy patients were measured to determine repeatability and reproducibility.

WNT and BMP signaling are both required for hematopoietic cell development from human ES cells.

Pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES) cells are capable of generating a variety of mature cell types, including hematopoietic cells in vitro. However, the precise signaling mechanisms that regulate hematopoietic cell development from hES cells are still poorly documented. Here we demonstrate that hemoangiogenic cells derived from hES cells are defined by their high-level expression of KDR and low-level expression of PDGFRalpha (KDR(+)PDGFRalpha(lo)), and that the generation of such cells from hES cells is significantly elevated by the addition of WNT3a or BMP4 during differentiation.

Impacts of fluorouracil-metabolizing enzymes on the outcomes of patients treated with S-1 alone or S-1 plus cisplatin for first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

A phase III trial of S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) versus S-1 alone, for first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer (SPIRITS trial), has shown that overall survival was better in patients treated with SP than with S-1 alone. In the present retrospective biomarker study, we aimed to develop a methodology to identify the patients with advanced gastric cancer who would respond better to S-1 alone than SP. We studied 120 patients who received S-1 alone or SP for first-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer, and quantitatively evaluated mRNA levels of thymidylate synthase (TS), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and epidermal growth factor receptor in paraffin-embedded specimens of primary tumors.

Concept of ideal closure line for clipping of middle cerebral artery aneurysms--technical note.

The concept of optimum closure line was applied to a series of 51 consecutive middle cerebral artery aneurysms (14 ruptured, 37 unruptured) in 41 patients, 16 men and 25 women aged 29-79 years (mean 59.1 years). Visual inspection through the operating microscope revealed 3 types of aneurysm based on the origin of the aneurysm: bifurcation type (n = 39), trunk type (n = 9), and combined type (n = 3).

Susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detects impaired cerebral hemodynamics in the superior sagittal sinus thrombosis--case report.

An 11-year-old female receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis. T(1)-weighted, T(2)-weighted, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and MR venography showed that the SSS was totally occluded by thrombus. Susceptibility-weighted MR imaging showed hypointense thrombus in the SSS and markedly dilated cortical veins over the bilateral cerebral hemispheres.

Spontaneous giant aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery: case report.

A 78-year-old woman presented with preauricular superficial temporal artery (STA) aneurysm and scalp porocarcinoma, which had both increased in size over 2 years. She had no previous history of head trauma. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a 4-cm diameter STA aneurysm arising from the main trunk of the left STA and located just lateral to the zygomatic arch.

Case-control study for the identification of virological factors associated with fulminant hepatitis B.

Background: Host and viral factors can promote the development of fulminant hepatitis B (FHB), but there have been no case-control studies for figuring out virological parameters that can distinguish FHB.

Methods: In a case-control study, virological factors associated with the development of FHB were sought in 50 patients with FH developed by transient hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (FH-T) and 50 with acute self-limited hepatitis B (AHB) who were matched for sex and age. In addition, 12 patients with FH developed by acute exacerbation (AE) of asymptomatic HBV carrier (ASC) (FH-C) were also compared with 12 patients without FH by AE of chronic hepatitis B (AE-C).

[Comparison of factors correlating life satisfaction between full-time working women and housewives in an urban city using covariance structural analysis].

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify and compare components of life satisfaction between full-time working women and housewives in an urban city using covariance structural analysis.

Methods: A total of 165 community women were identified from the 2003 survey of life conditions in Kawasaki city. By using covariance structural analysis, the relationships between life satisfaction and three latent variables, [[gender role consciousness]] ([[ ]] indicates latent variable), [[self-efficacy]] and [[support from family or friends]] were analyzed within the context of working style.

Evaluation of the individual 50% inhibitory area under the concentration curve of 5-fluorouracil based on the collagen gel droplet embedded culture drug sensitivity test in colorectal cancer.

We have previously reported the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of cancer cells from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) under multiple drug concentrations and contact durations. Moreover, the area under the concentration curve (AUC) and growth inhibition rate (IR) were combined, resulting in the AUC-IR curve, which was approximated to the logarithmic curve. In the present study, we used the AUC-IR curve to calculate the individualized AUCIR50, the AUC value that imparts 50% growth inhibition.

Primary osteosarcoma of ovary.

Primary osteosarcoma originating from the ovary is an exceedingly rare, highly malignant tumor. Only a few cases have been reported in the past few decades. We describe a 50-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with a large abdominal mass.

Early, accurate, non-invasive predictors of left main or 3-vessel disease in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS), identification of left main and/or 3-vessel disease (LM/3VD) is crucial for deciding whether to initiate early treatment with clopidogrel, which can increase the risk of surgical bleeding.

Methods And Results: On admission, the clinical factors of 501 patients with NSTE-ACS, who underwent coronary angiography, were evaluated. ST-segment shifts and the widest QRS duration were measured on an admission 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Structure and excited-state dynamics of anthracene: ultrahigh-resolution spectroscopy and theoretical calculation.

Rotationally resolved ultrahigh-resolution spectra of the S(1) (1)B(2u)<--S(0) (1)A(g) transition of anthracene-h(10) and anthracene-d(10) have been observed using a single-mode UV laser and a collimated supersonic jet. We have determined rotational constants of the zero-vibrational levels of the S(0) and S(1) states by analyzing the precisely calibrated transition wavenumbers of rotational lines. We measured Zeeman splitting of each rotational line in the external magnetic field, of which the magnitude was small and strongly dependent on the rotational quantum numbers.

Fractional allelic loss as a potential biomarker of risk prediction in early-stage mucinous ovarian tumors of low malignant potential.

Ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) appear to be intermediate between adenomas and ovarian carcinomas. Such tumors are often associated with a significantly better prognosis than for ovarian carcinomas. However, a subset of LMPs can progress and become lethal even in patients with early-stage disease.

[A case of PEP(BEP)-resistant ovarian dysgerminoma successfully treated by VeIP therapy].

Ovarian germ cell tumors are malignant tumors which commonly develop during childhood, and which are sensitive to chemotherapy. We have had a case of germ cell tumors which showed resistance to first-line PEP(BEP)chemotherapy. As second-line chemotherapy, VeIP therapy was used, because it is possible that this therapy is effective against recurrent testicular germ cell tumors.

Involvement of NO and MEK/ERK pathway in enhancement of endothelin-1-induced mesenteric artery contraction in later-stage type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat.

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a likely candidate for a key role in diabetic vascular complications. However, no abnormalities in the vascular responsiveness to ET-1 have been identified in the chronic stage of type 2 diabetes. Our goal was to look for abnormalities in the roles played by ET receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) in the mesenteric artery of the type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat and to identify the molecular mechanisms involved.

Usefulness of anti-ulcer drugs for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers induced by low doses of aspirin.

Aim: To investigate the usefulness of anti-ulcer drugs for the prevention and treatment of low-dose aspirin-induced peptic ulcer.

Methods: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 68 patients receiving daily low-dose aspirin (81 or 100 mg/day). The endoscopic findings were classified according to the Lanza score, and the scores were compared between groups categorized according to the concomitant use of anti-ulcer drugs and the types of drugs used.

Integration of transport-based models for phyllotaxis and midvein formation.

The plant hormone auxin mediates developmental patterning by a mechanism that is based on active transport. In the shoot apical meristem, auxin gradients are thought to be set up through a feedback loop between auxin and the activity and polar localization of its transporter, the PIN1 protein. Two distinct molecular mechanisms for the subcellular polarization of PIN1 have been proposed.

[A case of Henoch-Schölein purpura with acute pancreatitis].

We report a 11-year-old girl who had abdominal pain, hematemesis and melena. On admission, endoscopy revealed multiple duodenal ulcers and abdominal computed tomography showed dilatation and wall thickness of the jejunum. Because she showed purpura on the lower extremities and a decreased serum level of the XIII factor, she was diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Expression of a BTB/POZ protein, NAC1, is essential for the proliferation of normal cyclic endometrial glandular cells and is up-regulated by estrogen.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of NAC1, a member of the BTB/POZ gene family in the human cyclic endometrium.

Experimental Design: NAC1 expression in normal cyclic endometrium was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and data on clinical variables were collected by retrospective chart review. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of NAC1 expression in the normal endometrium endometrial carcinoma cell lines (Ishikawa, HHUA; ER+, PR+) and primary cultured normal endometria were tested in a sex steroid induction assay and a NAC1 knockdown assay using siRNA.

[High-flow arteriovenous fistula of the central nervous system associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia].

The authors reported three cases of high flow arteriovenous fistula (AVF) associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The first case was a 9-month-old boy who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a perimedullary AVF at the cervical spine and the fistula was successfully interrupted by transarterial embolization with no additional neurological deficits.