DNA methylation of Ad4BP/SF-1 suppresses Cyp11a1 and StAR transcripts in C2C12 myoblasts.

Steroidogenesis occurs locally in peripheral tissues and via adrenal and gonadal glands' biosynthesis. The C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line and rat skeletal muscles harbor a local steroidogenesis pathway for glucocorticoids, and corticosterone is biosynthesized from skeletal muscle cells. However, Cyp11a1 and StAR protein expressions are not observed in C2C12 cells or rat muscular tissues.

Establishment of hyperoxic cell culture system for predicting drug-induced liver injury: reducing accumulated lipids in hepatocytes derived from chimeric mice with humanized liver.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major adverse reaction. Species-specific differences between humans and laboratory animals make it difficult to establish evaluation models that can accurately predict DILI in the preclinical phase. Chimeric mice with humanized liver are potential predictive models for understanding DILI.

[Ciliated Muconodular Papillary Tumor of the Lung:Report of a Case].

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor( CMPT) is a rare true pulmonary tumor consisting of bronchiolar cellular elements. Although this tumor cannot be classified as benign or malignant, it is mostly believed to be a benign bronchiolar adenoma. Recently, CMPT has been divided into two subtypes: proximal and distal.

Machine-learning approach for constructing control landscape maps of three-dimensional alignment of asymmetric-top molecules.

A machine-learning approach to draw landscape maps in a low-dimensional control-parameter space is examined through a case study of three-dimensional alignment control of the asymmetric-top molecule SO. As a minimal model, we consider the control by using a set of mutually orthogonal, linearly polarized laser pulses that are parameterized by the time delay and fluence ratio. The parameters are represented either by points in the parameter space or by time- and frequency-resolved spectra.

Locally optimized control pulses with nonlinear interactions.

The local control theory has been extended to deal with nonlinear interactions, such as polarizability interaction, as well as a combination of dipole and polarizability interactions. We explain herein how to implement the developed pulse-design algorithm in a standard computer code that numerically integrates the Liouville equation and/or the Schrödinger equation without incurring additional high computational cost. Through a case study of the rotational dynamics control of crystalline orbital molecules, the effectiveness of the locally optimized control pulses is demonstrated by adopting four types of control objectives, namely, two types of state-selective excitation, alignment, and orientation control.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A protein degradation and subsequent increase in enzymatic activity through p38 MAPK activation by acetaminophen and salicylate derivatives.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 plays an important role in drug metabolism. Although transcriptional regulation of CYP3A expression by chemicals has been comprehensively studied, its post-translational regulation is not fully understood. We previously reported that acetaminophen (APAP) caused accumulation of functional CYP3A protein via inhibition of CYP3A protein degradation through reduction of glycoprotein 78 (gp78), an E3 ligase of the ubiquitin proteasome system.

Application of optimal control simulation to selective photodissociation of IBr by non-resonant dynamic Stark effects.

We apply nonlinear optimal control simulation to design a non-resonant control pulse that maximizes the probability of specified photodissociation of IBr by utilizing the non-resonant dynamic Stark effect in the presence of a predetermined pump pulse. The optimal pulses are always composed of several subpulses that increase the target probability considerably depending on the wavelength of the pump pulse. Focusing on the cases of high target probabilities, we systematically examine how the subpulses cooperate with each other on the basis of pulse-partitioning analyses.

Axial four-dimensional computed tomographic images to analyze crosswise differences in protrusive condylar movement in patients who underwent mandibulectomy and free flap reconstruction.

Objective: Few studies evaluate condylar movement following mandibular reconstruction. The main objective of this study was to show that axial four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) could visualize bilateral protrusive condylar movement directly. We used axial 4DCT images to assess condylar protrusion in patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction.

Gene expression profiling of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs): identification of potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Background: Chronic fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is characterized by alveolar epithelial damage, activation of fibroblast proliferation, and loss of normal pulmonary architecture and function. This study aims to investigate the genetic backgrounds of IIP through gene expression profiling and pathway analysis, and to identify potential biomarkers that can aid in diagnosis and serve as novel therapeutic targets.

Methods: RNA extracted from lung specimens of 12 patients with chronic fibrosing IIP was profiled using Illumina Human WG-6 v3 BeadChips, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed to identify altered functional and canonical signaling pathways.

Acetaminophen analog N-acetyl-m-aminophenol, but not its reactive metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine induces CYP3A activity via inhibition of protein degradation.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily members are known to metabolize various types of drugs, highlighting the importance of understanding drug-drug interactions (DDI) depending on CYP3A induction or inhibition. While transcriptional regulation of CYP3A members is widely understood, post-translational regulation needs to be elucidated. We previously reported that acetaminophen (APAP) induces CYP3A activity via inhibition of protein degradation and proposed a novel DDI concept.

Clinical and molecular features of rapidly progressive chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) is characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs caused by a variety of inhaled antigens. Despite extensive efforts to minimize exposure to the antigens, patients with CHP sometimes experience rapid deterioration of their pulmonary functions, resulting in death within a few years. This study aimed to define clearly the clinical and molecular features of patients with rapidly progressive CHP.

Peritoneal Malignant Mesothelioma with Epithelioid Type, Demonstrating High Serum and Ascitic KL-6 Levels: Immunohistochemical Analyses.

We report a case of KL-6 producing peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital on November 2005 with severe abdominal distention. Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma with epithelioid type was diagnosed by clinical symptoms, laboratory investigations, imaging studies, and immunohistochemical examination of known tumor markers.

Early Stages of Hyaline Membrane Formation Detected in Alveolar Mouths in Diffuse Alveolar-Damage-Associated Diseases: A Detailed Immunohistochemical Study.

To study the early stages of hyaline membrane (HM) formation, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was thoroughly investigated using immunohistochemical methods in 15 autopsy cases, which consisted of various types of interstitial pneumonias and pulmonary diseases derived from nonmalignant or malignant diseases. Alveolar mouths (AMs) that were presumed to be normal were ultrastructurally examined in detail, by using pulmonary tissues in the pneumothorax. It is interesting to note that during the initial stages of HM formation in AMs, fragmented eosinophilic masses were closely attached to AMs as irregular fragments or by a cap-like structure.

Improvement in idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia after smoking cessation.

Although cigarette smoking has been recognized as a risk factor for the development of several interstitial lung diseases, the relationship between smoking and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has not yet been fully elucidated. We here present a case of fibrotic NSIP with mild emphysema in an elderly male with normal pulmonary function, whose symptoms, serum KL-6 level, and high-resolution computed tomography findings of interstitial changes markedly improved without medication following the cessation of smoking. Our case suggests that smoking may be an etiological factor in some patients with NSIP and that early smoking cessation before a clinically detectable decline in pulmonary function may be critical for smokers with idiopathic NSIP.

Visual assessment of Ki67 using a 5-grade scale (Eye-5) is easy and practical to classify breast cancer subtypes with high reproducibility.

Aims: Personalised breast cancer therapy requires pathological characterisation of tumours. The proliferative index, based on Ki67, is pivotal, but a standard method has not been established. Here we look for an easy and practical way to evaluate Ki67.

Investigation of aluminum and iron deposition on metaplastic bones in three patients with diffuse pulmonary ossification.

Diffuse pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare pulmonary lesion. DPO is typically detected at autopsy rather than premortem. Recently, however, several cases were diagnosed antemortem using computed tomography, high-resolution computed tomography, or video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Clinicopathological findings of four cases of pure influenza virus A pneumonia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform clinicopathological evaluations of patients with pure influenza A virus pneumonia.

Methods: We performed clinicopathological analyses of four cases of pure influenza A virus pneumonia. Patients Among the four cases, three were caused by the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus.

Usefulness of KL-6 in the subtyping of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia of the pancreas, including carcinoma, dysplasia, and hyperplasia.

KL-6 is known as a useful serum biomarker of the disease activity in interstitial pneumonias. We investigated its usefulness as a biomarker for subtyping intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. IPMNs are generally divided into 4 subtypes, namely pancreatobiliary (PB), intestinal (INT), gastric (GS), and oncocytic (ONC).

Theoretical/numerical study on strong-laser-induced interference in the B state of I2.

In the B state of I2, strong-laser-induced interference (SLI) was recently observed in the population of each vibrational eigenstate within a wave packet, which was initially prepared by a pump pulse and then strongly modulated by an intense femtosecond near-infrared (NIR) laser pulse. It was suggested that the interference as a function of the time delay occurs between the eigenstate reached by Rayleigh scattering and that by Raman scattering. To verify this mechanism and further discuss its characteristics, we theoretically/numerically study the SLI by adopting a two-electronic-state model of I2.

Immunohistochemical analyses of a case of extralobar pulmonary sequestration with chest pain in an adult.

Computed tomography of a Japanese man in his mid-forties with a complaint of right-side chest pain showed a dome-shaped smooth-surfaced mediastinal mass, which was extirpated. The cut surface was highly hemorrhagic and necrotic and not related to the original pulmonary tissues. Although routine sectioning detected bronchial cartilage, immunohistochemical analyses clearly showed the presence of alveolar type II cells; only the alveolar type II cells located at the periphery of this mass showed positive staining for cytokeratins, thyroid transcription factor 1, surfactant protein A, epithelial membrane antigen and Krebs von den Lungen-6.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma with microscopic extracapsular spread in the cervical lymph nodes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the detailed background of cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with microscopic extracapsular spread (ECS) in the cervical lymph nodes. The cases of 78 patients with primary OSCC, who attended hospital from October 2007 to July 2011 and underwent resection of the primary tumour with neck dissection, were reviewed. The subjects were classified into three categories: pN0, pN+/ECS-, and pN+/ECS+; the outcomes of pN+/ECS+ patients were compared in detail with those of the other categories.

Printable polymer actuators from ionic liquid, soluble polyimide, and ubiquitous carbon materials.

We present here printable high-performance polymer actuators comprising ionic liquid (IL), soluble polyimide, and ubiquitous carbon materials. Polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and reliable mechanical strength are required for high-performance polymer actuators. The developed polymer electrolytes comprised a soluble sulfonated polyimide (SPI) and IL, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][NTf2]), and they exhibited acceptable ionic conductivity up to 1 × 10(-3) S cm(-1) and favorable mechanical properties (elastic modulus >1 × 10(7) Pa).

Exacerbation and remission of pulmonary micronodules with lymphangioleiomyomatosis around the time of childbirth.

We present a case of multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH), lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) and angiomyolipoma (AML) in a 33-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis complex referred to us during her first pregnancy. Computed tomography of the chest showed diffuse micronodules and cysts in both lungs. Compared to those before pregnancy, the number of micronodules increased evidently.

Immunohistochemical analysis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma pattern in four cases of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer with the invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) pattern has been reported to be a variant with poor prognosis and rapid progression. To the best of our knowledge, only 4 cases of gastric cancer from Japan and 11 cases from Korea have been reported to contain the IMPC pattern. In the present study, 4 cases of gastric cancer containing the IMPC pattern from 2 Japanese men and 2 Japanese women are reported.