Cleft lip and palate in mice treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: a morphological in vivo study.

It is well-known that TCDD (2,3,7,8, tetrachloridedibenzo-p-dioxin) induces cleft palates (CPs) in pregnant C57BL mice. However, it is unclear if TCDD is a possible teratogen for cleft lip. We examined maxillofacial malformations including cleft lip in three animal strains: A/J mice, C57BL/6J mice and ICR mice.

Calreticulin negatively regulates the cell surface expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-dependent Cl- channel at the plasma membrane, and its malfunction results in cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal genetic disease in Caucasians. Quality control of CFTR is strictly regulated by several molecular chaperones. Here we show that calreticulin (CRT), which is a lectin-like chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), negatively regulates the cell surface CFTR.

Novel angiogenic inhibitor DN-9693 that inhibits post-transcriptional induction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) by vascular endothelial growth factor in human endothelial cells.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a potent angiogenic factor. In this report, we describe for the first time that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated induction of the ctgf/ccn2 gene was a post-transcriptional event that was inhibited by a novel angiogenic inhibitor, DN-9693, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Steady-state mRNA levels of ctgf/ccn2 were remarkably increased by VEGF in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the activity of the ctgf/ccn2 promoter was not responsive to VEGF as confirmed by a reporter gene assay and quantitative real-time PCR analysis.

Production of a range image for facial motion analysis: a method for analyzing lip motion.

To analyze the lip movement of patients with cleft lip and palate in detail, we developed a novel technique to produce a range image from a video-based motion capture system, and a unique technique to analyze lip movements in detail three-dimensionally. The accuracy of the range image obtained from the present system was investigated using a positioning actuator with a high accuracy and a known object, and by comparisons with the range images produced from a laser scanner with a cast model of a face. The lip motions of six healthy adults during phonation was analyzed.

Leptosins isolated from marine fungus Leptoshaeria species inhibit DNA topoisomerases I and/or II and induce apoptosis by inactivation of Akt/protein kinase B.

DNA topoisomerases (topo) I and II are molecular targets of several potent anticancer agents. Thus, inhibitors of these enzymes are potential candidates or model compounds for anticancer drugs. Leptosins (Leps) F and C, indole derivatives, were isolated from a marine fungus, Leptoshaeria sp.

Hypoxic regulation of stability of connective tissue growth factor/CCN2 mRNA by 3'-untranslated region interacting with a cellular protein in human chondrosarcoma cells.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) can be induced by various forms of stress such as exposure to high glucose, mechanical load, or hypoxia. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism involved in the induction of ctgf/ccn2 by hypoxia in a human chondrosarcoma cell line, HCS-2/8. Hypoxia increased the ctgf/ccn2 mRNA level by altering the 3'-untranslated region (UTR)-mediated mRNA stability without requiring de novo protein synthesis.

Organocatalytic entry to chiral bicyclo[3.n.1]alkanones via direct asymmetric intramolecular aldolization.

[reaction: see text] The facile stereoselective syntheses of endo-8-hydroxybicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one and endo-7-hydroxybicyclo[3.

Expedient synthesis of potent cannabinoid receptor agonist (-)-CP55,940.

[reaction: see text] A stereocontrolled synthesis of (-)-CP55,940, a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist, has been attained using a novel aldolization/retro-aldolization interconversion strategy, in which a temporarily generated chiral aldol motif plays essential roles.

Gene transfection into HeLa cells by vesicles containing cationic peptide lipid.

Lipid vesicles are potentially useful as microcapsules for drug and/or gene delivery. We developed cationic lipid vesicles consisting mainly of sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and cationic peptide lipid (CPL), and evaluated the CPL vesicles as gene transfection vectors. The optimum CPL concentration for gene transfection into HeLa cells was found to be 20 wt % of total lipid, and such CPL vesicles did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity.

Erdheim-Chester disease in a child presenting with multiple jaw lesions.

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare histiocytic disease entity related to juvenile xanthogranuloma. It is a systemic condition, usually occurs in adult, characterized by infiltration of foamy histiocytes within the bone and soft tissues.

Methods And Results: We report a case of 13-year-old female patient who first presented with multiple osteolytic lesions of the jaws followed by bilateral symmetrical bone lesions affecting the lower extremities, as well as brain and abdominal involvement.

Immunostimulation effects of proteose-peptone component 3 fragment on human hybridomas and peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Fat-free bovine milk fermented by 12 kinds of lactic acid bacteria and yeast enhanced monoclonal antibody production of human hybridoma HB4C5 cells 2.8-fold in serum-free medium. Immunoglobulin production of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was also stimulated in vitro.

Heparanase gene and protein expression in ameloblastoma: possible role in local invasion of tumor cells.

Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic neoplasm, particularized by its local invasiveness. Heparanase is the endo-glucuronidase enzyme that specifically cleaves heparan sulfate, the important modulator of extracellular matrix, and related to invasion of tumor cells. In this study, we addressed to show the gene expression and localization of heparanase in ameloblastoma.

First enantioselective synthesis of (-)- and (+)-virgatusin, tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran lignan.

The first highly enantioselective syntheses of tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran lignan, (-)- and (+)-virgatusin, were achieved. Hemiacetal was stereoselectively obtained from Evans's syn-aldol product as a single isomer. This hemiacetal was converted to (-)-virgatusin via hydrogenolysis.

Comparable response of ccn1 with ccn2 genes upon arthritis: An in vitro evaluation with a human chondrocytic cell line stimulated by a set of cytokines.

BACKGROUND: The chondrosarcoma-derived HCS-2/8 has been known to be an excellent model of human articular chondrocytes. By mimicking the arthritic conditions through the treatment of HCS-2/8 cells with cytokines, we estimated the gene expression response of ccn1 and ccn2 during the course of joint inflammation in vitro. RESULTS: In order to mimic the initiation of inflammation, HCS-2/8 cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha.

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis to treat maxillary hypoplasia: comparison of an internal and an external system.

Background: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has become a mainstream surgical technique for patients with jaw deformities. In cases of maxillary hypoplasia, DO with a rigid external distraction (RED) system has been used for maxillary advancement; however, DO with internal devices is currently popular.

Materials: This article describes DO with an internal device and a RED system in 2 patients with maxillary hypoplasia with oligodontia.

Identification of a novel zebrafish SULT1 cytosolic sulfotransferase: cloning, expression, characterization, and developmental expression study.

By searching the zebrafish expressed sequence tag database, we had identified two partial cDNA clones encoding the 5'- and 3'-regions of a putative cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT). Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, a full-length cDNA encoding this zebrafish SULT was amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Analysis of the sequence data revealed that this novel zebrafish SULT displays 49, 46, and 45% amino acid sequence identity to human SULT1A1, mouse SULT1D1, and rat SULT1C1.

Immunohistochemical analysis of Sox9 expression in periosteum of tibia and calvaria after surgical release of the periosteum.

Sox9 is a transcription factor belonging to the SRY family of high-mobility box proteins, and plays a major role in endochondral ossification. Sox9 is a potent activator of the type-2 collagen pheno-type marker of articular cartilage. Regulation of osteogenic molecular signals in periosteal bone formation has not yet been elucidated yet.

Identifying rodent hantavirus reservoirs, Brazil.

We describe the genetic analysis of samples from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) patients from southern and southeastern states of Brazil and rodents captured at the presumed site of infection of these patients. A total of 65 samples that were antibody-positive for Sin Nombre or Laguna Negra virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were processed by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by using several primer combinations in the M and S genome segments. PCR products were amplified and sequenced from samples from 11 HPS patient and 7 rodent samples.

Various immunostaining patterns of CD31, CD34 and endoglin and their relationship with lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: Intratumoral blood vessels are known to play an important role in cancer growth and metastasis. The discrepancy in previous reports using various endothelial markers individually suggested us to investigate both normal and various tumor areas with a wide panel of vascular markers.

Methods: Here, we used a panel of three antibodies (CD31, CD34, and endoglin) as blood vessel markers to investigate the distribution and properties of blood vessels in normal oral tissues and squamous cell carcinomas.

Effect of ENU (ethylnitrosourea) mutagenesis in cleft lip and/or palate pathogenesis in mice.

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) are caused by many factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic point mutations in CL/P pathogenesis. ICR and AJ strain mice were used.

Osteogenic potential of primed periosteum graft in the rat calvarial model.

Repair of bone defects remains a major concern in plastic and maxillofacial surgery. Based on modern concepts of tissue engineering, periosteum has gained attention as a suitable osteogenic material. We tested the hypothesis that surgically released and immediately repositioned periosteum would exhibit high osteogenic capacity upon grafting in a rat calvarial defect.

Effect of smoking on chromosomes compared with that of radiation in the residents of a high-background radiation area in China.

Cytogenetic investigation of stable-type aberrations (translocations) was carried out with our improved methods on 28 elderly individuals in a high-background radiation area (HBRA) in China, and on 24 elderly individuals in a control area (CA). The level of radiation in HBRA is 3 to 5 times higher than in CA. The mean frequencies of translocations per 1,000 cells in HBRA and CA were 12.

Regulation of bone metabolism in immunosuppressant (FK506)-treated rats.

After organ transplantation, severe osteoporosis is occasionally seen, and the use of immunosuppressants is thought to be one of the causes of such osteoporosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of FK506 monotherapy on bones and determined the mechanism of onset of osteoporosis, both by assessing chronological changes in bone metabolism and by identifying factors that facilitate bone resorption. In 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, FK506 (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally every day for 5 weeks (FK506-treated group), and for comparison, physiological saline was administered in the same manner in a control group of rats.

Development and clinical usage of a motion analysis system for the face: preliminary report.

Objective: To evaluate the motion of the face and jaw of patients with cleft lip and palate, facial palsy, and in patients after reconstruction, a motion-analyzing system was developed. The aim of this article was to investigate the accuracy of this system and the possibility of clinical application.

Methods: Markers of 1 to 2 mm were placed on the face, and motion images were obtained by three digital video cameras controlled by a synchronizer and recorded on digital video tape.