Causal relationship between conformational change and inhibition of domain functions of glycoxidative fibronectin.

Glycoxidative modification of various body proteins, including fibronectin (FN), has been shown to change their structural and functional properties, and be implicated in pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Little is known about the role of secondary structure of glycoxidative FN (gFN) in its domain functions. gFN was prepared by incubation with 25 and 200 mM glucose in 0.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma: correlation between neovascularization and peritumor accumulation of mast cells overexpressing vascular endothelial growth factor.

To investigate the possible role of mast cells (MC) in the angiogenic process in cutaneous melanoma, we examined tissue samples from 35 adult patients with primary malignant melanoma and compared with 20 intradermal benign nevi. MC were identified by anti-tryptase, microvessels by anti-CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by standard immunohistochemical methods. Tryptase-positive MC expressing VEGF were identified by double immunostaining.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as the substance that increases the permeability and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. We examined the clinical significance of VEGF expression in 60 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using the methods of Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), comparatively, and analysed the relationship between VEGF status in Western blot and tumour size, lymph-node status, histologic grade and disease-free survival (DFS) rate. Western blot analysis revealed high VEGF expressors (tumour/normal tissue density >/= 3-fold) in 26 patients (43%) and low VEGF expressors (< 3-fold) in 34 patients (57%).

Increased glycoxidation and lipoperoxidation in the collagen of the myocardium in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the glycoxidation and lipoperoxidation products in the collagen of the myocardium in hemodialysis (HD) patients and age-matched control subjects.

Methods: Cardiac samples from 15 autopsied subjects (HD, n=6; control, n=9) were sequentially extracted with 0.9% NaCl and collagenase to obtain two fractions [soluble fraction (SF) and collagenase soluble fraction (CSF)].

Pathology of a dissecting intracranial aneurysm.

The pathological findings of six autopsy cases of dissecting intracranial aneurysm are studied. Clinically, all cases exhibited systemic hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy. Macroscopically, all cases exhibited rupture of the vertebral artery and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Identification of new minimally lost regions on 18q in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 18q predicts poor survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Several putative tumor suppressor genes, such as DCC, DPC4/Smad4, and MADR2/Smad2, are mapped to 18q, but thus far, the important gene locus in HNSCC is not known. To identify possible gene loci on 18q, we performed LOH studies using tumor DNA from 57 HNSCC primary tumor cell lines and DNA isolated from fibroblasts or lymphoblastoid cells from the same patients.

Quality of life in patients over 70 years of age after heart valve replacement.

Background: Previous studies on valve replacement in patients over 70 years of age have been concerned with early and long-term outcome. Little is known, however, of the quality of life (QOL) of survivors following surgery.

Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients, mean age 74.

Patients with renal hypouricemia with exercise-induced acute renal failure and chronic renal dysfunction.

We here report the case of a 38-year-old male with back pain and vomiting occurring after exercise. Serum creatinine level was elevated, and he was admitted to our hospital with diagnosis of acute renal failure (ARF). He had experienced similar attacks at least 4 times, including the present episode, from the age of 22 years.

In vivo and in vitro evidence for the glycoxidation of low density lipoprotein in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Although there have been suggestions that the glycation and oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) might increase its atherogenic potential, little is known about the presence of glycoxidative LDL in human atherosclerotic lesions. We developed specific antibodies against different immunological epitopes of AGE structures, including N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine-protein adduct (CML), a glycoxidation product, and structure(s) other than CML (nonCML), and a monoclonal antibody against oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC), as an epitope of oxidized LDL. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the CML- and oxPC-epitopes were accumulated mainly in macrophage-derived foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions, including fatty streaks and atherosclerotic plaques.

Effects of resistance exercise combined with moderate vascular occlusion on muscular function in humans.

Acute and long-term effects of resistance exercise combined with vascular occlusion on muscular function were investigated. Changes in integrated electromyogram with respect to time (iEMG), vascular resistive index, and plasma lactate concentration were measured in five men either during or after elbow flexion exercises with the proximal end of the arm occluded at 0-100 mmHg. The mean iEMG, postexercise hyperemia, and plasma lactate concentration were all elevated with the increase in occlusion pressure at a low-intensity exercise, whereas they were unchanged with the increase in occlusion pressure at high-intensity exercise.

C-ERBB-2 gene amplification as a prognostic marker in human bladder cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate c-erbB-2 gene amplification and its prognostic significance in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods: Alterations in the gene copy number of c-erbB-2 were detected in 57 bladder tumor samples using a method based on the polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Eighteen tumors (32%) showed gene amplification of c-erbB-2, which correlated with tumor grade and stage.

Cyclin D1 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma makes up a large percentage of head and neck cancers, and the incidence among young patients is increasing. The aim of this study was to reveal the correlation between cyclin D1 (CCND1) expression and clinical and histologic features. We performed an immunohistochemical study on the level of CCND1 expression in tumor specimens obtained from 94 patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

[A case of the syndrome of the sinking skin flap: case report].

A case of "the syndrome of the sinking skin flap" was presented. A 40-year-old-man had suffered from severe SAH 9 months before. An aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery was successfully clipped and the bone flap was removed for the purpose of the external decompression.

Glycoxidative modification of AA amyloid deposits in renal tissue.

Background: N(epsilon)-carboxymethyllysine (CML) is a product of the oxidative modification of glycated proteins, which damages proteins with ageing, diabetes, uraemia and Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, pyrraline is one of the advanced glycation end products, which is independent of oxidative processes. CML has been identified in beta-amyloid of Alzheimer's disease and beta(2)-microglobulin-associated amyloid.

Strong intracellular and negative peripheral expression of fibronectin in tumor cells contribute to invasion and metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The intracellular and stromal expression of fibronectin (FN) in invading and central parts of papillary thyroid carcinomas with/without lymph node (LN) metastasis (54 metastasizing cases, 52 non-metastasizing cases) were examined immunohistochemically. The intracellular expression of FN in tumor cells in invading parts was stronger than that in central parts in most cases (79/106 cases, 74.5%).

p27 expression correlates with prognosis in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer is closely associated with smoking, drinking, and malnutrition. Recent findings reveal that carcinogenesis depends on genetic aberrations.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-one patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were analyzed for p53, CCND1, and p27, and 72 patients were analyzed for p21, immunohistochemically.

Computerized tomographic ureteroscopy for diagnosing ureteral tumors.

Purpose: Helical computerized tomography (CT) image acquisition has led to the availability of improved data sets for CT endoscopic imaging that represent virtual endoscopy using CT. We assessed the usefulness of CT ureteroscopic imaging for diagnosing ureteral tumors.

Materials And Methods: A total of 16 patients with ureteral stenosis underwent surface rendering CT ureteroscopy after the intravenous administration of contrast material and furosemide.

Structural organization and chromosome location of the mouse elongin A gene (Tceb3).

Elongin A is the transcriptionally active subunit of the Elongin complex, which strongly increases the rate of elongation by RNA polymerase II by suppressing the transient pausing of the polymerase at many sites within transcription units. In the present study, we obtained the cDNA sequence of the mouse Elongin A gene (Tceb3) and characterized its genomic structure. The deduced 773-amino acid sequence of mouse Elongin A shows 91% and 81% identity with rat and human Elongin A, respectively.

Organization and chromosomal localization of the human endothelial protein C receptor gene.

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), present on endothelial cells of relatively large veins and arteries, plays a role in the enhancement of protein C activation by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. In the present study, we determined the organization and the complete nucleotide sequence of the human EPCR gene using polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing method. The transcription initiation site of the EPCR gene was also determined by the cap site hunting method, using a cap site cDNA prepared from human placenta.

Hyperfunctional parathyroid glands with 99mTc-MIBI scan: semiquantitative analysis correlated with histologic findings.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to correlate the semiquantitative analysis of 99mTc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scan with histologic findings of hyperfunctional parathyroid glands.

Methods: Early and delayed cervical images of MIBI scans were reviewed in 31 patients who eventually underwent parathyroidectomies because of biochemically suspected hyperparathyroidism ([HPT], primary, n = 13; secondary, n = 18). The sensitivity of a scan for localizing the diseased glands was determined by comparing scan findings with pathologic findings, which were considered the gold standard.

[Surgical removal of retroperitoneal liposarcoma after transarterial embolization: a case report].

A case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma that was removed after transarterial embolization is reported. A 62-year-old man was admitted with body weight loss and general fatigue. Computed tomography revealed an extrarenal tumor, 27 x 17 x 11 cm in size, in the left retroperitoneal space.

Methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing in euchromatin by methyl-CpG binding protein MBD1 isoforms.

DNA methylation of promoter-associated CpG islands is involved in the transcriptional repression of vertebrate genes. To investigate the mechanisms underlying gene inactivation by DNA methylation, we characterized a human MBD1 protein, one of the components of MeCP1, which possesses a methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) and cysteine-rich (CXXC) domains. Four novel MBD1 isoforms (MBD1v1, MBD1v2, MBD1v3, and MBD1v4) were identified by the reverse transcription-PCR method.