Ewing sarcoma with very late metastasis in the skull: a case report.

Background: Ewing sarcoma is a malignant bone tumor; however, its prognosis has improved since the development of modern chemotherapy. Although Ewing sarcoma outcomes have improved, issues related to late complications, secondary malignant neoplasms, and late recurrence or metastasis have emerged.

Case Presentation: We report a case of Ewing sarcoma that recurred in the occipital bone 21 years after primary tumor treatment.

Persistent Severe Cerebral Edema with Neutrophil Infiltration Following Listeria Meningitis.

A 51-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis. Diffuse cerebral edema appeared after improvement of meningitis with appropriate treatment and worsened for two months. Due to brain herniation, brain tissue leaked through the incision made during the drain insertion in a hydrocephalus surgery.

Progesterone is a sperm-releasing factor from the sperm-storage tubules in birds.

Because of the presence of sperm-storage tubules (SST) in the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) in the oviduct, once ejaculated sperm have entered the female reproductive tract, they can survive for a prolonged time in domestic birds, although the specific mechanisms involved in the sperm uptake into, maintenance within, and controlled release from the SST remain to be elucidated. In this report, we provide evidence that progesterone triggers the release of the resident sperm from the SST in the UVJ. The ultrastructural observation of the SST indicated that the resident sperm are released from the SST around 20 h after oviposition.

FGF-2 increases osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potentials of human mesenchymal stem cells by inactivation of TGF-beta signaling.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are able to self-replicate and differentiate into a variety of cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells, and muscle cells. It was reported that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) increased the growth rate and multidifferentiation potentials of hMSCs. In this study, we investigated the genes involved in the promotion of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potentials of hMSCs in the presence of FGF-2.

FGF-2 suppresses cellular senescence of human mesenchymal stem cells by down-regulation of TGF-beta2.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are able to both self-replicate and differentiate into a variety of cell types. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates the growth of hMSCs in vitro, but its mechanisms have not been clarified yet. In this study, we investigated whether cellular senescence was involved in the stimulation of hMSCs growth by FGF-2 and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 and -beta2 (TGF-betas).

[Safety evaluation of tissue engineered medical devices using normal human mesenchymal stem cells].

Several recent studies demonstrated the potential of bioengineering using somatic stem cells in regenerative medicine. Adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) derived from bone marrow have the pluripotency to differentiate into cells of mesodermal origin, e.g.

Enzymatic photochemical sensing using luciferase-immobilized polymer nanoparticles covered with artificial cell membrane.

We prepared phospholipid polymer nanoparticles immobilized with luciferase, and the nanoparticles were applied as photochemical sensing nanoparticles. An amphiphilic water-soluble polymer having a phosphorylcholine group was used as an emulsifier and a surface modifier to prepare the nanoparticles. The polymer was composed of three kinds of monomer units, that is, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) as a hydrophilic and bioinert unit, n-butyl methacrylate as a hydrophobic unit and p-nitrophenyl ester having methacrylate as an enzyme-immobilizing unit.

Changes in expression of genes related to cell proliferation in human mesenchymal stem cells during in vitro culture in comparison with cancer cells.

We investigated the expression levels of several genes related to cell proliferation in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) during in vitro culture for use in clinical applications. In this study, we focused on the relationship between hMSC proliferation and transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling during in vitro culture. The proliferation rate of hMSCs gradually decreased and marked changes in hMSC morphology were not observed in 3 months of in vitro culture.

Dual mode bioreactions on polymer nanoparticles covered with phosphorylcholine group.

We investigated the preparation of polymer nanoparticles covered with phosphorylcholine (PC) groups and the immobilization of proteins in order to observe dual mode bioreactions on the nanoparticles. For the surface modification on the nanoparticles, a water-soluble amphiphilic phospholipid polymer with PC groups as a hydrophilic moiety was synthesized. In this polymer, an active ester group, which can immobilize proteins, was introduced.

Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 mediates leukemia inhibitory factor-induced cell surface human leukocyte antigen-G expression in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells.

Maternal immune tolerance is required for extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) to invade the decidua without rejection. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 (ERAP1) generates human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-adapted antigenic peptides, but its function in trophoblasts lacking classical HLA class I molecules remains undetermined. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is produced from decidua during the implantation period and plays a necessary role in establishing pregnancy.

Gene regulation and physiological function of placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase during pregnancy.

Human pregnancy serum and placenta have the ability to degrade uterotonic peptide oxytocin (OT). Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), which is also called cystine aminopeptidase, is the only membrane aminopeptidase known to functionally degrade OT as oxytocinase (OTase). P-LAP/OTase hydrolyzes several peptides other than OT including vasopressin and angiotensin III.

Possible involvement of aminopeptidase A in hypertension and renal damage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Background: Although aminopeptidase A (APA), which is abundant in the kidneys, is responsible for metabolizing angiotensin II (Ang II), its association with salt sensitivity remains uncertain. We aimed to clarify the involvement of APA in salt-induced hypertension and renal damage.

Methods: Male Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats were fed low-salt (0.

The keratan sulfate disaccharide Gal(6S03) beta1,4-GlcNAc(6S03) modulates interleukin 12 production by macrophages in murine Thy-1 type autoimmune disease.

It has been reported that disaccharides of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), heparin, or heparan sulfate suppress the production of cytokines. Therefore, we examined the effects of GAGs (keratan sulfate, hyaluronan, chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, and heparin sulfate) disaccharides on production of interleukin (IL)-12, a pivotal cytokine in the Th-1 type immune system. Among the GAG disaccharides, only a keratan sulfate disaccharide, Gal(6-SO(3))-GlcNAc(6-SO(3)) (L4), suppressed IL-12 production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharides and interferon-gamma.

Cell separation in microcanal coated with electrically charged phospholipid polymers.

To separate the cell population in whole blood using microcanal, the surface was covered with a polyion complex (PIC) composed of electrically charged phospholipid polymers. The phospholipids polymers were prepared by the polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and n-butyl methacrylate with 3-(methacryloyloxypropyl)-trimethyl ammonium iodide as the cationic unit or potassium 3-methacryloyloxypropyl sulfonate as the anionic unit. The PIC was formed at the solid-liquid interface, that is, first, the cationic polymer was coated on the substrate and an aqueous solution containing the anionic polymer with different concentrations was applied to the polymer-coated substrate.

Determination of ion-pair formation constants of univalent metal-crown ether complex ions with anions in water using ion-selective electrodes: application of modified determination methods to several salts.

Ion-pair formation constants (mol(-1) dm3 unit), K(MX) for a univalent metal salt (MX) and K(MLX) for its ion-pair complex (ML+X-) with a crown ether (L) in water, were determined at various ionic strengths (I) and 25 degrees C by potentiometry with ion-selective electrodes for MX=NaPic, NaMnO4, NaBPh4, KPic, and KMnO4; and MLX = Na(18C6)Pic, K(18C6)Pic, and Na(18C6)BPh4, where Pic- and 18C6 denote a picrate ion and 18-crown-6 ether, respectively. Equations for analyzing I-dependence of logK(MLX) and logK(MX) were derived and fitted well to the I-dependence using a non-linear regression analysis. The equilibrium constants at I = 0 mol dm(-3), K(MLX) degrees and K(MX) degrees, were simultaneously obtained from the analysis.

Suppression of invasion and peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian cancer cells by overexpression of AP-2alpha.

A previous report demonstrated that AP-2alpha favors the survival of ovarian cancer patients by clinical findings. However, the functional roles of AP-2alpha in human ovarian cancers have not been determined. To clarify the roles, we overexpressed AP-2alpha in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells, which originally possess little AP-2alpha.

ADAMs, a disintegrin and metalloproteinases, mediate shedding of oxytocinase.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), a type-II transmembrane protease responsible for oxytocin degradation during pregnancy, is converted to a soluble form through proteolytic cleavage. The goal of this study was to determine the nature of the P-LAP secretase activity. The hydroxamic acid-based metalloprotease inhibitors GM6001 and ONO-4817 as well as the TNF-alpha protease inhibitor-2 (TAPI-2) reduced P-LAP release, while tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, which are matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, had no effect on P-LAP release in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably overexpressing P-LAP, thus indicating possible involvement of ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) members in P-LAP shedding.

Insulin stimulates placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase/insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase expression in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), a cystine aminopeptidase that is identical to insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase, hydrolyzes oxytocin, which results in the loss of oxytocin activity. We previously isolated genomic clones containing the human P-LAP promoter region, which included two sites homologous to the 10-bp-insulin responsive element (IRE) that was identified on the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxinase gene. We therefore postulated that insulin regulates P-LAP expression via these IREs and investigated this notion using BeWo choriocarcinoma trophoblastic cells cultured in the presence of insulin.

Tissue distribution of placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase during mouse pregnancy.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), also called oxytocinase, is an enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing oxytocin. This enzyme is identical to cystine aminopeptidase. We examined the tissue distribution of P-LAP in normal adult mice and also in mothers and fetuses during mouse pregnancy using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.

Expression of adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase in endometrial cancer. Association with tumor grade and CA-125.

Adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase (A-LAP) is a novel zinc-metallopeptidase involved in angiotensin II (AngII) metabolism, cell migration and antigen presentation. These functions are implicated in the progression of cancer, whereas A-LAP expression and involvement have not been studied in any type of cancer. We investigated the expression of A-LAP in endometrial cancer as well as its association with angiogenesis and clinicopathological features.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase gene regulation by activator protein-2 in BeWo cell model of human trophoblast differentiation.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP) is located preferentially in syncytiotrophoblasts in human placenta. Here we investigated P-LAP expression and the regulatory mechanisms in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells with forskolin (FSK)-induced differentiation. Morphologically differentiated cells revealed enhanced P-LAP staining.

Effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on HbA(1c) levels.

Objective: Estrogen seems to contribute to glucose homeostasis in women. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on HbA(1c) levels in Japanese postmenopausal women and to determine whether the effects varied with age.

Research Design And Methods: We studied 99 postmenopausal women taking HRT (mean +/- SD age 56.

Two cases of dizygotic triplet pregnancy following conventional fertilization.

The mechanism of monozygotic multifetal pregnancy and its association with assisted reproductive technology are uncertain. This report presents two cases of dizygotic triplet pregnancy after the transfer of three embryos . The incidence of monozygotic twinning following assisted conception procedures is higher than in the general population.

Ultrastructural localization of aminopeptidase A/angiotensinase and placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase in chorionic villi of human placenta.

Aims: Membrane-bound aminopeptidases in human placenta are thought to be involved in maintaining homeostasis during pregnancy by metabolizing bioactive peptides such as oxytocin and angiotensin at the interface between the fetus and mother. Because determining the precise localization of these enzymes is required to support this notion, we investigated the ultrastructural localization of two principal enzymes, aminopeptidase A (APA; EC 3.4.