Dopamine and serotonin uptake inhibitors on the release of dopamine and serotonin in the nucleus accumbens of young and aged rats.

Nucleus accumbens (ACC) of young (4 months old) and aged (24 months old) Wistar rats were perfused with dopamine (DA) uptake blocker, cocaine, or the serotonin (5-HT) selective reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, through the microdialysis probe membrane, used to assess the dopamine transporter (DAT) or serotonin transporter (SERT) modulation. The basal extracellular DA release in the ACC was significantly lower in aged rats than young rats. Analysis of DA and 5-HT concentrations in the ACC with increased positive GFAP revealed that DA and DOPAC levels of aged rats were decreased to 55 and 60% of those in young rats, respectively.

Genetic loci controlling susceptibility to gamma-ray-induced thymic lymphoma.

BALB/c is a susceptible strain for the development of gamma-ray induced mouse thymic lymphoma whereas MSM shows resistance. Association analysis of 220 backcross mice between the two strains using 67 markers was carried out to identify loci involved in the control of susceptibility. The genotype of mice with lymphoma showed excess heterozygosity relative to MSM homozygosity at D2Mit15 and D4Mit12 and was skewed toward MSM-derived alleles at D5Mit5.

"Devil's staircase"-type phase transition in NaV2O5 under high pressure.

The "devil's staircase"-type phase transition in the quarter-filled spin-ladder compound NaV2O5 has been discovered at low temperature and high pressure by synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction. A large number of transitions are found to successively take place among higher-order commensurate phases with 2a x 2b x zc type superstructures. The observed temperature and pressure dependence of modulation wave number q(c), defined by 1/z, is well reproduced by the axial next nearest neighbor Ising model.

Vascular endothelial growth factor secreted by replicating hepatocytes induces sinusoidal endothelial cell proliferation during regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate regulatory mechanisms of sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) proliferation after hepatectomy in rats.

Methods: We investigated expressions of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, flt-1 and KDR/flk-1, in regenerating liver after 70% hepatectomy. Proliferation of both hepatocytes and SECs was also monitored by evaluating the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index.

Functional recovery and regeneration of descending tracts in rats after spinal cord transection in infancy.

Study Design: The functional recovery of rats that underwent spinal cord transection in infancy was evaluated by multimodal examination (functional tests, electrophysiologic evaluation, tract-tracing) to determine the basis for the recovery.

Objectives: To determine whether the hind limb function in rats that underwent spinal cord transection in infancy is regained completely, which descending tracts regenerate after the transection, and whether the functional recovery is correlated with axonal reconnection.

Summary Of Background Data: It is widely accepted that a newborn rat recovers its hind limb function after spinal cord transection even without any specific treatments.

The association of degeneration of the intervertebral disc with 5a/6a polymorphism in the promoter of the human matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene.

It has been suggested that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3, stromelysin-1) has an important role in the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs). A human MMP-3 promoter 5A/6A polymorphism was reported to be involved in the regulation of MMP-3 gene expression. We suggest that IVD degeneration is associated with 5A/6A polymorphism.

Resolution and synthesis of optically active alcohols with immobilized ovalbumin and pea protein as new bio-catalysts.

It was found that ovalbumin stereoselectively oxidized one of the enantiomers of p-substituted racemic alcohols, thereby providing optically active alcohols with high optical purities. It was found out that, when used appropriately in combination with immobilized pea protein, immobilized ovalbumin made it possible to resolve and synthesize racemic 1-(2-naphthyl)ethanol, 1-phenylethanol, and 1-phenyl-1-propanol. Immobilized ovalbumin could be continuously recycled at least three times without lowering the yield and purity of the products.

A point mutation in a cadherin gene, Cdh23, causes deafness in a novel mutant, Waltzer mouse niigata.

A novel mouse model for human nonsyndromic hearing loss, Waltzer niigata (v(ngt)), is found and subjected to positional cloning analysis. Genome-wide scan of 1648 backcross mice maps v(ngt) to the D10Mit258 locus near Waltzer (v). Recombination breakpoints are positioned on a physical map consisting of 13 BACs relative to the flanking markers in the vicinity of v(ngt).

Induction of primer pheromone production by dihydrotestosterone in the male goat.

Castrated goats were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for four weeks. Skin samples were collected from the head and the rump regions before and after the DHT treatment. The primer pheromone activities of these samples were assessed neurophysiologically by recording electrophysiological manifestations of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator activity.

The mouse putative pheromone receptor was specifically activated by stimulation with male mouse urine.

To detect the biological activity of mammalian putative pheromone receptors (V1Rs and V2Rs), the mouse V1R gene was introduced into a primary culture of vomeronasal cells using the adenovirus expression system, and the response of these cells to mouse urine was analyzed by calcium imaging. These cells specifically responded to male but not female mouse urine. This response was attenuated by pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor of G-protein G(ialpha)/G(oalpha) coupling from receptors.

[Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinomas; report on two initial cases].

We recently performed a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) on two patients with a renal cell carcinoma. Case 1, a 72-year-old man, was diagnosed as having a renal cell carcinoma 2.5 cm in diameter in the right kidney, and also a submucosal tumor of the cecum.

Neutrophilia associated with anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid: production of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and interleukin-6.

Cancers associated with marked neutrophilia are relatively rare. We report here two cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma associated with neutrophilia. We measured the concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage CSF (M-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in sera, pleural effusion, cyst fluid of the thyroid carcinoma region, or culture supernatants of carcinoma cells.

[Renal cell carcinoma in acquired cystic disease of the kidney manifested by spontaneous renal hemorrhage].

Acquired cystic disease of the kidney (ACDK) is a common phenomenon in long-term adult dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease. Renal hemorrhage and neoplastic transformation of the cyst are two major complications of this entity and these two can occur independently. Here we describe a 65-year-old man with a history of hemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal failure for 12 years presented with macroscopic hematuria and right flank pain.

Cellular expressions and serum concentrations of Fas ligand and Fas receptor in patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Although lymphocytosis and neutropenia are commonly associated with infectious mononucleosis (IM), the precise mechanisms involved remain unclear. Accumulated evidence has revealed that the apoptosis-mediating system, Fas receptor/Fas ligand (Fas-R/Fas-L), plays an important role in this disease. Recently, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils have been reported to constitutively express Fas-R, and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been shown to activate, in addition to B cells, peripheral blood CD8+ T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils.

Genetic mapping and allelic loss analysis in mouse thymic lymphomas of Helios and Aiolos belonging to the Ikaros gene family.

The Ikaros gene undergoes bi-allelic changes at a high frequency in gamma-ray-induced mouse thymic lymphomas, suggesting the relevance of Ikaros to the lymphoma development. Here we test whether Helios and Aiolos, two other members of the Ikaros gene family, are also involved in lymphomagenesis. Genetic mapping showed that Helios is located between D1Mit531 and D1Mit19 on chromosome 1 and Aiolos is between D11Mit222 and D11Mit332 on chromosome 11.

Dissecting aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery requiring surgical treatment--case report.

A 45-year-old male presented with spontaneous dissecting aneurysm in the anterior cerebral artery manifesting as headache persisting for several days and speech disturbance. Neurological and laboratory examinations showed no abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed infarction in the right cingulate gyrus.

Unilateral hepatic artery reconstruction is unnecessary in biliary tract carcinomas involving lobar hepatic artery: implications of interlobar hepatic artery and its preservation.

Background/aims: The interruption of hepatic arterial flow when performing a bilioenteric anastomosis has been reported to usually bring about serious postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage, hepatic abscess and infarction. We aimed to evaluate the surgical implications of the interlobar hepatic artery when patients with advanced biliary tract carcinomas undergo surgical resection with a bilioenteric anastomosis.

Methodology: In 7 patients with advanced biliary tract carcinomas, the combined resection of the liver (greater than hemihepatectomy in 2 and less than hemihepatectomy in 5), extrahepatic bile duct, hepatic artery (right hepatic artery in 5, right and left hepatic artery in 1, left hepatic artery in 1), and the portal vein was performed in 4 patients.

Regional differences of pheromone production in the sebaceous glands of castrated goats treated with testosterone.

The primer pheromone is responsible for the "male effects" in goats and produced in the sebaceous glands testosterone-dependently. In the present study, the responses of sebaceous glands obtained from the head and rump regions of castrated goats were examined by our bioassay system after testosterone treatment to demonstrate the presence of regional differences in the pheromone production in male goats. The testosterone treatment resulted in the marked development of sebaceous glands and the induction of pheromone bioactivity in the head region of the goats.

Direct observation of antiferroquadrupolar ordering: resonant X-Ray scattering study of DyB2C2.

Antiferroquadrupolar (AFQ) ordering has been conjectured in several rare-earth compounds to explain their anomalous magnetic properties. No direct evidence for AFQ ordering, however, has been reported. Using the resonant x-ray scattering technique near the Dy L(III) absorption edge, we have succeeded in observing the AFQ order parameter in DyB2C2 and analyzing the energy and polarization dependence.

Up-regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor correlates with enhanced invasion activity of human glioma cells mediated by transforming growth factor-alpha or basic fibroblast growth factor.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly malignant tumor that is extremely refractory to therapy. One reason is its highly invasive nature into brain tissue. Metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, plasminogen activators (PA) and their inhibitors and cathepsins are thought to be involved in invasion by tumor cells.

Neurocutaneous vascular hamartomas mimicking Cobb syndrome. Case report.

The authors report the rare case of a patient with neurocutaneous vascular hamartomas mimicking Cobb syndrome. An 8-year-old boy was admitted to the authors' hospital with progressive urinary disturbance and upper back pain. Multiple skin nevi had been noted at the child's birth.

[Efficacy and safety of cefozopran (CZOP) monotherapy and combination therapy with CZOP and amikacin (AMK) for infections accompanying hematological diseases].

We evaluated efficacy and safety of monotherapy with CZOP (1-2 g x 2/day) and combination therapy with CZOP (1-2 g x 2/day) and AMK (200 mg x 2/day) for infections in patients with hematological diseases. Efficacy was evaluated in 71 patients of monotherapy group and 70 patients of combination therapy group. Underlying diseases were mostly leukemia and lymphoma.

Effect of low-calcium hemodialysate on bone metabolism.

In the present study, we investigated the kinetics of bone metabolism by determining serum bone metabolic markers and quantifying bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to clarify the effect of long-term use of low-calcium hemodialysate on bone metabolism. After changing the calcium concentration in the dialysate from 3.0 mEq/l to 2.

Testosterone-dependent primer pheromone production in the sebaceous gland of male goat.

To test the hypothesis that the primer pheromone responsible for inducing the "male effect" is produced in the sebaceous gland androgen dependently, we examined the correlation between morphological changes of sebaceous glands and the pheromone activity in skin samples taken from castrated goats that had been treated with testosterone. Five castrated goats were implanted s.c.