Molecular diversity of structure and function of the voltage-gated Na+ channels.

A variety of different isoforms of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels have now been identified. The recent three-dimensional analysis of Na+ channels has unveiled a unique and unexpected structure of the Na+ channel protein. Na+ channels can be classified into two categories on the basis of their amino acid sequence, Nav1 isoforms currently comprising nine highly homologous clones and Nax that possesses structure diverging from Nav1, especially in several critical functional motifs.

Increased MCL-1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in ovarian carcinomas.

To investigate the potential role of the BCL-2 gene family (BAX, BCL-2, MCL-1, and BCL-XL) in ovarian cancer development and progression, mRNA expression levels of these genes were measured using semi-quantitative PCR in epithelial ovarian tumor tissues and normal ovaries. The immunohistochemical expression of MCL-1 in ovarian tumors was also examined. The expression levels of BAX and MCL-1 mRNA were significantly higher in ovarian cancers and in adenomas than in normal ovaries (P < 0.

Tyrosine 125 of alpha-synuclein plays a critical role for dimerization following nitrative stress.

alpha-Synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. Increasing evidence suggests that the nitration of tyrosine residues in alpha-synuclein induced by oxidative injury is involved in the formation of inclusions characteristic to these synucleinopathies. Exposure of alpha-synuclein to peroxynitrite induces nitration of tyrosine residues, thereby forming alpha-synuclein oligomers.

Heterogeneity of expression of cytokeratin subtypes in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung: with special reference to CK14 overexpression in cancer of high-proliferative and lymphogenous metastatic potential.

In surgically resected specimens of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung from 45 patients, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of 13 subtypes of cytokeratin (CK), the intermediate filament in cytoplasm of epithelial cells. To investigate heterogeneity of CK, its expression was compared among tumor cell nests with or without keratinization and stratification. Furthermore, the relationship between CK expression and Ki-67 labeling index or p53 expression was investigated.

Spontaneous healing of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries - conservative treatment using an extension block soft brace without anterior stabilization.

To evaluate the spontaneous healing capability of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, conservative treatment was applied in a selected group of 31 patients, who had low athletic demands. Each patient demonstrated a continuous ACL on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), from the original femoral attachment through the tibial attachment, and an area of high intensity was detected in the substance of the ACL. The injured knees were treated using an extension block soft brace without anterior stabilization for 2-3 months.

Papillary muscle resection as a treatment for midventricular obstruction.

We have experienced a surgically treated case of midventricular obstruction. A simple mitral valve replacement was effective to relieve the obstruction and to increase the cavity of the left ventricular outflow tract without a myectomy through the aortic valve.

Implication of anti-parietal cell antibody levels in gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric carcinogenesis.

We investigated serum levels of anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) in relation to various gastric diseases. Subjects were 224 Japanese patients including 58 with gastric cancer. All patients underwent gastroscopy, and APCA was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Helicobacter pylori infection increases serum nitrate and nitrite more prominently than serum pepsinogens.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis and results in increased serum concentrations of pepsinogens I and II as well as gastrin, while the ratio of pepsinogen I to II (I : II) is decreased. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is induced in H. pylori-associated gastritis and may modulate inflammation.

The C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene contributes to hyperhomocysteinemia in patients taking anticonvulsants.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, a possible risk factor for vascular disease can result from folate deficiency due to anticonvulsant therapy. A reaction catalyzed by 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) supplies 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, needed to remethylate homocysteine to methionine. MTHFR gene mutation (C677T) also can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia.

Influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular disease mortality: findings from the Hawaii-Los Angeles-Hiroshima study.

The present study addressed whether diabetes mellitus was a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death. Between 1976 and 1984, 927 (404 men) Japanese-Americans in Hawaii aged 40-79 years participated at baseline examination including a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Diabetes was defined as fasting serum glucose >or=140 mg/dl, 2 h postload glucose >or=180 mg/dl, or the use of drugs for diabetes.

Expression of MRE11 complex (MRE11, RAD50, NBS1) and hRap1 and its relation with telomere regulation, telomerase activity in human gastric carcinomas.

The MRE11 complex (MRE11, RAD50, NBS1) are required for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and have another important function in regulating telomere length. The silent information regulator (Sir) proteins required for telomere position effect also bind telomeres. hRap1 protein is a human ortholog of yeast Rap1 which regulates telomere length by interacting with TRF2 and is recruited to telomeres by TRF2.

Tetrahydrobiopterin improves coronary endothelial function, but does not prevent coronary spasm in patients with vasospastic angina.

Reduced bioavailability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and the resulting decrease in NO in the coronary circulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary spasm. The present study investigated the effects of BH4 on the vascular response to acetylcholine (ACh) in 28 patients with vasospastic angina (VA) using quantitative angiography. After recording the vascular responses to ACh (3 and 30 microg/min), either BH4 (1 mg/min) or saline was infused into the coronary artery for 2 min before and during a subsequent infusion of ACh.

Atherosclerotic plaque characterization by quantitative analysis using intravascular ultrasound: correlation with histological and immunohistochemical findings.

The aim of this study was to clarify whether atherosclerotic plaque morphology, as defined by quantitative analysis with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images, was related to the immunohistochemical findings. Twenty-five coronary lesions in 25 patients who had ultrasound guidance during directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) were enrolled. The lesions retrieved by DCA were analyzed and divided into 3 groups (lesions infiltrated with both macrophages and lymphocytes: group IML; lesions infiltrated with macrophages but not lymphocytes: group IM; and non-infiltrated lesions: group NI).

Circulating blood volume in burn resuscitation.

Circulating blood volume (CBV) was prospectively measured in patients with almost solely smoke inhalation injury (Group I: 10 patients) and in patients with severe cutaneous burn (Group B: 6 patients) consecutively until 96 hours after injury, to assess the effect of either injury on intravascular volume status by the pulse dye-densitometry method. All participants were treated by an ordinary fluid regimen based on the Parkland formula with an hourly urine output of 1.0 to 2.

Effects of nicotine chewing gum on UPDRS score and P300 in early-onset parkinsonism.

It has been reported that nicotine shows some beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease. The purpose of the present study is to assess the therapeutic effects of nicotine chewing gum in patients with early-onset parkinsonism (EOP). The subjects were 8 patients with early-onset parkinsonism (male/female = 4/4, mean age; 51.

Effect of smoke inhalation injury on fluid requirement in burn resuscitation.

The effect of smoke inhalation injury on fluid requirement was assessed retrospectively. A total of 131 burn patients were classified into two groups: burn patients with smoke inhalation injury (Group IB: 73 patients) and burn patients without inhalation injury (Group B: 58 patients). Fluid resuscitation was commenced according to the Parkland formula and the infusion rate was modified to meet the main resuscitation goal of an hourly urine output of 1.

Serological comparison of serum pepsinogen and anti-parietal cell antibody levels between Japanese and German patients.

Background: Atrophic gastritis is more common in Japan than in Germany. The expression of anti-parietal cell antibody has been implicated in the genesis of atrophic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objective: We investigated the difference in serum levels of pepsinogens and in anti-parietal cell antibody expression between Japanese and German patients.

Inhibition by sigma receptor ligand, MS-377, of N-methyl- D-aspartate-induced currents in dopamine neurons of the rat ventral tegmental area.

Rationale: MS-377 [( R)-(+)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-[4-(2-methoxyethyl) piperazin-1-yl]methyl-2-pyrrolidinone L-tartrate] is a novel anti-psychotic drug candidate with high affinity for sigma receptors but devoid of binding affinity for PCP binding site of NMDA receptor/ion channel complex.

Objectives: The effects of MS-377 on NMDA receptor and/or its ion channel complex were examined to elucidate the antipsychotic properties of MS-377.

Methods: We examined the effect of MS-377 on NMDA ( N-methyl- D-aspartate)-induced current in acutely dissociated dopamine neurons of rat ventral tegmental area (VTA) using patch clamp whole cell recording.

Significance of the detection of antineutrophil antibodies in children with chronic neutropenia.

We evaluated the clinical characteristics of 41 children with chronic neutropenia based on the quantitative analysis of antineutrophil antibodies in serum by flow cytometry. According to the strength of antineutrophil antibodies, the patients were divided into 3 groups: 12 patients presented negative antibodies, 13 patients showed weak positive antibodies, and 16 patients showed strong positive antibodies. No significant differences were seen in age of diagnosis, severity of neutropenia, and infectious complications associated with neutropenia among the 3 groups.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric fundal varices with hemorrhage.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy, feasibility, and complications of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for patients with hemorrhage from gastric fundal varices.

Subjects And Methods: Between December 1994 and February 2001, 24 consecutive patients with hemorrhage from gastric fundal varices were enrolled in this study. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration consisted of injecting 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol through the outflow vessels during balloon occlusion.

High incidence of B-cell monoclonality in follicular gastritis: a possible association between follicular gastritis and MALT lymphoma.

Many studies have indicated a close association between gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori ( Hp) infection. Follicular gastritis (FG), a rare type of gastritis, is also closely associated with Hp infection and histologically similar to MALT lymphoma. However, there are few studies investigating the relationship between FG and MALT lymphoma.

Clinical significance of angiogenesis in rectal carcinoid tumors.

This study was designed to examine angiogenesis in rectal carcinoid tumors in relation to the clinicopathologic features. Seventy-seven rectal carcinoid tumors were studied clinicopathologically and experimentally. Cellular proliferation and microvessel density (MVD) were examined immunohistochemically.

Endometrial cytodiagnosis using a new softcyte versus a conventional endocyte.

A new endometrial cytologic sampling device, softcyte, was used in cytological screening for endometrial cancer, and was compared with the endocyte with regard to manipulability, adverse effects (including pain and hemorrhage), and cellular findings (including the quantity of cells collected, the success rate, cell freshness, and cellular clumping). A total of 315 women (premenopause 251, postmenopause 64) were randomly assigned to two groups who underwent the endometrial cytological screening with either the softcyte or the endocyte. To assess the value of the softcyte we compared it with the endocyte.