Contribution of mitogen-activated protein kinases to NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina.

We examined the contributions of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) family [extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 kinase (p38), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)] to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina. Detection of apoptotic cell death in the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining began 6 h after intravitreal NMDA (100 nmol) injection and continued to increase thereafter. Western blot analysis showed that phosphorylated MAPKs (p-MAPKs) were expressed in the retina following a temporal manner: maximal expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) at 1 h, maximal expression of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) at 6 h, and beginning of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) significant increase at 6 h after injection.

[Morita therapy in cultural context].

East is characterized by concepts of transcendence of ego structure, equality of mind to body and psychic structure of emptiness or nothingness. West is on the other hand characterized by concepts of ego strength, superiority of mind to body and psychic structure of fullness. Namely in the East ego is not strengthened but dispersed into relationships of a person with other persons, animated and in-animated others.

[Minocycline for the treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans associated with rheumatoid arthritis].

We discribe a rare case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated with bronchiolitis obliterans that was successfully treated with minocycline. Sixty four-year old woman with a four-years history of RA was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea on exertion and polyarthritis. Pulmonary function test revealed marked decrease in V25 (0.

[Recent advances in research on nicotine dependence and reward mechanism].

Tobacco/nicotine dependence involves both psychological and physiologic dependence on nicotine. A recent summary of the clinical aspects of nicotine dependence disorders is provided in the ICD-10 of the WHO. There is growing evidence suggesting that nicotine depends on dopamine (DA) for its reinforcing effects.

[Multiple renal infarction associated with lupus anticoagulant in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus].

We report a rare case with multiple renal infarction associated with lupus anticoagulant and SLE. A 20-year old woman presented with remitent fever, butterfly rash and, abdominal pain. Laboratory findings showed leukopenia, positive antinuclear and anti-DNA antibodies, and biological false positive for syphilis.

[Dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in peripheral T lymphocytes from patients with asthma].

The corticosteroid is effective for treating allergic inflammation. However, the mechanisms of the effectiveness are still unclarified. In this study, we examined whether dexamethasone, one of corticosteroids, can induce apoptosis in peripheral T cells from patients with asthma.

[Three cases of Munchausen's syndrome mimicking connective tissue diseases].

Three young women were admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia and fever of unknown origin. The patients had a long history of frequent hospitalizations and operations. During hospitalization, the patients complained of hematemesis, hematuria and fever, which were sometimes discrepant with their physical and laboratory findings.

[Clinical relapse of rheumatoid arthritis (escape phenomenon) during low-dose methotrexate therapy].

Objective: To clarify the incidence and background of clinical relapse (escape phenomenon) during low-dose methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Seventy one patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analyzed. They were started on therapy with methotrexate (MTX) between April 1, 1991 and May 30, 1995.

[Remission induction after pentoxifylline treatment in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis].

Pentoxifylline (POF) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. including suppression of TNF-alpha production by activated macrophages, Th-1 response of T cells, and fibroblasts' proliferation and metalloproteinase production. Pentoxifylline was also reported to possess therapeutic properties in 50% of severe refractory RA in an open study.

[Successful treatment of interstitial pneumonia with lipo-PGE1 and pentoxifylline in a patient with dermatomyositis].

Interstitial pneumonia complicated with dermatomyositis sometimes shows a resistance to high dose steroid therapy and a fatal course particularly in patients without showing the elevation of creatine kinase. We experienced a 48 year old woman who developed heliotrope rash, Gottron's sign, multiple cutaneous ulcers, and dyspnea on exertion. These symptoms were resistant to low dose steroid therapy.

Diagnostic significance of electrocochleogram and auditory evoked brainstem response in totally or subtotally deaf patients.

This paper examined the use of ECoG and ABR in 7 patients with totally or subtotally deaf ears. The patients included one with cortical deafness, one with psychogenic deafness, one with intrapontine hemorrhage, and 4 with acoustic neuroma. In patients with substantial hearing loss, ECoG should be performed first if retrocochlear disorders are suspected since results may be obtained even in the absence of other auditory evoked potentials.

[Survey bacterial isolates from blood samples during 1987-1993 in our department].

We analyzed the changes in frequency of bacterial isolates from the blood samples in our department from May 1987 to December 1993. 565 isolates from 4887 samples (11.6%) were detected.

[IgG rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease].

Case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with interstitial lung disease (ILD) have been reported to show increased titers of rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum; however the pathogenic role of this substance in the lung is still obscure. The aims of this study were to estimate IgGRF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in RA and to investigate its possible roles in the ILD of RA. Two step bronchoalveolar lavage in 20 RA patients (9 males, 11 females) was performed in conjunction with high resolution chest CT.

[Detection of myocardial lesions by dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Dipyridamole Thallium-201 (T1) scintigraphic studies to evaluate microcirculation of the heart were performed in 54 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had neither cardiac complaints nor myocardial damages on ECG. Twenty seven of 54 RA patients showed some perfusion defects in this study. The values of ESR, CRP and rheumatoid factors of IgM and IgG classes were significantly higher in these patients with perfusion defect comparing with those in the rest of RA patients with normal perfusion.

[Methylprednisolone pulse therapy for SLE patients with CNS disorder].

A clinical trial was conducted in 22 SLE patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorder in which the efficacy of pulse methylprednisolone suleptanate at the dose of 400 mg or 800 mg (as methylprednisolone) was assessed. The symptoms of CNS disorder disappeared within 40 days after pulse therapy in all of the 16 patients with organic brain syndrome (OBS). No improvement in the symptoms took place in any but one of the five patients who had cerebrovascular disorder.

Regional variability of colonocyte growth and differentiation in the rat.

The location of stem cells and the direction of colonocyte migration in the normal rat colonic crypt were investigated using a serial bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and [3H]thymidine labeling protocol. The results demonstrate that in the distal colon the stem cells are located in the crypt base and that cells migrate up toward the luminal surface. In the proximal colon, however, the stem cells are located in the midcrypt, and the colonocytes migrate in two directions, up toward the luminal surface and down toward the crypt base.