Gossypol induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells by inhibition of interleukin-6 signaling and Bcl-2/Mcl-1 pathway.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell disorder affecting the immune system with various systemic symptoms. MM remains incurable even with high dose chemotherapy using conventional drugs, thus necessitating development of novel therapeutic strategies. Gossypol (Gos) is a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from cotton plants, and has been shown to possess anti-neoplastic activity against various tumors.

Genetics of COPD.

Previous family studies suggested that genetic variation contributes to COPD susceptibility. The only gene proven to influence COPD susceptibility is SERPINA1, encoding α1-antitrypsin. Most studies on COPD candidate genes except SERPINA1, have not been consistently replicated.

Elevated arterial stiffness evaluated by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is deleterious for the prognosis of patients with heart failure.

Background: Arterial stiffness is used as an index of arteriosclerosis. The goal of this study was to clarify whether increased arterial stiffness, evaluated by measuring the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is a risk factor for the prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods And Results: After examination of the baPWV, as well as the levels of neurohumoral factors, the 72 enrolled HF patients were followed up for a survival study, which had a primary endpoint of re-admission because of HF.

Reversal of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema and promotion of alveolar epithelial cell proliferation by simvastatin in mice.

Besides lowering cholesterol, statins exert multiple effects, such as anti-inflammatory activity and improvement of endothelial cell function. We examined whether simvastatin (SS) protects against the development of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice by using mean linear intercepts of alveoli (Lm) as a morphometric parameter of emphysema. After injection of intratracheal elastase on day 0, C57BL/6 mice were treated daily with SS (SS+ group) or PBS (SS- group) for 2 wk.

[Clinical significance of anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies in antiphospholipid syndrome].

We clarified the clinical significance of IgG anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (PS-PT) antibodies in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The study population consisted of 122 patients with SLE and lupus-like disease. IgG anti-PS-PT antibodies were detected in 44% of 59 patients according to the diagnostic criteria by Harris and Hughes.

[Clinical significance of anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies in the diagnosis of anti-phospholipid syndrome].

In this study, we clarified the clinical significance of IgG anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (PS-PT) antibodies in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The study population consisted of 113 patients with SLE and lupus-like disease. IgG anti-PS-PT antibodies were examined by ELISA.

SHOX haploinsufficiency and its modifying factors.

SHOX (short stature homeobox-containing gene) is the first gene that has been shown to be relevant to the development of specific features in Turner's syndrome. This article reviews clinical findings in patients with SHOX haploinsufficiency caused by intragenic mutations, pseudoautosomal submicroscopic deletions, and cytogenetically recognizable Xp deletions. SHOX haploinsufficiency can result in not only short stature but also Turner skeletal features, such as cubitus valgus, short metacarpals, Madelung deformity, Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, high arched palate, and short neck.

Undermasculinized genitalia in a boy with an abnormally expanded CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene.

We report an 11-year-old boy with undermasculinized genitalia and an abnormally expanded CAG repeat length at exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. He had microphallus and scrotal hypospadias with chordee, and underwent urethroplasty at 4 years of age. At 11 years of age, a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) test yielded a relatively high leutinizing hormone (LH) response (0.

Usefulness of pulmonary vascular leakiness assessment in interstitial pneumonitis.

Study Objective: Pulmonary vascular leakiness of (67)Ga-circulating transferrin in interstitial pneumonitis (IP) was estimated by our previously described method, and its ability to evaluate disease activity was compared with conventional (67)Ga scintigraphy.

Design: Using 30-min dynamic scanning data after IV injection of (67)Ga citrate, the exponential equilibration coefficient of (67)Ga between the intravascular and pulmonary interstitial compartments was calculated and defined as the leak index (LI). Pulmonary (67)Ga uptake was assessed by gallium index, determined by conventional static images taken 48 h after (67)Ga citrate injection.

[Assessment of pulmonary epithelial permeability in interstitial lung diseases].

The pulmonary epithelial permeability of 99mTc-DTPA (diethylene triamine penta acetate) was assessed in patients with interstitial lung diseases including radiation pneumonitis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia/pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, unclassified interstitial pneumonia, and in healthy subjects. Pulmonary epithelial permeability was estimated by the rate constant (kep) of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA clearance from the lungs. Healthy nonsmokers had a mean kep value of 0.

In vivo and in vitro positive interference by cefpirome in measurement of serum creatinine by the Jaffe method.

We report the case of an 81-year-old female patient with diverticulitis of the colon, whose symptoms were relieved by intravenous administration of cefpirome. However, her serum creatinine levels were falsely increased by the Jaffe method when serum samples were drawn after intravenous administration of cefpirome. The serum creatinine level in the same sample was within the normal range by the enzymatic method in the automated analyzer.

Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology of an amputated forearm after an electrical injury.

A 53-year-old man sustained a 50 Hz, 60 kV electrical injury. The current flowed between his right hand and both feet. There was necrosis of the distal portion of the right forearm, and the fourth and fifth toes on the right foot.

[Efficacy of beraprost sodium on Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with systemic sclerosis].

Raynaud's phenomenon is an important clinical manifestation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). No effective therapy, however, has been established for this phenomenon. Beraprost sodium, a stable prostacycline (PGI2) analogue, has been reported to improve hemorrheological impairment in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Initial predictors of survival in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

We conducted a retrospective study of 86 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to clarify the initial predictors of survival at the first visit to the hospital. A life-table analysis of survival was performed concerning 137 items from their histories, physical examinations, and laboratory data. The observed cumulative survival rates were 78.

Specificity of antibodies to single-stranded (ss) DNA in SLE patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Although the concept of anti-phospholipid syndrome has been proposed in patients with SLE and other rheumatic diseases, the immunological mechanism is still controversial. Recently, the crossreactivity between anti-cardiolipin antibody and anti-ssDNA antibodies has been discussed in relation to this syndrome. In the present study, the specificity such as the avidity and the crossreactivity of anti-ssDNA antibodies was examined to find a clue to clarify the question why all of anti-cardiolipin antibody positive patients do not have any specific clinical features, thrombosis and spontaneous abortion.