Proapoptotic gene BAX is frequently mutated in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancers but not in adenomas.

Background & Aims: The p53 and BAX genes have been linked to apoptosis. p53 was not frequently found to be mutated in colorectal carcinomas with a microsatellite mutator phenotype, but frame-shift mutations in a tract of eight guanines within BAX were frequently found in these carcinomas. To understand the roles of these genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) tumorigenesis, we examined whether BAX mutations occur in adenoma and carcinoma specimens from patients with HNPCC and also determined the frequencies of p53 mutations.

Genetic polymorphisms of tobacco- and alcohol-related metabolizing enzymes and human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility.

Many human cancers are caused by synthetic or natural chemical compounds in the environment. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has been reported to be epidemiologically associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption. We studied the association between genetic polymorphisms of tobacco- and alcohol-related metabolizing enzymes and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility.

Clinical course of newly developed or progressive patchy chorioretinal atrophy in pathological myopia.

Regional chorioretinal atrophy in the posterior fundus (patchy chorioretinal atrophy) in pathological myopia impairs vision severely when it covers the macula. The aim of this study was to assess the course of development and progression of patchy chorioretinal atrophy in pathological myopia. The location and progression of patchy chorioretinal atrophy that was either newly developed or had progressed during the follow-up period (mean 5.

Topical glucocorticoid augments IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in Balb/C mice and mast cell deficient WBB6F1 v/v mice.

Background: In a last decade, new types of skin manifestations have been recognized in atopic dermatitis especially in Japan. They are frequently observed in adult patients with atopic dermatitis after a long-standing steroid ointment and termed adult type-atopic dermatitis.

Objective: To clarify whether topical glucocorticoid (GC) modulates cutaneous inflammatory reactions in addition to known anti-inflammatory effect, we have examined the effect of long-term application of topical GC on IgE-mediated murine cutaneous reactions.

Optical illustration of glutamate-induced cell swelling coupled with membrane depolarization in embryonic brain stem slices.

Using intrinsic- and voltage-sensitive dye optical recordings, we have elucidated coupling of glutamate-induced depolarization and neuronal swelling in early embryonic chick brain stem slices. Twenty-four slices were prepared from 8-day old chick embryos, and stained with a voltage-sensitive merocyanine-rhodanine dye (NK2761). The pressure ejection of glutamate to one site within the preparation evoked changes in transmitted light intensity.

An association study between a transcriptional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene and panic disorder in a Japanese population.

A polymorphism in the 5' region of the serotonin transporter gene modulates its transcription efficiency. Its short allele has been reported to be associated with neurotic traits. The serotonin transporter is the action site of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, widely used in the treatment of panic disorder.

Increased plasma interleukin-6 in cutaneous plasmacytoma: the effect of intralesional steroid therapy.

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder without systemic plasma cell proliferation in organs other than the skin, with a possible malignant transformation. However, there are few effective therapies available. It has been reported that interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a cytokine inducing B-cell differentiation to immunoglobulin-producing cells, plays a part in systemic plasmacytosis.

Treatment of primary multiple early gastric cancer: from the viewpoint of clinicopathologic features.

The treatment of multiple early gastric cancer was investigated through the clinicopathologic assessment of 61 cases of primary multiple early gastric cancer (82 accessory lesions) treated by surgical resection over a 15-year period. These cases accounted for 11.7% of all cases of early gastric cancer resected during the same period.

Germ-line mutation of the hMSH6/GTBP gene in an atypical hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer kindred.

A germ-line mutation of hMSH6 (also called GTBP) was found in a hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)-like patient in whom germ-line mutations of hMSH2, hMSH3, or hMLH1 had not been detected. The patient had rectal cancer and two colon adenomas at 62 years of age and a weak family history of gastrointestinal tumors, indicating atypical HNPCC. Somatic mutations of hMSH6 were observed in three colorectal tumors from the patient, indicating two-hit inactivation.

Apomorphine inhibits the growth-stimulating effect of retinal pigment epithelium on scleral cells in vitro.

Visual deprivation of the chicken eye causes axial elongation with high myopia. The cartilaginous layer of the myopic sclera shows an increase of mitotic activity. Previous studies reported that the in vivo administration of apomorphine, a dopamine nonselective agonist, effectively prevents visual-deprivation myopia.

Isolation and culture of bovine endothelial cells of endoneurial origin.

Penetration of immunoglobulins and/or migration of activated lymphocytes into peripheral nervous system (PNS) parenchyma are the initial key steps to develop immunological disorders of PNS including Guillain-Barré syndrome, IgM neuropathy and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Hence, it is important to know the cellular property of endothelial cells of endoneurial tissue origin (PnMEC) because these cells constitute the bulk of the blood-nerve barrier (BNB). For this purpose, we developed a method to isolate and culture pure populations of PnMECs from bovine cauda equina.

A small molecule CXCR4 inhibitor that blocks T cell line-tropic HIV-1 infection.

Several members of the chemokine receptor family have been shown to function in association with CD4 to permit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry and infection. The CXC chemokine receptor CXCR4/fusin is a receptor for pre-B cell growth stimulating factor (PBSF)/stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and serves as a coreceptor for the entry of T cell line-tropic HIV-1 strains. Thus, the development of CXCR4 antagonists or agonists may be useful in the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

[TGF-beta and its receptors].

TGF-beta is a member of a superfamily associated with development and regulation of cell growth. Recently, its two receptors and intracellular components of signal transduction, a Smad family, have been identified. The type II receptor gene has been found to be mutated specifically in hereditary colon cancers, HNPCC.

Optical characterization of a novel GABA response in early embryonic chick brainstem.

To examine the functional expression of embryonic GABA receptors, the inhibitory effects were studied of GABA (GABA responses) on the excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by vagal stimulus in seven- to 10-day-old embryonic chick brainstem slice preparations. A multiple-site optical recording technique was used, with a multiple element photodiode array system and a fast voltage-sensitive merocyanine-rhodanine dye (NK2761). First, in the GABA response, three components were pharmacologically identified: component 1, related to GABA(A) receptors; component 2, related to GABA(B) receptors; and component 3 which is insensitive to GABA(A) and GABA(B) antagonists, but is stimulated by both GABA(A) and GABA(B) agonists.

Stronger suppression of serum testosterone and FSH levels by a synthetic estrogen than by castration or an LH-RH agonist.

Serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone (T) were measured by radioimmunoassays in 36 patients with advanced prostate cancer before and during androgen ablation therapies. Both leuprolide acetate (LH-RH agonist: LHRH-A) and diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DES-DP) administration decreased serum LH significantly to an undetectable level (LHRH-A: P < 0.01, DES-DP: P < 0.

Analyses of the APC and TGF-beta type II receptor genes, and microsatellite instability in mucosal colorectal carcinomas.

APC and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGF-beta RII) gene mutations, and microsatellite instability have been found in sporadic colorectal carcinomas. To clarify further the early alterations in colorectal carcinogenesis, we investigated these genetic changes in 23 protruding- and 24 superficial-type mucosal colorectal carcinomas. TGF-beta RII gene mutations and microsatellite instability were rarely found in these lesions.

[Endothelin and nitric oxide].

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide, whereas nitric oxide (NO) is a potent endothelium-derived vasorelaxing factor synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). ET-1 and NO exert many biological actions in a counter-regulatory manner in vascular remodeling and vascular tonus. Furthermore, there exists a close interaction between ET-1 and NO:ET-1 stimulates NO generation, while NO down-regulates the expression of ET-1 gene.

Frequent somatic mutations of hMSH3 with reference to microsatellite instability in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancers.

hMSH3 is one of the human DNA mismatch repair genes but has not yet been reported to be associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Recently, somatic mutation at a polyadenine tract, i.e.

Changes in serum pepsinogen, gastrin, and immunoglobulin G antibody titers in helicobacter pylori-positive gastric ulcer after eradication of infection.

There are no studies of changes in immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers to Helicobacter pylori, serum pepsinogen, and gastrin in patients with H. pylori-positive gastric ulcers. We investigated the effect of therapy for H.

Telomere length and telomerase activity in bladder and prostate cancer cell lines.

Background: Specific repeats of oligonucleotides at the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) are shortened by cell division in somatic cells and are thought to be related to aging. Immortal cells such as germ-line cells or cancer cells have demonstrated increased activity of the telomere-elongating enzyme (telomerase). The length of the telomeres of these cells is stable regardless of cell division.

Evaluation of motor function during thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal surgery based on motor-evoked potentials using train spinal stimulation.

Study Design: Using compound muscle action potentials after train spinal stimulation, intraoperative motor functional monitoring was performed during thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal surgery.

Objectives: This study was designed to clarify the clinical usefulness of train spinal stimulation and to determine the critical point of compound muscle action potential change at which neurologic injury during surgery occurs.

Summary Of Background Data: In 1995 the authors reported that train spinal stimulation allows for the recording of compound muscle action potentials, even in animals and humans under general anesthesia.

A psychophysiological study of the development of delirium in coronary care units.

This is a longitudinal investigation of the psychophysiological mechanism for the development of delirium in coronary care units (CCUs). Ten patients satisfying DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for delirium (group D) and 10 controls (group C) were drawn from patients admitted to CCU. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye movement recordings were observed over the days that patients were admitted to CCU and on a control day of admission and compared for each group and between each day.