Alteration of cytokine genes and bcl-2 expression following immunotherapy with intralesional IFN-gamma in a patient with tumor-stage mycosis fungoides.

Background: Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is used in the treatment of tumor stage mycosis fungoides (MF), whereas its mechanism is still unknown. We have previously shown that treatment with intralesional IFN-gamma induced tumor regression.

Objective: To explore the possibility that IFN-gamma may alter the cytokine expression by tumor cells, we studied cytokine gene expression in a tumor nodule of MF.

Developmental regulation of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase in human muscle cells in vitro.

From our previous studies, myotonic dystrophy protein kinase: gene product of myotonic dystrophy is localized at the terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum of human adult muscle. Now we have studied the developmental expression of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase in aneurally cultured human muscles and contracting cross-striated muscles innervated with fetal rat spinal cord using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method for myotonic dystrophy protein kinase messenger RNA expression, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical examinations by laser scanning confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. About 65,000 mol.

GABA-Induced intrinsic light-scattering changes associated with voltage-sensitive dye signals in embryonic brain stem slices: coupling of depolarization and cell shrinkage.

We have found new evidence for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced intrinsic optical changes associated with a voltage-sensitive dye signal in the early embryonic chick brain stem slice. The slices were prepared from 8-day-old embryos, and they were stained with a voltage-sensitive dye (NK2761). Pressure ejection of GABA to one site within the preparation elicited optical changes.

Regression of cervical disc herniation observed on magnetic resonance images.

Study Design: A retrospective study of cervical disc herniation using results of repeated magnetic resonance imaging examinations.

Objectives: To clarify the cervical disc herniation morphological changes over time in order to establish a strategy for treatment.

Summary Of Background Data: In the authors' previous magnetic resonance imaging follow-up study of patients with lumbar disc herniation, spontaneous regression was observed in the sequestration-type lesions, and it was found that the tendency toward regression differed based on the anatomic position of extruded disc material.

Changes in high K+-evoked serotonin release and serotonin 2A/2C receptor binding in the frontal cortex of rats with thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy.

Serotonergic systems were investigated in the frontal cortex of rats with thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Extracellular basal levels of 5-HT showed no difference between control and HE animals, whereas the levels of 5-HIAA were significantly increased in HE rats. Unlike basal levels, high K+-evoked 5-HT release was significantly higher in HE rats than controls.

Enhancement of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection via increased membrane fluidity by a cationic polymer.

Cationic polymers are known to have potent activity against bacteria, but their effects on viral activity have been little studied. We investigated the effect of one such polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), on HIV-1 infection. Although virus-cell binding was significantly inhibited by PEI, HIV-1 infection in human T-cell lines such as MT-4 and MOLT-4 was accelerated conversely when the drug treatment was carried out, after the virus had attached to the cells or PEI was simultaneously added to the virus and cell culture system.

Doxorubicin and vincristine with methionine depletion contributed to survival in the Yoshida sarcoma bearing rats.

Several anti-cancer agents show increased toxicity if administered with methionine-depleting total parenteral nutrition (Met-deplete TPN). Changes in the cell cycle due to Met-deplete TPN were investigated, and then the enhancement of the anti-tumor effects of serial combinations of doxorubicin (ADM), a drug acting on late S-G2 phase and vincristine (VCR), an antimitotic drug, under Met-deplete TPN was also examined in the tumor-bearing rats. According to the fraction of labeled mitosis, within 3 to 4 days after the introduction of Met-deplete TPN in the ascites type Yoshida sarcoma (YS) -bearing rats, the cell cycle of the tumor cells showed marked delay and the fraction of labeled mitosis decreased to less than 70%.

Genetic alterations are frequent in APC but rare in the TGF-beta type II receptor gene in cancer in adenomas of the colon.

Cancer in adenomas are thought to be an excellent model of colorectal carcinogenesis based on the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. We searched for alterations in the APC mutation cluster region, the whole coding regions of TGF-beta type II receptor (RII) and beta-catenin exon 3 in 16 cases of cancer in adenomas of the colon. Overexpression of the p53 protein was also analyzed.

Spongiotic annular erythema in SS-A/SS-B antibody negative Sjögren's syndrome.

We reported four cases of Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) who manifested a new type of annular erythema that differs from the previously described annular erythema seen in anti-SS-A/SS-B antibody positive SjS in both clinical and histological findings. Characteristic histological features are the presence of spongiotic changes around the acrosyringium and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration without liquefaction degeneration or epidermal change, suggesting lupus erythematosus. No complement or immunoglobulin depositions are demonstrated along the basement membrane zone or around blood vessels.

Influences of the accommodative stimulus and aging on the accommodative microfluctuations.

The effects of the accommodative stimulus and age on the accommodative microfluctuations were investigated in human subjects. Accommodative responses were measured by using an infrared (IR) optometer, and accommodative microfluctuations were quantified by power spectrum analysis. Two frequency bands were determined: low frequency components (< 0.

The relationship between the types of axial elongation and the prevalence of lattice degeneration of the retina.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between the prevalence of lattice degeneration and the types of axial elongation.

Methods: Nine hundred seventy eyes of 542 highly myopic patients with axial length of 26.00-31.

Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma in childhood.

We report the first case of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma in childhood. A 12-year-old boy presented gross hematuria following minor trauma. He was diagnosed as having a left renal tumor 45-mm in diameter.

Effect of training program based on anaerobic threshold in the early phase after acute myocardial infarction.

We devised a new physical training program on the basis of anaerobic threshold for rehabilitation in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction. Forty-four patients were divided into two groups, control and training. We measured the left ventricular ejection fraction using nuclear stethoscopy during the treadmill test and calculating radioactive cardiac output.

Optical monitoring of synaptic transmission in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia using a voltage-sensitive dye.

Multiple-site optical recording of neural activity, using a voltage-sensitive merocyanine-rhodanine dye (NK2761) and a 12 x 12-element photodiode array, was employed to monitor the synaptic transmission in the bullfrog lumbar sympathetic ganglion. When the presynaptic nerve fibers were stimulated, the signals had two or three peaks, and their later phase was reduced in a low calcium bathing solution or in a solution containing D-tubocurarine. We conclude that the first phase of the optical signals evoked by the presynaptic stimulation corresponds to the electrical activity of the presynaptic neurons.

Short-term in vivo evaluation of small-diameter vascular prosthesis composed of segmented poly(etherurethane)/2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer blend.

A small-diameter vascular prosthesis with potential for clinical use was prepared from a Dacron prosthesis coated with nonthrombogenic polymeric materials. As a coating material, segmented poly(etherurethane) (SPU; Tecoflex 60) was blended with a phospholipid polymer, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer, which has excellent blood compatibility. The Dacron prosthesis, 2 mm in diameter, was immersed in a solution of the SPU/MPC polymer blend and dried to evaporate the solvent.

Isolation and characterization of the 5' region of the human mismatch repair gene hPMS1.

The hPMS1 gene encodes a mutL homolog that is implicated in DNA mismatch repair and was found to be mutated in the germline of a patient with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). To understand transcriptional regulation and to perform mutational analysis in the promoter region, we cloned and characterized the genomic sequence of the 5' region of the gene. hPMS1 has an intron upstream of the initiation codon.

Optical mapping of neural responses in the embryonic rat brainstem with reference to the early functional organization of vagal nuclei.

We examined the functional organization of the vagal nuclei of the rat embryo during morphogenesis, using multiple-site optical recording with a voltage-sensitive dye. Slice preparations with vagus nerve fibers were dissected from 13- to 16-d-old embryonic (E13-E16) rat brainstems, and they were stained with the dye. Electrical activity in response to vagal stimulation was recorded optically from many sites.

Nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: We examined whether serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) are elevated in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The concentration of NO was determined by Griess reagents. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed to examine inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein expression in specimens of lesional skin of SSc.

Activation and two modes of blockade by strontium of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in goldfish saccular hair cells.

Effects of internal Sr2+ on the activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels were studied in inside-out membrane patches from goldfish saccular hair cells. Sr2+ was approximately one-fourth as potent as Ca2+ in activating these channels. Although the Hill coefficient for Sr2+ was smaller than that for Ca2+, maximum open-state probability, voltage dependence, steady state gating kinetics, and time courses of activation and deactivation of the channel were very similar under the presence of equipotent concentrations of Ca2+ and Sr2+.

Unmyelinated nerve fibers in sural nerve in pure autonomic failure.

We examined sural nerve biopsy specimens from 7 patients with pure autonomic failure (PAF). The mean unmyelinated nerve fiber density in these patients was 40% less than in age-matched controls. Increased numbers of clusters of collagen pockets not containing unmyelinated axons were the most prominent finding in PAF.

Relationship between fecal bile acids and the occurrence of colorectal neoplasia in experimental murine ulcerative colitis.

Objective: The possible role of fecal bile acids in colorectal carcinogenesis in ulcerative colitis has been reported. In this study, we investigated the relationship between fecal bile acids and the occurrence of colorectal neoplasia in experimental murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium.

Methods: Colorectal neoplasia in experimental colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium subsequent to a single azoxymethane pretreatment.

Genomic structure of the human Smad3 gene and its infrequent alterations in colorectal cancers.

The Smad3 gene is a member of the Smad family, vertebrate homologues of Drosophila Mad, and its gene product is a cytoplasmic element in the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Smad2 and Smad4/DPC4, other members of the Smad family, are possibly tumor suppressor genes because alterations of these genes occurred in various carcinomas. We determined the genomic structure of human Smad3 which consists of nine exons.

Expression of stem cell factor in basal cell carcinoma.

Stem cell factor (SCF) distribution in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Eighteen BCCs (11 nodular, three superficial, two cystic, one adenoid and one morphoeic type) showed positive expression of SCF in the tumour islands. The centre of the tumour island was strongly positive in nodular, superficial and morphoeic types.