Postnatal change in sulcal length asymmetry in cerebrum of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

The purpose of this study was to determine the timing of the onset of adult-type sulcal length asymmetry during postnatal development of the male cynomolgus monkey cerebrum. The monkey brain has already reached adult size by 3 months of age, although the body weight only represents 1/8 of the adult body weight by that time. The fronto-occipital length and the cerebral width also reached adult levels by that postnatal age with no left/right bias.

Sexual dimorphism of sulcal length asymmetry in the cerebrum of adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

The present study aimed to quantitatively clarify the gross anatomical asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of the cerebral hemispheres of cynomolgus monkeys. While the fronto-occipital length of the right and left cerebral hemispheres was not different between sexes, a statistically significant rightward asymmetry was detected in the cerebral width at the perisylvian region in females, but not in males (narrower width of the left side in the females). An asymmetry quotient of the sulcal lengths revealed a rightward asymmetry in the inferior occipital sulcus and a leftward asymmetry in the central and intraparietal sulci in both sexes.

Striking pattern of Purkinje cell loss in cerebellum of an ataxic mutant mouse, tottering.

Tottering mouse is an ataxic mutant that carries a mutation in a gene encoding for the apha1A subunit of P/Q-type Ca2+ channel (Cav2.1). This study revisited to examine whether a Purkinje cell loss occurred in the cerebellum of tottering mice.

[Bisphosphonate and mechanical stress on bone].

The loss of bone mineral due to space flight or prolonged bed rest has been recognized by space scientists and physicians. In spite of the wealth of knowledge obtained thus far, many questions remain unanswered regarding the mechanism of bone loss as well as the factors affecting these skeletal processes. Bisphosphonates have a potential to become countermeasures against space flight-induced or disuse osteoporosis.

Differential alterations in expressions of ryanodine receptor subtypes in cerebellar cortical neurons of an ataxic mutant, rolling mouse Nagoya.

This study aimed to clarify changes in the spatial expressions of types 1, 2 and 3 ryanodine receptors (RyR1, RyR2 and RyR3) in the cerebellum of a Ca(2+) channel alpha(1A) subunit mutant, rolling mouse Nagoya. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that the mRNA signal levels of RyR1 and RyR3 were altered in the rolling cerebellum, which exhibited lower densities of RyR1 bands and higher densities of RyR3 bands than in the control cerebellum. Quite consistent with the RT-PCR results, the staining intensity of RyR1 and RyR3 was altered in the rolling cerebellum.

Development of cerebral sulci and gyri in fetuses of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). II. Gross observation of the medial surface.

This study aimed to clarify chronological sequences of the appearances of sulci and gyri on the medial cerebral surface and its relation to the regional development of the cerebrum in cynomolgus monkeys. The lengths of cingulate and calcarine sulci were measured, and the ratios of these lengths to fronto-occipital length were estimated as indices of the size of the "frontoparietal" and "occipital" regions, respectively. The relative length of cingulate sulcus showed a biphasic increase: a slow phase from EDs 100 to 110, and a rapid phase from EDs 110 to 130.

[Phosphatonin].

Previous studies have put forth a hypothesis that circulating phosphaturic factor (s) exist, and these factor (s) are generically called "phosphatonin" . Through the studies of patients with hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia, FGF23 has emerged as an important candidate for phosphatonin. Discovery of FGF23 as an essential regulator of phosphate homeostasis has markedly improved our understanding of phosphate homeostasis and hypophosphatemic disorders.

Increased serotonergic innervation of lumbosacral motoneurons of rolling mouse Nagoya in correlation with abnormal hindlimb extension.

Rolling Mouse Nagoya (RMN) carries a mutation in a gene encoding for alpha(1A) subunit of P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel (Ca(v)2.1). In addition to ataxia, this mutant mouse exhibits abnormal hindlimb extension, which is characterized by a sustained excessive tone of hindlimb extensor muscles.

Development of cerebral sulci and gyri in fetuses of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

This study aimed to clarify the development of sulci and gyri on the external surface of the cerebrum of cynomolgus monkeys. Sulcus formation began with the appearance of the lateral fissure on embryonic day (ED) 70, followed by delineations of four cerebral lobes by the emergence of the parietooccipital sulcus, central sulcus, and preoccipital notch on EDs 80-90. The following primary sulci were then visible until ED 120: the superior temporal sulcus on ED 90; the intraparietal sulcus, lunate sulcus, inferior occipital sulcus, and arcuate sulcus on ED 100; and the principle sulcus on ED 110; the occipitotemporal sulcus, anterior middle temporal sulcus, and superior postcentral dimple on ED 120.

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt pathway in bladder cancer cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

TRAIL/Apo2L is a pro-apoptotic cytokine that is capable of inducing apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells but not in normal cells. Among various molecular strategies by which cancer cells evade apoptosis, PI3K/Akt signaling represents a dominant survival pathway. In this report, we investigated the role of PI3K/Akt pathway in TRAIL-induced apoptotic death in human bladder cancer cells.

The expression of prostate stem cell antigen in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Objectives: To analyse the gene expression level of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CC-RCC) and its relationship with conventional clinicopathological manifestations, to evaluate its prognostic value for patient outcome, and to determine the effect of PSCA on the progression of CC-RCC.

Patients And Methods: We quantified PSCA mRNA level in human RCC cell lines (ACHN, A704, KPK-1, Caki-1, and Caki-2) and in 154 surgical tissue samples (81 from CC-RCC, 73 from normal kidney) using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The findings were analysed in relation to clinicopathological factors.

Regional difference in corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactivity in mossy fiber terminals innervating calretinin-immunoreactive unipolar brush cells in vestibulocerebellum of rolling mouse Nagoya.

Unipolar brush cells (UBCs), a class of interneurons in the vestibulocerebellum, play roles in amplifying excitatory inputs from vestibulocerebellar mossy fibers. This study aimed to clarify whether corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-positive mossy fiber innervation of calretinin (CR)-positive UBCs was altered in rolling mouse Nagoya (RMN). The distribution and the number of CR-positive UBCs in the vestibulocerebellum were not different between RMN and control mice.

A novel Src kinase inhibitor, M475271, inhibits VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation and migration.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was reported to be a potent proangiogenic factor that plays a pivotal role in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. M475271, 4-quinazolinamine, N-(2-chloro-5-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-7-[(1-methyl-4-piperidinyl) methoxy]-(9Cl), is a new anilinoquinazoline derivative that showed selective inhibition of Src kinase activity and tumor growth in vivo. Here, we examined the effect of M475271 on VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and migration and their intracellular mechanisms.

[Genes involved in bone formation as a therapeutic target for osteoporosis].

Osteoblasts are derived from mesenchymal stem cells, common progenitors for adipocytes and other lineages. While transcription factors such as Runx2/Cbfa1 and Osterix are absolutely required for osteoblast differentiation, simply increasing their expression does not necessarily lead to increased bone formation. In contrast, genes such as deltafosB and an AP-1 target, interleukin-11, which have been shown to enhance bone formation in vivo and to be induced by mechanical stress and PTH, can be better therapeutic targets to develop drugs that stimulate bone formation.

[A case of dental implant treatment with sinus lift for the maxillary molar sites].

Patient: Implant treatment with sinus lift was conducted in a 53-year-old male patient who had bilateral edentulous posterior maxilla with a limited bone volume of the sinus floor. One year later, the mobility at the anterior teeth of the maxilla increased and then decreased due to occlusal adjustment. The left posterior teeth of the mandible were extracted due to severe periodontitis and two implants were placed.

[Vitamin D and its derivatives as anti-osteoporotic drugs].

Vitamin D, particularly its active form, has been most widely used in Japan for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, clinical evidence for its efficacy as an anti-osteoporotic drug is scarce in terms of fracture prevention. Recent reports suggest that active vitamin D or its analogs may prevent fracture not only through enhancement of intestinal calcium absorption but also by improving bone quality and/or strength independently of bone mass and by improving neuromuscular function to reduce the number of falls.

Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum of ataxic mutant mouse, dilute-lethal: a fractionator study.

This study estimated total number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of an ataxic mutant mouse, dilute-lethal (DL), with reference to severe ataxic symptoms of this mutant. On postnatal day (PD) 21, the cerebellar weight is significantly lower in DL than in non-ataxic littermates (control mice). Total number of Purkinje cells is also significantly lower in DL than in the controls; approximately 25% less in DL than in the controls.