Identification of antibacterial principles against Streptococcus mutans and inhibitory principles against glucosyltransferase from the seed of Areca catechu L

During the course of our studies on dental caries prevention by traditional medicines, fatty acids (myristic and oleic acids etc.) and procyanidins from betel nuts (the seed of Areca catechu L.) were respectively revealed to be the major antibacterial principles against a primary cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, and the major inhibitory principles against glucosyltransferase from S. mutans.     

Simplified determination of serum cholesterol sulfate by gas-liquid chromatography combined with cyclohexylsilane-bonded phase column purification

Summary A new gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) determination of cholesterol sulfate (CS) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) for a biochemical diagnosis of recessive X-linked ichthyosis (RXLI) is described. Although the GLC method for determination of CS is known to be more sensitive than the thin layer chromatographic (TLC) method, the former method has not been widely employed because of its complicated pre-purification steps. The present method allows us to measure the serum levels of CS and DHEAS without tedious purification steps such as multiple conventional column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. Sulfated steroids are rapidly purified with a commercially available mini disposable cyclohexylsilane-bonded phase (CH) column, CH BOND ELUT, and the purified steroids after desulfation are converted to water-resistant tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether derivatives for the GLC analysis on dual 2 m glass columns packed with 2% XE-60 on Chromosorb W.By the present method, serum CS concentrations in RXLI patients were shown to be about 10 times higher than those in patients with ichthyosis vulgaris, carriers of RXLI, and healthy subjects. This method is more suitable not only for a biochemical diagnosis of RXLI but also for studies on the metabolism of sulfated steroids than the previous time-consuming GLC methods.     

Assessment of coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion in patients with syndrome X by digital subtraction angiography and 201Tl-myocardial scintigraphy]

To evaluate coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion, left coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy were performed in patients with syndrome X. The coronary circulation time (CCT) was significantly prolonged after the injection of isosorbide dinitrate and contrast medium i.c. Apical T1/2 was also prolonged on ergonovine malate provocation test. We suspected that the vascular response of the coronary peripheral artery was impaired, and microvascular spasm probably existed in patients with syndrome X. The prevalence of abnormal myocardial perfusion defect on exercise Tl-201 SPECT in syndrome X was very high, and coronary hemodynamics was significantly disturbed in the group of syndrome X with abnormal Tl-201 SPECT. Tl-201 lung/heart count ratio significantly increased in syndrome X on treadmill test. Because of this, exercise induced left ventricular dysfunction was suspected. We concluded that the main pathophysiological finding of impaired coronary circulation in syndrome X was microvascular spasm.     

A case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) associated with peripheral neuropathy]

A 17-year-old boy with high fever, headache, and neck stiffness was admitted to our hospital. Spinal fluid showed a protein level of 215 mg/dL with myelin basic protein (579 pg/mL), 347/ microl cells (330 mononuclear cells), and a glucose level of 53 mg/dL. One week later, urinary retention, flaccid paraplegia, and sensory disturbance below the 10th thoracic level developed. MRI of the spinal cord revealed swelling and T2-high intensity area in the cord at the 11th and 12th thoracic level. Although high-dose of methylprednisolone was administered, consciousness disturbance and respiratory failure that required mechanical ventilation occurred. Bilateral abducens nerve palsy, nystagmus, and flaccid tetraparesis also occurred. Brain MRI revealed T2-high intensity area in the midbrain and pons. Nerve conduction study showed diminished amplitudes and prolonged latencies or absence of F waves. The patient was administered a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin and a high-dose of methylprednisolone. He showed improvement within one week after the treatment. Two weeks later, he recovered from respiratory failure and weakness of the upper limbs. He remained paraplegic, but gradually improved and was able to walk with support one and a half years later. We suggest the combination therapy of intravenous immunoglobulin and a high-dose of methylprednisolone is effective for patients with combined ADEM and peripheral neuropathy.     

Superoxide dismutases of muscle in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

Lmmunohistochemical analyses were made of the superoxide dismutases (Mn-SOD and CuiZn-SOD) in biopsied muscles from 7 patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies that included mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS), and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO). Mn-SOD mainly was present in the subsarcolemmal region, but it also was found in a coarsely granular, reticular, or diffuse pattern of staining within the muscle fibers. These Mn-SOD-positive fibers corresponded almost completely to the ragged-red fibers. The immunoreaction for CuiZn-SOD was weakly positive in some of the muscle fibers positive for Mn-SOD. In CPEO, Mn-SOD-positive fibers predominantly showed decreased cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity. In MELAS, Mn-SOD-positive fibers tended to be stained deeply for COX although a few were COX-negative. These findings suggest that Mn-SOD-positive fibers can be used to make a differential diagnosis between CPEO and MELAS and that in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies Mn-SOD in the raggedred fibers may protect against oxidative stress. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hepatic angiomyolipoma developing during the follow-up of ulcerative colitis: Report of a case and review of the literature

Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare tumor composed of spindle-shaped and epithelioid smooth muscle cells, adipose tissue, and proliferating blood vessels. We report the first documented case of this tumor developing in a patient with ulcerative colitis. A solitary tumor (7.5×7.5×7cm) was detected in the left lateral segment of the liver and a left hepatic lobectomy was performed. The diagnosis of angiomyolipoma was confirmed by a pathological examination. We also review the literature on previously reported cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma.     

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a recently established subtype of RCC, which has rarely been reported in Japan. In this communication, the authors report two Japanese cases of chromophobe RCC together with the immunohistochemical findings. The tumors were composed of sheets and cribriform glands formed by tumor cells with cloudy and reticular cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm was filled with numerous microvesicles. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and Tamm-Horsfall protein. Occasionally, LeuM1-positive cells were also noted. Vimentin was negative, unlike the usual RCC. Reactivity for peanut agglutinin was more frequent than that to Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin. The results of this study suggest that the tumor cellq possessed phenotypes similar to the distal nephron rather than to the proximal tubular cells.     

Dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study of 6 cases.

Dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinomas are a recently defined, rare variant of adenoid cystic carcinomas characterized histologically by two components: conventional low-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma and high-grade "dedifferentiated" carcinoma. We examined six cases and analyzed their clinicopathologic profiles, including immunohistochemical features and p53 gene alterations. The 6 patients (3 men and 3 women) had a mean age of 46.8 years (range, 34-70 y). The mean size of the tumors was 3.5 cm (range, 1.7-6 cm). The submandibular gland, maxillary sinus, and nasal cavity were involved in 2 cases each. Postoperatively, 5 patients had local recurrence and 5 developed metastatic disease. Five patients died of disease at a mean of 33.7 months after diagnosis (range, 6-69 mo), and one other was alive with disease at 60 months. Histologically, the conventional low-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma component of the tumors consisted of a mixture of cribriform and tubular patterns with scant solid areas. The high-grade dedifferentiated carcinoma component was either a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (4 cases) or undifferentiated carcinoma (2 cases). Three tumors were studied immunohistochemically. Myoepithelial markers were expressed in low-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma but not in the dedifferentiated component. In 2 cases, diffusely positive p53 immunoreactivity together with HER-2/neu overexpression was restricted to the dedifferentiated component. Loss of pRb expression was demonstrated only in the dedifferentiated component of the 1 other case. The Ki-67-labeling index was higher in the dedifferentiated component than in the low-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma component. Furthermore, molecular analysis of 2 cases demonstrated the loss of heterozygosity at p53 microsatellite loci, accompanied by p53 gene point mutation, only in the dedifferentiated carcinoma component of 1 case, which was positive for p53 immunostaining. These results indicate that dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor. Because of frequent recurrence and metastasis, the clinical course is short, similar to that of adenoid cystic carcinomas with a predominant solid growth pattern. Limited evidence suggests that p53 abnormalities in combination with HER-2/neu overexpression or loss of pRb expression may have a role in dedifferentiation of adenoid cystic carcinoma.     

Expression of CD10 by stromal cells during colorectal tumor development

CD10 is a cell surface metalloprotease expressed by a variety of normal cell types, including lymphoid precursor cells, germinal center B lymphocytes, and some epithelial cells. We noticed that stromal cells of some cancers are positive for CD10. In this study, we investigated the role of CD10 produced by the stromal cells of colorectal neoplasms in the progression of colorectal neoplasms. Immunohistochemical examination of CD10 and p53 was performed in 169 colorectal epithelial neoplasms representing various stages of carcinogenesis. The results were correlated with the morphologic characteristics of the neoplasms. There was no expression of CD10 in the stromal cells of normal colorectal tissue. CD10-positive stromal cells were present adjacent to the tumor cells in 16 of 73 adenomas with mild or moderate dysplasia. More frequent expression of CD10 by the stromal cells was detected in adenomas with severe dysplasia (12 of 17), intramucosal carcinomas (10 of 16), and invasive carcinomas (50 of 63) than in adenomas with mild or moderate dysplasia (P < 0.0001). Expression of CD10 by > 10% of the stromal cells was detected only within the area of the invasive growth front of invasive carcinomas, not in adenomas and in only 1 of the intramucosal carcinomas. The difference between invasive and non invasive tumors was significant (P < 0.0001). The stromal expression of CD10 was significantly associated with the accumulation of p53 and a larger tumor size. These results indicate that CD10 expression is an integral part of colorectal carcinogenesis. CD10 expression seems to contribute to the invasion and thus probably facilitates metastasis.     

Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin in intestinal-type gastric carcinoma: correlation with early tumor invasion

Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene, which is known to be an early event in the carcinogenesis of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma, leads to accumulation of beta-catenin. In addition, beta-catenin has been found to activate down stream signaling molecules in the wingless/Wnt pathway. In this study, the clinical significance of nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin was evaluated in gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed nuclear localization in 16 (12%) of 139 (94 intestinal-type and 45 diffuse-type) gastric carcinomas, and all 16 lesions with nuclear staining were intestinal-type adenocarcinomas. Of the 16 cases, 15 were in the early clinical stage. In the remaining case, the lesion had invaded the subserosal layer and showed strong nuclear staining at the invasive front. In 14 of the 16 cases with nuclear localization, there were no abnormal mobility shifts detected using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism analysis. This was confirmed using direct sequencing analysis, which revealed the wild-type sequence in the 12 cases tested. Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin did not correlate with lymph node metastasis or 5-year survival. These findings suggest that high intranuclear levels of beta-catenin protein play an important role in early tumor growth and may function in initiation of invasive processes in intestinal-type gastric carcinoma.