Coding nucleotide sequence of 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450d cDNA from rat liver.

We determined the coding nucleotide sequence of the mRNA for a 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450, P-450d, of rat liver by sequence analysis of cloned cDNAs. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cytochrome is composed of 513 amino acids, and its NH2-terminal sequence of 30 amino acids completely coincides with that reported from analysis of the purified cytochrome P-450d. The amino acid composition of the deduced sequence also agrees well with that determined from the purified protein. Computer-aided analysis was carried out to compare the complete primary structures of five species of cytochrome P-450, two molecular species of phenobarbital-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450 (P-450b and P-450e), phenobarbital-inducible rabbit liver cytochrome P-450LM2, 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450d, and camphor-hydroxylating P-450 of Pseudomonas putida (P-450CAM). It is concluded therefrom that the time of divergence between cytochrome P-450b (P-450e) and P-450d is much earlier than that of branching between phenobarbital-inducible cytochromes P-450 of rat and rabbit. One highly conserved cysteine-containing region that is close to the COOH terminus is found in all of these cytochrome P-450 sequences, indicating that the heme-binding site is the cysteine residue in this region.     

Osteosarcoma of maxilla with unusual image findings in child

Osteosarcoma of the head and neck is relatively rare and accounts for less than 10 percent of all osteosarcomas in general. We report a case of osteosarcoma in which imaging and histopathology of the hard palate of an 11-year-old boy yielded atypical findings. An approximately 8×15mm lesion found in the center of the palate was hard and healthy in color. Subsequent biopsy resulted in a diagnosis of nonepithelial malignant tumor. No abnormalities were observed in the maxillary bone or tooth on panoramic or occlusal radiographs. Computed tomography images revealed a mass lesion approximately 7×9×9mm in size on the hard palate extending into the maxilla. The cortex of the maxilla adjacent to the lesion was unclear in parts. The internal structures were slightly inhomogeneous and its density was lower than that of muscle. On magnetic resonance images, the lesion was represented by low signal intensity on T1-weighted (T1W) images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images with fat-suppression. The margin of the lesion was a little unclear and the internal structures were slightly inhomogeneous. The lesion was enhanced homogeneously on post-contrast T1W images with fat-suppression. The histopathological diagnosis was fibrogenesis-type osteosarcoma. No findings specific to osteosarcoma such as localized enlargement of the periodontal ligament space alongside the root, cortical destruction, periosteal ossification or osteogenesis were found in this case.     

Unusual peroneal nerve palsy caused by intraneural ganglion cyst: pathological mechanism and appropriate treatment

The origin of the peroneal intraneural ganglion and the outcome of treatment are still controversial. We report here three cases with peroneal intraneural ganglion and discuss the appropriate treatment. In our cases, 58-, 62-, and 65-year-old patients were operated on with extraneural decompression and epineurotomy within 4 months after onset of drop foot. Two cases demonstrated intraneural ganglion connecting to the articular branch and traversing to the deep and common peroneal nerve. At the 1-year follow-up, paralyzed peroneal nerve could be recovered in all patients even with residual ganglion. We propose correct early diagnosis, simple exoneural dissection, and atraumatic epineurotomy for the successful treatment of peroneal intraneural ganglion. Disruption of the stalk in the articular branch is a key point to prevent recurrence. For early diagnosis, clinicians should be aware of the existence of this rare lesion.     

Contribution of trunk muscularity on sprint run

This study aimed to investigate how the trunk muscularity is related to sprint running performance. In 23 youth soccer players, the cross-sectional images at the mid level of each of L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging to determine the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of rectus abdominis, oblique, psoas major, quadratus lumborum and erector spinae muscles. The times taken to sprint over 20 m were measured, and the mean velocity of running was calculated for each of the 2 distances (V (10 m) and V (20 m)) and for the distance from 10 m to 20 m (V (10-20 m)). The CSA values of the 5 slice levels for all muscles except for the quadratus lumborum and those of the 3 slice levels (L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4) for the quadratus lumborum were averaged and expressed relative to the two-third power of body mass (CSA/BM (2/3)). The CSA/BM (2/3) values of the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum were selected as significant contributors to predict V (10 m) ( R(2)=0.450), V (20 m) ( R(2)=0.504) and V (10-20 m) ( R(2)=0.420). The current results indicate that the muscularity of the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum contributes to achieving a high performance in sprint running over distances of less than 20 m.     

Double muscle transfer for upper extremity reconstruction following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus

Recent interest in reconstruction of the upper limb following brachial plexus injuries has focused on the restoration of prehension following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus. The authors use free muscle transfers for reconstruction of the upper limb to resolve the difficult problems in complete avulsion of the brachial plexus. This article describes the authors' updated technique--the double free muscle procedure. Reconstruction of prehension to achieve independent voluntary finger and elbow flexion and extension by the use of double free muscle and multiple nerve transfers following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus (nerve roots C5 to T1) is presented. The procedure involves transferring the first free muscle, neurotized by the spinal accessory nerve for elbow flexion and finger extension, a second free muscle transfer reinnervated by the fifth and sixth intercostal nerves for finger flexion, and neurotization of the triceps brachii via its motor nerve by the third and fourth intercostal motor nerves to extend and stabilize the elbow. Restoration of hand sensibility is obtained via the suturing of sensory rami from the intercostal nerves to the median nerve. Secondary reconstruction, including arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb and glenohumeral joint, and tenolysis of the transferred muscle and distal tendons, improve the functional outcome. Based on the long-term result, selection of the patient, donor muscle, and donor motor nerve were indicated. Most patients were able to achieve prehensile functions such as holding a can and lifting a heavy box. This double free muscle transfer has provided prehension for patients with complete avulsion of the brachial plexus and has given them new hope to be able to use their otherwise useless limbs.     

Clinical features and varieties of non-motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease: A Japanese multicenter study

ObjectiveThis multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the clinical features and varieties of non-motor fluctuation in Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsTo identify motor and non-motor fluctuation, we employed the wearing-off questionnaire of 19 symptoms (WOQ-19) in 464 PD patients. We compared the frequency of levodopa-related fluctuation as identified by the WOQ-19 with recognition by neurologists. We compared patients with both motor and non-motor fluctuations with those who only had motor fluctuations. Non-motor fluctuations were separated into psychiatric, autonomic, and sensory categories for further analysis.ResultsThe patients' average age was 70.8 ± 8.4 years (mean ± SD) and disease duration was 6.6 ± 5.0 years. The frequency of motor fluctuations was 69% and for non-motor fluctuation 40%. Fifty-three percent of patients with motor fluctuations also had non-motor fluctuations, whereas 93% of patients with non-motor fluctuations also had motor fluctuations. The WOQ-19 showed a sensitivity of 82% but a specificity of only 40%. The patients with both non-motor and motor fluctuations exhibited more severe motor symptoms, more non-motor symptoms and higher levodopa daily doses (p < 0.05). Patients had significantly higher fluctuation rates if they had psychiatric (49%) and sensory (45%) symptoms than patients with autonomic symptoms (32%, p < 0.01). Forty-eight percent of patients with non-motor fluctuations exhibited more than one type of non-motor fluctuation.ConclusionForty percent of PD patients presented with non-motor fluctuations, and almost half of these exhibited more than one type. Appropriate recognition of levodopa-related fluctuations, both motor and non-motor, can lead to treatment modifications in PD patients.     

Concurrent Langerhans cell histiocytosis and nephroblastoma

Both Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and nephroblastoma are rare in children. We report herein the first case of a patient with both diseases concurrently. A 2‐year‐old female presented with bone pain and swelling of the right humerus. As a result of the local incision biopsy, she was diagnosed as LCH. A nephroblastoma of the left kidney was discovered during her staging work‐up. After complete resection of the nephroblastoma, she received standard chemoradiotherapy for nephroblastoma. She is alive without relapse 14 months after initial presentation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:662–664. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Disruption of the midkine gene (Mdk) delays degeneration and regeneration in injured peripheral nerve

Midkine (MK) is a growth factor implicated in the development and repair of various tissues, especially neural tissues. MK acts as a reparative neurotrophic factor in damaged peripheral nerves. A postulated role of MK in the degeneration and regeneration of sciatic nerves was explored by comparing wild‐type (Mdk^+/+) mice with MK‐deficient (Mdk^?/?) mice after freezing injury. In the Mdk^?/? mice, a regenerative delay was observed, preceded by a decelerated Wallerian degeneration (WD). The relative wet weight of the soleus muscle slowly declined, and recovery was delayed compared with that in the Mdk^+/+ mice. In the regenerating nerve, unmyelinated axons were unevenly distributed, and some axons contained myelin‐like, concentrically lamellated bodies. In the endplates of soleus muscles, nerve terminals containing synaptic vesicles disappeared in both mice. In Mdk^?/? mice, the appearance of nerve terminals was delayed in synaptic vesicles of terminal buttons after injury. The recovery of evoked electromyogram was delayed in Mdk^?/? mice compared with Mdk^+/+ mice. Our results suggested a delay in axonal degeneration and regeneration in Mdk^?/? mice compared with Mdk^+/+ mice, and the delayed regeneration was associated with a delayed recovery of motor function. These findings show that a lack of MK following peripheral nerve injury is a critical factor in degeneration and regeneration, and manipulation of the supply of MK may offer interesting therapeutic options for the treatment of peripheral nerve damage. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Inactivation of the Basigin gene impairs normal retinal development and maturation

5A11/Basigin is an immunoglobulin-like glycoprotein expressed on the surface of Müller cells, the apical and basal surfaces of the retinal pigmented epithelium, and photoreceptor cell bodies and their inner segments. Disruption of the 5A11/Basigin gene in the mouse results in photoreceptor degeneration and a corresponding decrease in electroretinogram amplitudes in mature mice. The purpose of this study was to examine the electrophysiology of the 5A11/Basigin null mouse retina at earlier ages than previously examined. Although the architecture of the 5A11/Basigin null mouse retina appears normal, the ERG amplitudes are severely depressed at eye opening, indicating failure in retinal maturation.