Histological review of the human cellular cementum with special reference to an alternating lamellar pattern

Cementum is mineralized tissue with collagen fibrils as its major organic component, and it can be roughly classified into acellular and cellular cementum. The latter generally consists of a stack of cellular intrinsic fiber cementum layers, in which intensely and weakly stained lamellae (each about 2.5 μm thick) alternate in light microscopic observations. It has been suggested that the alternate lamellar pattern results from periodic changes of the intrinsic fiber arrangement, but owing to the difficulty of observing the fibril arrangement three dimensionally, details were not understood until recently. The NaOH-maceration method has been developed to overcome this difficulty. For the past two decades, we have studied the structure and development of cementum by scanning electron microscopy using NaOH-maceration, as well as by light and transmission electron microscopy, and have accumulated a significant amount of data with regard to the structure and formation of cementum. In light of these data, we have arrived at the following conclusions: (1) The alternate lamellar pattern conforms to the twisted plywood model, in which collagen fibrils rotate regularly in the same direction to form two alternating types of lamellae; one type consists of transversely and almost transversely cut fibrils and the other consists of longitudinally and almost longitudinally cut fibrils. (2) The development of the intrinsic fiber arrangement may be controlled by cementoblasts; the cementoblasts move finger-like processes synchronously and periodically to create alternate changes in the intrinsic fiber arrangement, and this dynamic sequence results in the alternate lamellar pattern.     

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in rural Tanzania

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) varies worldwide from 7 to 450 per 100,000, and appears low in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) but few data exist. We conducted a prevalence study of PD in rural Tanzania. A door‐to‐door study was conducted in the Hai district project area (population 161,071), using a screening questionnaire followed by structured history and examination of positive responders. Diagnosis was based on the UK PD Society Brain Bank Criteria. 33 (23 men) cases of PD were detected, with mean age 74 years (range 38–94). One patient died before the prevalence date. 78% were previously undiagnosed and untreated. Mean duration of symptoms was 5 years, and median Hoehn and Yahr stage 3. Crude prevalence rates were 30/100,000 (men), 11/100,000 (women) and 20/100,000 (combined). The direct age‐standardized prevalence rates compared with the UK population were 64/100,000 (men), 20/100,000 (women) and 40/100,000 (combined). These rates are higher than previously reported from SSA, but still lower than the developed world. Many PD patients in SSA may never be diagnosed or treated, with consequent reduction in their life expectancy and quality of life. With the world population ageing PD is predicted to become an increasing problem. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society     

The role of dual-phase enhanced helical computed tomography in difficult intestinal bleeding

We report a case of leiomyoma of the small bowel presenting with massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding that was diagnosed using dual-phase enhanced helical computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative period. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of recurrent rectal bleeding. Gastroduodenoscopic and total colonoscopic examination results were negative; however, the patient continued to show bloody stool. Dual-phase enhanced helical CT was subsequently performed. CT revealed a hypervascular tumor, with evident extravasation of the contrast medium in the bowel lumen. We were successful in establishing the point of bleeding. Exploratory laparotomy was performed the same day. A solid round extraluminal mass was found at the proximal jejunum. Bleeding was observed over the serosal side of this tumor and segmental resection of the tumorous small intestine was performed. Pathologic examination revealed leiomyoma. Enhanced helical CT proved to be useful in localizing active GI bleeding.     

Interleukin-7 receptor controls development and maturation of late stages of thymocyte subpopulations

Interleukin (IL)-7 is a cytokine essential for T lymphocyte development and homeostasis. However, little is known about the roles of IL-7 receptor α-chain (IL-7Rα) in late stages of T-cell development. To address this question, we established IL-7Rα–floxed mice and crossed them with CD4-Cre transgenic mice. Resultant IL-7R conditional knockout (IL-7RcKO) mice exhibited marked reduction in CD8 single positive (SP) T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and natural killer T (NKT) cells in thymus. The proportion and proliferation of both mature CD4SP and CD8SP thymocytes were decreased without affecting Runx expression. In addition, expression of the glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor was reduced in CD4SP and CD8SP thymocytes, and expression of CD5 was decreased in CD8SP thymocytes. IL-7RcKO mice also showed impaired Treg and NKT cell proliferation and inhibition of NKT cell maturation. Bcl-2 expression was reduced in CD4SP and CD8SP thymocytes but not in Tregs and NKT cells, and introduction of a Bcl-2 transgene rescued frequency and CD5 expression of CD8SP thymocytes. Furthermore, IL-7RcKO mice exhibited greatly increased numbers of B cells and, to a lesser extent, γδ T and dendritic cells in thymus. Overall, this study demonstrates that IL-7Rα differentially controls development and maturation of thymocyte subpopulations in late developmental stages and suggests that IL-7R expression on αβ T cells suppresses development of other cell lineages in thymus.     

Halothane does not protect against vascular injury in isolated cerebral and mesenteric arteries

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine regional differences in the vascular injury induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and to determine its modulation by halothane in canine basilar and mesenteric arteries. METHODS: Rings of canine basilar and mesenteric arteries with intact endothelium were mounted in Krebs bicarbonate solution for isometric tension recording. The relaxation responses to substance P (10(-8) M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10(-8) to 10(-5) M) were examined before and after exposure to H2O2 (1 mM) for eight minutes in the presence or absence of halothane (2%), to evaluate the effects of oxidative injury on the endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation. The contractile responses to KCl (30 mM) and prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) (3 x 10(-6) M) were also compared in rings with and without exposure to H2O2. RESULTS: After exposure to H2O2 the relaxant responses to substance P were significantly inhibited in basilar arteries (P < 0.01), but not in mesenteric arteries. Exposure to H2O2 also attenuated SNP-induced relaxation in basilar (P < 0.05), but not in mesenteric arteries. The attenuation of the contractile responses to KCl and PGF(2alpha) after H2O2 exposure was observed only in basilar arteries (P < 0.01). Simultaneous exposure to halothane did not affect the attenuation of these relaxant and contractile responses. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that H2O2 resulted in marked disruption of the endothelial layer in basilar arteries, compared to almost no morphological changes in mesenteric arteries. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle of the basilar artery are more susceptible to oxidative stress than those of the mesenteric artery. Halothane, at clinically relevant concentrations, exerts no significant influence on this vascular injury.     

Association of perfluorinated chemical exposure in utero with maternal and infant thyroid hormone levels in the Sapporo cohort of Hokkaido Study on the Environment and Children’s Health

Objectives

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have been widely used as industrial products, and are persistent organic pollutants due to their chemical stability. Previous studies suggested that PFOS and PFOA might disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) status. Although TH plays an important role in fetal growth during pregnancy, little attention has been paid to the relationships between maternal exposure to perfluorocarbons and TH statuses of mothers and fetuses. We investigated the effects of low levels of environmental PFOS and PFOA on thyroid function of mothers and infants.

Methods

Of the eligible subjects in a prospective cohort, 392 mother–infant pairs were selected. Concentration of maternal serum PFOS and PFOA was measured in samples taken during the second and third trimesters or within 1 week of delivery. Blood samples for measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were obtained from mothers at early gestational stage (median 11.1 weeks), and from infants between 4 and 7 days of age, respectively.

Results

Median concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were 5.2 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.6–12.3] and 1.2 (95 % CI limitation of detection–3.4) ng/mL, respectively. Maternal PFOS levels were inversely correlated with maternal serum TSH and positively associated with infant serum TSH, whereas maternal PFOA showed no significant relationship with TSH or FT4 among mothers and infants.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that PFOS may independently affect the secretion and balances of maternal and infant TSH even at low levels of environmental exposure.