Role of the Fas system in liver regeneration after a partial hepatectomy in rats.

Apoptosis is involved in the homeostatic control of organs. The aim of this study was to define the in vivo role of apoptosis-related proteins including the Fas system and Bcl-2 in liver regeneration following a partial hepatectomy (PH). We used 70% hepatectomized rats which were serially sacrificed from 12 h to 28 days. The expressions of Fas, Fas ligand, and Bcl-2 were examined by semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Liver regeneration, as examined by PCNA staining, peaked from 24 h to day 3, and declined from day 5. On the other hand, hepatocyte apoptosis, as examined by TUNEL staining, was seldom observed until 24 h, but increased from 1 week after PH. In the RT-PCR study, Fas showed an early decline by 24 h, followed by a later peak from days 3 to 5, and then a constant expression thereafter. Meanwhile, the Fas ligand was also low until day 3, but showed a remarkable increase from days 5 to 7, followed by a gradual decrease. On the other hand, Bcl-2 showed an early peak until 24 h, followed by a decline from day 5. In an immunohistochemical study, the time courses of these protein expressions were almost synchronous with their mRNAs in the RT-PCR study. We thus conclude that the coordinated interplay between these apoptosis-related proteins and hepatocyte apoptosis suggests the possible involvement of these proteins in the course of liver regeneration.     

A case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord

A 46-year-old man was presented with a firm mass of the spermatic cord. He underwent left radical orchiectomy with clinical diagnosis of spermatic cord tumor. The pathological examination revealed leiomyosarcoma (3.6 x 2.7 x 1.0 cm, pT1bN0M0; 5th TNM, Stage IA; 5th AJCC). He is free of disease 3 year postoperatively.     

Clinical impact of amyloid PET using 18F-florbetapir in patients with cognitive impairment and suspected Alzheimer’s disease: a multicenter study

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) can reliably detect senile plaques and fluorinated ligands are approved for clinical use. However, the clinical impact of...     

Intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm of the extrahepatic bile duct: report of a case

We report a rare case of an intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm (IOPN) of the extrahepatic bile duct. A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for investigation of right-sided back pain. Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a papillary lesion, 3?cm in diameter, in the middle bile duct, invaginating into the cystic duct. We made a provisional diagnosis of middle bile duct cancer and performed substomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Macroscopically, the middle bile duct contained a two-humped papillary tumor, one tip of which invaginated into the cystic duct. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of cuboidal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm resembling that of oncocytes and a fine fibrovascular core. The tumor cells were stained strongly with antimitochondria antibody. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed histologically as IOPN of the extrahepatic bile duct. The patient died of prostate cancer 51?months after surgery, but without evidence of recurrence of the IOPN.     

Stunned myocardium in transient left ventricular apical ballooning: A serial study of dual I-123 BMIPP and Tl-201 SPECT

Background. This study was designed to assess the influence of coronary endothelial function and the serial changes of dual myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging in transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning. Methods and Results. We evaluated 35 consecutive patients (8 men and 27 women; mean age, 71 ±13 years) with transient LV apical ballooning. All patients underwent coronary angiography with acetylcholine provocation 1 month after onset. Iodine 123 β-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) and thallium 201 dual myocardial SPECT was serially performed on day 1 of admission and 1 month and 6 months later. In 8 of 35 patients (23%), epicardial coronary spasm was induced by acetylcholine infusion. At the peak acetylcholine dose (100 μg), diffuse coronary vasoconstriction developed in 19 of 35 patients (54%). Of 19 patients, 13 had diffuse coronary vasoconstriction with chest pain and ST-segment depression. The total defect score of I-123 BMIPP and Tl-201 SPECT showed marked perfusion-fatty acid metabolic mismatches (13.7±3.6 vs 8.7±2.3, P<.001) at the LV apex during the acute phase but few mismatched areas (2.1±1.1 vs 1.5±1.4, P = not significant) at 6 months. Conclusions. Transient LV apical ballooning might be caused by stress-induced coronary epicardial spasm or endothelial dysfunction, resulting in myocardial stunning.     

Adipokine Chemerin Bridges Metabolic Dyslipidemia and Alveolar Bone Loss in Mice

Chemerin is an adipokine that regulates adipogenesis and metabolic functions of mature adipocytes mainly through the activation of chemokine‐like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Elevated levels of chemerin have been found in individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. This adipokine was identified as an inflammatory and metabolic syndrome marker. Considering that the association between metabolic syndrome and bone health remains unclear, the present study aimed to clarify the role of chemerin in the pathophysiology of bone loss induced by dyslipidemia, particularly modulating osteoclastogenesis. In vitro analyses showed a downregulation of CMKLR1 at the early stage of differentiation and a gradual increase at late stages. Strikingly, chemerin did not modify osteoclast differentiation markers or osteoclast formation; however, it increased the actin‐ring formation and bone resorption activity in mature osteoclasts. The increased bone resorption activity induced by chemerin was effectively inhibited by CMKLR1 antagonist (CCX832). Chemerin boosting mature osteoclast activity involves ERK5 phosphorylation. Moreover, two models of dyslipidemia (high‐fat diet [HFD]‐treated C57/BL6 and db/db mice) exhibited significantly increased level of chemerin in the serum and gingival tissue. Morphometric analysis showed that HFD‐treated and db/db mice exhibited increased alveolar bone loss compared to respective control mice, which was associated with an up‐regulation of chemerin, CMKLR1 and cathepsin K mRNA expression in the gingival tissue. The treatment of db/db mice with CCX832 effectively inhibited bone loss. Antagonism of chemerin receptor also inhibited the expression of cathepsin K in the gingival tissue. Our results show that chemerin not only increases osteoclasts activity in vitro, but also that increased level of chemerin in dyslipidemic mice plays a critical role in bone homeostasis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Basolateral Na+/H+ exchange maintains potassium secretion during diminished sodium transport in the rabbit cortical collecting duct

Stimulation of the basolateral Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct by raising either bath potassium or lumen sodium increases potassium secretion, sodium absorption and their apical conductances. Here we determined the effect of stimulating Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase on potassium secretion without luminal sodium transport. Acutely raising bath potassium concentrations from 2.5 to 8.5 mM, without luminal sodium, depolarized the basolateral membrane and transepithelial voltages while increasing the transepithelial, basolateral and apical membrane conductances of principal cells. Fractional apical membrane resistance and cell pH were elevated. Net potassium secretion was maintained albeit diminished and was still enhanced by raising bath potassium, but was reduced by basolateral ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchange. Luminal iberitoxin, a specific inhibitor of the calcium-activated big-conductance potassium (BK) channel, impaired potassium secretion both in the presence and absence of luminal sodium. In contrast, iberitoxin did not affect luminal sodium transport. We conclude that basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchange in the cortical collecting duct plays an important role in maintaining potassium secretion during compromised sodium supplies and that BK channels contribute to potassium secretion.     

Novel retractor for lymph node dissection by video-assisted thoracic surgery

In nonrandomized studies, the video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) lobectomy seems to be a safe and effective procedure for treatment of lung cancer. However, there are some difficulties in VATS complete mediastinal lymph node dissection. The presence of the lymph node deep in the mediastinal space necessitates retraction of the surrounding organs. Therefore, we developed a retractor to create enough working space during the VATS procedure. To dissect lymph nodes, we use endoscopic bipolar forceps. These instruments are connected to a special electrosurgical generator to apply bipolar soft coagulation, which enables simultaneous dissection and sealing. Thus, "en bloc" lymph node dissection can be performed during the VATS procedure.