Development of a simple image viewer designed for small X-ray field CT equipment 3DX

Objectives To develop a simple image viewer that utilizes image files in general-purpose formats that are written from the original 3DX volume data. Methods We used FLASH MX2004 for Macintosh to develop a simple image viewer. In developing the software for the simple image viewer, we decided that the viewer should provide the following features: (1) be available to both Windows OS and Mac OS, (2) allow interlocking of the 3D images, (3) display image enlargement, and (4) allow distance measurements. The accuracy of the distance measurements was evaluated. Results The procedure was as follows: (1) write 3D images in jpeg format to a folder on i-VIEW; (2) place the folder containing the 3D images into the directory of the simple image viewer software on a PC; (3) start the software and open the window to input the folder name containing the 3D images; and (4) display the 3D images. Our viewer had features such as image enlargement, interlocking 3D images, drawing, and distance measurements. No significant differences were shown between the measurements made by our simple viewer and the actual values of the images in any direction. Conclusions Our image-viewing software for 3DX is beneficial for clinical use.     

PEUTZ‐JEGHERS SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH RENAL AND GASTRIC CANCER THAT DEMONSTRATED AN STK11 MISSENSE MUTATION

A 75‐year‐old male was admitted to the gastroenterology unit of Nagoya City University Hospital due to epigastralgia after surgical treatment for right renal cancer. Endoscopy revealed advanced type 1 gastric cancer in the corpus of the stomach and multiple polypoid lesions in the stomach and duodenum. X‐ray examination of the small intestine using barium showed multiple polyps in the upper jejunum. Faint pigmentation on the palm was also detected. Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome (PJS) was diagnosed, despite a lack of family history. Total gastrectomy, resection of part of the upper jejunum and intraoperative endoscopic polypectomy of duodenal polyps was performed. This is the second reported case of PJS associated with renal cancer. We also detected a missense mutation in the tumor suppressor gene STK11 that, when mutated, is causative for PJS.     

Discrete phase of calcium excess in the process of deterioration in an individual rat myocyte

While there have been many reports of the significant role of cytoplasmic free calcium ion in myocardial injury, these have been carried out in multicellular preparations. Since cell injury may occur inhomogeneously, it is necessary to observe the 'history' of an individual myocyte in order to investigate the detailed role of the calcium ion in the process of myocardial injury. We have observed the natural history of individual myocytes isolated from the left ventricle of rats with respect to changes in shape and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) measured with fura-2. We can discriminate four phases in the time course of cell deterioration. In the first phase (phase O), the myocyte is rod shaped, quiescent and responsive to electrical stimulation. The [Ca2+]i is stable. In the next phase (Phase 1), once initiated, the myocyte exhibits an asynchronous wavy contraction and gradually decreases in length. The [Ca2+]i gradually increases with some fluctuation. Phase 2 is characterized by rapid development of contracture with a marked increase in [Ca2+]i. In the period following establishment of contracture (Phase 3), changes in [Ca2+]i vary from cell to cell, possibly because of leakage of the dye caused by loss of cell membrane integrity. Our results indicate that, during naturally occurring cell deterioration, loss of [Ca2+]i control at the membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum precedes contracture and catastrophic increase in [Ca2+]i.     

N10 potential as an antidromic motor evoked potential in a median nerve short-latency somatosensory evoked potential study.

When stimulating the mixed nerve to record evoked potential, both sensory and motor fibers are activated before entering the spinal cord. The N10 potential has been described as an antidromic motor evoked potential based on results obtained by recording at the anterior midneck. In the present study, we examined the changes in latencies of Erb's potential, N10, and N13 by stimulating the median nerve distally at the wrist and proximally at the elbow. The conduction velocity of N10 calculated by the difference between N10 latencies at the two stimulation points was consistent with motor conduction velocity, although N13 conduction velocity estimated by the same method reflected a sensory conduction velocity. A positive relation was also observed between the indirect latency from the stimulation point to the anterior root as calculated using the equation (F - M - 1) / 2 (ms) and the direct latency to the negative peak of the N10 potential. Our data support the notion that N10 represents antidromic motor potential originating in the spinal entry zone of the anterior root.     

Global gene profiling reveals a downregulation of BMP gene expression in experimental atrophic nonunions compared to standard healing fractures.

Nonunion is a challenging problem that may occur following certain bone fractures. However, there has been little investigation of the molecular basis of nonunions. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a significant role in osteogenesis. However, little is known about the expression patterns of BMPs in abnormal bone healing that results in nonunion formation. These facts prompted us to investigate and compare the gene expression patterns of BMPs and their antagonists in standard healing fractures and nonunions using rat experimental models. Standard closed healing fractures and experimental atrophic nonunions produced by periosteal cauterization at the fracture site were created in rat femurs. At postfracture days 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28, total RNA was extracted from the callus of standard healing fracture and fibrous tissue of nonunion (n=4 per each time point and each group). Gene expression of BMPs, BMP antagonists, and other regulatory molecules were studied by methods including Genechip microarray and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Gene expression of BMP-2, 3, 3B, 4, 6, 7, GDF-5, 7, and BMP antagonists noggin, drm, screlostin, and BAMBI were significantly lower in nonunions compared to standard healing fractures at several time points. Downregulation in expression of osteogenic BMPs may account for the nonunions of fracture. The balance between BMPs and their endogenous antagonists is critical for optimal fracture healing.     

A Case Report of Inflammatory Pseudosarcoma of the Urinary Bladder

A case of inflammatory pseudosarcoma of the urinary bladder in a 35 year-old Japanese male is presented. This benign lesion can easily be mistaken for spindle cell sarcoma since it consists of rhabdomyoblast like elongated strap cells showing infiltrative growth, and whether it is benign or malignant is difficult to determine by microscopic examination. In this case, spindle cell proliferation extended among bundles of the superficial muscle layer. However, no abnormal mitoses, severe nuclear atypia or cellular pleomorphism could be seen, thus indicating inflammatory pseudosarcoma. Although the lesion was not completely resected, no recurrent disease has been clinically observed for two years following transurethral resection. Urologists and surgical pathologists must be able to detect this lesion in order to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. Acta Pathol Jpn 42: 760 765,1992.     

Ubiquitous Presence in Mammalian Cells of Enzymatic Activity Specifically Cleaving 8-Hydroxyguanine-containing DNA

Here we report the finding of enzymatic activity that specifically cleaves DNA containing 8-hydroxyguanine (oh⁸Gua) residues in various mammalian cells. To detect this activity, we used a synthetic double-stranded DNA containing a single oh⁸Gua at a defined position as the substrate, and analyzed the products of enzymatic digestion by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two cleavage sites near the oh⁸Gua residue were detected with partially purified fractions from cow brain and rat liver, and also with preparations from all mammalian tissues examined. These results suggest that enzymatic activity for the removal of oh⁸Gua from DNA is widely distributed in mammalian cells.     

A tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta presenting as massive hemoptysis--a case of successful surgical treatment

Tuberculous aneurysms of the aorta need early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention because if untreated, they lead to severe consequences. We report herein, a case of a 63 year old woman who underwent successful resection of a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm which had ruptured into the left upper lobe of the lung after a punch biopsy, performed under bronchoscopy, had caused severe bleeding. Subsequent CT and MRI examinations suggested a fistula between the mass and the aorta and proved useful in establishing the diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm. We wish to emphasize the need for bronchoscopy to be done carefully because of the risk of inducing massive hemoptysis.