HLA-DR Antigens in Pemphigus among Japanese

The frequency of HLA-DR4 was significantly increased at P < 0.02 in 37 unrelated pemphigus patients (62.2%), when compared with unrelated 73 healthy controls (30.1%). This antigen was more frequently found in pemphigus foliaceus (70.6%) than pemphigus vulgaris (55.8%).     

Thioredoxin and its related molecules: update 2005

Studies on thioredoxin (Trx) and its related molecules have expanded dramatically recently. Proteins that share the similar active-site sequence, -Cys-Xxx-Yyy-Cys-, are called the Trx family, and the number of Trx family members is increasing. Trx reductase, which reduces oxidized Trx in cooperation with NADPH, has three isoforms, and peroxiredoxin, which is Trx-dependent peroxidase, has six isoforms. In addition to a role as an antioxidant, Trx and its related molecules play crucial roles in the redox regulation of signal transduction. The classical cytosolic Trx1 and truncated Trx80 are released from cells. Plasma/serum levels of Trx1 are good markers for oxidative stress. Exogenous Trx1 shows cytoprotective and antiinflammatory effects and has a good potential for clinical application. This is an update review on Trx and its related molecules.     

Direct membrane method for the study of interface-controlled transport of cholesterol in aqueous media

Studies were designed to demonstrate the use of a silicone rubber membrane diffusion cell in the mechanistic study of cholesterol mass transfer in aqueous media. The method is shown to be simple, precise, and well suited for delineating conditions which facilitate cholesterol transport. Traditional membrane diffusion resistance was determined with cholesterol solubilized in the nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene(10)-nonylphenol ether. The use of a charged surfactant additive, either sodium oleate or benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride, reduced cholesterol membrane flux in a manner consistent with a transport barrier residing in the membrane and micelle interfacial regions. Quantitative determination of total transport resistance was good (CV of greater than 95%) for cases more than 99% interface controlled. Interfacial resistance imparted by the charged surfactant additive was essentially abolished by strong electrolyte (sodium chloride). Electrolyte was utilized in either the upstream or the downstream aqueous compartment to enhance cholesterol transport by a mechanism which is consistent with a marked increase in the frequency of micelle collision with the corresponding membrane surface. When the downstream interfacial component of total transport resistance was "short circuited" by electrolyte in sequential transport runs using the same membrane, a "dumping" of cholesterol by the membrane compartment was observed. Limited studies with a second nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene(15)-tridecyl ether, suggest that the structure of separate micelle components may also be related to cholesterol mass transfer which occurs via a micelle collision in the interfacial region.     

Characteristics affecting cervical sagittal alignment in patients with chronic low back pain

BackgroundSagittal spino-pelvic malalignment in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have been reported in the past, which may also affect cervical spine lesions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cervical alignment in patients with CLBP.MethodOf the patients who visited an orthopedic specialist due to low back pain lasting more than three months, 121 cases (average 71.5-years-old, 46 male and 75 female) with whole standing spinal screening radiographs were reviewed (CLBP group). Cervical parameters included cervical lordosis (CL), C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA), and the T1 slope minus CL (T1S-CL). Cervical spine deformity was defined as C2-7 SVA >4 cm, CL <0°, or T1S-CL ≧20°. We compared the cervical alignment of these patients with 121 age and gender matched volunteers (control group).ResultsThe prevalence of cervical spine deformity was significantly higher in the CLBP group than in the control group (20.7% vs. 10.7%, P = 0.034). The mean CL was smaller in the CLBP group than in the control group (16.1° vs. 21.4°, P = 0.002). The mean C2-7 SVA was 17.6 mm vs. 18.7 mm in the CLBP group and in the control group, respectively (P = 0.817). The mean T1S-CL was larger in the CLBP group than in the control group (9.1° vs. 3.5°, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that people with CLBP were more likely to have cervical deformities than people without CLBP (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 4.637).ConclusionsThis study results suggest that people with CLBP present with worse cervical sagittal alignment and higher prevalence of cervical spine deformities than age and gender matched volunteers with no CLBP. This means CLBP impacts cervical spine lesions negatively.Level of evidenceⅣ     

Prevalence of second generation antibody to hepatitis C virus among voluntary blood donors in Osaka,Japan

To clarify the demographic characteristics of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Osaka, Japan, where hepatocellular carcinoma is common, we investigated the screening data of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV, DAINABOTHCVPHA, second generation assay) in 197,600 voluntary blood donors residing in Osaka. The study found that age-standardized prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher than that of HBsAg (2.25cf 0.86 percent among males,P<0.001; 2.17cf 0.55 percent among females,P<0.001. It was much higher in the blood donors aged 55–64 years than in those aged 16–54 years (8.49cf 1.32 percent among males,P<10^–5; 7.26cf 1.42 percent among females,P<10^–5). The prevalence of anti-HCV among males was significantly higher than that of females in the younger (25–34 years) generations (1.02 to 1.49 percentcf 0.71 to 1.13 percent,P<0.05). A similar tendency was observed in the prevalence of high-titer (2¹²) anti-HCV. The number of coinfection (both HBsAg and anti-HCV seropositive) was very small, and it was not statistically different from the expected number.     

Effect of 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (p-HPPH) enantiomers,major metabolites of phenytoin,on the occurrence of chronic-gingival hyperplasia: in vivo and in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to assess the possible role of the (R)- and (S)- enantiomers of the phenytoin metabolite p-HPPH in the pathogenesis of gingival hyperplasia (GH). About 98% of circulating p-HPPH is in the (S)-form. There were significant differences between patients with and without GH in (R)-p-HPPH level (0.055 vs 0.042 g·ml^–1), both enantiomer/racemate level ratios, and R/S enantiomeric ratio (0.0313 vs 0.0232); an increase in serum (R)-p-HPPH level was observed in patients with GH. In separate experiments, the effect of p-HPPH enantiomers on the proliferation of the normal human dermal fibroblast was studied. The in vitro study showed that (R)-p-HPPH selectively stimulated fibroblast growth. The results suggest that the least abundant metabolite, (R)-p-HPPH, is the most toxic with respect to gingival hyperplasia.     

Primary anorectal malignant melanoma: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Aug. 18, 1997; accepted on May 15, 1998)     

Metastable Equilibrium Solubility Behavior of Bone Mineral

Previous studies have shown that carbonated apatites with a range of carbonate contents and crystallinities exhibit the phenomenon of metastable equilibrium solubility (MES) distributions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the solubility behavior of bone mineral using the concepts of MES and MES distributions and, together with crystallinity and chemical composition data, examine the similarity of bone mineral to carbonated apatite (CAP). Bone samples were harvested from 1-, 5-, and 8-month-old rats. The organic components of the bone samples were removed by hydrazine deproteination. Carbonated apatite was synthesized by the hydrolysis of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) in a NaHCO₃-containing media at 50°C. The MES distributions of bone mineral and CAP were determined by equilibrating predetermined amounts of CAP or bone mineral in a series of 0.1 M acetate buffers containing calculated levels of calcium and phosphate and maintained at essentially constant pHs of 5.0, 5.3, 5.7, and 6.5. From the compositions of the equilibrating buffer solutions, ion activity products based upon the stoichiometries of octacalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and carbonated apatite were calculated in an attempt to determine the function governing the dissolution of CAP and bone mineral. The results of this study demonstrated that the MES distribution phenomenon appeared to hold for bone mineral and that the changes in crystallinity of bone mineral with age correlated well with changes in the MES values. A CAP sample was prepared that was found to be an excellent synthetic prototype closely mimicking the physicochemical behavior of bone mineral from an 8-month-old rat. Another finding of this study was that the ion activity product function based upon the hydroxyapatite stoichiometry well described the MES results obtained with both CAP and bone mineral. The interpretation that a surface complex with hydroxyapatite stoichiometry governs the solubility behavior of bone mineral is, therefore, consistent with the experimental data. Other calcium phosphate stoichiometries for the surface complex showed systematic variations in the MES profiles when the pH of the equilibrating solution was varied. Received: 30 October 1997 / Accepted: 1 October 1998