太空发育鸡胚的前庭感受器细胞形态学研究

为了探讨太空微重力对鸡胚前庭感觉上皮细胞的形态发育的影响 ,选取在航天飞机 (STS-2 9)发育鸡胚和地面发育鸡胚各两只 ,利用计算机显微测量技术分别测量椭圆囊和球囊的毛细胞、支持细胞核的切面面积、周长、形状系数。太空发育鸡胚的球囊支持细胞核的切面面积、周长显著大于地面组 ,形状系数无差异 ;太空发育鸡胚的椭圆囊支持细胞核的切面面积、周长、形状系数以及椭圆囊和球囊毛细胞的切面面积、周长与地面发育鸡胚相比无明显差异。微重力可能对球囊支持细胞核的体积发育有影响 ,对椭圆囊和球囊的毛细胞以及椭圆囊支持细胞核的形态发育无影响。     

Three-dimensional two-layer collagen matrix gel culture model for evaluating complex biological functions of monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cell-like cells (Mo-DCs) generated from peripheral blood monocytes with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been used as tools to treat cancer patients (DC-vaccines). Because Mo-DCs have multiple antigen presentation-related functions, including phagocytosis, migration, cytokine production, and T cell stimulation, establishment of a method for simultaneously evaluating the various functions of Mo-DCs is important. We developed a new in vitro three-dimensional two-layer collagen matrix culture model that consists of a collagen gel containing Mo-DCs as the lower layer and a collagen gel containing necrotic GCTM-1 tumor cells and/or T cells as the upper layer. We used this system to observe simultaneously multiple functions of Mo-DCs by phase-contrast or fluorescence microscopy and to assess IL-12 secretion during more than 2 weeks of culture. We also observed interactions between Mo-DCs and necrotic GCTM-1 or T cells on an individual cell basis by time-lapse videomicroscopy. In addition, we collected Mo-DCs from the collagen gels by collagenase treatment and analyzed the expression of antigen presentation-related molecules such as HLA-DR, CD80, CD83, and CD86 on Mo-DCs. This model may be a useful tool for evaluation of the various functions of Mo-DCs used as DC vaccines and for studies of the complex behaviors of Mo-DCs in vivo.     

PROLIFERATIVE MYOSITIS AND FASCIITIS: Report of Five Cases with an Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Study

Cases of proliferative myositis and fasciitis were studied immunohisto-chemically and ultra structurally for further understanding of the nature of ganglion cell-like giant cells. Blood coagulation factor XIIIa, fibronectin, myoglobin, myosin, CPK MM, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin were detected in three cases of proliferative myositis and two cases of proliferative fasciitis by the avid in-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Factor XIIIa (a fibrin-stabilizing factor) and flbronectin were strongly positive in the giant cells, but not in striated muscle fibers. A small quantity of myosin was demonstrated in the giant cells, but myoglobin and CPK MM were never demonstrated in these cells. No alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was demonstrated in the giant cells. One case of proliferative myositis showed ultrastructural features suggestive of fibroblast rather than muscle cell or histiocytic origin. Strongly positive factor XIIIa in the giant cells is suggestive of the fact that they are active fibroblasts.     

2-O-methylisohemigossylic acid lactone, a sesquiterpene, isolated from roots of mokumen (Gossampinus malabarica) induces cell death and morphological change indicative of apoptotic chromatin condensation in human promyelotic leukemia HL-60 cells

2-O-methylisohemigossylic acid lactone, a sesquiterpene, was purified from roots of mokumen (Gossampinus malabarica) and identified by Mass, and (1)H- and (13)-NMR. This sesquiterpene displayed strong growth inhibitory effect against human promyelotic leukemia HL-60 cells. Apoptotic morphological change of the nucleus, including chromatin condensation was induced in the HL-60 cells treated with the sesquiterpene. The fragmentation of DNA by the sesquiterpene to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, a characteristic of apoptosis, was observed to be dose- and time-dependent in the HL-60 cells. Inhibitors of caspases suppressed the DNA fragmentation induced by the sesquiterpene. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by the sesquiterpene of HL-60 cells results from the induction of apoptosis by the sesqui-terpene, and that caspase cascade is involved in the induction of apoptosis by the compound in the HL-60 cells.     

Prognostic significance of the Ki67 index and programmed death-ligand 1 expression after radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between Ki67 index and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients after RC.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 262 MIBC patients treated with RC between April 2004 and April 2020. The impact of Ki67 index and PD-L1 expression on prognosis was evaluated by univariate Cox regression analysis. In addition, a pathomolecular risk score, including Ki67 and PD-L1, was developed to predict prognosis and pathological factors. We also evaluated the link between the Ki67 index and PD-L1 under the IL-6 stimulation in the bladder cancer cell lines of T24 and 5637 cells.ResultsThe median age and follow-up period was 69 years and 52 months, respectively. Ki67 index and PD-L1 expression were significantly associated with tumor recurrence. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that pT3–4, mixed histology, lymphovascular invasion positive (LVI+), pN+, Ki67-high (>17%), and PD-L1+ were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). The pathomolecular risk score was developed using resection margin+ (1 point), mixed histology (1 point), LVI+ (1 point), pN+ (1 point), and Ki67-high (1 point). RFS and overall survival were significantly shorter in patients with higher pathomolecular risk scores (>1) than in those with lower risk scores (≤1). Cell proliferation was significantly increased in the T24 and 5637 cells under the IL-6 stimulation, while PD-L1 expression was not.ConclusionsA significant effect of Ki67-high and PD-L1 expression on poor prognosis was observed in patients with MIBC. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of cell proliferation and PD-L1 expression in patients with MIBC.     

Recurrent breast cancer at 21 years after resection detected by serum tumor markers and manifested as dermatomyositis

A 52-year-old Japanese woman developed dermatomyositis. She had undergone a standard radical mastectomy for left breast cancer 21 years earlier. Though no physical sign of recurrent breast cancer appeared clinically, levels of tumor markers were abnormally elevated. Therefore, tamoxifen and CAF therapy were given. Further, the clinical course of dermatomyositis almost paralleled the level of serum tumor markers and the clinical course of her recurrent breast cancer. These markers were useful for detecting the recurrence, following the metastatic disease, and monitoring her response to therapy.     

A case of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; non-comedo type) detected by ultrasonography: Demonstration of occult multiple foci

We report a case of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast detected by ultrasonographic mass screening in a 51-year-old woman. In a mass screening program for breast cancer, physical examination with inspection and palpation, and ultrasonography (US) were performed. A hypoechoic mass with a slightly irregular margin was detected by US in the lateral upper quadrant of the right breast, at a distance 2 cm from the edge of the nipple. The mass was not detected by physical examinations or by mammography (MMG). The mass, which measured 0.8 x 0.5 cm and was examined by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) under US guidance, was cytologically diagnosed as class X. Modified radical mastectomy (Auchincloss method) was performed with the patient's consent. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed DCIS (noncomedo type) and occult multiple foci of malignancy which was considered tracking centripetally underneath the nipple. This case suggests that US and FNAB performed under US guidance are useful in the detection and diagnosis, respectively, of a breast mass. We should take multifocality into consideration, particularly with tendency tracking to the nipple, in the treatment of small breast cancers such as DCIS.     

Difference of visual attention between smokers and never-smokers]

Nicotine is known to improve cognitive performance such as attention, concentration and working memory in humans and animals. Previous research suggests that nicotine enhances visuospatial attention. But it could be hypothesized that nicotine intake alleviate a withdrawal-induced deficit in smokers. To evaluate the cognitive performance in smokers and never-smokers, we investigate eye movement while 4-points saccade task is performed. 5 smokers and 6 never-smokers are matched for age and education. Eye movement was investigated by using TKK2920 (Takei Co.) which determines the direction of gaze over a two-dimensional visual field without attachments to the eye. We found that a tendency which Mean Gazing Time is prolonged in smokers. These data suggest that impairment of visual attention in smokers is not significant.     

Regression of a presumed meningioma with the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane. Case report

This 68-year-old woman underwent a distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in August 1994. A presumed meningioma of the falx was found incidentally on a staging examination of the gastric cancer, but the meningioma was not treated with surgery. Instead, after gastrectomy the patient received tegafur as adjuvant chemotherapy until February 1996, when she was readmitted to the hospital because of loss of appetite and emaciation but with no recurrence of the gastric cancer. A computerized tomography scan obtained during this second admission showed no change in the meningioma. To improve her general condition, tegafur was discontinued and she was started on a course of the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane. Administration of mepitiostane for approximately 2 years resulted in a marked regression (73%) of the meningioma. This is the first reported case of a presumed meningioma that regressed as a result of use of the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane.