Clinical evaluation of the sedative effect of HEMA solution on the hypersensitivity of dentin

The sedative effect of the dentin primer, 35% hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) solution, on dentin hypersensitivity was clinically evaluated. Exposed root surfaces of teeth were cleaned with neutralized 0.5 mol/L EDTA and treated with 35% HEMA solution followed by the application of a commercial dentin bonding agent. The extent of sedation was estimated by comparison of the responses before and after treatment to irritation by a cold water spray, compressed air blast and scratching with an explorer. The degree of the response to these irritations was decreased significantly upon the combined application of HEMA and commercially available dentin bonding agents though it was still ineffective in nearly 30% of the 48 cases tested.     

An immunohistochemical study of mixed tumor of the skin.

An asymptomatic tumor developed on the upper lip of a 63-year-old man. Histologically, the tumor contained glandular and cystic structures forming many branching lumina, and many scattered single cells in an abundant mucoid to chondroid stroma. The tumor was diagnosed as mixed tumor of the skin. Histochemically, the cells composing the tubular structures contained neutral mucopolysaccharides and the stroma, acid mucopolysaccharides. Immunohistochemically, the cells of the glandular and cystic structures showed epithelial and sweat gland differentiation (EMA-, CEA-, BRST-1- and BRST-2-positive), while the cells scattered in the stroma showed a tendency toward myoepithelial differentiation (S-100 protein- and vimentin-positive).     

An X-ray study of catheters abnormally placed in the epidural space]

We investigated the roentgenogram of the epidural catheter in 82 patients in whom the injection of local anesthetics had no effect. Contrast medium 0.5 ml was injected through the epidural catheter and antero-posterior roentgenogram was taken. The roentgenograms were categorized into three patterns, according to the relationship of the catheter to the pedicle of lamina, or to the spread of contrast medium. In 43 cases, the catheter passed through the intervertebral foramen. The tip of the catheter was located outside the foramen, and the contrast medium spread outside the vertebra. In 4 cases, the tip of the catheter was located laterally in the vertebral column, and only the catheter itself was contrasted but no spread of medium was observed. The catheter was thought to be misinserted intravascularly. In other 35 cases, catheter ran laterally on the pedicle of lamina, or the spread of medium 2 mins after the injection was indicated by a dumpling-shape even when the tip was in the vertebral column. In these cases, the catheter was thought not to be outside the epidural space.     

Gabapentin antinociception in mice with acute herpetic pain induced by herpes simplex virus infection

The effects of systemic and local injections of gabapentin, a novel anticonvulsant agent, were tested on nociceptive behaviors in mice with acute herpetic pain. Transdermal infection with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) produced nociceptive hypersensitivity of the infected hind paw to innocuous (allodynia) and noxious mechanical stimulation (hyperalgesia) with von Frey filaments. Systemic administration of gabapentin (10-100 mg/kg, peroral) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of both allodynia and hyperalgesia; gabapentin (30-300 mg/kg) did not affect locomotor activity. Intrathecal injection of gabapentin (10-100 microg/animal) also attenuated dose dependently both nociceptive hypersensitivities. In contrast, intraplantar, intracisternal, and intracerebroventricular administration of gabapentin (10-100 microg/animal) had no effect on the HSV-1-induced nociceptive hypersensitivities. Pretreatment with naltrexone (1 mg/kg) inhibited antinociceptive effect of morphine (5 mg/kg), but not gabapentin (100 mg/kg). Repeated administration of morphine (5 mg/kg, four times) led to tolerance of antinociceptive action, whereas gabapentin (100 mg/kg, four times) had antinociceptive effect even after the forth administration. The present results suggest that gabapentin is effective in the treatment of acute herpetic pain without apparent adverse effects, and analgesic action of gabapentin is mainly mediated by actions on the spinal cord.     

Apoa5 Q139X truncation predisposes to late-onset hyperchylomicronemia due to lipoprotein lipase impairment

While type 1 hyperlipidemia is associated with lipoprotein lipase or apoCII deficiencies, the etiology of type 5 hyperlipidemia remains largely unknown. We explored a new candidate gene, APOA5, for possible causative mutations in a pedigree of late-onset, vertically transmitted hyperchylomicronemia. A heterozygous Q139X mutation in APOA5 was present in both the proband and his affected son but was absent in 200 controls. It was subsequently found in 2 of 140 cases of hyperchylomicronemia. Haplotype analysis suggested the new Q139X as a founder mutation. Family studies showed that 5 of 9 total Q139X carriers had hyperchylomicronemia, 1 patient being homozygote. Severe hypertriglyceridemia in 8 heterozygotes was strictly associated with the presence on the second allele of 1 of 2 previously described triglyceride-raising minor APOA5 haplotypes. Furthermore, ultracentrifugation fraction analysis indicated in carriers an altered association of Apoa5 truncated and WT proteins to lipoproteins, whereas in normal plasma, Apoa5 associated with VLDL and HDL/LDL fractions. APOB100 kinetic studies in 3 severely dyslipidemic patients with Q139X revealed a major impairment of VLDL catabolism. Lipoprotein lipase activity and mass were dramatically reduced in dyslipidemic carriers, leading to severe lipolysis defect. Our observations strongly support in humans a role for APOA5 in lipolysis regulation and in familial hyperchylomicronemia.     

Distribution of Crooke's cells and ACTH cells in the human pituitary glands

Distribution of ACTH cells and Crooke's cells in the human pituitary glands was studied in 5 autopsy cases. ACTH cells were distributed throughout the anterior pituitary lobes, in particular densely in their anterior halves. Some ACTH cells were found in the posterior pituitary lobes in three cases. Crooke's cells were distributed limitedly in the anterior halves of anterior pituitary in two cases. In the remaining three cases, Crooke's cells were widely distributed in the anterior pituitary lobes but predominantly in their anterior halves. No Crooke's cells were found in the posterior pituitary. These findings suggest that cells in the anterior part of anterior pituitary are more likely to show Crooke's hyaline change than those in the other parts.     

Severe cerebral swelling is not observed in children dying with malaria

In an autopsy study in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 14/155 brains of children <13 years had malaria parasites within cerebral blood vessels. This was associated with cerebral swelling (57% of brains), ventricular compression (86%) and mild basal grooving (43%), but not with coning of the medulla and cerebellum. The pathophysiology of cerebral malaria does not culminate in severe raised intracranial pressure and herniation, and over-concern over the safety of lumbar puncture in malaria may not be warranted.      

Interleukin-33 expression is specifically enhanced in inflamed mucosa of ulcerative colitis

Background   

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 family. IL-33 has been shown to elicit a Th2-like cytokine response in immune cells. In this study, we investigated IL-33 expression in the inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and characterized the molecular mechanisms responsible for IL-33 expression in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs).     

Atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts in invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast treated with neoadjuvant therapy

Tumor-stromal fibroblasts have recently been reported to play important roles in the tumor progression of cancer in various organs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether any characteristic histologic features of tumor-stromal fibroblasts could accurately predict the outcome of 318 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who had received neoadjuvant therapy. We observed a small number of tumor-stromal fibroblasts with characteristic nuclear features existing in the tumor stroma and named these cells "atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts." We then assessed the absence or presence of atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts in biopsy (taken before neoadjuvant therapy) and surgical (taken after neoadjuvant therapy) materials and analyzed the outcome predictive powers of the presence of atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts in biopsy and surgical materials using multivariate analyses that included well-known clinicopathological factors. The multivariate analyses demonstrated that the presence of atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts assessed using biopsy materials had significantly higher hazard ratios for tumor recurrence and tumor-related death in patients with nodal metastasis and also significantly higher hazard ratios for tumor recurrence and tumor-related death independent of the hormone receptor status of the tumors. The results of this study clearly indicated that the presence of atypical tumor-stromal fibroblasts, especially in biopsy materials, is significantly associated with tumor recurrence and the tumor-related death of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who have received neoadjuvant therapy.     

Effects of the Prostaglandin E1 Analog Limaprost on Mechanical Allodynia Caused by Chemotherapeutic Agents in Mice

This study examined in mice whether limaprost, a prostaglandin E₁ analog, would relieve allodynia induced by chemotherapeutic agents. Single intraperitoneal injections of paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, and vincristine sulfate induced and gradually increased mechanical allodynia. Repeated administration of limaprost alfadex inhibited the late, but not early, phase of mechanical allodynia induced by paclitaxel and oxaliplatin, but not vincristine. Paclitaxel and oxaliplatin, but not vincristine, gradually decreased peripheral blood flow, which was prevented by limaprost. These results suggest that limaprost is effective against mechanical allodynia induced by paclitaxel and oxaliplatin, which may be due to inhibition of the decrease in peripheral blood flow.