Receptor for advanced glycation end-products is a marker of type I lung alveolar cells

Lung alveolar epithelial cells are comprised of type I (ATI) and type II (ATII) cells. ATI cells are polarized, although they have very flat morphology. The identification of marker proteins for apical and basolateral membranes of ATI cells is important to investigate into the differentiation of ATI cells. In this paper, we characterized receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) as a marker for ATI cells. RAGE was localized on basolateral membranes of ATI cells in the immunoelectron microscopy and its expression was enhanced in a parallel manner to the differentiation of ATI cells in vivo and in primary cultures of ATII cells. RAGE and T1 alpha, a well-known ATI marker protein, were targeted to basolateral and apical membranes, respectively, when expressed in polarized Madine Darby canine kidney cells. Moreover, RAGE was expressed in ATI cells after T1 alpha in vivo and in ex in vivo organ cultures. In conclusion, RAGE is a marker for basolateral membranes of well-differentiated ATI cells. ATI cells require some signal provided by the in vivo environment to express RAGE.     

cDNA isolation and functional expression of myrcene synthase from Perilla frutescens

cDNA cloning of a monoterpene synthase from Perilla frutescens whose steam-distilled oil contains 92.9% perillaketone, was performed by the PCR method using primers designed based on limonene synthase. The full-length nucleotide sequence of this cDNA consisted of 1978 bp including a 1827-bp translational region encoding a deduced protein of 608 amino acids, which was similar to that of limonene synthase from P. frutescens (85% identity). Functional expression of this clone in Escherichia coli yielded an active monoterpene synthase enzyme, which converted geranyl diphosphate into 53.8% myrcene, 20.9% sabinene, 19.8% linalool and 5.5% limonene. As for the extraction of reaction products, we performed SPME (solid phase micro extraction) as well as conventional solvent extraction, and compared these two extraction methods.     

Changes in the nasal NO level,nasal resistance,and nasal patency before and after exercise in normal subjects

The nasal mucosa plays an important role in human disease resistance by repeatedly constricting and expanding. The nasal membrane also shrinks after exercise and thereafter recovers gradually. We studied exercise-induced changes in nasal NO, nasal resistance, and a minimal cross-sectional area in normal subjects and discuss the role of nasal NO. Subjects were 11 healthy adults (5 men and 6 women 24-52 years of age). They underwent a 6-minute fixed-load treadmill exercise, walking about 6 km/hr for 6 minutes. The nasal NO level, nasal resistance, and minimal cross-sectional area were measured consecutively before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after exercise. Nasal resistance is known to decrease immediately after exercise and thereafter gradually increases until it reaches baseline levels. The minimal cross-sectional area increases immediately after exercise, but returns to baseline levels thereafter. The nasal NO level decreases immediately after exercise, but does not show changes parallel to nasal resistance or minimal cross-sectional area. The nasal NO level increases gradually, but then suddenly decreases at around 20 or 25 minutes after exercise. Its level thus shows 2 dips. This pattern is caused by a depletion of the NO substrate. As a result, NO is required by the various exercise-induced changes in many parts of the body. These findings suggest that NO production is related to the maintenance of homeostasis.     

Management of missed abortion in a patient with congenital cervical atresia

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with congenital cervical atresia who became pregnant through IVF and thawed transmyometrial ET and then experienced a missed abortion. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A patient with congenital cervical atresia who underwent reconstructive surgery at 23 years of age and underwent IVF twice at 28 and 30 years of age. INTERVENTION(S): Abortion management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Medical follow-up of IVF-ET, resultant pregnancy, and abortion. RESULT(S): After the second cycle of IVF with frozen-thawed transmyometrial ET, the patient became pregnant but then experienced a missed abortion. Serum beta-hCG levels decreased, the two gestational sacs disappeared, and genital bleeding without signs of infection occurred 14 weeks after diagnosis of the abortion. The abortion was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION(S): When assisted reproductive techniques are used in patients with congenital cervical atresia, the risks (including those relating to the management of an abortion) should be explained in detail to the couple and sufficient informed consent should be obtained before starting IVF-ET procedures.     

Chemoradiation therapy with or without salvage surgery for early squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx

PURPOSE: Early squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx is a rare clinical entity. Our objective was to analyze the outcome of patients with early hypopharyngeal cancer treated with curative radiotherapy or the combination of preoperative radiotherapy with surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three patients with Stage I-II hypopharyngeal cancer were initially treated with 30-40 Gy of irradiation with or without chemotherapy. Thirty-two patients (74.4%) who demonstrated a complete response continued to receive further radiotherapy, with a median total dose of 61.2 Gy. Eleven other patients (25.6%) received surgery. RESULTS: Local control with laryngeal voice preservation was achieved in 8 (88.9%) of 9 patients with Stage I disease, and in 23 (67.6%) of 34 patients with Stage II disease. The overall and disease-specific 5-year survival rates for all patients were 70.4% and 89.5%, respectively. The disease-specific survival rates according to the T-category were 100% for patients with T1 disease and 87.2% for patients with T2 disease (p = 0.32). Twenty patients (46.5%) had synchronous or metachronous cancers. Four patients died of hypopharyngeal cancer, and 5 died of second-primary esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients with early hypopharyngeal cancer was curable. However, second malignancies influenced the overall outcome of patients with early hypopharyngeal cancer.     

Fetal intraventricular bleeding possibly due to maternal vitamin K deficiency

We report a rare case of fetal intraventricular bleeding possibly due to maternal vitamin K deficiency. A 20-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to impending premature delivery and loss of dietary intake at 28 weeks of gestation. Her blood examination showed metabolic alkalosis, prolonged prothrombin time, and extremely high level of plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (protein induced by vitamin K absence, PIVKA-II). Intraventricular hemorrhage was demonstrated by ultrasonography 6 days after admission. She delivered a 2,288-gram girl infant at 40 weeks of gestation. Cranial computerized tomography and magnetic resonance images obtained postnatally demonstrated a reduced cerebral parenchyma adjacent to the interior side of the right lateral ventricle and the deficit of left cerebellum. The infant's head control was insufficient and central impaired hearing was noted at 6 months of life.     

A new evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity of patients with hemiparesis after stroke: the 10-second tests

We developed a new, sensitive evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke. This evaluation method consists of three types of test: the Finger Individual Movement Test, Hand Pronation and Supination Test, and Finger Tapping Test. In each test, the number of movements that can be performed during a 10-s period is measured. Data obtained by these 10-s tests were compared with those obtained by the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and the usefulness of this new method was evaluated. In patients with hemiparesis after stroke, three types of 10-s test and NHPT were performed for the upper extremities on both the affected and unaffected sides. Simple correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis of data obtained by the three types of test and NHPT were performed using the affected/unaffected ratios. Twenty patients participated (54-85 years; 0.23-43.83 months after stroke) with mild upper extremity hemiparesis. Significant correlations exist between Finger Individual Movement Test and NHPT data (r=-0.584, P=0.0068) and between Hand Pronation and Supination Test and NHPT data (r=-0.707, P=0.0005). The multiple regression analysis model using the three types of 10-s test as explanatory variables was significant (P=0.0025) and explained 52.4% of the NHPT results. A significant association was observed between NHPT and the 10-s tests. The 10-s tests require no special examination instruments and can be readily performed in a short period. This evaluation method consisting of the 10-s tests can be a new clinical parameter of dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.     

Role of glycosphingolipids and therapeutic perspectives on Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder dividing into two forms, early onset familial and late onset sporadic forms. Early onset genetic cases (familial AD (FAD)) constitute about 10% of all AD cases. Heretofore, highly fibrillinogenic and pathological Abeta peptide formation is regarded as the fundamental molecular basis for this disorder. Recent enormous efforts to find out a pathogenesis, however, have revealed that this disorder has a multiplicity of causes such as glycosphingolipids abnormalities, impairment of neurotrophin signaling, protein trafficking, and protein turnover. Most of these aspects were disclosed by the studies on FAD-related presenilin. In this review, we will focus on the current knowledge of many abnormal aspects of cellular lipids, especially glycosphingolipids other than a pathogenic Abeta production caused by the mutant presenilins as a model system. Moreover, we will discuss how these glycosphingolipids abnormalities cause the pathological conditions found in this disorder.     

A neonate with an anomalous bone attached to the cervical spine

Background contextA digit/rib-like ectopic bone is a rare congenital anomaly that is most commonly seen in the thorax or pelvis. There is a single report of an adult possessing a phalanx-like bone in the cervical region; however, whether the abnormal bone was congenital or acquired remains elusive.PurposeTo elucidate that a phalanx-like bone in the cervical region represents a congenital anomaly.Study designCase report.MethodsReport of the imaging findings in a neonate with a palpable bone projection in the posterior neck.ResultsPlain radiographs demonstrated an ectopic bone posterior to the spinous process of the C5 vertebra. Three-dimensional computed tomography demonstrated that the anomalous bone was attached to the left lamina of the C5 vertebra and that there was abnormal segmentation of the left side of the cervical spine.ConclusionsThe anomalous bone in the neck is a congenital malformation that is accompanied by the maldevelopment of the cervical spine.