Immunohistochemical distribution of tubulin beta II in human normal and neoplastic tissues

Tubulin is the major constituent protein of microtubules. In mammals, there are seven beta-tubulins and six alpha-tubulins. Each beta-tubulin isotype has a unique tissue distribution. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of tubulin beta II in normal and neoplastic human tissues with immunohistochemical techniques. We obtained normal tissues from 33 cases (8 fetuses, 17 neonates, 3 children and 5 adults) and 121 samples of neoplastic tissue from surgical specimens or at autopsy. Immunohistochemical staining for tubulin beta II was performed using a monoclonal antibody, KNY379 developed in our laboratory. Tubulin beta II was detected in various normal tissues, particularly in fetal and neonatal tissues, such as the nervous system, pulmonary alveoli, bronchioles and bronchi, colon, pancreatic ducts and acini, renal convoluted tubuli, skin epidermis, body cavity mesothelial cells, smooth muscle and thymus. In the adult, broad expression was also observed; however, the immunoreactivity was weaker and the extent of its distribution decreased with age. In neoplastic tissues, tubulin beta II immunoreactivity was detected in various nervous system neoplasms and other neoplasms such as pancreatic solid cystic carcinoma, pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumor, nephroblastoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant mesothelioma. We conclude that our monoclonal antibody, KNY379, may be useful as a marker of nervous system neoplasm, pancreatic solid cystic carcinoma, pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumor, nephroblastoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant mesothelioma.     

Dietary patterns and colorectal adenomas in Japanese men: the Self-Defense Forces Health Study

The role of dietary patterns in colorectal carcinogenesis remains unclear in Asian populations. Using 1999-2002 data, the authors investigated the association between dietary patterns and colorectal adenomas in 1,341 Japanese men who underwent total colonoscopy. Information about diet was obtained using a 74-item food frequency questionnaire prior to the colonoscopy. Three dietary patterns were generated by factor analysis: 1) a high-dairy, high-fruit and -vegetable, high-starch, low-alcohol pattern; 2) an "animal food" pattern; and 3) a Japanese pattern. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio of having colorectal adenomas with the adjustment for potential confounding variables including body mass index, smoking, alcohol, and leisure-time physical activities. A significant inverse association was found for the high-dairy, high-fruit and -vegetable, high-starch, low-alcohol pattern; the odds ratios for the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 1.36), 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.50, 1.01), and 0.62 (95% confidence interval: 0.43, 0.90), respectively, compared with the lowest (p(trend) = 0.003). Similar associations were observed for larger adenomas or for each subsite of the colorectum. The Japanese and "animal food" patterns were not clearly associated with colorectal adenomas. A dietary pattern including greater consumption of dairy products and fruits and vegetables with low alcohol consumption may be associated with decreased risk of colorectal adenomas.     

Allergic airway eosinophilia is suppressed in ovalbumin-sensitized Brown Norway rats fed raffinose and alpha-linked galactooligosaccharide

We recently found that dietary raffinose suppressed allergic airway eosinophilia in ovalbumin-sensitized Brown Norway rats. Using this model in the present study, we compared the efficacy of other oligosaccharides with that of raffinose. Brown Norway rats were immunized s.c. with ovalbumin on d 0 and exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin on d 20; broncho-alveolar lavage fluid was obtained on d 21. In Expt. 1, rats were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with different oligosaccharides (50 g/kg diet, raffinose, alpha-linked galactooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide, and xylooligosaccharide). The number of eosinophils in the fluid was significantly lower in rats fed raffinose and alpha-linked galactooligosaccharide diets than in those fed the control diet. Dietary fructooligosaccharide and xylooligosaccharide did not affect airway eosinophilia. In Expt. 2, i.p. administration of raffinose and alpha-linked galactooligosaccharide, but not fructooligosaccharide and xylooligosaccharide, suppressed airway eosinophilia in rats fed the control diet. In Expt. 3, suppression of airway eosinophilia by dietary alpha-linked galactooligosaccharide occurred in cecectomized rats administered neomycin. Reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 mRNA in lung tissue were associated with the suppression of airway eosinophilia. We propose that indigestible oligosaccharides differ in their suppressive effect on allergic airway eosinophilia in ovalbumin-sensitized Brown Norway rats and that the effect appears not to be mediated by intestinal microflora.     

A novel endogenous digitalis, telocinobufagin, exhibits elevated plasma levels in patients with terminal renal failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are several potential endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLF) in mammalian body fluids, and marinobufagenin (MBG) may be the most potent EDLF. Improved assays are needed to confirm the potency of these metabolites. In the present study, we have identified MBG and telocinobufagin (TCB) in human plasma by high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: The high-resolution MS analysis revealed the molecular masses of TCB and MBG to be the same as their respective theoretical values. Using a tandem mass spectrometer, the mass-charge ratio for TCB was determined to be 403.2 for the parent ion and 349.2 for the daughter ion. The mass-charge ratio for MBG was m/z 383.2 and m/z 401.2. The NMR study revealed that the signals for MBG and TCB were the same as those obtained by MS analysis. In human blood, MBG and TCB were also identified by liquid chromatography (LC) as well as MS. In the LC/MS assay, proscillaridin A was used as an internal standard. The plasma was pretreated with Sep-Pak C18, and then 50 microL was applied to the C8 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column. The mean plasma concentration of MBG in healthy volunteers (0.94 +/- 0.28 ng/mL) was significantly lower than that in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (3.81 +/- 1.92 ng/mL). The concentration of TCB in the healthy volunteers (1.80 +/- 0.55 ng/mL) was also significantly lower than that in patients with terminal renal failure (6.86 +/- 4.30 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the major EDLF is TCB because its plasma concentration is the highest among the reported endogenous digitalis candidates.     

Reduction of radiation dose at HRCT of the temporal bone in children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reduce the radiation exposure of the eye lens in high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone using an experimental phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HRCT image that was used for analysis was obtained by changing parameters including effective-mAs (E-mAs), distance coverage, and height of object in the Y-axis. Radiation exposure was measured to calculate equivalent doses by glass rod dosimeters that were fixed above the right orbit parallel to the body axis. Deterioration in image quality was evaluated by three radiologists and the following three-point rating method was employed: grade 1 (good image quality without diagnostic limitations), grade 2 (image was deteriorated, but there were no diagnostic limitations), and grade 3 (image was deteriorated with diagnostic limitations). RESULTS: Assuming that the equivalent dose was y (mSv), and E-mAs was x, a simple regression line, y=0.506x-0.494 (decision coefficient, R2=0.999), was obtained. A standard deviation (S.D.) less than 120 (E-mAs, 220-120) was judged as grade 1, an S.D. between 120 and 150 was judged as grade 2, and an S.D. higher than 150 was judged as grade 3, indicating that deterioration of the quality of images with reduced E-mAs affected the diagnosis by imaging at S.D. higher than 150. CONCLUSION: Radiation dose at the eye lens in HRCT could be reduced up to an equivalent dose corresponding to 70 mAs without compromising diagnostic quality in the phantom experiment.     

Accuracy of cardiac PET imaging using post-injection transmission scan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of cardiac PET with post-injection transmission scans. METHODS: We performed a phantom study using 18F solution as well as 13N-ammonia PET study of ten patients. The average activities of no myocardial defect phantom model were estimated, and myocardial defect sizes of 12 phantom models were measured by pre- and post-injection transmission methods at various 18F activities. In 13N-ammonia PET at rest and during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stress studies, measured defect sizes were compared between both methods. RESULTS: The ratios of average activity estimated by both methods (post/pre value) were almost 1.00 at each 18F activity and segment. Measured defect sizes by both methods showed an excellent correlation with true defect sizes (r = 0.98, p < 0.01 for pre vs. true value: r = 0.98, p < 0.01 for post vs. true value). The mean absolute errors of measurements were minimal up to 3.5% LV, and were similar between both methods. In 13N-ammonia PET, measured defect sizes by both methods also showed a good correlation (r = 0.97, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that cardiac PET imaging with post-injection transmission scan provides information on myocardial tracer activity as well as myocardial defect size as does conventional pre-injection transmission method.     

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma recurring with multiple bone and lung metastases: report of a case

BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of patients with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) develop recurrent disease, mainly in lung or pelvis. Bone metastasis of low-grade ESS is an extremely rare phenomenon. CASE: A 63-year-old Japanese female developed multiple bone and lung metastases 18 years after initial treatment for low-grade ESS. Bone scintigram showed a high uptake area at thoracic spine (Th6, Th8-9 and Th12), right 9th rib, iliac bone, and sacrum. Radiation therapy with Liniac of 4500cGy to the Th6 vertebra and Liniac of 4200cGy to sacrum was performed for the palliation of the pain. Radiotherapy was effective for the pain relief, although the size of recurrent tumor was unchanged. CONCLUSION: This is the first detailed reported case of multiple bone recurrence in a patient with low-grade ESS. The long-term follow-up after treatment is recommended.     

Cervical varix accompanied by placenta previa in twin pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Uterine cervical varix is a rare complication in pregnant women and can be the cause of obstetric hemorrhage in the vagina resulting in adverse events for both the mother and fetus. CASE: A 34-year-old Japanese woman was hospitalized at 18 weeks gestation because of cervical varix and placenta previa. Prophylactic tocolysis successfully controlled the obstetric hemorrhage. At 27 weeks gestation, emergent cesarean section was performed because of intractable hemorrhage from the marginal placenta previa. Intraabdominal findings revealed no vascular malformation of the uterus, and the operation was performed uneventfully. A speculum examination of the vagina and cervix at 1 month postpartum were unremarkable. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize the clinical features and available treatments for cervical varix.