Expression of EGF, EGF-receptor, p53, v-erb B and ras p21 in colorectal neoplasms by immunostaining paraffin-embedded tissues

Immunohistochemical studies were performed to clarify the significance of the expression or overexpression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF-receptor (EGFR), p53, v- erb B, ras p21 in 23 cases each of tubular adenoma and adenocarcinoma. The expression of EGF, EGFR, p53, v- erb B, and ras p21 in paraffin-embedded tissues, from 46 patients with colorectal tumors (adenoma: 23 cases; 14 mild dysplasia, six moderate dysplasia, three severe dysplasia, adenocarcinoma: 23 cases; 17 well differentiated, two moderately differentiated, three poorly differentiated, one mucinous carcinoma was analyzed immunohistochemically using anti-EGF, EGFR, p53, v- erb B and ras p21 antibodies. The EGF and ras p21 tended to express more strongly in carcinoma cases than in the adenoma cases, and in severe and moderate dysplasia than in mild dysplasia (EGF: stained positive in five adenomas [21.74%] and 17 adenocarcinomas [73.91%]; ras p21: stained positive in six adenomas [26.09%] and 14 adenocarcinomas [60.87%]. The EGFR stained positive in two adenomas (8.70%) and two adenocarcinomas (8.70%). The p53 and v- erb B showed positive staining only in the carcinoma cases (p53: stained positive in four cases [17.39%]; v- erb B: stained positive in eight cases [34.78%]). This study suggests that these factors seem to have some role in the progression of colon neoplasms. It suggests that genetic alteration is not always equal to the overexpression of protein products, but that it reflects them well, and that the staining makes some contribution to differential diagnosis in colorectal neoplasms.     

Expression of rck/p54, a DEAD-box RNA helicase, in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis of mice.

rck/p54 is a DEAD-box RNA helicase protein with ATP-dependent RNA-unwinding activity. Its ortholog is required for sexual reproduction in yeast and for oocyte survival and sperm fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the current study, we investigated the expression of rck/p54 in mouse gametogenesis and early embryogenesis. Western blot analysis revealed that rck/p54 was highly expressed in both the ovary and testis. In the ovary, maturing oocytes strongly expressed rck/p54 in their cytoplasm. In contrast, in the testis, spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes highly expressed rck/p54 in their cytoplasm, but its expression decreased in the spermatids. Interestingly, rck/p54 was concentrated in the heads of spermatozoa; and then its expression gradually decreased as these cells matured along the epididymal duct. After fertilization, rck/p54 protein and its mRNA remained present in the pronucleus phase; and then their expression levels slightly but definitely decreased in morulae and blastocytes. The injection of a CMV-based rck/p54 expression vector into the pronuclei of fertilized eggs caused a delay in early embryogenesis. In generating RCK transgenic mice, the birth rate of the mice was significantly lower than those of other gene transgenic mice. These findings indicate that rck/p54 may play an important role in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis in mammals.     

现代免疫佐剂研究

佐剂在广义上是指通过特异性或非特异性免疫增强作用提高血清中疫苗抗原特异性抗体水平的物质。可溶性纯化蛋白质疫苗或蛋白质亚单位疫苗的免疫激活作用通常较弱，不足以刺激机体产生足够的抗体，因此通常在疫苗制剂中加入佐剂。与单独应用抗原相比，抗原与佐剂联合应用所需的抗原量较少，机体产生的抗体量较多，并且还可以减轻免疫耐受。     

Lean body mass and bone mineral density in physically exercising postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the relative contribution of body composition (lean and fat mass component) to postmenopausal bone mineral density (BMD) differs between women participating in physical exercise and sedentary women. METHODS: Subjects were 45 postmenopausal women participating in regular physical exercise and 89 sedentary controls aged 50-60 years. Baseline characteristics included age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI, Wt/Ht(2)), age at menopause, and years since menopause (YSM). Body fat mass, percentage of body fat, lean body mass, and lumbar spine BMD (L2-4) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Although age, height, weight, BMI, and YSM did not differ between the two groups, lean body mass and lumbar spine BMD were significantly higher (P<0.05 and <0.001, respectively), while body fat mass and percentage of body fat mass were significantly lower in exercising women than in sedentary controls (P<0.05 and <0.05, respectively). In exercising women, BMD was positively correlated with lean body mass (r=0.415, P<0.01) but not with body fat mass (r=0.155, NS). Conversely, in sedentary controls, BMD was correlated with body fat mass (r=0.251, P<0.05) and lean body mass (r=0.228, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lean body mass is a more significant determinant of postmenopausal BMD in physically exercising women than in sedentary women.     

Reversible Photo‐Mechanical Switching Behavior of Azobenzene‐Containing Semi‐Interpenetrating Network under UV and Visible Light Irradiation

Summary: Light‐induced reversible changes in elasticity of semi‐interpenetrating network (semi‐IPN) films bearing azobenzene moieties were achieved under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation. The semi‐IPN film was prepared by a cationic copolymerization of azobenzene‐containing vinyl ethers in a linear polycarbonate (PC) film as a matrix. When the irradiation was switched on and off, the semi‐IPN film showed rapid reversible deformation with the same behavior occurring over a range of wavelengths, including both the UV and visible regions. The observed reversible deformation of the film was attributed to the decrease in the film's elasticity, which was assumed to be caused by the frequent trans‐cis cycling isomerization of azobenzene moieties taking place during the UV and visible light irradiation. This cycling makes it difficult for the azobenzene groups to aggregate, thus hindering their ability to function as pseudo‐crosslinking points.

     

Assessment of Baroreceptor Reflex Function During Mental Stress and Relaxation

This paper describes a method of measuring baroreceptor cardiac reflex sensitivity noninvasively from spontaneous patterns of blood pressure and interbeat interval, and the application of this technique in psychophysiology. Baroreflex function was assessed in 24 female volunteers during relaxation and performance of the cold pressor test and a non-verbal mental arithmetic task. Blood pressure and interbeat interval were monitored continuously from the finger using the vascular unloading technique. Sequences of three or more cardiac cycles were identified over which systolic blood pressure increased progressively in conjunction with lengthening interbeat interval, or systolic blood pressure decreased as interbeat interval was reduced. The regression between systolic blood pressure and interbeat interval was computed as an index of baroreflex sensitivity. Relaxation was associated with a small prolongation of interbeat interval, whereas baroreflex sensitivity increased from 17.1 to 19.8 ms/mmHg. Baroreflex sensitivity was reduced significantly during mental arithmetic (mean 14.2 ms/mmHg) but not during the cold pressor test (mean 17.4 ms/mmHg). The difference between mental arithmetic and the cold pressor test may be related to the relative intensity of cardiac and vascular responses in the two situations. The implications of these results for the understanding of behavioural influences on haemodynamic function are discussed and the advantages of noninvasive methods are considered.     

Clinical results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

BackgroundAlthough the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) have been reported, few studies have focused on diabetic patients. We investigated and compared the clinical results of ARCR in patients with and without diabetes.MethodsThis retrospective study involved 195 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR from 2015 to 2018 in our hospital. Twenty-seven and 168 shoulders were assigned to diabetes and non-diabetes groups, respectively. Diabetic patients with poor control were preoperatively hospitalized for perioperative diabetic control. We evaluated range of motion (ROM), Japanese Orthopaedic Association shoulder (JOA) score, Constant Shoulder Score, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year post-ARCR. Rates of rotator cuff retear 1 year post-ARCR and preoperative and postoperative stiff shoulder were also evaluated. We compared the results between groups and analyzed them statistically. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsPreoperative ROM, JOA score, Constant Shoulder Score and UCLA scores showed significant improvement at post-ARCR in both groups (p < 0.05). On comparing the groups, although preoperative JOA score and Constant Shoulder Score were significantly lower in diabetes group than in non-diabetes group (diabetic/non-diabetic group; 60.0/65.3 for JOA score; p = 0.003, 59.7/64.2 for Constant Shoulder Score; p = 0.003), there was no significant difference postoperatively (6 months post-ARCR; 88.0/89.7 for JOA score; p = 0.783, 88.1/88.6 for Constant Shoulder Score; p = 0.597, 1 year post-ARCR; 96.7/95.4 for JOA score; p = 0.238, 96.6/95.4 for Constant Shoulder Score; p = 0.248). Furthermore, preoperative and postoperative stiff shoulder and retear rates were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.152, p = 0.344, p = 0.347, and p = 0.563, respectively).ConclusionDiabetic patients showed comparable clinical results with non-diabetic patients post-ARCR. Perioperative diabetic control may be recommended for preoperatively uncontrolled diabetic patients.     

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     

Peliosis Hepatis in a Child with X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy Treated with Living-Donor Liver Transplant: A Case Report

BackgroundMyotubular myopathy is a rare disease sometimes accompanied by peliosis hepatis, a leading cause of fatal liver hemorrhage.Case ReportWe present a case of a 2-year-old boy with myotubular myopathy who developed liver hemorrhage because of peliosis hepatis and was successfully treated with living-donor liver transplant. The patient initially presented with fever, anemia, and liver dysfunction. A computed tomographic scan revealed hemorrhages in the liver, and the patient underwent hepatic artery embolization twice. After the second embolization, multiple peliosis hepatis cavities appeared in the left lobe of the liver that had increased in size. Therefore, the patient underwent ABO-incompatible living-donor liver transplant using a lateral segment graft from his father. The patient developed severe septic shock with an unknown focus on postoperative day 18, which resolved with antibiotic therapy. On postoperative day 62, he was discharged. Fourteen months after undergoing living-donor liver transplant, the patient showed no recurrence of peliosis hepatis.ConclusionsAlthough the long-term prognosis of peliosis hepatis due to myotubular myopathy after living-donor liver transplant remains unclear, liver transplant may be a curative treatment for patients with myotubular myopathy who have uncontrollable peliosis hepatis.