Comparative analysis of layer-specific genes in Mammalian neocortex

We examined the expression patterns of 4 layer-specific genes in monkey and mouse cortices by fluorescence double in situ hybridization. Based on their coexpression profiles, we were able to distinguish several subpopulations of deep layer neurons. One group was characterized by the expression of ER81 and the lack of Nurr1 mRNAs and mainly localized to layer 5. In monkeys, this neuronal group was further subdivided by 5-HT2C receptor mRNA expression. The 5-HT2C(+)/ER81(+) neurons were located in layer 5B in most cortical areas, but they intruded layer 6 in the primary visual area (V1). Another group of neurons, in monkey layer 6, was characterized by Nurr1 mRNA expression and was further subdivided as Nurr1(+)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)(-) and Nurr1(+)/CTGF(+) neurons in layers 6A and 6B, respectively. The Nurr1(+)/CTGF(+) neurons coexpressed ER81 mRNA in monkeys but not in mice. On the basis of tracer injections in 3 monkeys, we found that the Nurr1(+) neurons in layer 6A send some corticocortical, but not corticopulvinar, projections. Although the Nurr1(+)/CTGF(-) neurons were restricted to lateral regions in the mouse cortex, they were present throughout the monkey cortex. Thus, an architectonic heterogeneity across areas and species was revealed for the neuronal subpopulations with distinct gene expression profiles.     

Occult myopathy of the vastus intermedius muscles detected by magnetic resonance imaging in subclinical dermatomyositis: report of two cases

The thigh muscles of two patients with dermatomyositis (DM) without muscle weakness or conspicuous creatine kinase elevations were studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Myositis limited to the vastus intermedius muscles (VIM) was detected in both patients, and in one, the diagnosis was confirmed by the findings of a biopsy specimen. Focal myositis of the VIM in early-stage DM, which otherwise would remain hidden by the relatively small muscle size and deep location, can be detected by MRI.     

Clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscles in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies of adults]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of skeletal muscles in Japanese patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). MRI was performed in 23 adult patients with IIM, including 10 with polymyositis, 12 with dermatomyositis, and 1 with focal myositis. Seven (73%) of 11 patients with active IIM and 2 (17%) of 12 patients with inactive IIM showed hyperintensity of T 2-weighted images and normal intensity of T 1-weighted images, indicating "edema-like abnormalities" (MRI findings for active myositis). Muscle lipomatosis and fibrosis were demonstrated in four patients and 1 patient, respectively. Considerable selectivity of muscles in developing inflammatory disorders was found. In quadriceps muscles, for example, vastus muscles seemed to be more often affected in DM patients, whereas adductors were more often affected in PM patients. Serial examination of muscle MRIs was carried out in 4 patients and the findings paralleled the disease activities. The muscle MRI findings did not necessarily correlate with other findings, such as the presence of muscle weakness, elevated serum creatine kinase levels, myogenic electromyogram, or muscle biopsy findings. The muscle MRI was considered to be an additional useful tool for the diagnosis, evaluation of disease activity, and planning treatment of IIM.     

Positron Emission Tomography to Elucidate Pharmacokinetic Differences of Regioisomeric Retinoid X Receptor Agonists

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Polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor B gene is associated with Palmoplantar pustulosis

We investigated the allele and genotype distribution of a polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) B gene and the frequency of HLA-DR9 in 49 patients with Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and 51 healthy controls. We found that the frequency of TNFB2 in the PPP patients was significantly higher than that in the controls. Furthermore, the DR9-TNFB2 haplotype was significantly more frequent in the PPP patients (P=0.0045). These results suggest that TNFB2 may confer susceptibility to PPP.     

A study of preclinical and clinical usefulness of new tumor markers of ovarian carcinoma, CA 54/61 and CA 602. 1. Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of CA 54/61, a study of the normal range of its values and its correlation with other tumor markers]

We made a preclinical study of CA 54/61, a recently developed marker of ovarian tumors, and also conducted a clinical study of it using serum samples collected from 58 institutions located throughout Japan. This paper describes the results of the preclinical study of the CA 54/61 marker that were obtained with a kit based on an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and also the findings with the kit in the clinical study pertaining to the normal range of its values, its values relative to age, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy, and its correlations with other tumor markers. The tests for reproducibility of assay results, the analytical recovery test, and the dilution test all gave favorable results: the marker proved reliable in both precision and reproducibility. Two cut-off values were used: the mean + 2 S.D. of the mean for healthy subjects, or 20 U/ml; and the value for the maximum diagnostic efficacy, i.e., 12 U/ml. The assay results did not vary greatly with either age, menstrual cycle or pregnancy stage, which suggested that CA 54/61 might be a marker less liable to be affected by physiological conditions prevailing at the time of sample collection. The result correlated poorly with those of assays with other markers; thus CA 54/61 proved to differ in property from the previously recognized tumor markers.