An anatomical study of the muscles that attach to the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint

The masticatory muscles are generally described as the muscles that originate from the cranium and insert on the mandible. Some of the masticatory muscles also insert into the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint. Although there are numerous reports of studies on the attachment of the fibers to the disc, most reports discuss only one muscle. We have shown that the masticatory muscles are not simply a group of clearly independent muscles, but that these muscles contain various transitional muscle bundles among the major muscles. From this point of view, we carried out minute dissection of the collective muscles and muscle bundles surrounding the temporomandibular joint. We dissected 40 head halves of 20 Japanese cadavers (10 males, 10 females: average 79.6 yr). After complete removal of the bony elements, the structures surrounding the temporomandibular joint were investigated en‐block. In all specimens, the superior surface of the upper head of lateral pterygoid and the midmedial muscle bundle were attached to the disc. In some specimens, the discotemporal bundle, zygomaticomandibularis, and masseter were attached to the anterior surface of the disc. The total vector of these muscles pulls the disc anteriorly. In contrast, the vector of the muscles to the condylar processes of the mandible pulls the mandible medially. From these observations, it seems that the fibers, which attach to the disc act to steady the disc against the masticatory movement. Clin. Anat. 22:932–940, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Changes of gene expression profiles in macrophages stimulated by angiotensin II--angiotensin II induces MCP-2 through AT1-receptor.

INTRODUCTION: Macrophages play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy as well as many inflammatory diseases. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AIIA) are beneficial for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy suggesting that angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes the development of these diseases. It has recently been reported that Ang II exerts proinflammatory actions in vivo and in vitro. This study was aimed to clarify the direct effects of Ang II on monocytes/macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PMA-treated THP-1 cells, a human monocytic leukaemia cell line, were treated with Ang II (10-6 mol/L) for 24 hours with or without AIIA (CV11974). We evaluated gene expression profiles of these cells using DNA microarray system and quantified them by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: DNA microarray revealed that in total 19 genes, including monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-2, were up-regulated by Ang II and down-regulated by AIIA. Real-time RT-PCR showed that up-regulation of MCP-2 with Ang II is blocked by the AIIA (CV11974) but not by an AT2-receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Ang II directly stimulates MCP-2 expression through AT1-receptors in activated macrophages. Ang II may contribute to the persistence or amplification of microinflammation in vessel walls, heart and kidney. Vasculoprotective or renoprotective effects of AIIA might partly depend on direct anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages.     

Intradural recurrence of multiple myeloma during the hematological complete remission

In December 1997, a 55-year-old man presented with left-sided back and arm pain. Pretreatment examination revealed IgG-lambda type M-protein, Bence-Jones protein and the posterior mediastinum tumor. Bone marrow examination revealed hypercellular marrow with 73.6% plasma cells. He was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma with extramedullary lesion. As a result of VAD, MP, interferon and radiation therapy, he had a hematological complete remission. After 21 months, he developed intradural relapse at cauda equina and cerebrum. Many plasma cells and IgG-lambda type M-protein were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. Laboratory examinations showed a complete remission except for cerebral and meningeal involvement. The myeloma cells might have infiltrated the intradural space at diagnosis and expanded in the central nervous system despite chemotherapy. Because reported cases with cerebral and meningeal myeloma are increasing according to the recent advance of treatment, we must pay attention to the meningeal myeloma.     

Potential usage of liposomal 4beta-aminoalkyl-4'-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin (TOP-53) for cancer chemotherapy

To enhance the therapeutic efficacy as well as to reduce the side effect, we attempted to liposomalize 4beta-aminoalkyl-4'-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin (TOP-53), a novel and effective topoisomerase II inhibitor. More than 90% of TOP-53 was efficiently incorporated into the liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol by remote-loading method. Anti-tumor activity of liposomal TOP-53 against solid tumor was examined in vivo using colon26 NL-17 carcinoma model mice. Three doses of liposomal TOP-53 (12 mg/kg/dose) showed significant tumor growth suppression (97.5% reduction determined at day 25) and the increase in life span (33%) of tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, one mouse out of 5 was completely cured after treatment. Since similar efficacy was observed in the free TOP-53 treated group, liposomalization does not contribute much to the enhancement of therapeutic efficacy. However, a slight but measurable damage at the injection site was observed when free TOP-53 was injected, and the damage was diminished by the liposomalization. Taken together, liposomalization reduces the side effect rather than enhancing the therapeutic efficacy when TOP-53 is used.     

Cancer chemotherapy by liposomal 6-[12-(dimethylamino)ethyl]aminol-3-hydroxy-7H-indeno[2,1-clquinolin-7-one dihydrochloride (TAS-103), a novel anti-cancer agent

A novel anti-tumor agent, 6-[[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino]-3-hydroxy-7H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-one dihydrochloride (TAS-103), effectively inhibits both topoisomerase I and II activities. To enhance anti-tumor efficacy and to reduce the side effects of the agent, liposomalization of TAS-103 was performed. TAS-103 was effectively entrapped in liposomes by a remote-loading method, and was stable at 4 degrees C and in the presence of 50% serum. To evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of liposomal TAS-103, the growth inhibition against Lewis lung carcinoma cells in vitro and the therapeutic efficacy against solid tumor-bearing mice in vivo were examined. Liposomal TAS-103 showed strong cytotoxic effect against Lewis lung carcinoma cells in a dose dependent manner and effectively suppressed solid tumor growth accompanying longer survival time of tumor-bearing mice in comparison with the mice treated with free TAS-103. These results suggest that liposomal TAS-103 is useful for cancer therapy.     

Identification of fungi based on the nucleotide sequence homology of their internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region

In this study, we examined the identification of fungi based on the sequence homology of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region. A newly designed primer pair could amplify the target region of all 42 strains tested. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequence homologies were searched by BLAST. It was demonstrated that this method is a reliable identification method at the genus or species level. At present, available databases are still insufficient to identify some fungi, but with the accumulation of further data in the ITS1 database, this method will be available for the identification of fungi.     

Suicide among psychiatric patients in Fukuoka Prefecture]

To investigate suicide among psychiatric patients in Japan (mainly Fukuoka prefecture), a questionnaire survey was submitted to psychiatrists from departments of psychiatry of university hospitals in Japan, departments of psychiatry of Rosai Hospitals in Japan, psychiatric hospitals in Fukuoka prefecture, psychiatric clinics in Fukuoka prefecture, and departments of psychiatry of general hospitals in Fukuoka prefecture regarding their psychiatric patients who died from suicide (266 females and 267 males). A large proportion of the patients at completed suicide was aged within the thirties to fifties. The majority of patients suffered from either F3 (mood disorders) or F2 (schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders) categories of the ICD-10 classification. Approximately one-fifth of the patients in Fukuoka prefecture had jobs at the time of completed suicide. The main "occupational risk factors" that were found to be risks for suicide were "failure or overloaded responsibilities in their jobs" and "worsening business situation". The main "other risk factors", i.e., risk factors other than "occupational risk factors" were "worsening psychiatric conditions", "personal life events (e.g., somatic illness or marital discord)" and "life events in other family members (e.g., familial discord or familial problems)". Over 50% of all cases had both "occupational risk factors" and "other risk factors", suggestive of the necessity for multidimensional evaluation and care in the treatment of suicidal patients. Given that numerous males that suffer from psychiatric disorders commit suicide without seeing a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a system to treat them appropriately in order to prevent unnecessary deaths.