Effect of estrogen on rat placental development depending on gestation stage

We examined the sequential histopathological changes in the placenta from rats exposed to estrogen. 17 β-estrogiol-3-benzoate was intraperitoneally administered at 100 μg/animal/day during GD 6 to GD 8 (GD6–8 treated group), GD 9 to GD 11 (GD9–11 treated group) and GD 12 to GD 14 (GD12–14 treated group), and the placentas were sampled on GDs 11, 13, 15, 17, and 21. Fetal mortality rates were increased up to approximately 50% in the GD6–8 and 9–11 treated groups, but there was no change of fetal weight on GD 21. An increase in placental weight and a reduction in fetal/placental weight ratio were detected during GD 17 to GD 21 in the GD6–8 treated group. Histopathologically, hypoplasia of metrial gland was detected with defective development of spiral arteries in the GD6–8 and GD9–11 treated groups. A decrease in the thickness of metrial gland was observed from GD 11 onwards in the GD6–8 treated group and from GD 13 onwards in the GD9–11 treated group. The endovascular trophoblasts invaded into the spiral arteries in the deep part of metrial gland in these treated groups. The number of phospho-histone H3 positive cells was decreased on GD 11 or GD 13 in these groups. In the decidua basalis, transitory necrosis was observed with hemorrhage on GD 13 in the GD6–8 and GD9–11 treated groups. In the labyrinth zone, cystic dilatation of the sinusoid was observed with congestion in the GD6–8 treated group, resulting in an increased placental weight. Therefore, we consider that estrogen inhibits the proliferation of decidualized endometrial stromal cells in the metrial gland, and leads to metrial gland hypoplasia with less development of the spiral arteries. The reduced utero-placental blood flow is supposed to be one of the important factors for poor reproductive performance.     

Imbalance of coagulation and fibrinolysis can predict vascular access failure in patients on hemodialysis after vascular access intervention

Objective

For patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, the durability of vascular access (VA) is still far from optimal, and access survival after intervention for access failure is an important aspect. Procoagulant status is a leading cause of access failure. Coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance can occur in hemodialyzed patients, but the influence of the imbalance has not been fully elucidated.

Lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the era of widespread use of methotrexate: A review of the literature and current perspective

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) in patients receiving methotrexate (MTX) have gained strong attention. In this article, I reviewed the basic and clinical findings of this issue. Patients with RA possess a high risk of lymphoma, but epidemiological evidence showing an association between the use of MTX and lymphoma is still limited. Rapid regression of LPD after stopping MTX in patients with RA strongly suggests that there is a causative relationship. Genetic predisposition, accumulated inflammation, impaired generation of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, effects of MTX on the regulation of EBV genes, and low hypermethylation of apoptosis-related genes are relevant to the development of LPD and rapid regression after cessation of MTX. The clinical and histological characteristics of LPD in RA patients who are treated with MTX have been established, and recent data indicate that initial cessation of MTX and watchful waiting to observe an increase in peripheral lymphocyte counts have a therapeutic value. In advanced cases, various chemotherapy regimens are used, and consultation with hematologists is recommended to select the optimal treatment. There is no consensus on the treatment of RA after development of LPD, and long-term observation is necessary to investigate the safety of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in these patients.     

The Gross Anatomy of the Original and Regenerated Tail in the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

This study investigates the gross anatomy of the original and the regenerated tail in the green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Dissections were conducted on 24 original and 13 regenerated tails. While the extrinsic muscles of the original tail in A. carolinensis are similar to those in other known Anolis lizard species, the extent of the origins of m. caudofemoralis longus and m. caudofemoralis brevis is more restricted. These differences may underlie variation in locomotor performance among anole ecomorphs. The intrinsic muscles of the original tail are also described, confirming previous findings and documenting new details, including muscle origins and insertions and the range of intraspecific variation. A comparison of the intrinsic muscles of the original tail and the regenerated tail muscles reveals key differences, such as the lack of interdigitating muscle segments and intramuscular septa in the regenerated tail. These findings, along with the replacement of interlocking vertebrae with a stiff, cartilaginous rod, suggest that important functional differences exist between the original and regenerated tail. In particular, the regenerated tail is predicted to be less capable of coordinated, fine movements. Studies of the physical properties and range of motion of the original and regenerated tail are required to test this hypothesis. This atlas of tail anatomy in A. carolinensis represents a key resource for developmental and genetic studies of tail regeneration in lizards, as well as studies of anole evolution and biomechanics. Anat Rec,, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Leukotriene C4 contents,synthase and catabolic activity in human meningiomas

Abstract

Leukotriene has been proposed as a factor of tumour induced brain oedema. Independently of its size, meningioma occasionally shows various extents of peritumoural oedema. We investigated LTC₄ tissue contentsLTC₄ catabolic and synthetic activity in 12 human meningiomas and their correlation with peritumoural oedema was studied. LTC₄ contents were varied from 0.01 to 8.21 pg/mg tissue. When LTA4/ an unstable expoxide intermediate was incubated with tumour homogenate, LTC₄ was rapidly synthesized. However; LTC₄ levels generated by incubating LTA4 with each homogenate were much different in each case. Degradation of LTC₄ to LTD4, LTE4, and other polar materials was also rapid by incubation with tumour homogenates. Approximately 70% of added UC₄ was transformed to LTD4/ LTE4 nor 6-trans LTB4 diastereoisomers during 30 min incubation at 37 °C. The results suggested that there were significant LTC₄ tissue contents and LTC₄ synthetic and catabolic activity in meningiomas. Oedema index ranged from 1.0 (no peritumoural oedema) to 67.5. No significant correlationi, however', was observed not only between the LTC₄ tissue contents and LTC₄ synthetic or catabolic activities but also between each of these three parameters and peritumoural oedema. Thus, these results do not support a significant correlation of sulfidopeptide LTs with oedema formation in meningioma patients. Since leukotrienes are extremely unstable compounds, LTC₄ tissue contents should be carefully discussed along with a consideration of rapid LTC₄ synthesis and catabolism. Further role of leukotrienes in meningioma tissue should be studied.     

The formation of intracellular glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products and cytotoxicity

Background  

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a feature of metabolic syndrome. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed by the Maillard reaction, which contributes to aging and to certain pathological complications of diabetes. A recent study has suggested that glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs) are elevated in the sera of patients with NASH. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry of Glycer-AGEs showed intense staining in the livers of patients with NASH. The present study aimed to examine the effect of intracellular Glycer-AGEs on hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells.     

A case of Castleman's disease complicated with nephrotic syndrome due to glomerulopathy mimicking membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Castleman's disease is a rare atypical lymphoproliferative disorder. Renal manifestations, such as proteinuria, hematuria, and renal dysfunction, are common in Castleman's disease; however, a nephrotic syndrome rarely occurs. We have encountered an unusual case of Castleman's disease of the plasma cell type characterized by nephrotic syndrome because of glomerulopathy mimicking membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Our patient showed higher levels of circulating cytokines (interleukin-6/vascular endothelial cell-derived growth factor), the glomerular lesions not associated with immunocomplex deposition, and the resolution of nephrotic syndrome after successful corticosteroids therapy resulting in a decline in cytokines levels, thereby implicating a cytokine-induced glomerular cell injury/activation as a possible cause of the glomerular pathological changes in this case.     

Relationships of working status and cardiac capacity to functional age before and after coronary bypass surgery

In 77 patients having coronary bypass surgery, we evaluated the interaction between chronological age, functional age, and working status pre- and postoperatively. Preoperatively the chronological age of those not working compared to those working was 60.7 +/- 8.4 years versus 53.0 +/- 8.3 years (P less than 0.001). The preoperative functional ages were 93.5 +/- 11.5 versus 87.6 +/- 10.9 years (P less than 0.05). Postoperatively no patient who was not working preoperatively started work, although functional age improved from 93.5 +/- 11.5 to 83.2 +/- 12.8 years (P less than 0.001). Postoperatively subjects who stopped working showed similar improvement in maximal cardiac output, and maximal oxygen consumption compared to those who continued working; however, the functional age after surgery was 80.6 +/- 9.4 versus 69.6 +/- 11.6 years (P less than 0.01). This study showed a poor relationship between degree of improvement in cardiac function after bypass surgery and change in working status. However, functional age and chronological age contribute to the poor results with regard to return to work.