Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV-infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV-infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV-specific antibody anti-C100-3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti-C100-3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Epidermoid Cyst Derived from an Accessory Spleen in the Pancreas

A rare case of splenic epidermoid cyst (SEC) of the pancreas discovered in a 32-year-old Japanese female is reported. The lesion, 5x6cm in size including caseous material and serous fluid in the lumen, was discovered by ultrasonography and computed tomography at the tail of the pancreas and was easily removed. Histopathologically, the cystic wall consisted of three components: the inside was lined by mature squamous epithelium with keratinization, the middle layer consisted of splenic pulp with a sinus structure, and the peripheral layer was dense fibrous connective tissue in which some involutional pancreatic ducts and islets were recognized. The literature about SEC of the pancreas is discussed in comparison with other types of epidermoid cyst including lymphoepithelial cyst and dermoid cyst in the pancreas. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 916 921, 1991.     

The Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the PanAsia Strain of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Isolated in Japan

The complete nucleotide sequence of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) O/JPN/2000 strain, the PanAsia strain, was determined by cycle sequencing and primer walking. The 5 end of the genome upstream from homopolymeric poly(C) tract (S-fragment) was 367 nucleotides in length, and the remainder of the genome (L-fragment), excepting the poly(A) tail, was 7808 nucleotides. The L-fragment contains a single open reading frame of 6996 nucleotides terminating at a UAA codon 96 bases from the 3 poly(A) sequence. Comparison of sequences shows that the length of the structural and non-structural protein coding regions are identical to those in the O1/Kaufbeuren strain, and no striking differences such as deletion or insertion were observed between them.     

Autoimmune hepatitis associated with bile duct injury resembling chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are representative autoimmune liver diseases in which hepatocytes and intrahepatic bile ducts, respectively, are selectively damaged by autoimmune mechanisms. Bile duct injury and loss is characteristic of PBC and chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis (CNSDC), in particular, is a histological hallmark of PBC. In this report, we present an unusual case of AIH accompanied by CNSDC-like bile duct injury in a 46-year-old woman. The patient's serum aminotransferase level was abnormally high. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-GTP and IgG were also elevated, but the IgM level was within normal limits. The titer of antismooth muscle antibody (SMA) was 1:80, while antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) and the M2 fraction of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) were both negative. Liver biopsy disclosed CNSDC-like bile duct injuries and severe interface hepatitis and lobular hepatitis with perivenular zonal necrosis were observed. The aggregate score of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group corresponded to the category of probable AIH. Immunohistochemically, histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-DR, which is aberrantly expressed in the damaged bile ducts of PBC, was not found in the injured bile ducts of this case. Laboratory data were much improved by treatment with prednisone, but ursodeoxycholic acid was not effective. Although the possibility of an overlapping syndrome of AIH- and AMA-negative PBC could not be excluded, this case was diagnosed as AIH with CNSDC-like bile duct lesions.     

Paget's extension of esophageal carcinoma. Immunohistochemical and mucin histochemical evidence of Paget's cells in the esophageal mucosa

A 68-year-old male with Paget's disease of the esophagus is reported. The underlying primary esophageal carcinoma was diagnosed as adenosquamous cell carcinoma on the basis of the presence of both adenocarcinoma and epidermoid carcinoma components. There was invasive growth of clear Paget's cells in the esophageal epithelium. Mucin histochemistry disclosed common characteristics of mucin between Paget's cells and adenosquamous cell carcinoma. It was histochemically confirmed that the existence of mucin was a general feature of extramammary Paget's disease. In 13 control esophageal carcinomas including three with adenocarcinomatous elements, Paget's cells were not found in the epithelium. To date only one case of Paget's disease of the esophagus has been described in the literature.     

Three-dimensional analysis of alveolar structure in usual interstitial pneumonia

The etiology of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), a progressive lung disease, remains unclear. We examined alveolar structure in UIP three-dimensionally. Lung biopsy specimens from five patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were used. Sections 150-microm thick were stained with elastica solution for elastic fibers, with alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody for myofibroblasts, with anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich antibody for type-II pneumocytes and with anti-CD34 antibody for blood vessels. We examined them three-dimensionally using a laser confocal microscope or light microscope. In the fibrotic lesions, the thick elastic fibers forming the alveolar framework were not particularly dense considering the reduction in alveolar volume. Near the fibrotic lesions, some of the thin elastic fibers in the alveolar wall were slightly sinuous and ended with rounded tips. Type-II pneumocytes had proliferated and were distributed uniformly over the alveolar surface. Smooth muscle actin filaments were detected only around the alveolar orifice. These findings show that in UIP destruction of the elastic fiber framework of the alveoli may lead to irreversible focal alveolar collapse after damage to the alveolar epithelial cells, and proliferation of type-II pneumocytes may be involved with this elastolysis.     

Dreaming during non-rapid eye movement sleep in the absence of prior rapid eye movement sleep

STUDY OBJECTIVES: There is a long-standing controversy surrounding the existence of dream experiences during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Previous studies have not answered the question whether this "NREM dream" originates from the NREM sleep mechanism because the subject might simply be recalling experiences from the preceding rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. METHODS: We scheduled 11 healthy men to repeat 20-minute nap trials separated by 40-minute periods of enforced wakefulness across a period of 3 days. At the end of the nap trial, each participant answered questions regarding the formal aspects of his dream experiences during the nap trial, using the structured interviews. RESULTS: We obtained a total of 172 dream reports after naps containing REM sleep (REM naps) and 563 after naps consisting of only NREM sleep (NREM naps). Dream reports from NREM naps were less remarkable in quantity, vividness, and emotion than those from REM naps and were obtained more frequently during the morning hours when the occurrences of REM sleep were highest. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the polysomnographic manifestations of REM sleep are not required for dream experiences but that the mechanisms driving REM sleep alter experiences during NREM sleep in the morning. A subcortical activation similar to REM sleep may occur in human NREM sleep during the morning when REM sleep is most likely to occur, resulting in dream experiences during NREM sleep.     

Implantation study of a novel hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAp/col) composite into weight-bearing sites of dogs

A hydroxyapatite/type I collagen (HAp/Col) composite, aligning hydroxyapatite nanocrystals along collagen molecules, has been prepared. The biocompatibility, osteoconductive activity, and efficacy as a carrier of rhBMP-2 of this novel biomaterial implanted in the weight-bearing site have been examined. The HAp/Col implants (15 mm in diameter and 20 mm in length) with a surface cross-linked layer containing rhBMP-2 (0 or 400 microg/ml) were implanted into bone defects of tibiae in three beagle dogs and fixed according to the Ilizarov method. As a control, bone defects of 20 mm in two beagle dogs did not receive implants, and the dogs were allowed to walk using an Ilizarov extraskeletal fixator. The specimens were removed from one dog in each group after 12 weeks. Also, the Ilizarov fixators in the rhBMP-treated dogs were removed after 12 weeks, after which full weight bearing started. The specimens were further taken out after 18 and 24 weeks in the rhBMP-treated and non-rhBMP-treated dogs, and after 24 weeks in the control group. The change of bone mineral density, as well as radiological and histological findings, suggest that the implants are able to induce bone remodeling units and are a superior carrier of rhBMP-2 due to the stimulation of early callus and new bone formation.