Migration of keratinocytes is impaired on glycated collagen I

Advanced glycation end products are the chemical modification of proteins induced by sugars in a hyperglycemic condition. Extracellular matrix proteins are prominent targets of nonenzymatic glycation because of their slow turnover rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of nonenzymatic glycation of type I collagen on the migration of keratinocytes. The migration of keratinocytes was dramatically promoted on native type I collagen-coated dishes compared with that on uncoated dishes. When type I collagen was glycated with glycolaldehyde, large amounts of advanced glycation end products were produced; the glycated collagen I-coated dishes did not promote the migration of keratinocytes. Glycated collagen I did not affect the proliferative capacity of keratinocytes. However, the adhesion of keratinocytes to glycated collagen I was profoundly diminished in a glycation intensity-dependent manner. alpha2beta1 integrin is responsible for the migration and adhesion of keratinocytes to type I collagen. Pretreatment with glycated collagen I did not affect the expression level or functional activity of alpha2beta1 integrin on keratinocytes. These findings suggest that in the presence of glycated collagen I, keratinocytes lose their adhesive and migratory abilities. As the glycation did not modify the alpha2beta1 integrin on keratinocytes, it is suggested that glycation may diminish the binding capacity of type I collagen.     

A case of autoimmune hepatitis needed to be differentiated from EBV hepatitis, in that the histology of liver biopsy specimen was useful for diagnosis]

A 10-year-old girl with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was reported. She was admitted to our hospital because of cholestasis and elevation of liver enzymes for 2 months. Laboratory examination revealed that EBV-DNA copy number in the PBMNC (peripheral mononuclear cells) was 1.2 x 10(3) copies/microg of DNA, hypergammaglobulinemia, and positive antinuclear antibody, positive anti-smooth muscle antibody. The histology of her liver biopsy specimen revealed interface hepatitis, dense mononuclear cell infiltrates, mild fibrosis, and negative for EBV in situ hybridization assay indicating AIH and not EBV-associated hepatitis. She was treated firstly with methylprednisolone pulses, then will prednisolone p.o.+azathioprine p.o.. Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was introduced because of her abnormal immune pathology. All abnormal laboratory parameters improved to normal levels within 2 months, and EBV-DNA copy number in the PBMNC became negative after 4 months. The histology of liver biopsy specimen was useful for the diagnosis of AIH in such a difficult case needed to be differentiated from EBV hepatitis.     

Clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate dentifrice for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

Abstract The effectiveness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity was evaluated in a double-blind study in 36 Japanese subjects who complained of cold and/or tactile hypersensitivity. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, with 18 being given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (treated group) and the other 18 a vehicle paste (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth 2 × a day. The hypersensitivity levels of the affected teeth were assessed by 2 stimuli, one tactile and the other cold air, and by the perception of pain. The results of all 3 assessment methods indicated that the potassium nitrate dentifrice significantly decreased the level of hypersensitivity at weeks 4, 8, and 12. In the treated group, a rapid decrease of positive scores for both the cold air stimulus and the subjective symptoms appeared from week 2. Although a significant decrease of the assessment score was also observed in the control group, the reduction rate of the score was much greater in the treated group by ail 3 assessment methods at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Complete relief of subjective symptoms throughout the 12 weeks’examination was noted in 67% of the subjects in the treated group, but in only 6% in the control group. These results suggest the usefulness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice in Japanese patients with dentinal hypersensitivity.     

Long-term results of open reduction for residual subluxation in congenital dislocation of the hip: A new open reduction method involving 360° circumferential capsulotomy

We report satisfactory results with a new operative treatment, conducted via an extensive anterolateral approach, involving 360 degree circumferential capsulotomy, for residual subluxation in congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH). Long-term radiographic results of this procedure (group A) were compared retrospectively with the results of partial capsulotomy (group B), which preserved the posteroinferior joint capsule. The mean center edge angle in group A (22.5°) was greater than that in group B (16.0°). Satisfactory results were achieved in 11 of 15 hips (73%) (Severin class I or II) in group A, and in 5 of 12 hips (42%) in group B. These results suggest that whole circumferential capsulotomy can remove obstacles to complete reduction, and that acetabular development can be expected in hips reduced by the procedure, without the performance of innominate osteotomy. We believe that our technique is a useful alternative for the treatment of residual subluxation in CDH.     

Hepatic infarction with portal thrombosis

A case of hepatic infarction with portal thrombosis is reported. A 63-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices was admitted for treatment of the esophagel varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) were performed. Two months later, she experienced right hypochondralgia and right flank pain. Serum transaminase levels were suddenly elevated, and computed tomography scans of the liver showed multiple small nodular lesions. Her condition worsened, and she died of hepatic failure. Autopsy revealed splenic and portal vein thrombosis, multiple hepatic infarction, and evidence of chronic pancreatitis. We believe that liver cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis were the main risk factors for the portal thrombosis, and the treatment for esophageal varices appeared to have triggered the thrombosis. The hepatic infarction was caused by the portal thrombosis.     

A surgical case of combined valvular disease complicated by absent right superior vena cava and persistent left superior vena cava.

A 74-year-old man with combined valvular disease with a recent cerebral infarction was admitted. While undergoing thorough examination for valvular disease, absent right superior vena cava (RSVC) and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) were recognized. Chest X-ray film suggested a right arch protrusion, and CT and venogram confirmed the diagnosis. During surgery, replacement of the mitral and aortic valves and annuloplasty of the tricuspid valve were performed. A blood draining cannula was inserted in retrograde fashion from the coronary sinus into the PLSVC, without any difficulties in the tricuspid valve repair. Due to bradycardic atrial fibrillation, we believed that it would be difficult to insert an endocardial electrode postoperatively, hence myocardial electrode was placed in the right ventricular wall. Absent RSVC combined with PLSVC is very rare, and a patient who underwent combined valve surgery with this rare anatomical abnormality is herein presented.     

Carcinogenic activity of endogenously synthesized N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats administered bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine and sodium nitrite

The carcinogenic activity of endogenously synthesized N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine(BHP) was investigated in male Wistar rats administered bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine(BHPA) mixed in powder diet at a concentration of 1%, and sodiumnitrite (SN) dissolved in distilled water at concentrationsof 0.15 and 0.3%, for 94 weeks. Urinary excretion of BHP wasdetected in rats given 1% BHPA and 0.3% SN but not in the groupsreceiving either of these precursors alone. Nasal cavity, lung,esophagus, liver and urinary bladder tumors were found in animalstreated with combinations of 1% BHPA and 0.15 or 0.3% SN, suggestingthat the target organs of the endogenously synthesized BHP aresimilar to those affected when the carcinogen is administeredexogenously. The incidences of nasal cavity and lung tumorsreached 74 and 58% in rats given 1% BHPA and 0.3% SN, respectively.Tumors at sites other than target organs were only found atlevels similar to those previously reported for spontaneoustumors in male Wistars. The present results clearly indicatedthe tumor inducibility of a nhrosatable amine, BHA, throughan endogenous nitrosation by feeding to rats in conjunctionwith nitrite, and provide further suggestive evidence that endogenousnitrosations of environmental nitrosatable amines can be a potentialrisk factor in human cancer development.     

Characterization of HPC-1 antigen, an isoform of syntaxin-1, with the isoform-specific monoclonal antibody, 14D8

We raised polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against rat recombinant HPC-1/syntaxin 1A lacking a transmembrane domain. The polyclonal antibody recognized two major bands at 35 and 40 kDa from rat brain membranes. A hybridoma clone designated 14D8, however, recognized only one band at 35 kDa. A polyclonal antibody detected recombinant syntaxin 1B, as well as HPC-1/syntaxin 1A on an immunoblot, whereas 14D8 recognized recombinant HPC-1/syntaxin 1A, but not syntaxin 1B. Therefore, 14D8 is specific for HPC-1/syntaxin 1A. Using this monoclonal antibody, we investigated the expression of HPC-1/syntaxin 1A in the rat hippocampal membranes. HPC-1/syntaxin 1A was present even in the embryonic d 19 (E19) hippocampal membranes, and it increased during the next two postnatal wk. Pyramidal cell axons were intensely stained with the 14D8 monoclonal antibody, suggesting that HPC-1/syntaxin 1A was not restricted to the presynaptic terminal. Furthermore, we investigated the phosphorylation of HPC-1/syntaxin 1A in the rat brain membranes. HPC-1/syntaxin 1A affinity-purified on a 14D8 IgG-coupled column was recognized by antiphophoserine antibody, but not by antiphosphotyrosine and phosphothreonine antibodies.