Cytokine production profile of splenocytes derived from zymosan A-treated SKG mice developing arthritis

Objective SKG mice have a point mutation of the zeta-associated protein of 70 kD (ZAP-70) and spontaneously develop a severe polyarthritis in the conventional condition, whereas they are healthy under the specific pathogen free (SPF) condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytokine production from splenocytes in SKG mice developing arthritis under the SPF condition. Material SKG and BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with zymosan A under the SPF condition. Spleen was isolated 1, 2 or 8 weeks after the intraperitoneal injection of saline or zymosan A. Splenocytes were cultured with concanavalin A. Cytokine production and proliferation were measured 48 and 72 h after the culture. Results An intraperitoneal injection of zymosan A induced severe polyarthritis with increased levels of rheumatoid factor and interleukin 6 (IL-6) only in SKG mice. Splenocytes from SKG mice did not proliferate well maybe because of less productivity of IL-2. The IL-4 production from splenocytes of SKG mice was higher, while interferon-γ production was lower than those of BALB/c mice. An injection of zymosan A reduced the IL-4 production only in SKG mice. Conclusions SKG mice do not develop arthritis under the SPF condition possibly because of a low proliferative activity of T cells and Th2-predominance. Received 27 December 2005; returned for revision 7 February 2006; accepted by A. Falus 10 March 2006     

Pigmentary degeneration indwed by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and the fate of pigment epithelial cells in the rat retina

Pigmentary degeneration of the retina was induced by a single intraperitoneal Injection of 75mgkg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) In female Brown-Norway colored rats at 50 days of age, which were then observed at 24, 48 and 72 h and 7, 21,35 and 150 days after the treatment. MNU-treated rats showed selective destruction of the photoreceptor cells by an apoptotic mechanlsm 24 h after the treatment, and the destruction was completed by day 7. During the photoreceptor cell degeneration, proliferation of Miller cells and infiltratlon of macrophages was prominent 72h and 21 days aRttr the treatment, respectively. Müller cell proliferation and macrophage infiltratbn corresponded to degenerative photo-receptor cell phagocytosis, and prollferating Müller cell processes responded to stabilize the damaged retina. Pigment epithelial cell detachment from the Bruch's membrane was seen 72 h after the treatment, and migration within all layers of the retina was seen at day 7 when photoreceptor Cells were lost. At 21, 35 and 150 days after the treatment, lack of photoreceptor cells and deposition of pigment epithelial cells within the retina but not in contact to vascular endothe-lial cells were characteristic. MNU-induced photoreceptor apoptosis followed by Miiller cell and macrophage reaction then pigment epithellal cells deposition withln the retina partially resembles retinitis pigmentosa in humans.     

Ophthalmomyiasis caused by Sarcophaga crassipalpis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in a hospital patient

Nine sarcophagid larvae were found on the right eyelid, cornea, and bulbar conjunctiva of a debilitated patient in a hospital in Osaka, Japan. Inflammation of the right eyelid and conjunctival congestion, probably initiated or aggravated by the larvae, were found. The larvae were removed and reared for accurate identification, and, on the basis of the characteristics of the 3rd instar and adult flies, the species was identified as Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart. This is a report of ophthalmomyiasis caused by this facultative parasite in a human. Patients with diminished consciousness in hospitals need protection from flies.     

Two dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms at the D8S1218 and D8S1219 loci

Summary Two polymorphic dinucleotide (CA) repeat dones were isolated from a CEPH mega-YAC clone (844E2), and were localized to chromosome 8 using a panel of 13 mouse/human somatic cell hybrids.     

Bloom''s syndrome with porokeratosis of Mibeili and multiple cancers of the skin, lung and colon

A 38-year-old Japanese male with Bloom's syndrome (BS) and porokeratosis of Mibelli (PM) developed multiple carcinomas of the skin and lung. There were multiple, spontaneous chromosomal aberrations and frequent sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions were defective and serum IgM was decreased. The lung cancer was treated with radiation, which was effective but caused a severe pulmonary atelectasis and esophageal stricture. The patient expired one-and-a-half years later because of pneumonia. Autopsy disclosed an adenocarcinoma of the colon. The concurrent PM was considered responsible for the occurrence of multiple skin cancers.     

Pre-operative higher hematocrit and lower total protein levels are independent risk factors for cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after superficial temporal artery–middle cerebral artery anastomosis with pial synangiosis in adult moyamoya disease patients—case-control study

Neurosurgical Review - Superficial temporal artery (STA)–middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis is a standard treatment for adult moyamoya disease (MMD) patients. Cerebral hyperperfusion...     

Association between central sensitivity syndrome and psychological factors in people with presurgical low back pain: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a major problem; it causes significant burden, incurs considerable economic and human costs, and adversely affects the quality of life (QoL). Central sensitivity syndrome (CSS) is known as a group of overlapping conditions that share a common pathophysiological mechanism of central sensitization. Previous studies have shown that CSS is present in several disorders. However, it has been studied for people with presurgical LBP. The purpose of the study was to investigate the proportion of patients with CSS for presurgical LBP and to analyse the association of CSS with clinical symptoms and psychological factors.MethodsData of demographics, the central sensitization inventory (CSI), psychological measures, clinical symptoms of 238 patients with presurgical LBP were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the CSI scores (≥40 and < 40). The two groups were compared, and the correlation between the CSI scores and other outcomes was analysed. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to the CSI scores.Results13.0% of participants were CSS. All outcomes were significantly different between the groups and significant associations were found between the CSI scores and all other outcomes. In addition, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was most significant associated scale for the CSI scores.ConclusionWe found that certain patients had CSS with presurgical LBP. The CSI scores were significantly associated with the majority of the factors. The PCS was the factor with the most influence on the CSI scores.     

Clinicopathological features of hereditary breast cancer

The possible role of germline mutations ofBRCA1 andBRCA2 as causative agents of familial breast cancer was assessed. Their possible involvement in the carcinogenesis of hereditary breast cancer was investigated using 63 clinically suspect families. Twenty-one lineages (33.3%) had mutations in one of the twoBRCA genes. This relatively low incidence suggested that germline mutations in unknown genes are involved in the carcinogenesis of hereditary breast cancer in the Japanese population. However, the clinicopathological features characteristic of hereditary breast cancer, such as early disease onset, a high incidence of bilateral breast cancer, and a high incidence of multiple primary carcinomas in other organs were confirmed in the present study.