Synthesized TGF-beta s in RPE regulates cellular proliferation

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells transdifferentiate in culture, a transition which is accompanied by a shift in biological activity. The present study investigates whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has the same effects on morphologically transformed RPE cells that it has on primary RPE cells. It also evaluates the autocrine and paracrine activities of TGF-beta s synthesized by RPE cells as well as the anti-TGF-beta effect of mannose-6-phosphate (M-6-P). RPE cells were subcultured at the sixth passage to induce morphological change. The effect of second passaged RPE-conditioned medium (CM) on DNA synthesis was evaluated by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine in rabbit subconjunctival fibroblasts (SCFs) and primary RPE cells. The presence of TGF-beta in RPE-CM was determined using immunoblotting analysis. And the inhibitory effect of M-6-P on cell proliferation mediated by RPE-CM was also analyzed using 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3 inhibited the proliferation of the primary cultures of RPE cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the spindle-shaped sixth passaged RPE cells were not inhibited by these growth factors. The medium conditioned by RPE cells stimulated the proliferation of SCFs and inhibited the proliferation of primary RPE cells, in a manner similar to TGF-beta. When this medium was precipitated with either anti-TGF-beta 1, anti-TGF-beta 2, or anti-TGF-beta 3 antibodies, all three TGF-beta s, with an apparent molecular size of 25 kDa, were detected. Mannose-6-phosphate significantly blocked the effect of RPE-CM on cell proliferation. These findings indicate that RPE cells produce biologically functional TGF-beta s and that M-6-P can block the inhibitory effect of RPE-CM on cell proliferation.     

Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibitory Activity of Lignans Isolated from Schizandra, Machilus and Magnolia Species

Fifteen lignans were isolated from the fruits of SCHIZANDRA CHINENSIS, the leaves of MACHILUS THUNBERGII, and the flower buds of MAGNOLIA DENUDATA. They were identified as gomisins, schizandrin, wuweizisu, schizantherin, licarins, and machilin, which inhibited rat liver ACAT with IC (50) values of 25-200 microM. Comisin N is the most potent inhibitor with IC (50) value of 25 microM in these lignans.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors fromMelia azedarach var.Japonica

In bioassay-guided search for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitory compounds from higher plants of South Korea, two beta-carboline alkaloids, 4-methoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (1) and 4,8-dimethoxy-l-vinyl-beta-carboline (2) have been isolated from the cortex of Melia azedarach var. japonica. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed marked inhibitory activity of iNOS on LPS- and interferon-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.     

Primary intramedullary spinal cord primitive neuroectodermal tumor with intracranial seeding in an infant

Primary spinal cord primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a rare entity. In all, 13 cases have been reported in the literature, including 3 with intracranial seeding. A 3-month-old girl with involvement of the spinal cord below the mid-thoracic level is described. The brain MRI revealed findings indicative of seeding along the intracranial subarachnoid space. Biopsy, duraplasty and removal of laminotomy flap were done. In spite of a good response to the first cycle of postoperative 8-drugs-in-a-day chemotherapy, further treatment was refused. She died 21 days after the onset of leg weakness, which reveals the rapid progression of untreated cases. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spinal cord PNET with parenchymal involvement that has been described in an infant.     

Suprathreshold Auditory Cortex Activation Visualized by Intrinsic Signal Optical Imaging

The suprathreshold tonotopic organization of rat and guineapig auditory cortex was investigated using intrinsic signaloptical imaging through a thinned skull. Optical imaging revealedthat suprathreshold pure sine wave tone stimulation (25–40dB) evoked activity over large cortical areas that were tonotopicallyorganized. Three-dimensional surface plots of the activatedareas revealed "patchy" auditory-evoked activity consistingof numerous local peaks and valleys building to a maximum. Subsequentdetailed electrophysiological mapping in the same subjects confirmedthe localization of auditory-evoked activity based on opticalimaging, including responses to a test frequency at corticalloci more than 2 octaves away from the threshold-defined isofrequencycontour. The success of this technique in visualizing auditorycortex functional organization at suprathreshold stimulus levelswill allow for future investigations of auditory cortex frequencyrepresentation. including representational plasticity inducedby a variety of experimental manipulations.     

Mucoepidermoid odontogenic cyst

This unusual cystic lesion was previously described as a lesion that has features of both botryoid odontogenic cyst and mucoepidermoid tumor and later was named as glandular odontogenic cyst. An additional case is reported and its clinicopathologic features described. The name "mucoepidermoid odontogenic cyst" is proposed.     

Planum temporale and Heschl gyrus volume reduction in schizophrenia: a magnetic resonance imaging study of first-episode patients

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging studies in schizophrenia have revealed abnormalities in temporal lobe structures, including the superior temporal gyrus. More specifically, abnormalities have been reported in the posterior superior temporal gyrus, which includes the Heschl gyrus and planum temporale, the latter being an important substrate for language. However, the specificity of the Heschl gyrus and planum temporale structural abnormalities to schizophrenia vs affective psychosis, and the possible confounding roles of chronic morbidity and neuroleptic treatment, remain unclear. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images were acquired using a 1.5-T magnet from 20 first-episode (at first hospitalization) patients with schizophrenia (mean age, 27.3 years), 24 first-episode patients with manic psychosis (mean age, 23.6 years), and 22 controls (mean age, 24.5 years). There was no significant difference in age for the 3 groups. All brain images were uniformly aligned and then reformatted and resampled to yield isotropic voxels. RESULTS: Gray matter volume of the left planum temporale differed among the 3 groups. The patients with schizophrenia had significantly smaller left planum temporale volume than controls (20.0%) and patients with mania (20.0%). Heschl gyrus gray matter volume (left and right) was also reduced in patients with schizophrenia compared with controls (13.1%) and patients with bipolar mania (16.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with controls and patients with bipolar manic psychosis, patients with first-episode schizophrenia showed left planum temporale gray matter volume reduction and bilateral Heschl gyrus gray matter volume reduction. These findings are similar to those reported in patients with chronic schizophrenia and suggest that such abnormalities are present at first episode and are specific to schizophrenia.     

Correction of crooked nail deformity by modified osteoplastic reconstruction

To correct crooked nail deformity, which results from the partial loss of the distal phalanx, soft-tissue restoration alone is usually not enough to restore the length and shape of the nail structure. The authors treated 10 crooked nail fingertips by modified osteoplastic reconstruction, which included the elevation of the dorsally based volar skin flap and an iliac bone graft covered by an adequate skin flap. During the postoperative follow-up, the nail straightened, although not to the preinjury extent, along the restored distal phalanx with bony support. The authors' osteoplastic reconstruction, which involves the enhancement of the fingertips with composite tissues, presents a practical method for the correction of crooked nail deformity.     

Effect of Systemic Pretreatment With Betamethasone on the Bacterial Flora,Inflammatory Response,and Polyp Formation in Experimentally Infected Rabbit Maxillary Sinus Mucosa

To investigate possible effects of corticosteroids on polyp formation and local bacterial colonization, pneumococcal sinusitis was experimentally induced in rabbits pretreated with betamethasone or saline. After 7 days, macroscopic polyps were counted post-mortem and on histologic slides after serial sectioning. Histologic sections were also examined with light microscopy. Macroscopic polyps were significantly fewer in animals given betamethasone, while there was no difference regarding the number of microscopic polyps. Ingrowth of pathogenic microorganisms was found in five of eight rabbits given placebo but in none of the animals treated with corticosteroids (P < 0.05). The reduced number of pathogenic strains in these animals may be explained by a better-preserved local host defense. The lower number of macroscopic polyps in the same animals could be because of a delayed mucosal repair and subsequent polyp formation.