Incidental prostatic carcinoma: Morphometry correlated with histological grade

Summary The histological grades of prostatic carcinoma, as defined by Gleason, were correlated with three methods of morphometry in 254 step-sectioned prostates obtained at autopsy. The variables studied were 1) the number of tumours in each prostate; 2) bilaterality and 3) tumour volume. Each characteristic yielded a statistically significant correlation with histological grade. The strongest correlations were obtained using tumour volume. These autopsy studied help to explain the inconsistent results obtained from morphometric analyses of surgical material, and lend support to the Gleason system as a means of predicting tumour behavior.Supported in part by research contracts PH 64-10, NCI-72-3213, N01-CP-53521; Grant R01-CA-33644; and the Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research (33) from the Ministry of Health and Welfare     

Role of a non-natural beta-C-nucleotide unit in DNA as a template for DNA and RNA syntheses and as a substrate for nucleolytic digestion.

A non-natural beta-C-nucleoside bearing a 3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl group as a nucleobase (X) was synthesized and incorporated into a 34-mer oligomer with the sequence 5'-dTTTTTAAAAAAXATATAGCAGCGACATGTCACCG-3'. This synthetic oligonucleotide was examined for template activity in the enzymatic syntheses of DNA by the Klenow fragments of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and the recombinant DNA polymerase I, and in the synthesis of RNA by the E. coli RNA polymerase core enzyme. As a result, the template-directed polymerization of both DNA and RNA was precisely terminated at the position of X. The X-containing oligonucleotide was also tested for digestion by an exonuclease, Exo III nuclease (Exo III), and an endonuclease, Mung Bean nuclease (MB). The results indicate that the artificial nucleobase X acts as a terminator for digestion by Exo III, whereas the site X becomes susceptible to digestion by MB. These findings provide a useful tool for the size control of products in the synthesis and degradation of nucleic acids.     

Development of a novel method to measure the elastic properties of skin including subcutaneous tissue: New age‐related parameters and scope of application

Background/purpose: We have developed a new apparatus to measure the elastic properties of skin without contact using an air blown technique. Methods: Real‐time measurements of skin movement induced by air blown on the surface were measured at various times. We investigated age‐related changes in the displacement of the skin surface caused by air using various parameters. Ninety‐eight female Japanese volunteers, aged from 10 to 70 years, were used in this study. Results: The maximum distance (the denting state) that cheek skin moved reached 2–5 mm within 10–15 ms. After that, the skin generally recovered to its original state within 40–50 ms. The average maximum speed of movement was 0.49±0.08 (average±SD) m/s and the average recovery speed was 0.25±0.06 m/s. Significant changes with age were not observed in the denting state, but significant correlations with age were observed in the recovery state. The maximum recovery speed decreased significantly with age and the time required for recovery increased significantly with age. Although similar results were obtained at the corner of the mouth or the inner upper arm, different results were obtained at the below eyes and the forehead. Conclusions: This apparatus differs from other conventional instruments in that it measures the elastic properties of skin including subcutaneous tissue without contact.     

Possible contribution of prior hepatitis B virus infection to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis are not clear. The aim of the present study is to clarify the importance of prior HBV infection in development of HCC. METHODS: Of 1288 consecutive HCC patients between January 1999 and October 2002, 1008 patients were enrolled. To determine the influence of prior HBV infection in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative HCC, the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was examined according to age, and the clinical features were compared between the anti-HBc positive and the negative groups. RESULTS: The proportion of HBsAg-negative HCC patients, HCC patients with antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV; C-HCC) and HCC patients negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV (nBnC-HCC), increased with age. The anti-HBc-positive rates in C-HCC patients also increased with age. Those rates in nBnC-HCC patients were >50% in all age groups. Furthermore, it was found that the anti-HBc-positive rates of these patients were higher than those of corresponding control patients. Tumor size and a positive rate for vessel involvement both in C-HCC and nBnC-HCC patients were larger and higher, respectively, in anti-HBc-positive patients compared with anti-HBc-negative patients, although the difference in nBnC-HCC did not reach statistical significance because of the small numbers. These tumor characteristics were similar to those of B-HCC patients. CONCLUSION: A possible contribution of prior HBV infection to the development of HCC is indicated.     

Effect of location of glass fiber-reinforced composite reinforcement on the flexural properties of a maxillary complete denture in vitro

Objective. To evaluate the effect of the location of glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) reinforcement on the flexural load at the proportional limit (FL-PL) and the flexural deflection of a maxillary acrylic resin complete denture. Material and methods. Maxillary acrylic resin complete dentures strengthened with and without FRC reinforcement were tested. The polymerized FRC was embedded in the denture base resin in the doughy state and placed (1) under the ridge lap region, (2) in the anterior region, (3) in the middle region or (4) in the anterior and posterior regions. The FL-PL and flexural deflection value at the 100-N loading point of the reinforced maxillary denture specimens were tested. Results. All of the reinforced dentures had a higher FL-PL than the denture without reinforcement but the FL-PL values of all the dentures were not significantly different from each other. The efficiency of the FRC reinforcement compared to the unreinforced denture was 1.54-1.75 times greater. All of the reinforced dentures showed significantly lower deflection compared to the unreinforced denture, but the flexural deflections of all the dentures were not significantly different from each other. Conclusions. The location of the FRC reinforcement did not affect the fracture resistance of the maxillary acrylic resin complete denture. All of the reinforced dentures had higher FL-PL and lower flexural deflection than the denture without reinforcement.     

Prediction of infarct volume and neurologic outcome by using automated multiparametric perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in a primate model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion

By optimizing thresholds, we identified the perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) parameters that accurately predict final infarct volume and neurologic outcome in a primate model of permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Ten cynomolgus monkeys underwent PWI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3 and 47 hours, respectively, after right MCA occlusion using platinum coils, and were killed at 48 hours. Volumes of the hypoperfused areas on PWI were automatically measured using different thresholds and 11 parametric maps to determine the optimum threshold (at which least difference was found between the average volumes on PWI and those determined using specimens or DWI). In the case of arrival time (AT), cerebral blood volume (CBV), time to peak (TTP), time to maximum (T_max), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) determined using deconvolution techniques, the volume of the hypoperfused area significantly correlated with the infarct volumes and the neurologic deficit scores with small variations, whereas in the case of mean transit time and nondeconvolution CBF, relatively poor correlations with large variations were seen. At optimum threshold, AT, CBV, TTP, T_max, and deconvolution CBF can accurately predict the final infarct volume and neurologic outcome in monkeys with permanent MCA occlusion.     

Study of HLA class I,class II and complement genes (C2, C4A,C4B and BF) in Japanese psoriatics and analysis of a newly-found high-risk haplotype by pulsed field gel electrophoresis

Summary Genetic polymorphisms of HLA antigens and HLA-linked serum complement components (C2, C4A, C4B and BF) were investigated in 79 Japanese patients suffering from psoriasis. HLA typing revealed increased frequencies of HLA-A1, A2, B39, Bw46, Cw6, Cw7 and Cw11. Among complement components, positive associations were obtained with C4A4 and C4B2 and a negative association with BFF. The major histocompatibility complex haplotype (supratype), HLA-A2-Cw11-Bw46-C2C-BFS-C4A4-C4B2-DRw8 is purported to be a new high-risk haplotype in Japanese patients with psoriasis. Analysis of patients with this supratype via pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed the existence of specific, extensive DNA deletions near HLA-DR genes, but no disease-specific patterns could be observed by means of this technique. The newly-found high-risk haplotype indicates racial and ethnic differences among psoriatic patients.     

Actual invasive potential of human hepatocellular carcinoma revealed by in situ gelatin zymography.

BACKGROUND: The matrix-degrading proteinases are believed to play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but no one has ever seen the in situ matrix-degrading activity in HCCs. PURPOSE: To demonstrate the cellular localization of actual gelatinolytic activity and to investigate the invasive potential of human HCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: HCC cases (30) were subjected to in situ gelatin zymography and SDS-gelatin gel zymogram. RESULTS: In situ gelatin zymography revealed a heterogeneous gelatinolytic activity in HCC cells, as well as stromal cells of noncancerous livers. The gelatinolytic intensity was stronger in 15 HCC nodules than in the corresponding noncancerous livers and was significantly associated with the cancer invasion to the capsule of the HCCs and to the portal veins. An intense gelatinolytic activity was detected in HCC cells in the front of tumor invasion. SDS-gelatin gel zymogram revealed gelatinases A and B that were mostly in latent forms. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates high gelatinolytic activity at the invasive front of HCCs at a cellular level and that HCC has an invasive potential with the gelatin (matrix)-degrading metalloproteinases. Furthermore, it suggests the importance of the activation mechanism of gelatinolytic enzymes in the invasion and metastasis of HCCs.