1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐2‐imidazolidinone,a heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor,improves epidermal basement membrane structure and epidermal barrier function

Daily exposure to sunlight is known to affect the structure and function of the epidermal basement membrane (BM), as well as epidermal differentiation and epidermal barrier function. The aim of this study is to clarify whether the inhibition of BM‐degrading enzymes such as heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) can improve the epidermal barrier function of facial skin, which is exposed to the sun on a daily basis. 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐imidazolidinone (HEI) was synthesized as an inhibitor of both heparanase and MMP‐9. HEI inhibited not only the BM damage at the DEJ but also epidermal proliferation, differentiation, water contents and transepidermal water loss abnormalities resulting from ultraviolet B (UVB). This was determined in this study by the use of UVB‐induced human cultured skins as compared with the control without HEI. Moreover, topical application of HEI improved epidermal barrier function by increasing water content and decreasing transepidermal water loss in daily sun‐exposed facial skin as compared with non‐treated skins. These results suggest that the inhibition of both heparanase and MMP‐9 is an effective way to care for regularly sun‐exposed facial skin by protecting the BM from damage.     

Dynamic high-spatial-resolution MR imaging of invasive ductal carcinoma: influence of histological scirrhous component on MR descriptors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the amount of scirrhous component in invasive ductal carcinoma and its MR characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 71 consecutive patients with invasive ductal carcinoma smaller than 25 mm (average, 16.6 mm) in diameter. The scirrhous component was defined as invasive foci in small clusters of cancer cells showing desmoplasia. Invasive ductal carcinoma was subclassified into 3 groups in accordance with the amount of the scirrhous component (scirrhous component degree; SCD): SCD I (scirrhous component less than 20%), SCD II (intermediate), and SCD III (more than 80%). Dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed using volumetric interpolated sequence. Prior to dynamic study, T2*-weighted first-pass perfusion images were obtained before, during, and after bolus injection of 0.1 mmol Gd-DTPA/kg. RESULTS: Twenty-eight lesions were classified as SCD I, 14 as SCD II, and 29 as SCD III. Mass margin and signal intensity loss in the perfusion study were significantly different among the 3 SCD groups (P<0.001). The kinetic patterns were significantly different among the 3 SCD groups (P=0.04), and between SCD I/II and SCD III (P=0.03). The presence of enhancing internal septations was significantly different between SCD I/II and SCD III carcinomas (P=0.05). Central enhancement was only observed in SCD I carcinoma (4%; 3/71). CONCLUSION: The histological predominance of the scirrhous component in invasive ductal carcinoma may be one explanation for the differences in morphologic and kinetic patterns on MR imaging.     

Bacteroides forsythus ATCC43037菌体蛋白与人类唾液酸性富脯蛋白的相互作用

目的：探讨福赛类杆菌与人类唾液富脯蛋白相互作用的蛋白分子。方法：Western—blot方法。将人工合成唾液富脯蛋白用生物素标记，福赛类杆菌全菌蛋白凝胶电泳，半干转移至纤维膜上，观察二者的相互作用。结果：富脯蛋白能与分子量为85KD、65KD、60KD、以及49KD的福赛类杆菌蛋白发生结合。结论：福赛类杆菌存在与人类唾液富脯蛋白相互结合的粘附素。     

Functional lower lip reconstruction with a forearm flap combined with a free gracilis muscle transfer.

We applied a forearm flap combined with a gracilis muscle flap for total reconstruction of the lower lip. The motor nerve of the gracilis muscle was repaired to the buccal branch in the cheek. The patient obtained good sphincter function for eating and speaking, and he could inflate a balloon without air leakage.     

Monitoring of intracellular Ca2+ elevation in a single neural cell using a fluorescence microscope/video-camera system

For monitoring the changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), we developed a simple system combining a fluorescence microscope, an image intensifier, a video-camera, a cathode ray tube display and a photodiode, employing quin2 as a Ca2+ indicator. We recorded increases of the fluorescence intensity due to [Ca2+]i rises, when high K+ medium, neurotransmitter and Ca2+ ionophore were applied to the single cells of nervous system origin in culture. The present system is capable of simultaneous detection of the [Ca2+]i changes from multiple separate cells.     

Use of small-bore silastic drains in general thoracic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of small-bore, silastic drains for patients undergoing general thoracic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients who received soft, small-bore, silastic drains were compared with 17 patients who received semi-rigid double lumen (DL) tubes retrospectively. RESULTS: The pain score was significantly lower in patients who received the silastic tubes in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) cases on postoperative days 5 and 6 , after continuous epidural analgesia had finished (P=0.018). No specific morbidity was seen in the patients who received silastic tubes. CONCLUSION: We considered that soft, small-bore silastic drains were just as effective as traditional DL tubes, but caused less pain especially in VATS cases.     

Giant cell tumor of the rib

We experienced a rare case of giant cell tumor (GCT) arising in the 5^th rib involving the 5^th vertebral body and transverse process. A 57-year-old man presented with a well-defined mass in the left thoracic cavity on chest x ray examination. Chest computed tomography showed a heterogeneous 7cm-diameter mass originating in the posterior segment of the left 5^th rib. The tumor had spread to the 5^th thoracic vertebra destroying the left half of the body and transverse process. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous-intensity mass involving the 4^th to 6^th ribs. A radical excision of the tumor followed by a 50 Gy radiotherapy was performed after embolization of the feeding arteries. The pathological diagnosis was a GCT. The patient remains well without evidence of recurrence for 6 years following surgery. The present case is only the 14^th case of GCT arising in the rib to have been reported in Japan.     

Expression profile of chemokines and chemokine receptors in epithelial cell layers of oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND: To understand the immunopathological features of oral lichen planus (OLP), we analyzed the expression of chemokines in the epithelial cell layers. Methods: Epithelia from OLP or healthy gingiva were collected by laser microdissection. The chemokine and chemokine receptor expressions in the epithelia were analyzed by DNA microarray. RESULTS: High levels of MIP-3alpha/LARC/CCL20 and its receptor CCR6 were expressed in the lesional epithelia. Furthermore, DC-CK1/CCL18, ELC/CCL19, SDF-1/CXCL12 and CXCR4 expressions were also increased. Immunohistologial analysis showed that high numbers of Langerhans cells (LCs) were present in the epithelia of OLP. Lesional epithelia also expressed high levels of the ligands specific for CXCR3 (e.g. MIG/CXCL9, IP-10/CXCL10 and I-TAC/CXCL11) and CCR5 (e.g. RANTES/CCL5). CONCLUSIONS: Infiltration of LCs is orchestrated by CCR6. Further, LCs residing in the lesional epithelia may be a mature phenotype. Moreover, infiltration of T cells in OLP could be mediated by signaling pathways through CXCR3 and CCR5.