Nine-bp repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of thehMSH3 gene

Summary We have identified a polymorphic 9-bp repeat sequence in exon 1 of thehMSH3 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five alleles were observed in unrelated Japanese individuals with heterozygosity of 0.57.     

Clinical,cytological, and pathological characteristics of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid: A study of 14 cases at a Japanese single institution

A preoperative diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid (MRCCT) is important for determining clinical management but is challenging even in cases with a clinical history of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study aimed to elucidate the clinical, cytological, and pathological characteristics of MRCCT. Fourteen MRCCT cases extracted from 18 320 malignant thyroid tumors were included in this study. Twelve MRCCT (85.7%) occurred as solitary lesions and the most frequently suspected lesions on ultrasonography were follicular tumors. On cytology, 46.2% of cases were reported as RCC or suspected RCC; a medical history of RCC and immunocytochemistry were helpful in interpretation. RCC metastasized to a follicular adenoma in 50.0% of the solitary lesions. MRCCTs with a long interval from the initial presentation, solitary lesion, and Ki-67 labeling index <10% showed significantly longer disease-free survival. MRCCT is characterized by a long interval from the initial presentation of RCC, appearance as a solitary nodule, ultrasonographic similarity to follicular tumors, sharing cytological findings with primary thyroid tumors, and high frequency of metastasis within follicular adenoma. A long interval from the initial presentation, occurrence as a solitary lesion, and low Ki-67 labeling index may be favorable prognostic factors.     

Serine protease inhibitors prevent alcoholic liver injury]

The hepatotoxic effects of alcohol have been described in detail, but factors responsible for its hepatotoxicity have only partially characterized. It now appears that Kupffer cell derived TNF-alpha participates in several aspects of alcoholic liver injury. On the other hand, protease inhibitors have been used successfully for treatment of intractable diseases in which TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Here, we will review new evidence for the proposal that serine protease inhibitors prevents alcoholic liver injury via mechanisms dependent on Kupffer cell derived TNF-alpha.     

Gender difference in alcoholic liver injury]

Gender differences of alcoholic liver injury have been described previously, but mechanisms have only partially characterized. For example, it is known that females develop alcoholic liver injury more rapidly and to a greater extent than males. It now appears that estrogen participates in several aspects of this phenomenon. On the other hand, attention has been directed towards the effect of ethanol ingestion on Kupffer cell function, which is stimulated by gut-derived endotoxins via mechanisms dependent on increased gut permeability and the possible relationship between Kupffer cell and alcohol-induced liver injury.     

Histamine-induced vasodilations mediated by H1- and H2-receptors in isolated rat common carotid arteries

Summary Using the cannula inserting method, the vasodilatory effects of histamine were analysed employing selective histamine H₁- and H₂-receptor agonists and antagonists in isolated, perfused rat common carotid arterial preparations which were preconstricted by a continuous infusion of phenylephrine with propranolol. Histamine, 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA) (a selective H₁-agonist) and dimaprit (a selective H₂-agonist) produced a vasodilation in a dose-related manner. The order of potency was histamine > dimaprit > 2-PEA. Histamine-induced dilations were significantly inhibited by either diphenhydramine (a selective H₁-antagonist) or cimetidine (a selective H₂-antagonist). 2-PEA-induced dilations were significantly inhibited by diphenhydramine but not by cimetidine. Dimaprit-induced dilations were significantly blocked by cimetidine but not by diphenhydramine. ACh-, histamine-, 2-PEA- and dimaprit-induced dilations were significantly suppressed by removal of the endothelium. From these results, it is concluded that (1) isolated rat common carotid arteries have both H₁-and H₂-receptors, (2) there are few vasoconstrictory H₁-receptors, (3) both H₁- and H₂-receptors mediate only vasodilation but not vasoconstriction, and (4) EDRF from the endothelium might participate in histamine-induced vasodilation via not only H₁- but also H₂-receptors.     

Evaluation of Ethanol on Gastric Epithelial Restoration in Vitro

Ethanol exerts damaging effects on gastric mucosa and delays ulcer healing. To investigate the effect of ethanol on the wound repairing process, we used a wound repair model using primary cultured gastric mucosal cells. A confluent monolayer gastric mucosal cell sheet consisting mainly of mucous cells was wounded to make a cell-free area of constant size. Cell-free area was restored with time after wounding and monitored every 12 hr using a computer image analyzer to observe epithelial cell restoration quantitatively in the presence and absence of ethanol (2.0%). It was found that, although the control wound was completely repaired in 36 to 48 hr, the group treated with 2.0% ethanol showed a significant delay of repair. In the control, 5-bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells appeared around the wound in 24 to 36 hr. In contrast, the group treated with 2.0% ethanol showed no 5-bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells during the experiment. In conclusion, 2.0% ethanol retarded the repair of gastric mucosal restoration by inhibiting the initial gastric cell migration, followed by inhibition of proliferation of cells.     

Assessment of inflamed synovial membrane in the knee joint by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dynamic MRI) was used to examine the synovial membrane in the knee joints of 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to investigate the relationship between pathological and MRI findings. Signal intensities in the regions of interest (ROI), identified as the synovial membrane of the suprapatellar pouch, were measured on MR images. Signal intensities at various times after the injection of contrast medium Gd–diethylenetriaminopentoacetic acid (Gd–DTPA) were normalized relative to the signal intensity at 80s, and designated as the normalized signal intensity (NSI). Pathological findings were quantified, and the types of inflamed synovial membrane were classified as either acute or chronic. A significant difference in NSI was observed between acute and chronic types (P 0.05). Dynamic MRI was capable of classifying acute and chronic RA by measuring NSI 20s after contrast medium injection. Dynamic MRI was therefore shown to be useful for assessing regional synovial inflammation.     

Effects of retrieving context information on accuracy-confidence relationships in recognition memory for faces

We investigated how retrieval conditions affect accuracy-confidence (A-C) relationship sin recognition memory for faces. Seventy participants took a face-recognition test and rated their confidence in their judgment. Twenty-three participants were assigned to a retrieval condition, where they were encouraged to remember background information (scenery) of each picture just before rating their confidence. Twenty-four participants were assigned to a verbalizing condition, in which they were encouraged to remember and verbally describe the background of each picture before rating. Twenty-three participants were assigned to a control condition. The results showed that for the control condition, an A-C relationship was found for old items but not for new items, replicating the results of Takahashi (1998) and Wagenaar (1988). In contrast, in the retrieval condition, an A-C relationship was found for both old and new items. In the verbalizing condition, an A-C relationship was not found for either old or new items. The results showed that retrieving background information affects A-C relationships, supporting the idea that confidence ratings rely not only on memory traces but also on various kinds of information such as retrieved background scenery. Implications for eyewitness testimony were discussed.