Agminated fibroblastic connective tissue nevus in a 1‐year‐old boy

Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus (FCTN) is a benign cutaneous mesenchymal lesion characterized by proliferation of CD34‐positive fibroblastic/myofibroblastic spindle‐shaped cells. We report a case of agminated FCTN on the right lower abdomen of a 1‐year‐old boy.     

Expression of the cell surface antigen detected by the monoclonal antibody A7 in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines

In a previous study, we used a murine monoclonal antibody, A7, against human colon carcinoma as a drug-carrier to treat colorectal cancer.¹ In the present study, we found that MAb A7 also reacted immunohistochemically with 73% of human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, with the A7 antigen mainly being detected on the cell surface. However, the A7 antigen was found in only 9% of the spent media of these human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by ELISA. On the other hand, the positive incidence of CA19-9, POA, ferritin, CEA, DU-PAN-2 and SLX in those spent media was 100%, 64%, 64%, 55%, 55% and 36%, respectively. These results suggest that the A7 antigen may only rarely be shed into the sera of pancreatic cancer patients, in which case MAb A7 could be a suitable drug-carrier in targeting chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients.     

Protective genes expressed in endothelial cells of second hamster heart transplants to rats carrying an accommodated first graft

Abstract: Accommodation refers to survival of a xenograft despite the presence of anti-donor organ antibodies and complement. We have recently shown that accommodation of a hamster heart transplanted to a rat receiving short-term cobra venom factor (CVF) and continuing cyclosporine A (CyA) therapy is associated with i) the expression in the endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells of the graft of a number of "protective" genes, ii) a prominent intragraft Th2 cytokine profile, and iii) the relatively heavy deposition of IgG2c antibodies on the EC of the graft. In contrast, rejecting grafts do not express the protective genes, have a Th1 cytokine profile, and apparently have lesser amounts of IgG2c. These findings are consistent with host factors (Th2 cytokines and IgG2c) contributing to xenograft accommodation. To test whether these host factors may predispose to the development of accommodation, we placed a second hamster heart into each of 12 rats carrying a surviving first heart; recipients were, at the time, receiving only CyA. Whereas first grafts transplanted to rats receiving only CyA survive for 3 to 4 days, 11 out of 12 second transplants survived more than 20 days, and the other survived for 7 days. Nine of the twelve were not rejected: of these, four were removed between day 35 and 132 for study, and the remainder are still beating at 35 to 52 days. The surviving second hearts we studied had accommodated in that the picture on immunopathology was the same as for surviving first hearts. We suggest that the Th2 cytokines and perhaps the IgG2c response are factors in allowing prolonged survival of the second grafts and, further, that these factors contribute to the expression in the EC and smooth muscle cells of the surviving second hearts of the protective genes.     

Fine structure of soft and hard tissues involved in eye migration in metamorphosing Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The body of a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) changes from a symmetrical to an asymmetrical form during metamorphosis. To obtain detailed information on the mechanisms of the migration of the right eye to the left side, soft and hard tissues in the head of larval flounders were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Retrorbital vesicles (Rvs) are pairs of sac-like structures under the eyes. It has been suggested that the asymmetrical development of Rvs, with the right (blind) one being bigger than the left, is the driving force behind eye migration. The present study revealed that the ultrastructure of the Rv sheath is quite similar to that of a lymphatic capillary. Thus, it is possible that the Rv is a part of the lymph system, and is probably related to the secondary vascular system in teleosts. If we assume that the Rv sheath has a high permeability to liquid, similar to lymphatic capillaries, it is not plausible that the active expansion of the Rv pushes the eyeball. On the other hand, the pseudomesial bar (Pb) is a bone that is unique to flounders and is present only on the right (blind) side. At the beginning of eye migration, an aggregation of fibroblast-like cells is observed in the dermis under the right eye, where the Pb will subsequently be formed. These cells have a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and mitochondria, and are probably responsible for formation of the thick layers of collagen fibrils around them. Since it is unlikely that the active expansion of the Rv causes eye migration, the role played by the Pb and its rudiment becomes more significant in right eye migration in the Japanese flounder becomes more significant.     

Survival of Single Positive Thymocytes Depends upon Developmental Control of RIPK1 Kinase Signaling by the IKK Complex Independent of NF-κB

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Dorfin localizes to the ubiquitylated inclusions in Parkinson's disease,dementia with Lewy bodies,multiple system atrophy,and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In many neurodegenerative diseases, the cytopathological hallmark is the presence of ubiquitylated inclusions consisting of insoluble protein aggregates. Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies disease, glial cell inclusions in multiple system atrophy, and hyaline inclusions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are representative of these inclusions. The elucidation of the components of these inclusions and the mechanisms underlying inclusion formation is important in uncovering the pathogenesis of these disorders. We hypothesized that Dorfin, a perinuclearly located E3 ubiquitin ligase, participates in the formation of ubiquitylated inclusions in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report that affinity-purified anti-Dorfin antibody labeled ubiquitylated inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies disease, multiple system atrophy, and sporadic and familial ALS. A double-immunofluorescence study revealed that Dorfin shows a distribution pattern parallel to that of ubiquitin. Furthermore, by a filter trap assay, we detected that Dorfin is present in the ubiquitylated high-molecular weight structures derived from these diseases. These results suggest that Dorfin plays a crucial role in the formation of ubiquitylated inclusions of alpha-synucleinopathy and ALS. However, because we failed to show the direct binding of alpha-synuclein with Dorfin, future investigations into the binding partner(s) of Dorfin will be needed to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of alpha-synucleinopathy and ALS.     

An immunodominant haptenic epitope of carbamazepine detected in serum from patients given long-term treatment with carbamazepine without allergic reaction

An anticarbamazepine antibody was detected in the serum of a patient with severe carbamazepine-induced serum sickness. We found that the patient's T cells and IgG antibody recognized an epitope which appeared in subjects showing an allergic reaction, as well as that in subjects who showed no allergic reaction, after long-term carbamazepine therapy. These results show that an anti-carbamazepine immune response does not occur in the majority of subjects who undergo long-term carbamazepine therapy without developing allergic symptoms, although the immunodominant haptenic epitope of carbamazepine is present in their sera.     

Possible involvement of keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in enhanced epithelial-cell proliferation and acquired recurrence of middle-ear cholesteatoma

Middle-ear cholesteatoma is characterized by enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells and granular tissue formation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these pathological changes is largely unknown. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a mesenchymal cell-derived paracrine growth factor that specifically stimulates epithelial cell proliferation. In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of KGF and its receptor, KGFR, in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. We examined 56 cholesteatoma specimens, and 8 normal skin areas as control. KGF and KGFR expression was examined by immunohistochemistry using rabbit anti-human KGF and anti-human KGFR polyclonal antisera raised in our laboratories against synthetic peptides corresponding to parts of human KGF and KGFR, respectively. KGF protein and mRNA were detected exclusively in stromal fibroblasts and infiltrating T lymphocytes in 80% of cholesteatoma cases, whereas KGFR protein and mRNA were localized in the epithelium in 72% of cases. Assessment of the proliferative activity of cholesteatoma using the labeling index for Ki-67 showed a significantly higher Ki-67 labeling index (66%) in KGF+/KGFR+ cases than other cases. There was a significant correlation between KGF+/KGFR+ expression and recurrence. Our results indicate the possible involvement of both KGF and KGFR in enhanced epithelial cell proliferative activity and recurrence of cholesteatoma.     

Ridge filter design for proton therapy at Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center

At the Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center (HIBMC) we have developed a new design method for the bar ridge filter used in proton therapy, taking into consideration the scattering and nuclear interaction effects within the filter itself, which are introduced in the design. In our beam delivery system, the bar ridge filter is employed as the range modulator. It is combined with the wobbler system, and produces a three-dimensionally uniform spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). The design program predicts the three-dimensional dose distribution. Ridge filters of 3-12 cm SOBP in 1 cm increments were designed in the maximum radiation field for 150 MeV and 190 MeV proton beams so that a uniform physical dose area is obtained in the SOBP region three-dimensionally. Measurements were performed with the constructed ridge filters to verify the uniformity and these were compared with the predictions of the design program. The predictions and measurements were found to be in agreement except for the 12 cm SOBP. The uniformities were better than +/- 3.0% for all SOBPs produced. The ridge filters are now clinically in use.