Sj?gren syndrome: comparison of assessments with MR sialography and conventional sialography

We investigated the effects of genes controlling melanism on levels and patterns of activity, potential nonvisual components of fitness, of adult Mediterranean flour moths, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (1879). Six genotypes of two melanic strains (Ala nigra and black) were used. We monitored continuously the walking or flight activity of 45 mated females per genotype during the third night of their lives, using automatic electrostatic techniques to carry out the measurements. Although there was high individual variation within genotypes, bb (melanic) females were more active than the two nonmelanic genotypes of the black strain (b+, ++) because they tended to show more bouts of activity. There were no differences in the average length of these bouts, or in the timing of initial and final activity. Overall, the females of the black strain were significantly more active than the females of the Ala nigra strain. The results are discussed in the context of the evolution of melanism in moths. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour     

Mapping of the binding of platelet-derived growth factor to distinct domains of the basement membrane proteins BM-40 and perlecan and distinction from the BM-40 collagen-binding epitope

Iron is required for cell proliferation of all living species. Moreover, iron excess may be involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study we analyzed the effects of deferoxamine, an iron chelator, on normal porcine hepatocyte proliferation. We confirmed that hepatocytes isolated from young pigs proliferate in the presence of insulin and fetal calf serum as shown by [3H] methyl-thymidine incorporation, presence of mitotic figures and increase in cell number. This was paralleled by nuclear expression of p34cdc2 and its associated histone H1 kinase activity. In the presence of deferoxamine, [3H] methyl-thymidine incorporation, expression of nuclear proteins (p34cdc2 and PCNA) and H1 kinase activity were drastically reduced. In addition, in contrast with control cultures, cells in S-phase were not detected by flow cytometry. These data suggest that iron chelation by deferoxamine can arrest the progression of porcine hepatocytes in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.     

Recent arguments in advanced gastric cancer treatment]

In advanced inoperable gastric cancer patients, survival was significantly prolonged for the group receiving antineoplastic treatment against only the best supportive care group by some randomized controlled studies. Greater prolongation of survival is expected from surgery in CR and PR cases because of the change from inoperable to operable. One problem is that the evaluation of response to the primary site is different between Japan and other countries. Outside of Japan, it is considered that barium contrast studies and routine endoscopy are not sufficient for tumor response assessment at the primary site. I think this is not true evaluation of the response to gastric cancer chemotherapy to exclude primary site assessment. We must generalize the Japanese criteria of gastric cancer chemotherapy throughout the world.     

Maturation of rat dendritic cells during intrahepatic translocation evaluated using monoclonal antibodies and electron microscopy

Specific populations of hepatic sinusoidal cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies that recognize monocytes/macrophages (ED1), tissue macrophages (Kupffer cells) (ED2), MHC class II (Ia) antigen (MRC OX6), and dendritic cells/gamma,delta T-cells (MRC OX62) and analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The majority of ED1(+) and/or ED2(+) cells were localized to the hepatic parenchyma, whereas OX6(+) and/or OX62(+) cells were more densely distributed within Glisson's sheath than in the hepatic parenchyma. Double-immunoperoxidase staining of normal liver for ED1, ED2, and OX6 identified dendritic cells (DC) of two different phenotypes, ED1(+)ED2(-)OX6(+) and ED1(-)ED2(-)OX6(+). DC can be classified into three different types based on ultrastructural characteristics. The first type (type I) is characterized by one or more long cytoplasmic processes and a well-developed lysosomal system. The second type (type II) has an inconspicuous lysosomal system, abundant hyaloplasm, and characteristic short cytoplasmic processes. The third type (type I-II) has cytologic features intermediate between those of type I and type II DC. At the electron-microscopic level, these three cell types are found in the sinusoidal lumen, whereas the majority of type II DC are located in the space of Disse and Glisson's sheath. Furthermore, some OX6-labeled elongated DC appeared to traverse the lumen of sinusoids through endothelial pores to enter the space of Disse. One hour after intravenous injection of latex particles (0.81 micrometer in diameter), numerous latex-laden dendritic cells (ED1(+)OX6(+), type I and type I-II) were detected in the lumen of hepatic sinusoids, but not in the space of Disse or Glisson's sheath. These findings suggest that normal rat liver contains resident dendritic cells which downregulate phagocytic activity and mature into potent accessory cells during migration from the portal vein toward the central vein. These DC then traverse the sinusoidal lumen to the hepatic lymph system via the space of Disse.     

Antitumor activity of degraded products of lentinan: its correlation with molecular weight

Twelve of 25 patients with mixed connective tissue disease complained of xerostomia and/or ocular symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. In addition to the clinical features of mixed connective tissue disease, all 12 patients had high titers of antibody to the ribonuclease-sensitive component of the extractable nuclear antigen. Eight patients had both clinical xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, one had keratoconjunctivitis sicca and salivary gland enlargement, while there had xerostomia but no ocular complaints. Sj?rgren's syndrome was confirmed in all 12 patients by means of Schirmer's tests, Rose Bengal staining tests, salivary gland scintiscans, radionuclide excretion studies in saliva, parotid sialographies, and lip biopsies. At least three of these tests were abnormal in all patients.