The usefulness of latissimus dorsi transfer for reconstruction for malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the infraspinatus muscle region: a case report

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a type of highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma with a predilection for the extremities of adults. We report a patient with MFH in the infraspinatus muscle for which wide resection including total resection of the infraspinatus muscle was performed, followed by transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle for shoulder reconstruction in a one-stage operation with good postoperative function.

Pathology and therapeutic results in patients with intraosseous ganglia of the carpal bone

This study evaluated the pathology and therapeutic results of seven patients with intraosseous ganglia of the carpal bone. The mean age at the time of surgery was 27.6 years. The lesions were localized in the proximal carpal row in six patients and in the distal carpal row in only one. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients with good bone union. None had pain during activity or at rest and no recurrence had occurred. The intraosseous ganglia in four patients was of the idiopathic type, and in the other three patients was of the penetrating type. Although intraosseous ganglia of the carpal bone is reported as a rare disease, there were 159 cases in the literature. The pathology was intra- or extraosseous development, showing variation, but most cases were localized in the proximal carpal row.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the hypothalamus of the goat

Pulsatile release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is indispensable to maintain normal gonadotrophin secretion. The pulsatile secretion of GnRH is associated with synchronised electrical activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus (i.e. multiple unit activity; MUA), which is considered to reflect the rhythmic oscillations in the activity of the neuronal network that drives pulsatile GnRH secretion. However, the cellular source of this ultradian rhythm in GnRH activity is unknown. Direct input from kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to GnRH cell bodies in the medial preoptic area or their terminals in the median eminence could be the intrinsic source for driving the GnRH pulse generator. To determine whether kisspeptin signalling could be responsible for producing pulsatile GnRH secretion, we studied goats, measured plasma levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and recorded MUA in the posterior ARC, where the majority of kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies are located. Rhythmic volleys of MUA were found to be accompanied by LH pulses with regular intervals in the ARC, where kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies were found. Exogenous administration of kisspeptin stimulated a sustained increase in LH secretion, without influencing MUA, suggesting that the GnRH pulse generator, as reflected by MUA, originated from outside of the network of GnRH neurones, and could plausibly reflect the pacemaker activity of kisspeptin neurones, whose projections reach the median eminence where GnRH fibres project. These observations suggest that the kisspeptin neurones in the ARC may be the intrinsic source of the GnRH pulse generator.

Possible role of oestrogen in pubertal increase of Kiss1/kisspeptin expression in discrete hypothalamic areas of female rats

Kisspeptin, a peptide encoded by the Kiss1 gene, has been considered as a potential candidate for a factor triggering the onset of puberty, and its expression in the hypothalamus was found to increase during peripubertal period in rodent models. The present study aimed to clarify the oestrogenic regulation of peripubertal changes in Kiss1 mRNA expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), and to determine which population of kisspeptin neurones shows a change in kisspeptin expression parallel to that in luteinising hormone (LH) pulses at the peripubertal period. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry revealed an apparent increase in the ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression and kisspeptin immunoreactivity around the time of vaginal opening in intact female rats. The AVPV Kiss1 mRNA levels also increased at day 26, but decreased at day 31, and then increased at day 36/41. In ovariectomised (OVX) rats, ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression did not show peripubertal changes and was kept at a high level throughout peripubertal periods. Apparent LH pulses were found in these prepubertal OVX rats. Oestradiol replacement suppressed ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression in OVX prepubertal rats, but not in adults. Similarly, LH pulses were suppressed by oestradiol in the prepubertal period (days 21 and 26), but regular pulses were found in adulthood. The present study suggests that a pubertal increase of Kiss1/kisspeptin expression both in the ARC and AVPV is involved in the onset of puberty. These results also suggest that both LH pulses and ARC Kiss1 expression are more negatively regulated by oestrogen in prepubertal female rats compared to adult rats.

Activational and organisational effects of gonadal steroids on sex-specific acetylcholine release in the dorsal hippocampus

Acetylcholine (ACh) release in the dorsal hippocampus increases during stress, exploration or learning, exhibiting sex-specific 24-h release profile. We review the role of gonadal steroids on the ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus. In our studies, we found that male rats showed higher extracellular ACh levels than females, but gonadectomy decreased ACh levels in both sexes of rats and subsequently eliminated the sex difference. To examine the sex difference under comparable gonadal steroid levels, we implanted steroid capsules after gonadectomy. Oestradiol supplementation maintained circulating oestradiol to the levels in proestrous female rats, whereas testosterone capsules maintained circulating testosterone to the levels similar to intact male rats. Under comparable gonadal steroids levels, ACh levels were sex-specific. Testosterone replacement in orchidectomised rats clearly restored ACh levels, which were greater than ovariectomised testosterone-primed rats. Similarly, oestradiol replacement in ovariectomised rats successfully restored ACh levels, which were higher than orchidectomised oestradiol-primed rats. These results suggest sex-specific activational effects of gonadal steroids on ACh release. To further examine the organisational effect, female pups were neonatally treated with oil, testosterone, oestradiol, or dihydrotestosterone. These rats were bilaterally ovariectomised and a testosterone capsule was implanted at postnatal week 8. Neonatal treatment of either testosterone or oestradiol clearly increased ACh levels, whereas neonatal dihydrotestosterone treatment failed to change levels. These results suggest that: (i) gonadal steroids maintain the sex-specific ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus and (ii) neonatal activation of oestrogen receptors is sufficient to mediate masculinisation of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system.

Susceptibility of embryos and chicks, derived from immunized breeding hens, to avian nephritis virus

High virus-neutralizing antibodies were induced in specific-pathogen-free breeding hens by administration of live and killed avian nephritis virus (ANV), strain M-8, antigens. Ten-day-old embryos from immune hens survived challenge by ANV which was administered by the yolk sac or allantoic cavity route. When the progeny chicks from immune dams were infected with ANV orally or by contact challenge, the virus replicated in the intestine. However, they were protected against pathological damage and virus replication in the kidney. The chicks without maternal antibodies showed apparent renal lesions and virus replication to high titre in the kidneys.

Low-noise simultaneous fluorescence detection of two atomic states

We demonstrate a new simultaneous normalized detection technique for fluorescence detection of ultracold atoms in a superposition of ground-state hyperfine levels. Using this technique we observe atom shot-noise limited detection signal-to-noise ratios in excess of 7800:1 per shot and 14400:1 in 1 s.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific immunospot assay of pleural exudate mononuclear cells is useful for the exclusion of tuberculous pleuritis in patients with lupus pleuritis

It is often difficult to make a diagnosis of pleuritis associated with rheumatic diseases because of lack of specific diagnostic tools. We report a patient with lupus pleuritis from which tuberculous pleuritis was distinguished by Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay of pleural exudate mononuclear cells. After the diagnosis of lupus pleuritis, the patient was successfully treated with prednisolone.

Outcomes after switching from one bisphosphonate to another in 146 patients at a single university hospital

Most patients who switched to a second bisphosphonate continued their treatment long term, although those who stopped their first drug because of adverse events were likely to discontinue the second drug for the same reason. Switching to another bisphosphonate is a reasonable treatment option for some patients with treatment failure.

INTRODUCTION

Patients who experience treatment failure with a bisphosphonate because of adverse events (AEs) or other reasons might receive a second bisphosphonate. However, the frequency and benefits of switching bisphosphonates are unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 197 men and 1110 women newly treated with bisphosphonates between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2005 at our university hospital.

RESULTS

Among the 497 patients who discontinued bisphosphonate treatment, 146 were switched to a second bisphosphonate. The cumulative probabilities of persistence of treatment after 3 years were 45% with the first bisphosphonate and 65% with the second (P = 0.017). Age >or=65 years, switching bisphosphonates because of AEs, and male gender were associated (P < 0.05) with low persistence of treatment with the second bisphosphonate. Discontinuation of the first drug because of AEs was associated with an increased rate of discontinuation of the second drug because of AEs (hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-8.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who switched bisphosphonates had high rates of persistence of therapy. Those who stopped their first bisphosphonate because of AEs were at risk of discontinuing the second drug for the same reason. Switching to another bisphosphonate is a reasonable treatment option for some patients with treatment failure.

Cytopathic avian rotavirus isolated from duck faeces in chicken kidney cell cultures

Five cytopathic viruses morphologically resembling rotaviruses were isolated from duck faeces in chicken kidney cell cultures using conventional methods. One of the isolates, designated F-29 strain, was identified as an avian rotavirus from the following: ribonucleic acid in the viral core, virus growth in the cytoplasm, resistance to chloroform, acid and heating, partial stabilisation to molar magnesium chloride and rotavirus-like morphology by electron microscopy. By immunofluorescence, F-29 strain did not react with porcine and bovine rotaviruses. Neutralising antibodies to the F-29 strain were detected in sera collected from a conventional duck flock, but not from specific-pathogen-free duck flocks.

Isolation and characterisation of cytopathic avian enteroviruses from broiler chicks

Cytopathic viruses were isolated from the faeces, pancreas and caecal contents of broiler chicks in two cases of a stunting syndrome. Two representative strains, designated AAF7 and M-8, were identified as enteroviruses on the basis of their size (25 nm in diameter), RNA in the viral core, virus growth in the cytoplasm, resistance to chloroform, trypsin and acid, and partial heat-stabilisation to molar magnesium chloride. They formed irregular plaques in chick kidney cell cultures. Numerous granula eosinophilic inclusions were induced in the cytoplasm of chicken kidney cell cultures infected with the viruses. Both isolates reacted partially with the G4260 strain of avian nephritis virus but not with the VR strain of avian encephalomyelitis virus.

The consequences of tacrolimus blood concentrations during the four weeks following marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor: a single-center experience

In our institute, tacrolimus was started at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg/day and adjusted to maintain a blood concentration between 10 and 20 ng/mL combined with short term methotrexate after bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor. Dose adjustment was performed strictly, in order to prevent grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)while avoiding renal toxicity of tacrolimus. Then, in this study, we retrospectively evaluated the tacrolimus blood concentration during the first 4 weeks after transplantation. The mean tacrolimus concentration of the eligible 52 patients was 17.41+/-4.84(range, 9.5-33.4)ng/mL in the 1st week after transplantation, but declined to 13.7+/- 4.0(range, 8.1-25.6)ng/mL in the 2nd week. The dose of tacrolimus was decreased as follows: 0.022+/-0.005 mg/ kg/day(range 0.011-0.039)in the 1st week, and 0.018+/-0.007 mg/kg/day(range 0.004-0.040)in the 2nd week. The incidence of grade II-IV GVHD was 63.0% and grade III-IV was 13.9%. The individual variations of tacrolimus blood concentration did not affect the incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD, as far as the concentration being maintained in the range of 14.82+/-4.22 ng/mL during the first 4 weeks after transplantation. In addition, the variations of tacrolimus concentration didn?t associate statistically with renal toxicity.

High-power pulsed-current-mode operation of an overdriven tapered amplifier

We experimentally investigate the performance of a commercial tapered amplifier diode operating in a pulsed-current mode with a peak current that is significantly higher than the specified maximum continuous current. For a tapered amplifier rated at 500 mW of continuous power, we demonstrate 2.6 W of peak optical output power with 15 mW of injection light for 200 micros, 7 A current pulses. Different failure mechanisms for the tapered amplifier, including thermal and optical damage, are identified under these conditions.

Inhibition of metastin (kisspeptin-54)-GPR54 signaling in the arcuate nucleus-median eminence region during lactation in rats

Follicular development and ovulation are suppressed during lactation in various mammalian species, mainly due to the suppression of pulsatile GnRH/LH secretion. Metastin (kisspeptin-54), a KiSS-1 gene product, is an endogenous ligand for GPR54, a G-protein-coupled receptor, and suggested to play a critical role in regulating the gonadal axis. The present study therefore aims to determine whether metastin (kisspeptin-54)-GPR54 signaling in discrete brain areas is inhibited by the suckling stimulus that causes suppression of LH secretion in lactating rats. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the KiSS-1 mRNA level was significantly lower in the arcuate nucleus (ARC)-median eminence region in lactating ovariectomized (OVX) and estrogen-treated OVX rats than in nonlactating controls. KiSS-1 mRNA in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus was kept at a low level in both lactating and nonlactating rats despite estrogen treatment. GPR54 mRNA levels were significantly lower in lactating than nonlactating rats in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, but the levels in lactating mothers of the preoptic area and ARC-median eminence were comparable with nonlactating controls. Although KiSS-1 mRNA-expressing cells or metastin (kisspeptin-54) immunoreactivities were densely located in the ARC of nonlactating controls, few were found in the ARC of lactating OVX animals. Various doses of metastin (kisspeptin-54) (0.02, 0.2, and 2 nmol) injected into the third ventricle caused a significant increase in LH secretion in both lactating and nonlactating OVX rats, suggesting that lactating rats are responsive to metastin (kisspeptin-54) stimulus. Thus, the present study demonstrated that KiSS-1 mRNA/metastin (kisspeptin-54) expression is inhibited in the ARC by the suckling stimulus, suggesting that the inhibition is most probably involved in suppressing LH secretion in lactating rats.

Rituximab does not compromise the mobilization and engraftment of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma

To investigate effects of the preautografting administration of rituximab on the mobilization and engraftment of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 43 newly diagnosed diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma patients who received CHOP chemotherapy with or without rituximab as a first-line treatment before autologous PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). There was no difference in the number of CD34(+) cells among PBSC between the non-rituximab and the rituximab groups. Although B-cells were completely depleted from PBSC in the rituximab group, we found no difference in the expression of CXCR-4, VLA-4 and c-Kit on PBSC, indicating that rituximab did not affect the expression of these adhesion molecules, which might be involved in the mechanism of mobilization. There was no significant difference in the recovery of neutrophils and platelets, transplant-related toxicity and post-transplant complications between the two groups. Despite the short follow-up, there was no significant difference in progression-free survival between the two groups. These results indicated no adverse effect of rituximab on the mobilization and engraftment of PBSC. Larger studies are required to determine the impact of rituximab on the mobilization and function of PBSC as well as whether a survival advantage exists in patients who undergo auto-PBSCT with rituximab.