Wire-loop lesion is associated with serological immune abnormality, but not renal prognosis, in lupus nephritis.

BACKGROUND: Wire-loop lesion (WL) is one of the active lesions of lupus nephritis (LN). However, few reports have focused on the clinicopathological relationships of WL to serological immune abnormality and renal prognosis. METHODS: We enrolled 126 Japanese LN patients subjected to renal biopsy in 11 hospitals from 2000 to 2018. In patients with class III or IV of the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification, we retrospectively compared clinicopathological findings between those with WL (WL+ group) and without WL (WL- group) to detect factors associated with WL. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73m2 for more than three months. We also compared these findings between those with CKD (CKD+ group) and without CKD (CKD- group) at the last visit to investigate factors associated with renal prognosis. RESULTS: Of 126 patients, 100 (79.4%) were classified as class III or IV. WL was found in 36 (36.0%) of them. Although the renal function did not differ, the WL+ group had a higher titre of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and lower serum complement 3 levels than the WL- group. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association only between anti-dsDNA antibodies and WL (ß = 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.001-0.100, p = 0.01). Of these patients, 69 were tracked for 59.6 ± 55.1 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in renal prognosis between these groups. Next, the CKD+ group included 15 (22.1%) patients. They were older and had higher frequencies of hypertension and hyperuricaemia, serum creatinine (Cr) level, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial inflammation, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy than the CKD- group at the time of renal biopsy. The frequency of WL was not significantly different. Cox regression analysis revealed significant associations of CKD with hypertension, hyperuricaemia, serum Cr level at the time of renal biopsy clinically and with tubular atrophy histologically. CONCLUSIONS: WL was associated with serum anti-dsDNA antibodies but not with renal prognosis, suggesting that WL reflects immune abnormality but is not an independent factor predictive of renal prognosis in LN.

Digital Image Correlation and Finite Element Analysis of Bone Strain Generated by Implant-Retained Cantilever Fixed Prosthesis.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the displacement and strain generated in an implant- supported fixed prosthesis under axial and non-axial loads using two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three implants were inserted in a resin block. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used to measure displacement and strain generated on the surface of the resin blocks for the different load applications (500N, 1 image/second). A 3-dimensional model was constructed and a load of 500 N was applied at an axial point and a non-axial point through finite element analysis (FEA). RESULTS: Both methods gave similar trends for the strains, and both gave slightly higher strains with non-axial loading. FEA predicted higher strain magnitude (±11%) in comparison with DIC, but with the same mechanical behavior. According to ANOVA, the loading influenced the strain concentration. Higher strain was generated for non-axial loading around the implant nearest to the loading. CONCLUSIONS: For implant-retained cantilever fixed prosthesis, the same load applied in the lever arm induces higher strain in the cervical area of the last implant, which suggests more damaging potential than a load applied at the center of the prosthesis.

Durability of feldspathic veneering ceramic on glass-infiltrated alumina ceramics after long-term thermocycling.

AIM: This study compared the bond strength durability of a feldspathic veneering ceramic to glass-infiltrated reinforced ceramics in dry and aged conditions. METHODS: Disc shaped (thickness: 4 mm, diameter: 4 mm) of glass-infiltrated alumina (In-Ceram Alumina) and glass-infiltrated alumina reinforced by zirconia (In-Ceram Zirconia) core ceramic specimens (N=48, N=12 per groups) were constructed according to the manufacturers' recommendations. Veneering ceramic (VITA VM7) was fired onto the core ceramics using a mold. The core-veneering ceramic assemblies were randomly divided into two conditions and tested either immediately after specimen preparation (Dry) or following 30000 thermocycling (5-55 ºC±1; dwell time: 30 seconds). Shear bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine (cross-head speed: 1 mm/min). Failure modes were analyzed using optical microscope (x20). The bond strength data (MPa) were analyzed using ANOVA (α=0.05). RESULTS: Thermocycling did not decrease the bond strength results for both In-Ceram Alumina (30.6±8.2 MPa; P=0.2053) and In-Ceram zirconia (32.6±9 MPa; P=0.3987) core ceramic-feldspathic veneering ceramic combinations when compared to non-aged conditions (28.1±6.4 MPa, 29.7±7.3 MPa, respectively). There were also no significant differences between adhesion of the veneering ceramic to either In-Ceram Alumina or In-Ceram Zirconia ceramics (P=0.3289). Failure types were predominantly a mixture of adhesive failure between the veneering and the core ceramic together with cohesive fracture of the veneering ceramic. CONCLUSION: Long-term thermocycling aging conditions did not impair the adhesion of the veneering ceramic to the glass-infiltrated alumina core ceramics tested.

Expression of aquaporins and vasopressin type 2 receptor in the stria vascularis of the cochlea.

Recently, considerable evidence has been accumulated to support the novel view that water homeostasis in the inner ear is regulated via the vasopressin-aquaporin 2 (VP-AQP2) system in the same fashion as in the kidney. Indeed, multiple subtypes of AQPs including AQP-2 are reported to be expressed in the cochlea. However, the mechanism that underlies VP-AQP-2 mediated water homeostasis remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the localizations of AQP-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, -8, -9, and vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2-R) in the stria vascularis (SV) were molecular biologically and immunohistochemically examined to evaluate the role of the AQP water channel system in water homeostasis of the SV. A RT-PCR study revealed that AQPs and V2-R mRNA are expressed in the cochlea. As for their immunohistochemical localization, the AQP-2 protein is expressed on the basal side of the basal cells of the SV, and proteins of AQP-3 and V2-R are expressed on the apical side of the basal cells. AQP-7 and -9 proteins are expressed on the apical side of marginal cells. AQP-4, -5, and -8 protein expressions could not be detected in the lateral wall of the cochlea. From the present results, water flux in the SV is thought to be regulated at the level of the basal cells by vasopressin. Furthermore, such a distribution of AQP-2, -3, and V2-R suggests that VP-AQP-2 mediated water transport might work actively in the basal cells from perilymph towards endolymph containing AQP-1, -7 and -9.

EXpression of ErbB proteins in human prostate.

ErbB proteins are widely expressed in human and animal tissues, notably in cells of epithelial or neuroendocrine origin. Protein expression and interactions of ErbBs were examined in prostate cancer specimens. Expression of ErbB1-4 proteins was determined with immunohistochemical methods using each monoclonal antibody in 20 prostatic adenocarcinomas. The 4 ErbB proteins were widely expressed in normal, hyperplastic and cancerous tissues of the prostate. ErbBs may contribute to normal development or tumor growth and progression in human prostate.

Effects of lithium on endolymph homeostasis and experimentally induced endolymphatic hydrops.

There is evidence to suggest that water homeostasis in the inner ear is regulated via the vasopressin (VP)-aquaporin 2 (AQP2) system in the same fashion as in the kidney. The VP-AQP2 system in the kidney is well known to be inhibited by lithium, resulting in polyuria due to a decrease in reabsorption of water in the collecting duct of the kidney. Therefore, lithium is also likely to inhibit the VP-AQP2 system in the inner ear, and consequently exert some influence on inner ear fluid homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of lithium on AQP2 expression in the rat inner ear, and on the cochlear fluid volume in hydropic ears of guinea pigs. A quantitative PCR study revealed that lithium reduced AQP2 mRNA expression in the cochlea and endolymphatic sac. Lithium application also decreased the immunoreactivity of AQP2 in the cochlea and endolymphatic sac. In a morphological study, lithium intake significantly reduced endolymphatic hydrops dose-dependently. These results indicate that lithium acts on the VP-AQP2 system in the inner ear, consequently producing a dehydratic effect on the endolymphatic compartment.

Effects of homologous pituitary hormone treatment on serum insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in hypophysectomized tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, with special reference to a novel 20-kDa IGFBP.

In the circulation, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) bind to high-affinity-binding proteins. Insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) appear to be present in all vertebrates. To examine the hormonal regulation of serum IGFBPs in a fish, tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were hypophysectomized (Hx) and then treated with homologous tilapia growth hormone (tGH) or either form of tilapia prolactin (tPRL177, tPRL188). Hormones were administered at three doses: 15, 150, and 500 ng/g of body weight. Serum IGFBP profiles were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western ligand blotting using 125I-rhIGF-I as a probe. A prominent IGFBP (ca 20 kDa), termed IGFBP-20K, appeared after hypophysectomy. Administration of tGH at all dose levels suppressed this BP and restored levels back to those seen in sham-operated control fish. tPRL177 and tPRL188 were also effective in lowering IGFBP-20K levels. Levels of the 29-kDa IGFBP (termed IGFBP-29K) increased after hypophysectomy; tGH at all doses and tPRL177 at the two lower doses further increased these levels. All doses of tGH, tPRL177, and tPRL188 significantly increased levels of the 32-kDa IGFBP (termed IGFBP-32K). Hypophysectomy significantly lowered levels of the 40-kDa IGFBP (termed IGFBP-40K) below levels seen in the sham-operated controls. tGH treatment significantly raised IGFBP-40K levels at all doses examined, but not to the levels seen in intact tilapia. The 42-kDa IGFBP (termed IGFBP-42K) was not affected by hypophysectomy or hormone replacement. Our data suggest that the novel 20-kDa IGFBP and the 40-kDa IGFBP species may be similar in function to mammalian IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, respectively.

Is the primitive regulation of pituitary prolactin (tPRL177 and tPRL188) secretion and gene expression in the euryhaline tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) hypothalamic or environmental?

We examined the effects of environmental salinity on circulating levels of the two prolactins (tPRL177 and tPRL188) and levels of pituitary tPRL177 and tPRL188 mRNA in the euryhaline tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. Fish were sham-operated or hypophysectomized and the rostral pars distalis (RPD) autotransplanted onto the optic nerve. Following post-operative recovery in (1/4) seawater, tilapia were transferred to fresh water (FW), (1/4) seawater (SW) or SW. Serum tPRL177 and tPRL188 levels in sham-operated and RPD-autotransplanted fish were highest in FW and decreased as salinity was increased. tPRL177 and tPRL188 mRNA levels in RPD implants as well as in pituitaries from the sham-operated fish were also highest in FW and decreased with increasing salinity. Serum osmolality increased with salinity, with the highest levels occurring in the seawater groups. We conclude that some plasma factor (probably plasma osmolality), in the absence of hypothalamic innervation, exerts a direct regulatory action on prolactin release and gene expression in the pituitary of O. mossambicus. This regulation is in accord with the actions of the two prolactins in the freshwater osmoregulation of the tilapia.

Preparation and evaluation of new Pirkle type chiral stationary phases with long alkyl chains for the separation of amino acid enantiomers derivatized with NBD-F.

In order to improve the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of alpha-amino acids derivatized with the fluorogenic reagent 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F) on commercially available chiral stationary phases (CSPs) such as SUMICHIRAL OA-2500(S) (CSP 1) and OA-4700 (CSP 3), the preparation of two new CSPs (CSP 2 and CSP 4) having 11-aminoundecanoic acid between the aminopropyl silica gel support and the chiral moiety in CSP 1 and CSP 3 is described. CSP 2 and CSP 4 improved both the mutual and enantiomeric separation of NBD-amino acids compared with CSP 1 and CSP 3. Thus, 17 pairs of NBD-amino acid enantiomers and NBD-glycine were separated on CSP 2 except for six NBD-amino acids (D-Asn, D-Ser, D-Gln, L-Pro, L-Ser and Gly). CSP 2 and CSP 4 also showed better enantiomeric separation of NBD-amino acid esters and amides than CSP 1 and CSP 3. It was considered that the achiral long alkyl chains in the CSPs might form a hydrophobic space which assisted the stereoselective interaction of analytes with the chiral moiety by changing the environment around the chiral moiety. On CSP 1 and CSP 2, NBD-beta-amino acid was also enantiomerically separated.

Osmoregulatory actions of growth hormone and prolactin in an advanced teleost.

To date, growth hormone (GH) is known to contribute to seawater adaptation only in salmonid fishes (primitive Euteleostei). Accordingly, the effects of homologous GH and two forms of homologous prolactin (PRL177 and PRL188) on hypoosmoregulatory ability and gill Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in a more advanced euryhaline cichlid fish, the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), were examined. Following adaptation of hypophysectomized fish to 25% seawater for 3 weeks, fish were given four injections of hormone or vehicle. They were then exposed to 100% seawater for 12 hr and examined for changes in plasma osmolality. Tilapia GH (0.02 and 0.2 microgram/g) significantly improved the ability of tilapia to decrease plasma osmolality following transfer to full-strength seawater, in a dose-related manner. Growth hormone treatment also significantly stimulated gill Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity (0.5 microgram/g). Both tilapia PRLs (PRL177 and PRL188) increased plasma osmolality in 100% seawater and reduced gill Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, the effects induced by PRL188 being more significant than those by PRL177. Thus, GH may be involved in seawater adaptation of tilapia, a species belonging to the most advanced teleost super-order (Acanthopterygii), whereas both PRLs in tilapia are not involved in seawater adaptation.

Somatotropic actions of the homologous growth hormone and prolactins in the euryhaline teleost, the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus.

It is increasingly clear that growth hormone (GH) has growth-promoting effects in fishes, which are mediated in part by the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. Growth-promoting actions of prolactin (PRL) have been reported in higher vertebrates, but are less well established in teleosts. We examined the effects of injecting homologous GH or the two homologous tilapia PRLs (tPRL177 and tPRL188) on the in vitro incorporation of [35S] sulfate (extracellular matrix synthesis) and [3H]thymidine (DNA synthesis) by ceratobranchial cartilage explants and on IGF-I mRNA levels in tilapia liver. Tilapia GH (tGH) and tPRL177 stimulated sulfate uptake at the highest doses examined. Thymidine incorporation was stimulated by tPRL177. tPRL188 was without these effects. Consistent with its somatotropic actions, tGH elevated IGF-I mRNA levels in the liver. tPRL177 also elevated liver IGF-I levels. Consistent with the previously described osmoregulatory actions of GH and PRL in teleosts, we observed that tGH elevated and tPRL177 and tPRL188 lowered levels of gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity. High-affinity, low-capacity binding sites for tGH in the tilapia liver were identified. tPRL177 binds with lower affinity than tGH to these sites but can displace 125I-labeled tGH from its receptor. The ability of tPRL177 to displace tGH was similar to that of ovine GH. tPRL188 did not displace 125I-labeled tGH binding. Collectively, this work suggests that tPRL177 may possess somatotropic actions similar to tGH, but only in freshwater tilapia where tPRL177 levels are sufficiently high for it to act as a competitive ligand for GH receptors.

Determination of triazolam in serum by deactivated metal capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.

A method for the determination of trace amounts of triazolam in serum by deactivated metal capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection was established. The column used exhibits excellent thermostability in high-temperature analysis and easy handling and a long lifetime of the column and well shaped peaks on the chromatograms are obtained. With the metal capillary column, it was found to be easier to maintain suitable analytical conditions for the routine assay of triazolam than with a fused-silica column. With this method, 0.5 ng/ml of triazolam in serum can be determined. The method is useful for pharmacokinetic and therapeutic purposes.

[Hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis with propionibacterium acnes detected by dural biopsy].

A 30-year-old woman experienced recurrent dull headache and frequent partial motor seizure (Jacksonian type) that marched from right fingers. This motor seizure was uncontrollable with ordinary anticonvulsant therapy. Cerebrospinal fluid showed mild pleocytosis. Cranial CT examination was unremarkable, but MRI revealed thickened dural lesion on the left fronto-parietal site, giving diagnosis of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. Dural biopsy showed nonspecific chronic granulomatous state without specific granuloma such as tuberculosis nor sarcoidosis. Anaerobic culture revealed Propionibacterium acnes, a rare causative agent of meningitis. We conclude that it is important to follow a case of unknown cause pachymeningitis carefully with MRI, and in some cases, is required a dural biopsy to make a diagnosis before steroid therapy.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with transient pure red cell aplasia associated with myasthenia gravis and invasive thymoma.

A 43-year-old male developed rapidly progressing anemia and a bone marrow examination revealed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). He was diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis (MG) and invasive thymoma, and achieved complete remission by radiation and chemotherapy six years ago. Despite increased doses of oral prednisolone from 7.5 mg/day to 60 mg/day, a diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) was made one month later based on findings of 37.2% abnormal lymphoblasts and positive surface markers for CD2, CD3 and CD7 T-cells. Cases of PRCA associated with MG and thymoma have been reported in the literature, however such a case followed by T-ALL is very rare.

Effects of environmental salinity on pituitary growth hormone content and cell activity in the euryhaline tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether several indicators of growth hormone (GH) cell activity, namely GH content, fine structure, and volume of the GH region, differ in the pituitaries of freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. Tilapia raised from the stage of yolk-sac absorption for 7 months in SW contain significantly more GH in their pituitaries than in those of fish reared in FW. Pituitary growth hormone content in tilapia raised in FW for 7 months and transferred to SW for 49 days is greater than that in sibling tilapia retained in FW. Conversely, GH content is significantly lower in the pituitaries of SW-reared tilapia transferred to FW for 49 days than that in the pituitaries from fish retained in SW. Likewise, the volume of the GH region and activity of the GH cells are enhanced in pituitaries from SW-reared tilapia over that seen in pituitaries from FW fish. Taken together, all data indicate heightened GH cell activity in SW-raised tilapia and suggest that GH may play a causal role in the greater growth rates observed in SW tilapia compared to FW fish and/or that GH may be involved in SW osmoregulation. The latter suggestion is supported, in part, by our observation that in vivo oGH treatment (2 micrograms/g body wt) stimulated gill Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity.

Physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum).

Several experiments were performed to investigate the physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis. Transfer of fish from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW; 31-32 ppt) induced only a minimal disturbance of osmotic homeostasis. Ambient salinity did not affect plasma thyroxine, but plasma cortisol remained elevated for 24h after SW transfer. Gill and opercular membrane chloride cell density and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity were relatively high and unaffected by salinity. Average chloride cell size, however, was slightly increased (16%) in SW-acclimated fish. Gill succinate dehydrogenase activity was higher in SW-acclimated fish than in FW fish. Kidney Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity was slightly lower (16%) in SW fish than in FW fish. Posterior intestinal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and water transport capacity (Jv) did not change upon SW transfer, whereas middle intestinal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity increased 35% after transfer and was correlated with an increase in Jv (110%). As salinity induced only minor changes in the osmoregulatory organs examined, it is proposed that the intrinsic euryhalinity of the striped bass may be related to a high degree of "preparedness" for hypoosmoregulation that is uncommon among teleosts studied to data.

[Basilar artery migraine with transient MRI and EEG abnormalities].

We report a case of basilar artery migraine with transient MRI and EEG abnormalities. A 25-year-old male medical student developed a right occipital throbbing headache one hour after the abrupt onset of vertigo, nausea, left-sided homonymous hemianopsia and nystagmus. All of his complaints subsided the following day. He had suffered from attacks of headache accompanied by the same type of aural symptoms almost every ten days. He was therefore diagnosed as having basilar artery migraine. CT scans during the period of recurrent migraine demonstrated no abnormalities, while T2-weighted MR images revealed a high signal intensity region in the right occipital cortex and adjacent white matter perfused by rami temporales of the right posterior cerebral artery. Cerebral hypoperfusion was detected by a SPECT scanner in the right posterior region, where EEG recorded during the migraine attack demonstrated paroxysmal-localized sharp waves. MRI and EEG performed two months after the last attack showed no obvious abnormalities along with clinical disappearance of the migraine attacks. We found few reports of transient MRI changes associated with migraine. This case suggests that transient changes in MR images reflect vasogenic edema caused by migraine.

Effects of acclimation to hypertonic environment on plasma and pituitary levels of two prolactins and growth hormone in two species of tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus.

Specific radioimmunoassays (RIAs) for the pair of tilapia prolactins (tPRLs) and growth hormone (tGH) were developed using antisera raised in rabbits. Anti-tPRL177 did not cross-react with tPRL188 and tGH. Anti-tPRL188 did not cross-react with tPRL177 and showed slight cross-reaction (3.1%) with tGH. Anti-tGH showed negligible cross-reactions with tPRL177 (0.4%) and tPRL188 (1.6%). Pituitary homogenates and plasma from Oreochromis niloticus exhibited displacement curves parallel to the standards in the three RIAs. Plasma from hypophysectomized O. niloticus showed no cross-reaction in any of the three RIAs. Plasma and pituitary levels of the two PRLs in O. mossambicus in freshwater did not differ significantly from each other, whereas in O. niloticus, the levels of PRL177 were significantly greater than those of PRL188 in both plasma and pituitary. After acclimation for 3-4 weeks in seawater (O. mossambicus) or 50% seawater (O. niloticus), the levels of both PRLs decreased significantly compared to their levels in freshwater. Acclimation to a hypertonic environment did not affect plasma and pituitary GH levels in either species. Immunocytochemical staining of the pituitary of O. niloticus revealed colocalization of both PRLs in rostral pars distalis. Our findings suggest that the synthesis and secretion of the two tPRLs could be independently regulated in the same cells.

Localization of mRNAs for a pair of prolactins and growth hormone in the Tilapia pituitary using in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes.

Oligonucleotide probes were synthesized for the mRNAs of a pair of tilapia prolactins (tPRL177 and tPRL188) and growth hormone (tGH) based on cDNAs for the hormones of Oreochromis niloticus and amino acid sequences for the hormones of O. mossambicus. The three 45mer probes were labeled with 35S for hybridization studies on pituitary sections of O. mossambicus adapted to fresh water (FW) or seawater (SW). Expression of tPRL mRNA in the rostral pars distalis was clearly evident with either PRL probe in adjacent sections in PRL cells of the rostral pars distalis; mRNAs of both PRLs were colocalized in the same cells. In addition, the tGH probe demonstrated expression of tGH mRNA specifically in GH cells in the proximal pars distalis. The hybridization signals for both PRLs were significantly greater in the rostral pars distalis of FW fish than in that of SW fish, as judged by computer-aided analysis. In addition, grain concentration for both PRLs was significantly greater over centrally located PRL cells of FW fish. In addition, although overall grain concentrations were lower in SW fish, there were significantly more grains over the centrally located PRL cells with the tPRL177 probe, whereas there was no difference with the tPRL188 probe. There was no detectable difference in the occurrence of tGH mRNA between FW and SW fish.