Expression of Periostin in Normal, Atopic, and Nonatopic Chronically Inflamed Canine Skin.

In humans, periostin plays a critical role in the enhancement and chronicity of allergic skin inflammation; however, whether it is involved in the pathogenesis of canine dermatitis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression patterns of periostin in healthy, atopic, and nonatopic chronically inflamed canine skin. Biopsy specimens from 47 dogs with skin disease and normal skin tissue from 5 adult beagles were examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. In normal skin, periostin was localized just beneath the epidermis and around the hair follicles. In chronically inflamed skin, periostin expression was most intense in the dermis with inflammatory cell infiltrates. In contrast, low levels of periostin were detected in acutely inflamed and noninflamed skin. Conversely, all canine atopic dermatitis tissues characteristically showed the most intense expression of periostin in the superficial dermis, particularly at the epidermal-dermal junction. In situ hybridization showed that periostin mRNA was broadly expressed in the basal epidermal keratinocytes, outer root sheath cells, and dermal fibroblasts in normal dog skin. High expression of periostin mRNA was observed in fibroblasts in dog skin with chronically inflamed dermatitis. Moreover, in some chronically inflamed skin specimens, periostin mRNA expression was increased in basal keratinocytes. The severity score of chronic pathologic changes and CD3+ cell number in the dermis were correlated with distribution pattern of periostin in the atopic skin. These data suggest that periostin could play a role in the pathophysiology of chronic dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis, in dogs.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a wound with discharging sinus tracts in a wild African lion (Panthera leo).

A female wild African lion (Panthera leo) was presented with an 8-month history of a wound with multiple discharging sinus tracts on the left paw. Microscopical examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cutaneous SCC in an African lion. Cutaneous SCC presenting as discharging sinus tracts lined by neoplastic squamous cells has not been reported previously in animals.

Induction of Th1 immune responses to Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1) in mice immunized with Cry j 1 conjugated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide.

We determined whether a major Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1) conjugated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide would enhance allergen-specific Th1 responses in mice. Cry j 1 conjugated with CpG (Cry j 1-CpG) induced IL-12 in the spleen cells of naïve mice. Cry j 1-CpG immunization of BALB/c mice suppressed anti-Cry j 1 IgE response and enhanced anti-Cry j 1 IgG(2a) to subsequent Cry j 1 and alum adjuvant injection. CD4(+)T cells isolated from the spleens in mice immunized with Cry j 1-CpG produced higher IFN-γ levels than did CD4(+)T cells obtained from mice as negative controls. Our results suggested that Cry j 1-CpG immunization can induce Cry j 1-specific Th1 immune responses, thereby inhibiting IgE response to the pollen allergen.

[Does transradial cardiac catheterization affect coronary artery bypass grafting?].

Recent technological advances have enabled the miniaturization of catheters for coronary angiography and intervention. As a result of this advancement, the transradial approach is becoming more popular. The advantages of this approach include a lower incidence of access site complications, earlier patient ambulation, improved patient satisfaction, and lower cost. The cardiologists of our institute have introduced this technique without delay and have taken the initiative in Japan. However, there are concerns regarding the effect of transradial cardiac catheterization on the condition of radial artery grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In this study, we evaluated the influence of transradial catheterization on CABG. We retrospectively evaluated 157 patients who had undergone CABG using the radial artery. The condition of the grafts was assessed intraoperatively. Postoperative coronary angiography was carried out 3 months after the surgical intervention. The patency of the grafts was assessed by 2 cardiologists. One-quarter of the radial artery grafts were affected by transradial catheterization. Since most of them were located only at the puncture site, the graft itself was capable of being used for grafting after the resection of its affected distal end. The patency rate was not affected by transradial catheterization.

[Mitral valve myxoma that was resected with valve plasty].

Cardiac myxomas arising from the mitral valve are extremely rare. We describe the case of an asymptomatic 47-year-old male patient with a myxoma measuring 11 mm in diameter originating from the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve as observed by transthoracic echocardiography. The tumor was excised, and a defect in the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve was patched with autologous pericardium. Mitral valve regurgitation was observed and partial annuloplasty was performed. Following this, mitral valve regurgitation was observed to be diminished.

[Impacts of aortic valve replacement on cardiac function in patients with aortic stenosis].

To prevent patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR), we set up our original standard criteria for the selection of the size of the prosthetic valve. We also routinely perform supra-annular enlargement in patients with small aortic annuli. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of our procedure on the postoperative cardiac function of patients suffering from aortic stenosis (AS). We retrospectively reviewed 102 consecutive surgical patients with AS from 1999 to 2004. The patients were classified into the following 3 groups based on the sizes of their prosthesis (group S : 19 mm prosthesis, n = 34; group M : 21 mm prosthesis, n = 51; and group L : > 23 mm prosthesis, n = 17). Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 6 months after the operation. There were no hospital deaths during the study period. A favorable hemodynamic outcome of all 3 groups was achieved. Our surgical strategy for AS was thought to be useful to prevent PPM after AVR.

[Segmental mitral suture annuloplasty combined with resection--suture technique for posterior leaflet prolapse].

A segmental mitral suture annuloplasty technique is consisted of double-layer sutures anchored in the fibrous trigone on the valve repair side and along the annulus to the midpoint of the posterior leaflet. This suture technique is an alternative of Paneth Burr method using only one-side of the procedure. We recommend this technique especially in cases of mitral regurgitation which can be repaired by a simple resection-suture technique for posterior leaflet, and not in cases of severe annular dilatation, rheumatic, or ischemic diseases. We have examined this technique in 40 cases over the last 8 years and the results showed no recurrence of the mitral regurgitation.

[Simultaneous operation for annulo-aortic ectasia and mitral regurgitation in a patient with non-Marfan syndrome; report of a case].

A 74-year-old woman with non-Marfan syndrome underwent aortic root replacement and mitral valve replacement simultaneously for annulo-aortic ectasia and mitral regurgitation. Postoperatively, she suffered from cholecystitis and underwent percutaneous transhepatic gull bladder drainage. After this intervention, her postoperative recovery was uneventful. The purpose of this study is to suggest the possibility of mitral regurgitation due to annular enlargement of the mitral valve as an outcome of deterioration of the annulo-aortic ectasia.

Multichannel taste sensor using electric potential changes in lipid membranes.

A taste sensor with a multichannel electrode was developed by using lipid membranes as a transducer of taste substances. The sensor can detect the taste in a similar manner to the human gustatory sensation by response patterns of electric potential to taste substances. The sensitivity, reproducibility and durability were superior to those of humans. The same taste as that elicited by some commercial aqueous drink was reproduced by making aqueous solution mixed from four kinds of basic taste substances, the concentrations of which were determined so that the electric-potential pattern of this mixed solution could agree well with the pattern by the drink. Different brands of beer were easily distinguished by the electric-potential patterns.