What condition does gallbladder tumor with a deep hypoechoic area suggest except T2 carcinoma?

Conventional transabdominal ultrasound depicts a flat-elevated lesion 15 mm in diameter in the body of the gallbladder. The lesion (arrow) consists of a superficial hyperechoic part and a deep hypoechoic area, accompanied by an irregular outermost hyperechoic layer. A hyperechoic spot (arrowhead) is noted in the deep hypoechoic area.

Systematical characterization of phase behaviors and membrane properties of fatty acid/didecyldimethylammonium bromide vesicles.

Fatty acids (FAs) are known to form vesicle structures, depending on the surrounding pH conditions. In this study, we prepared vesicles by mixing FAs and a cationic surfactant, and then investigated their physicochemical properties using fluorescence spectroscopy and dielectric dispersion analysis (DDA). The assemblies formed from oleic acid (OA) and linoleic acid (LA) were modified by adding didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). The phase state of FA/DDAB mixtures was investigated with pH titration curves and turbidity measurements. The trigonal diagram of FA/ionized FA/DDAB was successfully drawn to understand the phase behaviors of FA/DDAB systems. The analysis of fluidities in the interior of the membrane with use of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) indicated that the membrane fluidities of OA/DDAB and LA/DDAB at pH 8.5 slightly decreased in proportion to the molar ratio of DDAB in FA/DDAB systems. The fluorescent probe 6-lauroyl-2-dimethylamino naphthalene (Laurdan) indicated that the LA vesicle possessed a dehydrated surface, while the OA vesicle surface was hydrated. Modification of LA vesicles with DDAB induced the hydration of membrane surfaces, whereas modification of OA vesicles by DDAB had the opposite effect. DDA analysis indicated that the membrane surfaces were hydrated in the presence of DDAB, suggesting that the surface properties of FA vesicles are tunable by DDAB modification.

Quartz crystal microbalance sensor for the detection of collagen model peptides based on the formation of triple helical structure.

Collagen is a major structural protein, and abnormalities in collagen structure can lead to several connective tissue diseases such as osteoporosis. We report the preparation of a collagen sensor using a synthetic peptide as proof of concept for detecting the collagen like peptides. The synthetic peptide 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-(prolyl-prolyl-glycine)7-OH was coupled to thiazolidine, which gets adsorbed on metal surfaces. Fmoc-(prolyl-prolyl-glycine)7-thiazolidine was immobilized on the surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) electrode used as a sensor probe. The collagen model peptide (prolyl-prolyl-glycine)10 could be detected, and the model peptide was directly adsorbed onto the surface of the electrode and was not removed by washing with hot water. Additionally, it was proved that the sensitivity of the probe could be enhanced to nanogram order by immobilizing the blocking reagent, Fmoc-prolyl-prolyl-glycine, within the gap of sensor probes on the electrode. The detectable mass of the model peptide decreased as the probe gap became narrower because of self-association of the probes. Moreover, the sensitivity of sensor probes also decreases as the gap between the probes becomes wider. Therefore, the optimum distance between the immobilized probes was determined from the simulation based on the experimental values. The association rate of the model peptide with sensor probes could be quantitatively determined when the distance between the probes was optimum, and this result suggested that most sensor probes could form a triple helical structure with the model peptide.

Telmisartan attenuates progression of steatohepatitis in mice: role of hepatic macrophage infiltration and effects on adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. However, its therapeutic strategy has not been established. Recently, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, telmisartan (Tel), has received a great deal of attention as a therapeutic tool for metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of Tel on a murine NASH model. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed a methionine- and choline-deficient high-fat diet (MCDHF) or a standard diet with/without the administration of Tel (10 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: MCDHF feeding induced marked steatohepatitis with macrophage infiltration. Tel attenuated liver steatosis with decreased hepatic triglycerides (P<0.05) and fibrogenesis with decreased type I collagen and transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA expressions (P<0.05). Tel also suppressed the infiltration of macrophages into the liver and decreased hepatic monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and its receptor (CC-chemokine receptor 2; CCR2) mRNA expressions, especially CCR2. In vitro, Tel suppressed CCR2 expression, which was induced by low-density lipoprotein. The size of adipocyte in visceral fat tissue was reduced with an increased serum adiponectin concentration in the Tel group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we revealed that Tel attenuated steatohepatitis progression by suppressing the macrophage infiltration into the liver. Tel also affected the reduction of adipocyte size and elevation of serum adiponectin. Tel might serve as a new therapeutic strategy for NASH.

Effect of saturation in phospholipid/fatty acid monolayers on interaction with amyloid ß peptide.

The effect of the saturation of fatty acid (FA) in 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline (DMPC)/FA membrane on the interaction between lipid membrane and amyloid ß monomer was investigated by using the Langmuir monolayer technique. The surface pressure (Π)-mean molecular area (A) isotherms and fluorescent measurements reveal that DMPC and octadecanoic acid (stearic acid, SA) molecules were somewhat miscible in the mixed membrane, which was maintained to homogeneous gel phase by enhance of the intermolecular hydrophobic interactions because of the all trans acyl chains. On the other hand, DMPC and 9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid, LA) molecules were considered to be well miscible in the mixed membrane, where the membrane partially transferred from gel phase to liquid-crystalline phase. The Π-A isotherms of the monolayers on amyloid ß-peptide (Aß) solution indicated that Aß monomers tend to be inserted into the saturated acyl chain region of monolayers at low surface pressure and that the Aß monomers were then extruded from the monolayer at higher surface pressure. It was observed that behaviors of Aß monomers at higher surface pressure depended on membrane microstructures. In the DMPC/SA monolayers, Aß aggregated and then was extruded from monolayers at about 20 mN m-1 of surface pressure irrespective of the SA proportion. On the other hand, in the DMPC/LA monolayers, Aß, which favors to interact with DMPC, is dispersed in the monolayer even at high surface pressure because DMPC and LA molecules were well miscible in the monolayer.

A new guide technique for limited partial hepatectomy using a transhepatic tube.

In order to maintain the adequate tumor margin in partial hepatectomy, we developed a new guide technique using a fine transhepatic tube. For instance, in a case of anterior segment tumor, a fine needle following a tube was inserted into the liver beside the anterior portal pedicle at hepatic hilus, and was put forward to the confluence of right and middle hepatic veins. After the needle was pulled out, both edges of the tube were tugged to the Rex Cantlie line. A separation was then started from the liver surface down to the transhepatic tube. Subsequently, the tube was pulled to the right side, and another separation was done. Adequate disease-free surgical margins were kept in thirteen out of 15 various types of partial hepatectomies. There were no complications including injury to the vessels and stabbing of the tumor. This technique facilitates cutting of the deep parenchyma.

[A case of unresectable gastric cancer presenting pylorus stenosis treated orally with S-1 therapy after gastrojejunostomy].

We reported a case of unresectable gastric cancer presenting pylorus stenosis treated orally by S-1 therapy in a 72-year-old man who underwent gastrojejunostomy. He was admitted to our hospital complaining of appetite loss and body weight loss. Detailed examination showed gastric cancer with pylorus stenosis. After insertion of the naso-gastric tube with washing, a laparotomy was done. The operative findings revealed sT3, sN2, sP1, sH0 and sM1 (metastases of No. 14a lymph nodes invading the super mesenteric artery and pancreas) as an unresectable case with stage IV. Gastrojejunostomy and Braun anastomosis were made through the antecolic route. After the operation, intake therapy of S-1 was started (80-100 mg/body/dayx28 days). After 2 courses of the therapy, gastrointestinal fiber showed clinically a partial response of the main tumor. After 3 courses of this treatment, the tumor presented multiple liver metastases as a clinically progressive disease state. Paclitaxel therapy was conducted at a dose of 80 mg/body/weekx3 timesx2 courses. The patient had no effective benefits from the treatment and died of the cancer. He had survived 9 months, and the intervals of the intake and home stay were 7.5 months and five months, respectively, after the operation with no side effect of the chemotherapy. Survival was no longer than for patients only operated without S-1 therapy.

Immobilization of liposomes onto quartz crystal microbalance to detect interaction between liposomes and proteins.

To study the interaction between liposomes and proteins, intact liposomes were immobilized on a metal planar support by chemical binding and/or bioaffinity using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A large decrease in the resonance frequency of quartz crystal was observed when the QCM, modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of carboxythiol, was added to liposome solutions. The stable chemical immobilization of intact liposomes onto SAM was judged according to the degree with which adsorbed mass depended on the prepared size of liposomes, as well as on the activation time of SAMs when amino-coupling was introduced, where the liposome coverage of electrodes was 69+/-8% in optimal conditions. When avidin-biotin binding was used on amino-coupling liposome layers, liposome immobilization finally reached 168% coverage of the electrode surface. Denatured protein was also successfully detected according to the change in the frequency of the liposome-immobilized QCM. The adsorbed mass of denatured carbonic anhydrase from bovine onto immobilized liposomes showed a characteristic peak at a concentration of guanidine hydrochloride that corresponded to a molten globule-like state of the protein, although the mass adsorbed onto deactivated SAM increased monotonously.

Heat-enhanced production of chitosanase from Streptomyces griseus in the presence of liposome.

The effects of heat stress and liposome treatment on the growth of Streptomyces griseus cells and chitosanase production were investigated on the basis of using the designed strategy of a stress-mediated bioprocess. The effective conditions for increasing the interaction between chitosanase and the 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-phosphocholine (POPC) liposome under heat stress condition were determined on the basis of the results of circular dichroism (CD) and dielectric dispersion analysis (DDA). Under these effective conditions, S. griseus cells were cultivated for the effective production of chitosanase. The results obtained from both CD spectra and DDA showed that heat stress enhances the interaction of the POPC liposomes and chitosanase. The strongest interaction between them could be obtained in the specific temperature range of 40-45 degrees C. The enhancement of the target chitosanase production was conducted under heat stress at 41 degrees C in the presence and absence of the POPC liposomes. The growth rates of S. griseus cells in the cases of heat (41 degrees C) and heat (41 degrees C)/POPC treatments were respectively 1.2 and 1.4 times higher than that obtained under the control condition. In the heat (41 degrees C) and heat (41 degrees C)/POPC treatments, chitosanase activity increased to 1.8 and 2 times, respectively, higher than that obtained under the control condition. Heat stress and the addition of the POPC liposomes could therefore be utilized to induce the potential functions of bacterial cells for the enhancement of the final target production.

Detection of a heat stress-mediated interaction between protein and phospholipid membrane using dielectric measurement.

The dielectric response of lipid bilayer membrane vesicles (liposomes) prepared using either phosphatidylcholine from egg (EPC) or 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was analyzed at a frequency range of 0.1 to 100 MHz. A marked dielectric dispersion for EPC and POPC liposome suspensions was observed above 1 MHz. An appropriate analysis of the dielectric dispersion curve was performed using the Cole-Cole equation and the Debye equation and was found to provide a method for the determination of dielectric parameters. Among the dielectric parameters, the characteristic frequency of a second dispersion around 50 MHz varied corresponding with changes in the test conditions. Of particular note is that an anomalous change in the characteristic frequency in the presence of protein corresponded to the degree of hydrophobic interaction between proteins and liposomes. The value of the frequency around 50 MHz, as well as the decrease in permittivity over the frequency range tested, are indicators of the interaction between proteins and liposomes.