ABSTRACT
The distribution of defects and dislocations in graphene layers has become a very important concern with regard to the electrical and electronic transport properties of device applications. Although several experiments have shown the influence of defects on the electrical properties of graphene, these studies were limited to measuring microscopic areas because of their long measurement times. Here, we successfully imaged various local defects in a large area of chemical vapor deposition graphene within a reasonable amount of time by using lock-in thermography (LIT). The differences in electrical resistance caused by the micrometer-scale defects, such as cracks and wrinkles, and atomic-scale domain boundaries were apparent as nonuniform Joule heating on polycrystalline and epitaxially grown graphene. The present results indicate that LIT can serve as a fast and effective method of evaluating the quality and uniformity of large graphene films for device applications.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: As in-stent protrusion (ISP) during carotid artery stenting (CAS) may cause postoperative embolism, ISP detection is important. Intravascular ultrasound examination (IVUS) is useful for ISP detection because the blood vessel cross-section can be drawn as a tomogram from the lumen. Our objective was to clarify the occurrence of ISP during CAS using IVUS and relevant factors, and to report the usefulness of stent-in-stent placement when treating ISP. METHODS: In 142 consecutive patients (128 men, average age 71.7 years; 69 symptomatic) who underwent CAS using dual protection and the blood aspiration method, and subsequent IVUS after stent placement were included. The outcome of CAS, and the occurrence rate of ISP and related factors (plaque characteristics, stent design, intraoperative debris capture rate and postoperative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) positive rate) were examined. RESULTS: All CAS procedures were successful and no major adverse events (MAEs) were observed at 30 days. ISP was found in 12% (17/142), and stent-in-stent placement was performed in all cases. Vulnerable plaques were observed in 12 of 17 ISP cases (71%). A closed stent was used in 13 of 17 ISP cases (71%). The intraoperative debris capture rate was 100%, and no neurological symptoms were observed in any patients. A significant increase in ISP susceptibility was related to vulnerable plaques and the intraoperative debris capture rate. CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable plaques and debris capture were significantly correlated with ISP occurrence. In all ISP cases, stent-in-stent placement was performed and good results were obtained. KEY POINTS: ⢠ISP detection during CAS using IVUS is important. ⢠ISP-positive patients were correlated with NASCET ≥ 80%, vulnerable plaques and stent length. ⢠Adequate additional treatment of stent in stenting under reliable protection against ISP-positive patients achieved low perioperative complications.
Subject(s)
Carotid Artery, Common/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Stenosis/surgery , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/surgery , Stents/adverse effects , Ultrasonography, Interventional/methods , Aged , Carotid Artery, Common/surgery , Carotid Stenosis/diagnosis , Carotid Stenosis/etiology , Female , Humans , Intraoperative Period , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Male , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/complications , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnosis , Prosthesis Failure , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
LAMB1 gene analysis should be considered for intellectually disabled patients with cerebellar cysts, white matter signal change, and cortical malformation. Muscular involvement is absent, in contrast to the α-dystroglycanopathy types of congenital muscular dystrophies.
Subject(s)
Cerebellar Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Cerebellar Diseases/genetics , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Cysts/diagnostic imaging , Cysts/genetics , Laminin/genetics , Phenotype , White Matter/pathology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Mutations in SPATA5 have recently been shown to result in a phenotype of microcephaly, intellectual disability, seizures, and hearing loss in childhood. Our aim in this report is to delineate the SPATA5 syndrome as a clinical entity, including the facial appearance, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging findings. Using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we identified three children with SPATA5 mutations from two families. Two siblings carried compound heterozygous mutations, c.989_991del (p.Thr330del) and c.2130_2133del (p.Glu711Profs*21), and the third child had c.967T>A (p.Phe323Ile) and c.2146G>C (p.Ala716Pro) mutations. The three patients manifested microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, hypotonus or hypertonus, and bilateral hearing loss from early infancy. Common facies were a depressed nasal bridge/ridge, broad eyebrows, and retrognathia. Epileptic spasms or tonic seizures emerged at 6-12 months of age. Interictal electroencephalography showed multifocal spikes and bursts of asynchronous diffuse spike-wave complexes. Augmented amplitudes of visually evoked potentials were detected in two patients. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypomyelination, thin corpus callosum, and progressive cerebral atrophy. Blood copper levels were also elevated or close to the upper normal levels in these children. Clinical delineation of the SPATA5-related encephalopathy should improve diagnosis, facilitating further clinical and molecular investigation.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Seizures/genetics , Spasms, Infantile/genetics , ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities , Agenesis of Corpus Callosum , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/physiopathology , Brain Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Brain Diseases/physiopathology , Child, Preschool , Electroencephalography , Female , Humans , Infant , Intellectual Disability/diagnostic imaging , Intellectual Disability/physiopathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Mutation , Phenotype , Seizures/diagnostic imaging , Seizures/physiopathology , Spasms, Infantile/diagnostic imaging , Spasms, Infantile/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Clamshell incision is a standard approach for bilateral lung transplantation, providing a good operative field; however, once wide dehiscence occurs, its management is sometimes difficult because of intense immunosuppression and malnutrition of the recipient. A 22-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension underwent cadaveric bilateral lung transplantation through a clamshell incision using standard cardiopulmonary bypass. He developed wound dehiscence on postoperative day (POD) 20 that resulted in exposure of the bilateral fifth ribs and open pneumothorax. Considering the extreme malnutrition and emaciation of the recipient, we avoided initial closure of the dehiscence. After the debridement of necrotic tissue, negative pressure wound therapy was initiated on POD 25 and was continued for approximately 6 months with trafermin spray application. Eventually, the wound, including the fifth ribs, was completely covered with granulation tissue except for the wire tying the sternum. On POD 217, the patient underwent removal of the sternal wire followed by split-thickness skin grafting. His wound was successfully closed and he was discharged without activity limitation on POD 265.
Subject(s)
Lung Transplantation/adverse effects , Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy/methods , Skin Transplantation/methods , Sternum/surgery , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/therapy , Surgical Wound/therapy , Humans , Lung Transplantation/methods , Male , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Young AdultABSTRACT
Targeting cell motility, which is required for dissemination and metastasis, has therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer metastasis, and regulatory mechanisms of cell motility need to be uncovered for developing novel therapeutics. Invasive ovarian cancer cells spontaneously formed protrusions, such as lamellipodia, which are required for generating locomotive force in cell motility. Short interfering RNA screening identified class II phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2ß (PI3KC2ß) as the predominant isoform of PI3K involved in lamellipodia formation of ovarian cancer cells. The bioactive sphingolipid ceramide has emerged as an antitumorigenic lipid, and treatment with short-chain C6-ceramide decreased the number of ovarian cancer cells with PI3KC2ß-driven lamellipodia. Pharmacological analysis demonstrated that long-chain ceramide regenerated from C6-ceramide through the salvage/recycling pathway, at least in part, mediated the action of C6-ceramide. Mechanistically, ceramide was revealed to interact with the PIK-catalytic domain of PI3KC2ß and affect its compartmentalization, thereby suppressing PI3KC2ß activation and its driven cell motility. Ceramide treatment also suppressed cell motility promoted by epithelial growth factor, which is a prometastatic factor. To examine the role of ceramide in ovarian cancer metastasis, ceramide liposomes were employed and confirmed to suppress cell motility in vitro. Ceramide liposomes had an inhibitory effect on peritoneal metastasis in a murine xenograft model of human ovarian cancer. Metastasis of PI3KC2ß knocked-down cells was insensitive to treatment with ceramide liposomes, suggesting specific involvement of ceramide interaction with PI3KC2ß in metastasis suppression. Our study identified ceramide as a bioactive lipid that limits PI3KC2ß-governed cell motility, and ceramide is proposed to serve as a metastasis-suppressor lipid in ovarian cancer. These findings could be translated into developing ceramide-based therapy for metastatic diseases.
Subject(s)
Cell Movement/drug effects , Ceramides/pharmacology , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Female , Humans , Mice , Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The stem cell compartment in the esophageal epithelium is possibly located in the basal layer. We have identified significant expression of Smad2/3, phosphorylated at specific linker threonine residues (pSmad2/3L-Thr), in the epithelial cells of murine stomach and intestine, and have suggested that these cells are epithelial stem cells. In this study, we explore whether pSmad2/3L-Thr could serve as a biomarker for esophageal stem cells. We examined esophageal tissues from normal C57BL/6 mice and those with esophagitis. Double immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with Ki67, CDK4, p63, or CK14 was performed. After immunofluorescent staining, we stained the same sections with hematoxylin-eosin and observed these cells under a light microscope. We used the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling assay to examine label retention of pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells. We collected specimens 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after repeated BrdU administrations and observed double immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with BrdU. In the esophagus, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells were detected in the basal layer. These cells were detected between Ki67 immunostaining-positive cells, but they were not co-localized with Ki67. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells showed co-localization with CDK4, p63, and CK14. Under a light microscope, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells indicated undifferentiated morphological features. Until 20 days follow-up period, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells were co-localized with BrdU. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells significantly increased in the regeneration phase of esophagitis mucosae, as compared with control mice (esophagitis vs. CONTROL: 6.889 ± 0.676/cm vs. 4.293 ± 0.659/cm; P < 0.001). We have identified significant expression of pSmad2/3L-Thr in the specific epithelial cells of murine esophagi. We suggest that these cells are slow-cycling epithelial stem-like cells before re-entry to the cell cycle.
Subject(s)
Cell Cycle Proteins/analysis , Cell Cycle , Esophagus/cytology , Smad2 Protein/analysis , Smad3 Protein/analysis , Stem Cells/chemistry , Threonine , Animals , Cell Cycle Checkpoints , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/analysis , Epithelial Cells/chemistry , Esophageal Mucosa/cytology , Esophageal Mucosa/pathology , Esophagitis/metabolism , Esophagitis/pathology , Esophagus/pathology , Ki-67 Antigen/analysis , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Phosphoproteins/analysis , Phosphorylation , Staining and Labeling , Stem Cells/cytology , Trans-Activators/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation and degeneration of the intracranial saccular aneurysm wall play a major role in aneurysm formation, development and subsequent rupture. The aim of this study was to characterize the walls of unruptured intracranial aneurysms by using a hybrid of opposite-contrast MRA at 3T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients with 17 unruptured intracranial aneurysms who initially underwent clipping surgery were prospectively evaluated. All aneurysms were scanned preoperatively by using a hybrid of opposite-contrast MRA in 3T high-resolution MR imaging. We classified intraoperative findings of atherosclerotic plaques in the aneurysms into 3 grades: grade A (major plaques), grade B (minor plaques), and grade C (no plaques). The contrast ratio of the high-intensity area was also measured relative to the background low-intensity area inside the carotid artery. RESULTS: Findings from preoperative plaque imaging of the aneurysm corresponded to the intraoperative findings in 15 of 16 aneurysms (excluding 1 that was impossible to visualize in its entirety due to anatomic reasons). Overall sensitivity and specificity of the hybrid of opposite-contrast MRA were 88.9% and 100%, respectively. During the operation, 4 aneurysms were classified as grade A; 5, as grade B; and 7, as grade C. The means of the contrast ratio for grades A, B, and C were 0.72 ± 0.03, 0.34 ± 0.30, and -0.02 ± 0.09, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid of opposite-contrast MRA can detect visible atherosclerotic plaques in the unruptured aneurysm wall, and the contrast ratio in intracranial aneurysms correlated with their presence and extent. A study including a larger series is needed to validate the diagnostic potential of this imaging technique.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Angiography/methods , Intracranial Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Adult , Aged , Carotid Artery, Common/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
We previously reported that IL-2 deprivation induced acid sphingomyelinase-mediated (ASM-mediated) ceramide elevation and apoptosis in an NK/T lymphoma cell line KHYG-1. However, the molecular mechanism of ASM-ceramide-mediated apoptosis during IL-2 deprivation is poorly understood. Here, we showed that IL-2 deprivation induces caspase-dependent apoptosis characterized by phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-8, -9, and -3 cleavage, and degradation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). IL-2 re-supplementation rescued apoptosis via inhibition of XIAP degradation without affecting caspase cleavage. However, IL-2 deprivation induced ceramide elevation via ASM in lysosomes and activated lysosomal cathepsin B (CTSB) but not cathepsin D. A CTSB inhibitor CA-074 Me and knockdown of CTSB inhibited ceramide-mediated XIAP degradation and apoptosis. Inhibition of ceramide accumulation in lysosomes using an ASM inhibitor, desipramine, decreased cytosolic activation of CTSB by inhibiting its transfer into cytosol from the lysosome. Knockdown of ASM also inhibited XIAP degradation and apoptosis. Furthermore, cell permeable N-acetyl sphingosine (C2-ceramide), which increases mainly endogenous d18:1/16:0 and d18:1/24:1 ceramide-like IL-2 deprivation, induced caspase-dependent apoptosis with XIAP degradation through CTSB. These findings suggest that lysosomal ceramide produced by ASM mediates XIAP degradation by activation of cytosolic CTSB and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The ASM-ceramide-CTSB signaling axis is a novel pathway of ceramide-mediated apoptosis in IL-2-deprived NK/T lymphoma cells.
Subject(s)
Cathepsin B/metabolism , Ceramides/biosynthesis , Killer Cells, Natural/pathology , Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology , Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase/metabolism , X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein/metabolism , Apoptosis/physiology , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Ceramides/metabolism , Cytosol/metabolism , Humans , Interleukin-2/deficiency , Interleukin-2/metabolism , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Lymphoma, T-Cell/metabolism , Lysosomes/metabolismABSTRACT
Monte Carlo simulations of coronene molecules in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and dicoronylene molecules in SWCNTs are performed. Depending on the diameter D of the encapsulating SWCNT, regimes favoring the formation of ordered, one-dimensional (1D) stacks of tilted molecules (D ≤ 1.7 nm for coronene@SWCNT, 1.5 nm ≤ D ≤ 1.7 nm for dicoronylene@SWCNT) and regimes with disordered molecular arrangements and increased translational mobilities enabling the thermally induced polymerization of neighboring molecules resulting in the formation of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are observed. The results show that the diameter of the encapsulating nanotube is a crucial parameter for the controlled synthesis of either highly ordered 1D structures or GNR precursors.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In an imperforate anus, colostography often fails to identify recto-urethral fistula (RUF). Thus, surgeons must always assume an RUF is present, despite colostography findings, and dissect the distal rectal pouch (RP) with caution. We report the usefulness of intraoperative colonoscopy (IOC) for excluding RUF and, thus, facilitating safe dissection of the RP. METHODS: We used IOC in six cases of imperforate anus. All had right transverse colostomy initially after birth. Distal colostography excluded RUF in five cases and was inconclusive in one. Laparoscopy was used to free the RP carefully from the bladder neck in all cases. Near the prostate, a 4-mm fine, flexible colonoscope was inserted into the RP through the anterior rectal wall to observe the laparoscopic dissection of the RP, which was attached closely to the prostate/bulbar urethra intraluminally to prevent injury to the urethra. The mucosa of the distal end of the RP was mucosectomized or diathermied, and the colon was pulled-through. Mean age at surgery was 11 months. RESULTS: IOC excluded RUF under direct vision in all cases, which enabled the dissection of the RP to be monitored and to proceed smoothly. At follow-up (mean: 31 months), all cases were well. CONCLUSIONS: IOC can be used to exclude RUF and facilitate safe dissection of the RP in imperforate anus.
Subject(s)
Anus, Imperforate/surgery , Colonoscopy/methods , Laparoscopy/methods , Rectal Fistula/diagnosis , Rectum/surgery , Urethral Diseases/diagnosis , Urinary Fistula/diagnosis , Anus, Imperforate/complications , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Intraoperative Period , Male , Rectal Fistula/complications , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Urethral Diseases/complications , Urinary Fistula/complicationsSubject(s)
Athetosis/etiology , Brain/pathology , Chorea/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive/diagnosis , Psychomotor Disorders/etiology , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive/complications , Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Trinucleotide Repeats/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare our perioperative outcomes for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) between the pre-endovascular aneurysm repair (pre-EVAR) and EVAR eras and to analyse whether the AAA that was excluded from EVAR could affect the perioperative outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Kurume University Hospital vascular registry was reviewed to identify all patients undergoing an elective open AAA repair from January 2004 through November 2006 (pre-EVAR era, n = 99) and from December 2006 through June 2010 (EVAR era, n = 125). The early clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: In the EVAR era, the proportion of EVAR in all elective AAA repairs was 43.4%. The EVAR era had a significantly higher proportion of very elderly patients over 80 years of age (23.2% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.0391). The morbidity rates were similar between the two groups (22.3% vs. 24,8%) and the mortality rate was 0% for both. CONCLUSION: Despite the increased complexity of OAR in the EVAR era, we believe that OAR remains a valid procedure for AAA repair.
Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/surgery , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation , Endovascular Procedures , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects , Chi-Square Distribution , Elective Surgical Procedures , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Selection , Registries , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We investigated the prevalence of measles-sensitive pregnant women and the clinical usefulness of measles vaccination in postpartum women. Measles antibody levels were measured in 751 pregnant women. Forty-four women were vaccinated postpartum, and screened for antibody levels and adverse effects 1 month after vaccination. The prevalence of measles-sensitive pregnant women was 10-20%, with the highest prevalence in those under 24 years of age. Almost all (97.7%) vaccinated women acquired immunity, and did not show any adverse effects. Serum measles antibody levels should be determined in all pregnant women as a screening tool,and sensitive women should be vaccinated immediately after delivery.
Subject(s)
Measles Vaccine , Measles/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Female , Humans , Immunologic Tests , Japan/epidemiology , Measles/epidemiology , Measles/immunology , Measles virus/immunology , Postnatal Care , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Treatment Outcome , Vaccination/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) can be performed safely and effectively using endoloops (EL) or endostaples (ES). We compared EL and ES for stump closure during LA for complicated appendicitis in children. METHODS: All LA for complicated appendicitis performed between July 2005 and August 2009 were assessed prospectively. EL were used in 37 procedures and ES in 31. Apart from choice of technique which was the personal preference of the attending surgeon, all patients were managed according to the same intraoperative and postoperative protocols. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between mean age at operation; gender ratio; mean preoperative and postoperative white blood cell; mean preoperative and postoperative white blood cell C-reactive protein; histopathology; mean operating time (EL: 71 minutes; ES: 64 minutes); mean hospitalization (EL: 5.3 days; ES: 5.1 days); febrile period (EL: 2.1 days; ES: 1.9 days); white blood cell normalization (EL: 2.6 days; ES: 2.4 days); and intravenous antibiotic usage (EL: 3.8 days; ES: 3.7 days). There were no intraoperative complications or ICU admissions in either group, but two EL cases required conversion to open surgery (P=NS). Incidences of intra-abdominal abscess (EL: n=1 or 2.7%; ES: n=1 or 3.2%), transient ileus (EL: n=2 or 5.4%; ES: n=2 or 6.4%), small bowel obstruction (EL: n=0; ES: n=0), and wound infection (EL: n=1 or 2.7%; ES: n=1 or 3.2 %) were not significantly different. Rate of rehospitalization for EL was 2.7% (n=1; colitis), and for ES, it was 3.2% (n=1; intra-abdominal abscess) (P=NS). Mean cost for EL was US$890, and for ES, it was US$1300. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study comparing EL and ES during LA for complicated appendicitis in children. ES is more expensive, but there was no significant difference in morbidity for this technique, particularly with regard to incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess.
Subject(s)
Appendectomy/methods , Appendicitis/surgery , Laparoscopy , Suture Techniques , Adolescent , Appendectomy/economics , Appendectomy/instrumentation , Appendicitis/economics , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospital Costs , Humans , Japan , Laparoscopy/economics , Male , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Suture Techniques/economics , Suture Techniques/instrumentation , Sutures , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease with multiple pathologies that can affect every organ system of the body including central nervous system. Intracerebral aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are one of comparatively rarer manifestations of central nervous system SLE. Here we present a case of known SLE complicated by the rupture of intra cerebral aneurysm at basilar artery tip which was successfully treated with endovascular coiling.
Subject(s)
Aneurysm, Ruptured/surgery , Embolization, Therapeutic , Endovascular Procedures/methods , Intracranial Aneurysm/etiology , Intracranial Aneurysm/therapy , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Female , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/physiopathology , Middle Aged , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/therapyABSTRACT
A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to abnormal shadow in the right hilum by a routine chest X-ray. When we had another look at a chest X-ray that had been taken 6 years before, we had found a pulmonary nodule of 18 mm in size. The chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) taken at admission showed a round nodule with calcification in the same site, with increasing in size to 30 mm. The tumor could not be clinically diagnosed and the surgery was scheduled because the nodule had grown and the possibility of a malignant tumor was suggested. At surgery, the tumor was easily enucleated and the pathological diagnosis was chondromatous hamartoma. Although pulmonary hamartoma is a benign tumor, operation should be performed when the tumor had grown.
Subject(s)
Hamartoma/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Hamartoma/surgery , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , MaleABSTRACT
Ceramide can be converted into sphingomyelin by sphingomyelin synthases (SMS) 1 and 2. In this study, we show that in human leukemia Jurkat cells, which express mainly SMS1, Fas ligand (FasL) treatment inhibited SMS activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner before nuclear fragmentation. The SMS inhibition elicited by FasL (1) was abrogated by benzyloxycarbonyl valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-(O-methyl)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk), a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor; (2) did not occur in caspase-8-deficient cells and (3) was not affected in caspase-9-deficient cells. Western blot experiments showed SMS1 cleavage in a caspase-dependent manner upon FasL treatment. In a cell-free system, caspase-2, -7, -8 and -9, but not caspase-3 and -10, cleaved SMS1. In HeLa cells, SMS1 was Golgi localized and relocated throughout the cytoplasm in cells exhibiting an early apoptotic phenotype on FasL treatment. zVAD-fmk prevented FasL-induced SMS1 relocation. Thus, FasL-mediated SMS1 inhibition and relocation depend on caspase activation and likely represent proximal events in Fas signaling. FasL-induced ceramide production and cell death were enhanced in cells stably expressing an siRNA against SMS1. Conversely, in cells stably overexpressing SMS1, FasL neither increased ceramide generation nor efficiently induced cell death. Altogether, our data show that SMS1 is a novel caspase target that is functionally involved in the regulation of FasL-induced apoptosis.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Caspases/metabolism , Fas Ligand Protein/metabolism , Leukemia/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Sphingomyelins/metabolism , Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups)/metabolism , Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones/pharmacology , Ceramides/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Fas Ligand Protein/pharmacology , Golgi Apparatus/enzymology , HeLa Cells , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , RNA Interference/physiology , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups)/antagonists & inhibitors , Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups)/geneticsABSTRACT
To determine the effects of seminal plasma during and after cyopreservation on post-thaw sperm functions in semen from poor freezability boars, seminal plasma was removed immediately after collection, and sperm was subjected to cooling and freezing. Removal of seminal plasma did not significantly affect post-thaw sperm motility in good freezability boars; however, in boars with poor freezability, it increased post-thaw motility relative to control sperm cooled with seminal plasma (64.5+/-3.4% vs. 30.9+/-3.1%, P<0.01). Freezing sperm without seminal plasma increased both loss of the acrosome cap (37.5+/-1.6% vs. 18.4+/-2.8%, P<0.01) and expression of a 15 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (capacitation marker) in thawed sperm relative to controls; the addition of 10% (v/v) seminal plasma to the thawing solution significantly suppressed both changes and increased conception rate to AI (70% vs. 9% in the control group, P<0.05). In conclusion, our novel cryopreservation and thawing method increased the success of AI with frozen-thawed porcine semen, particularly from boars with poor post-thaw semen quality.
Subject(s)
Cryopreservation/veterinary , Semen Preservation/veterinary , Semen/physiology , Swine/physiology , Animals , Fertility , Insemination, Artificial/veterinary , Male , Semen Preservation/methodsABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to clarify the nature of the clonal lymphocyte infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. We examined B cell clonality in lymphoproliferative tissues from six primary SS patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders or lymphoma by cloning and sequencing of the gene rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (IgVH-CDR3). Three patients with sequential observation showed progressional clonal expansion with the presence of the same subclone in different tissues during the course of disease. Among them, one patient developed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in glandular parotid. The other three SS patients concomitant with malignant B cells lymphomas showed different clonal expansion of B cells between nodal sites and salivary glands. The cloanality analysis indicated that monoclonal B cell population could spread from one glandular site to another site during the course of SS, suggesting that the malignant clone may arise from the general abnormal microenvironment, not restricted to the glandular tissue, in some SS patients.