Multiple cytokines-producing pleomorphic carcinoma of lung with metastasis to the small intestine.

A 58-year-old man underwent upper lobectomy for primary pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. Nine months later, the pleomorphic carcinoma was recurred with marked peripheral leukocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein. Chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and a bulky tumor in the small intestine. An enterectomy was performed and the intestinal tumor was removed. Immunostaining revealed tumor cells positive for G-CSF and TNF-α as well as an increased level of serum G-CSF and TNF-α. We describe a rare case of G-CSF and TNF-α producing pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung with metastasis to the small intestine.

Excitatory GABAergic activation of cortical dividing glial cells.

Adult neocortex contains dividing satellite glia population even though their characteristics and functions have still remained unknown. Nestin(+)/NG2(+) cells as major fraction of dividing glial cells express bicuculline-sensitive gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptors and receive GABAergic inputs. Due to their high [Cl(-)](i), GABAergic activation depolarized the cells and then induced Ca(2+) influx into them. To assess an effect of this GABAergic excitation, we looked for the expression of neurotrophic factors. Among them, we detected the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the cells. The level of BDNF expression was elevated after cortical ischemia, and this elevation was blocked by bumetanide, an inhibitor for NKCC1 that blocks the GABAergic depolarization. Furthermore, performing a modified adhesive removal test, we observed that the treatment of bumetanide significantly attenuated the recovery in somatosensory dysfunction. Our results may shed a light on satellite glia population in the cortex and imply their roles in the functional recovery after ischemic injuries.

Genetically engineered Bifidobacterium animalis expressing the Salmonella flagellin gene for the mucosal immunization in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: A critical component of the host defense against enteric infections is the immunological response of the mucosal membrane, a major starting point of infectious disease, such as typhoid fever. The mucosal immune system consists of an integrated network of lymphoid tissues, mucous membrane-associated cells, and effector molecules. In the present study, we developed a recombinant Bifidobacterium animalis (B. animalis) genetically modified with the Salmonella flagellin gene for mucosal immunization as an oral typhoid vaccine. METHODS: We constructed an oral vaccine against Salmonella typhimurium, consisting of recombinant B. animalis containing the flagellin gene of Salmonella. The recombinant B. animalis was administered orally to mice every other day for 6 weeks. Anti-flagellin antibodies in the serum and stools were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: We detected significantly higher levels of flagellin-specific IgA in the serum and stools of the mice treated with the recombinant B. animalis containing the flagellin gene than was seen in those treated with parental B. animalis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that an oral vaccination using recombinant B. animalis genetically modified with the flagellin gene of Salmonella may be effective against Salmonella infections.

SCCmec typing and detection of VISA-related genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains from Kobe University Hospital, Japan.

A total of 50 clinical strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were collected from Kobe University Hospital in 2003. Molecular typing of SCCmec was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the presence of six genes (vraR, vraG, vraA, vraF, fruA, and fruB) associated with vancomycin (VCM) resistance was examined by simple PCR analysis. Out of 50 MRSA strains isolated 47 strains contained Type II SCCmec and the remaining contained Type IV SCCmec. Thirty seven strains contained pUB110 plasmid. VraA was present in 69% of the strains, vraF in 10%, vraG in 53%, and vraR in 16%. Noteworthy, strains without pUB110 contained vraR in relatively higher frequency (31%) compared with strains with pUB110 (11%).

In situ photoaffinity labeling of the target protein for lembehyne A, a neuronal differentiation inducer.

A C(36) linear acetylene alcohol, lembehyne A (LB-A), induces neuronal differentiation against neuroblastoma cells morphologically and also functionally. The differentiation and cytostatic effect induced by LB-A was specific to neuroblastoma, Neuro 2A cells. To identify the target protein for LB-A, a radioactive photoaffinity probe, [(125)I]18-(2'-azido-5'-iodo-benzoyloxy)-LB-18 ([(125)I]azido-LB-18), was synthesized. As a result of in situ labeling experiments against Neuro 2A cells, a protein of M(r) 30 kDa was photolabeled specifically. This labeling was inhibited in the presence of LB-A or the active analogs of LB-A, whereas the inactive analogs showed no inhibitory effect on this labeling. These results suggest that this protein of M(r) 30 kDa is the target protein for LB-A and may play an important role for the neuronal differentiation in neuroblastoma, Neuro 2A cells.