Cytoplasmic expression of the JM403 antigen GlcA-GlcNH3+ on heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan in mammary carcinomas--a novel proliferative biomarker for breast cancers with high malignancy.

The expressions of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) in breast carcinoma specimens from 60 patients were immunohistochemically investigated using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognized different epitopes of the glycan structure. Cytoplasmic expression of GlcA-GlcNH(3)(+) on HSGAG was detected in carcinomas at high frequency (58.3%) using mAb JM403, whereas it was almost undetectable in normal breast ducts. This cytoplasmic expression was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The expression of JM403 antigen in invasive carcinomas significantly correlated with nuclear atypia score (p = 0.0004), mitotic counts score (p = 0.0018), nuclear grade (p = 0.0061) and the incidence of metastasis to axillary lymph nodes (p = 0.0061). Furthermore, its expression was significantly correlated with the Ki67-labeling index in 55 invasive carcinomas (p < 0.05) as well as in 26 non-invasive carcinomas (5 non-invasive carcinomas and 21 non-invasive carcinomas that were observed in individual invasive carcinomas) (p < 0.005). Interestingly, the JM403 antigen GlcA-GlcNH(3)(+) was also expressed in the cytoplasm of normal crypt epithelial cells where Ki67 protein was expressed in the cell nuclei in the proliferative compartment of the human small intestines. To date, HSGAGs have generally been found to exist on cell surface membranes and in extracellular matrices as components of HS proteoglycans, and the negatively-charged sulfated domains on HSGAGs are considered to be important for their functions. However, our present findings indicate that the cytoplasmic expression of the JM403 antigen GlcA-GlcNH(3)(+) on positively charged, non-sulfated HSGAG may be involved in cell proliferation and associated with increased degrees of malignancy. The unordinary carbohydrate antigen of GlcA-GlcNH(3)(+) on HSGAGs recognized by mAb JM403 may represent a novel proliferative biomarker for highly malignant mammary carcinomas.

Simultaneous observation of superficial cortical and intracerebral microvessels in vivo during reperfusion after transient forebrain ischemia in rats using synchrotron radiation.

Using a newly developed angiography system that combines monochromatic synchrotron radiation (MSR) as an X-ray source with a high-definition camera or video system, we observed superficial cortical and intracerebral microvessels simultaneously in vivo during reperfusion after transient forebrain ischemia. Transient brain ischemia was induced by 10-min four-vessel occlusion in rats under general anesthesia. Angiographic images were then sequentially obtained at 3 frames/s. The detector features a 7-microm equivalent pixel size projected onto the input area and a 7 mmx7 mm input field. Changes in the cerebral microvessels were observed before and 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after transient cerebral ischemia using the MSR angiography system. The calibers of the internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and striate artery (SA) significantly increased 1 min after reperfusion, while the pial arteriole (PA) caliber significantly decreased (76% of base line). The MCA, PA and SA were significantly dilated 5 and 10 min after reperfusion. Although the caliber of the ICA significantly decreased after 30 min reperfusion compared with the basal value, the calibers of the other three vessels remained larger than the basal values throughout the experiment. Early venous filling was observed at 5 and 10 min after reperfusion. The MSR angiography system is useful for investigating morphological changes in both cortical and central branches of cerebral vessels in rats during reperfusion after cerebral ischemia.

[Toxicological analyses over the past five years at a single institution].

We investigated 352 patients with acute poisoning, 145 males and 207 females, who were sent to the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center between June 1999 and March 2004. The insurance application rate averaged 72.5%. The causative agents included 98 prescribed drugs, 23 pesticides and herbicides, cyanide, arsenic and boric acid. Hypnotic and psychotropic drugs accounted for 192 cases (47.5%); antipyretics and analgesics, 93 (23.0%); pesticides and herbicides, 65 (16.1%); amphetamine-like drugs, 6 (1.5%); boric acid, 4 (1.0%); cyanide, 3 (0.7%); arsenic, 1 (0.2%); and other agents, 40 (9.9%). In young people, the most prevalent cause of poisoning was hypnotic,or psychotropic drugs prescribed in psychiatry clinics. In people older than 30, poisoning due to pesticides and herbicides was increased, reaching a peak among those in their 40s. Of 23 patients who died, 20 took Paraquat and Diquat, 2 took organophosphates and 1 took an overdose of antidepressants. The other 329 were transferred to different medical departments or were discharged from our hospital after recovery.

[A study on pulmonary tuberculosis retreatment cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors leading to the retreatment for tuberculosis. MATERIALS: Forty-seven retreatment cases with pulmonary tuberculosis, who were discharged from the National Chiba Higashi Hospital from 2000 to 2002. METHODS: Data on all retreatment cases were studied as to the condition of the original treatment and factors leading to the retreatment. RESULTS: Of the 47 cases, 33 cases received the original treatment in our hospital. Of the 33 cases, 24 cases were relapsed cases and 9 cases were defaulters. Most relapsed cases were male aged 50s and 12 cases (50%) were jobless. As the factors leading to retreatment, the delay in the negative conversion of sputum culture accounted for 11 cases (45.8%) out of 24 cases. No specific factors were found in three cases (12.5%). Among the defaulters, no bias was seen as to age and occupation of cases, but all the cases were male, and they defaulted during the maintenance phase of treatment at the out-patient department. CONSIDERATION: The delay in the negative conversion of sputum culture was the main factor relating to the relapse. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the factors leading to the relapse, but many factors were observed in DM patients. Male cases aged 50s had many factors leading to the relapse. An intensive management for out-patients and involvement of welfare department aiming at the completion of treatment for the socially vulnerable groups might be necessary as the measure to prevent defaulting. CONCLUSION: The delay in the negative conversion of sputum culture was the main factor leading to relapse, and intensive management for out-patients aiming at the completion of treatment is necessary to prevent the defaulting.