Practical usefulness of atypical endometrial cell categories within the new classification of endometrial cytology when applied to conventional smears.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cytology has been widely used as a screening tool in Japan. Traditionally, a three-tier reporting system, consisting of 'negative', 'suspicious' and 'positive' categories, has been used. However, a more descriptive system, the New Terminology in Endometrial Cytology (NTEMC), which is based on the Bethesda System for uterine cervical cytology, was introduced recently. The objective of this study was to validate the NTEMC criteria. METHODS: Endometrial cytology specimens that had been categorised as 'suspicious' were collected in our hospital between 2003 and 2013, and from these, 106 specimens with corresponding histological results, were re-evaluated according to the NTEMC criteria. Diagnostic categories were assigned based on that chosen by the majority of the examining members. RESULTS: Negative, atypical endometrial cells, of undetermined significance (ATEC-US), atypical endometrial cells for which atypical endometrial hyperplasia or worse cannot be excluded (ATEC-A), endometrial hyperplasia, atypical endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy were selected as the diagnostic categories for 9 (8.5%), 34 (32.1%), 17 (16%), 34 (32.1%), 5 (4.7%) and 7 (6.6%) specimens, respectively. Corresponding histological categories of benign, endometrial hyperplasia, atypical endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy were established in 28 (82.4%), 1 (2.9%), 2 (5.9%) and 3 (8.8%) ATEC-US specimens, respectively, and in 6 (35.3%), 3 (17.6%), 2 (11.8%) and 6 (35.3%) ATEC-A specimens, respectively. The histological category distribution differed significantly (P = 0.001), and there was a significant correlation between corresponding cytological and histological categories (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The ATEC category of NTEMC system works well in a practical setting and resembles the Bethesda reporting system ASC (atypical squamous cells) category for cervical cytology.

Bovine milk contains microRNA and messenger RNA that are stable under degradative conditions.

We previously reported that microRNA (miRNA) is present in human breast milk. Recently, other groups have reported that bovine milk also contains miRNA; however, these reports are few. We therefore investigated bovine milk miRNA using microarray and quantitative PCR analyses to identify the differences between colostrum and mature milk. The RNA concentration in a colostrum whey fraction was higher than that in a mature milk whey fraction. In total, 102 miRNA were detected in bovine milk by microarray analysis (100 in colostrum and 53 in mature milk; 51 were common to both). Among these miRNA, we selected several immune- and development-related miRNA, including miR-15b, miR-27b, miR-34a, miR-106b, miR-130a, miR-155, and miR-223. These miRNA were detected in bovine milk by quantitative PCR, and each of these miRNA was significantly more highly expressed in colostrum than in mature milk. We also confirmed the presence of some mRNA in bovine milk. Nevertheless, synthesized miRNA spiked in the raw milk whey were degraded, and naturally existing miRNA and mRNA in raw milk were resistant to acidic conditions and RNase treatment. The RNA molecules in milk were stable. We also detected miRNA and mRNA in infant formulas purchased from Japanese markets. It is still unknown whether milk-derived RNA molecules play biological roles in infants; however, if milk-derived RNA do show functions in infants, our data will help guide future studies.

Reactions of the Tridentate and Tetradentate Amine Ligands di-(2-picolyl)(N-ethyl)amine and 2,5-Bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2,5 diazohexane with Technetium Nitrosyl Complexes.

The reaction of the Tc(II) nitrosyl complex (Bu(4)N)[Tc(NO)Cl(4)] with Di-(2-picolyl)(NEt)amine in methanol yields the neutral complex [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)]. The reaction of the Tc(I) nitrosyl complex [Tc(NO)Cl(2)(HOMe)(PPh(3))(2)] with this tridentate ligand yields cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)(PPh(3))]Cl. These two complexes have been structurally characterized. The reaction of [Tc(NO)Cl(2)(HOMe)(PPh(3))(2)] with the tetradentate ligand 1,4-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazobutane yields a mixture of products including cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-NH-NH-py)]Cl and cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(PPh(3))(py-NH-NH~py)]Cl, with a pyridyl terminus left dangling.

Effects of milk casein-derived peptides on absolute oxyhaemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal area and on work efficiency after mental stress loading in male students.

This study examined the influence of milk casein-derived peptides on cerebral activity after mental stress loading. In a crossover study, 16 male students were given a drink containing peptides (peptide group), or water (control group) before stress loading. The oxyhaemoglobin (HbO(2)) concentration in the prefrontal area of the brain and work efficiency were measured as indicators of cerebral activity and differences in these parameters were examined according to type A or type B personality. Type A behaviour was defined as: aggression-hostility, hard-driving-time-urgency and speed-power, whereas type B behaviour did not have these characteristics. Peptide intake resulted in a significant increase in both HbO(2) concentration and work efficiency, whilst a similar increase was not seen in the control group. When divided into type A or type B personality, the changes in HbO(2) concentration for the control group differed significantly in the right prefrontal area. Moreover, in type A subjects the HbO(2) concentration in the right prefrontal area following intake was significantly different between the peptide and control groups.

Reconstruction of microtia with laser hair removal before transplantation of costal cartilage.

When scalp skin is contained in reconstruction of microtia, the hair growth on the reconstructed auricle causes aesthetic problems. Several techniques to deal with hairline, such as skin graft, skin flap, tissue expander and electroepilation, have been reported, but there are few reports using laser hair removal for microtia patients. We performed presurgical laser therapy in five patients. The low regions of hairlines in unilateral microtia children were irradiated by two kinds of laser systems for 1 year before the transplantation of costal cartilage. When hair growth was seen after the surgery, laser irradiations were performed. Video-microscopic and histological studies were examined to check the rates of epilation and skin injuries. There were no conspicuous hairs on the reconstructed ears and no side effects such as skin injury, folliculitis and deformity of cartilage. Video-microscopic examination revealed that terminal hair was rarely observed after irradiation, although the amount of vellus hair after irradiation was the same as that before irradiation. Histological examination showed that atrophy or hyperplasia of epidermis and dermis were not observed. Although patients had to undergo laser epilation from four to seven times because of a hair cycle, the laser epilation is less invasive and safer than other surgical procedures to reconstruct non-haired helix.

Bovine alpha-lactalbumin stimulates mucus metabolism in gastric mucosa.

Bovine alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA), a major milk protein, exerts strong gastroprotective activity against rat experimental gastric ulcers induced by ethanol or stress. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying this activity, the influence of alpha-LA on gastric mucus metabolism was investigated in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro study, RGM1 cells (a rat gastric epithelial cell line) were selected for observation of the direct activity of alpha-LA on gastric mucosal cells and cultured in the presence of either alpha-LA or ovalbumin (OVA), a reference protein showing no gastroprotective activity. Amounts of synthesized and secreted mucin, a major component of mucus, were determined using [3H]glucosamine as a tracer, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the culture medium were determined by RIA. For the in vivo study, the thickness of the mucus gel layer, a protective barrier for gastric mucosa, was evaluated histochemically in rat gastric mucosa. alpha-Lactalbumin (3 mg/mL) significantly stimulated mucin synthesis and secretion in RGM1 cells and also increased PGE2 levels in the culture medium. In contrast, OVA showed no enhancing effects under identical conditions. Neither indomethacin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, nor AH23848, a prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist, affected alpha-LA-induced enhancement of mucin synthesis and secretion. In vivo, oral administration of alpha-LA (300 mg/kg x 3 times/d x 7 d) increased the thickness of the mucus gel layer in rats. These results indicate that alpha-LA fortifies the mucus gel layer by stimulating mucin production and secretion in gastric mucus-producing cells, and that this enhancing effect is independent of endogenous PGE2. Comparison of the efficacy of alpha-LA with OVA suggests that the activities observed in RGM1 cells are closely related to the gastroprotective effects in rat gastric ulcer models. In conclusion, alpha-LA stimulates mucus metabolism, and this action may be responsible for its gastroprotective activity.

[Report on the 89th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America--cone beam artifact and helical artifact on the MDCT helical scan].

Because MDCT use narrow cone beam x-ray, to quantitatively evaluate cone beam artifact and helical artifact is very important with different x-ray beam width (detector configuration) . The both effect (helical artifact and cone beam artifact) was confirmed on the MDCT helical scan. It does not have cone beam artifact in the Isocenter or using center detector row for conventional scan, but helical artifact basically does not depend position of x-y plane. From quantitative evaluation of cone beam artifact, helical scan has fewer cone beam artifact than conventional scan on the 200 mm position of x-y plane: the cone beam artifact index is 11.76 (8 x 2.5mm conventional scan with most edge detector row) , 6.86 (8 x 2.5mm helical pitch 0.625) and 4.9 (8 x 2.5mm helical pitch 1.675). From phantom experiment, it was concluded that cone beam angle more contribute cone beam artifact than increasing slice numbers. And it was concluded that helical scan has fewer cone beam artifact than conventional scan, because helical scan use multi detector row information and special recon algorithm with cone beam correction on the GE LightSpeed MDCT scanner.

Expression of P450 aromatase protein in developing and in sex-reversed gonads of the XX/XY type of the frog Rana rugosa.

Gonadal differentiation in some species of amphibians is sensitive to steroids. The phenotypic sex of XX/XY-type frogs such as Rana rugosa can be reversed from female to male by injection of testosterone into tadpoles, but little is known about the molecular mechanism of this sex reversal. To elucidate the mechanism of the sex differentiation, we examined the role of P450 aromatase (P450arom), an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen, during gonadal differentiation of amphibians. In this study, we first cloned a P450arom cDNA homolog of the frog R. rugosa and analyzed by RT-PCR its expression profile in developing and in female-to-male sex-reversed gonads. P450arom expression was observed in the gonad of tadpoles during ovarian differentiation and became much stronger in the developing ovary in which only immature oocytes were observed. However, its expression declined significantly in the ovary of frogs 2 months after metamorphosis, when oocytes were growing; and it was no longer seen in adult ovaries. By RT-PCR, we also examined the expression of P450arom and SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1; the orphan nuclear receptor) in the female-to-male sex-reversed gonad. The level of P450arom mRNA was high in the ovary, but it declined rapidly after the injection of testosterone. In contrast, no change in the SF-1 (also known as Ad4BP) expression was observed. Moreover, to identify the type(s) of cells expressing P450arom protein, we performed immunostaining with an antibody against frog P450arom protein. Cells giving positive signals were observed around oocytes in the ovary of frogs 1 month after metamorphosis. They were identified as follicle cells by both light and electron microscopy. The results, taken together, indicate that P450arom protein is synthesized in follicle cells and that P450arom is very much involved in ovarian differentiation in R. rugosa.

Expression of Dmrt1 protein in developing and in sex-reversed gonads of amphibians.

Many genes are known to be involved in gonadal differentiation in vertebrates. Dmrt1, a gene that encodes a transcription factor with a DM-domain, is considered to be one of the essential genes controlling testicular differentiation in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. However, it still remains unknown which testicular cells of animals other than mice and chicks express Dmrt1 protein. For an explanation of its role(s) in testicular differentiation in vertebrates, the expression of the Dmrt1 protein needs to be studied. For this purpose, we conducted an immunohistochemical study of this protein in an amphibian by using an antibody specific for Dmrt1. No positive signal was found in the indifferent gonad of tadpoles of Rana rugosa at early stages. However, in the testis of tadpoles at later stages (XV-XXV) and in frogs one month after metamorphosis, this protein was expressed in interstitial cells and Sertoli cells. In the testis of adult frogs, germ cells also expressed Dmrt1 protein. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the gene for this protein was not transcribed at any time during ovarian development, but was expressed in the female to male sex-reversed gonad. This was true when immunohistological studies were performed. In addition, Southern blot analysis showed DMRT1 to be an autosomal gene. Taken together, our findings indicate that Dmrt1 protein is expressed by interstitial cells, Seroli cells and germ cells in the testis of R. rugosa. Dmrt1 may thus be very involved in the testicular differentiation of amphibians.

Lactoferricin derived from milk protein lactoferrin.

Lactoferricin (LFcin) was initially identified as an antimicrobial peptide derived by pepsin digestion of lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional innate-defense protein in milk. Various synthetic analogs of LFcin have also been reported. LFcin inhibits a diverse range of microorganisms such as gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, and parasitic protozoa, including some antibiotic-resistant pathogens. LFcin kills target organisms by membrane perturbation and acts synergistically with some antimicrobial agents. LFcin exhibits numerous biological activities in common with those of LF. Whereas LFcin suppresses the activation of innate immunity by microbial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CpG DNA, the peptide itself activates immunity. Administration of LFcin analogs has been shown to protect the host via direct antimicrobial activity and immunostimulatory effects in several infection models of mice. Here we present a comprehensive review of investigations of LFcin and related peptides.

Duodenal wall cysts may be derived from a ductal component of ectopic pancreatic tissue.

AIMS: To clarify the mechanism of origin of duodenal wall cysts in patients with chronic pancreatitis, developing into duodenal stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Specimens from 12 pancreatoduodenectomized patients with chronic pancreatitis and 51 controls were studied histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Variously shaped cystic lesions, averaging about 15 mm in diameter, were found in the duodenum in six of the 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis, but were not observed in the controls. Each case had an average of two cysts, which were located mainly in the muscularis propria of the duodenum with or without submucosal or extraduodenal-peripancreatic extensions. The inner part of the cyst wall consisted of a moderate rim of granulation tissue, with both myofibroblasts and smooth muscle proliferation in the tissue surrounding the cyst and the submucosal layer of the duodenum, occasionally accompanied by an epithelial lining. A ductal structure in the muscularis propria of the duodenum, possibly a ductal component of ectopic pancreatic tissue, was found in five of the six cases. Some of these structures showed cystic changes. Three of the six patients had accompanying duodenal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Duodenal wall cysts occur mainly in the muscularis propria of the duodenum associated with both myofibroblasts and smooth muscle proliferation, and may result in duodenal stenosis. These cysts may be derived from a ductal component of ectopic pancreatic tissue.

Expression of Dax-1 during gonadal development of the frog.

Dax-1, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors, is known to be involved in gonadal development in mammals. To date, Dax-1 has only been isolated in reptiles, birds and mammals. The expression of Dax-1 is down-regulated in the developing testis, but persists in the ovary of mice (Swain et al., Nat. Genet. 12 (1996) 404) and chicken (Smith et al., J. Mol. Endocrinol. 24 (2000) 23). Curiously, there is no sex difference in the expression patterns of Dax-1 in the American alligator (Western et al., Gene 241 (2000) 223). To understand its role(s) in gonadal development in vertebrates, molecular cloning of Dax-1 in amphibians is required. In this study, we cloned an amphibian Dax-1 homologue of the frog Rana rugosa and examined its expression profile during gonadal development. Cloned Dax-1 cDNA encoded a protein of 287 amino acids. Unlike mammalians that possess the three and one half repeat elements representing the putative DNA binding domain in the predicted sequence of Dax-1 protein, the frog had a single poorly conserved copy of the repeat unit. By RT-PCR analysis, the Dax-1 mRNA was detected in the liver and pancreas, but not in the testis and ovary of adult frogs. However, Dax-1 expression was seen first in the embryo at stage 12 and became stronger in tadpoles until stage X. The Dax-1 was transcribed in the testis stronger than in the ovary of frogs at stage XXV (just after completion of metamorphosis). In the gonad of frogs 2 months after metamorphosis (at this stage postmeiotic cells can be seen in the seminiferous tubules), the Dax-1 was expressed only in males. In addition, the Dax-1 transcription declined gradually as ovarian development proceeded, but its expression was down-regulated and then up-regulated rapidly when female-to-male sex reversal was caused by administration of testosterone into female tadpoles. Taken together, the results suggest that the Dax-1 may be closely involved in testicular development of amphibians.

Silent period in the mentalis muscle induced by facial nerve and cutaneous stimulation.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that silent periods of the mentalis muscle are induced after facial nerve stimulation and cutaneous stimulation in normal subjects. When the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and the cutaneous nerve in areas adjacent to the lower lip were stimulated during slight voluntary contraction of the mentalis muscle, silent periods were elicited with surface electrodes on the mentalis muscle. The early phase and the late phase of the silent period were elicited by marginal mandibular branch stimulation. The early phase of the silent period was recognized following the F waves and it disappeared at 36.3 msec. The average duration of the late phase of the silent period was 59.2 msec, with an average latency of 62.5 msec. Only the late phase of the silent period after cutaneous stimulation could be elicited, with a duration and latency of 55.9 msec and 54.0 msec respectively. The authors conclude that the silent period is able to be elicited in the mentalis muscle by peripheral nerve stimulation, and is one of the late responses in facial muscles.

Expression of steroidogenic factor-1 in frog embryo and developing gonad.

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), originally identified as an orphan nuclear receptor that regulates expression of genes encoding cytochrome P-450 steroid hydroxylases, is an essential transcriptional factor for adrenal and gonadal development in mammals. Since sex steroid hormones have been shown to play important roles in the sex determination of frogs, it is of interest to know how SF-1 gene expression is regulated during the sexual development of this organism. A previous study isolated the cDNA of the frog Rana rugosa SF-1 (rrSF-1) and found sexual differences in its gene expression in adult frogs; positive in testis and negative in ovary (Kawano et al., 1998). This study examined rrSF-1 gene expression in frog embryos and developing and mature gonads by immunohistochemical staining using anti-rrSF-1 protein antibody for protein localization and by in situ hybridization analysis for mRNA transcription. The results obtained in this study indicated that cells expressing SF-1 that originate in the mesoderm and endoderm probably migrate into the developing gonad via the dorsal mesentery, genital ridge, and mesorchium or mesovarium. Thus, SF-1 may play an important role in gonadal development in amphibians.

Nurse-environment misfit and nursing practice.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the following descriptive correlational study was to investigate nurses' responses to the image discrepancy between the public and nurses, and its relationships with their self-concept, job satisfaction and performance. BACKGROUND: It has been long said that nurses live in a dual structure wherein the nurse's journey toward professionalization is constrained by nursing stereotypes in a society. This duality of the nursing universe is assumed to have created a person-environment misfit which could lead to nurses' job dissatisfaction and low job performance. Nonetheless, little study has been done in this area. DESIGN/METHODS: The study was conducted in 1999 with ethical approval from an Australian University. A sample of 80 Australian registered nurses participated by completing the Porter Nursing Image Scale, Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS) and Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The results suggested that there is a discrepancy in the images of the nursing profession between nurses and the public, which can contribute to the nurse-environment misfit. The results also supported a negative correlation of the misfit with nurses' job satisfaction and performance. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited sample size and characteristics, this study provides evidence to encourage nurses to improve the public image of nurses, which will enhance the professionalization of nursing.

Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage for the diagnosis and treatment of refractory pneumonia in a patient with Kostmann syndrome, a severe congenital neutropenia.

UNLABELLED: An 11-year-old girl with Kostmann syndrome developed refractory pneumonia. Culture of oral discharge, throat-swab specimens, and blood could not identity the causative organism, and systemic antimicrobial therapy failed to achieve improvement. We then performed diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and culture of BAL fluid (BALF) yielded Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therapeutic BAL using gentamicin produced a striking improvement of her pneumonia. CONCLUSION: In immunocompromised children with pneumonia, BAL helps to identify the causative organism. If the patient is unresponsive to systemic antimicrobial therapy, BAL using antimicrobial agents is also worth trying.

Expression of FTZ-F1alpha in frog testicular cells.

Fushi tarazu transcription factor-1 (FTZ-F1), a member of a nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, is a transcriptional regulator for fushi tarazu gene expression in Drosophila (Ueda et al., '90). We have cloned a homologue (rrFTZ-F1alpha) of the FTZ-F1 gene of the frog Rana rugosa. The gene, in frogs, has been shown to have high expression level in the testis (Nakajima et al., 2000). In this study, the RT-PCR analysis showed that the FTZ-F1alpha mRNA level in adult frogs did not change throughout the year, even during hibernation. However, when immunohistological studies using the anti-rrFTZ-F1alpha antibody were employed to examine which testicular cells expressed this gene, Sertoli cells were found to produce rrFTZ-F1alpha in the two seasons: the breeding season (from March through May) and the pre-hibernating season (from October through November). Interstitial cells, however, did it in only the breeding season (from April through May). Taken together, the results suggest that the rrFTZ-F1alpha expression is regulated at the post-transcriptional step, and that the rrFTZ-F1alpha may play an important role(s) in the seasonal activities of Sertoli and interstitial cells in the frog testis. J. Exp. Zool. 290:182-189, 2001.

Histopathological study on mechanism and background of tumor-forming pancreatitis.

Fifteen cases of tumor-forming pancreatitis, detected as tumors by diagnostic imaging or by physical examination were histologically examined. Eleven of the 15 patients were heavy drinkers. Tumorous lesions were located in the head of the pancreas in 11 cases and in the body or tail of the pancreas in four cases. Macroscopic examination revealed tumorous swelling or sclerotic appearance in the pancreatic tissue. Histologically, these lesions showed tumorous swelling with (n = 12) or without (n = 3) a background of chronic pancreatitis. In the former, the tumorous lesions consisted of extensive fibrosis, including necrosis or abscesses, stones and reparative granulation tissue, and there was a successive transition to the surrounding chronic pancreatitis pattern. The latter three tumorous lesions presented with inter- and intralobular fibrosis with lymphoid hyperplasia or lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and were adjacent to normal pancreatic tissue. Therefore, tumor-forming pancreatitis shows at least two distinct types: a reparative tumorous swelling with a background of chronic pancreatitis, which is considered to have given rise to the tumor at some stage; and a lymphoid and fibrous proliferation in normal pancreatic tissue, which is considered to represent an autoimmune-related disease process.