A toll-like receptor 3 single nucleotide polymorphism in Japanese patients with sarcoidosis.

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) may be associated with T helper 1 immune response. This study aimed to investigate the role of a functional TLR3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in sarcoidosis. We genotyped 220 Japanese patients with sarcoidosis and 140 controls for TLR3 SNP rs3775291 to analyze its association with susceptibility to sarcoidosis and assessed its relationship to clinical features in 172 patients over 2 years. The TLR3 rs3775291 genotype was not significantly associated with disease susceptibility. However, patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) significantly more frequently had the TT genotype (p < 0.01) or the T allele (p < 0.05) than those patients without CS. We conclude that TLR3 SNP rs3775291 may affect cardiac involvement in Japanese patients with sarcoidosis.

Inhibitory effects of sword bean extract on alveolar bone resorption induced in rats by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.

BACKGROUND: The domesticated legume, Canavalia gladiata (commonly called the sword bean), is known to contain canavanine. The fruit is used in Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine for treating the discharge of pus, but its pharmacological mechanisms are still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of sword bean extract (SBE) on (i) oral bacteria and human oral epithelial cells in vitro, and (ii) the initiation and progression of experimental Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced alveolar bone resorption in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method was applied to quantitate canavanine in SBE. By assessing oral bacterial growth, we estimated the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of SBE, canavanine, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) solution. The cytotoxicity of SBE, canavanine, CHX, leupeptin and cystatin for KB cells was determined using a trypan blue assay. The effects of SBE, canavanine, leupeptin and cystatin on Arg-gingipain (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp) were evaluated by colorimetric assay using synthetic substrates. To examine its effects on P. gingivalis-associated periodontal tissue breakdown, SBE was orally administered to P. gingivalis-infected rats. RESULT: Sword bean extract contained 6.4% canavanine. SBE and canavanine inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. The cytotoxicity of SBE, canavanine and cystatin on KB cells was significantly lower than that of CHX. Inhibition of Rgp with SBE was comparable to that with leupeptin, a known Rgp inhibitor, and inhibition of Kgp with SBE was significantly higher than that with leupeptin at 500 µg/mL ( p < 0.05). P. gingivalis-induced alveolar bone resorption was significantly suppressed by administration of SBE, with bone levels remaining comparable to non-infected animals ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that SBE might be effective against P. gingivalis-associated alveolar bone resorption.

Suspected Metallic Embolism following Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms.

We describe a case series of suspected metallic embolism after coil embolization for intracranial aneurysms. Between January 2012 and December 2014, 110 intracranial aneurysms had been treated by coil embolization in our institution. In 6 cases, the postprocedural MR imaging revealed abnormal spotty lesions not detected on the preprocedural MR imaging. The lesions were also undetectable on the postprocedural CT scan. They were demonstrated as low-intensity spots on T1WI, T2WI, DWI, and T2*-weighted imaging. On DWI, they were accompanied by bright "halo," and on T2*-weighted imaging, they showed a "blooming" effect. In 3 of the 6 cases, follow-up MR imaging was available and all the lesions remained and demonstrated no signal changes. Although histologic examination had not been performed, these neuroradiologic findings strongly supported the lesions being from metallic fragments. No specific responsible device was detected after reviewing all the devices used for the neuroendovascular treatment in the 6 cases.

Ipsilateral motor control of the forelimb in the congenitally acallosal mouse.

The corticospinal projections of mice with callosal agenesis were investigated using electro-physiological and horseradish peroxidase techniques. In the normal mouse, intracortical stimulation of the motor area with the microelectrode resulted in contralateral contraction of the forelimb, whereas ipsilateral contraction was observed in the acallosal mouse. Hence, mice with congenital absence of the corpus callosum show physiologically ipsilateral motor control. Furthermore, latency of the forelimb contraction elicited by electrical stimulation of the acallosal mouse was slightly shorter than that of the normal mouse. On the other hand, it was confirmed by a horseradish peroxidase technique that the corticospinal tract and peripheral motor neurons in the spinal cord of the acallosal mouse were identical to those of the normal mouse.

Localization of superoxide anion in the red tide alga Chattonella antiqua.

To investigate the localization of superoxide anion generated in the red tide alga Chattonella antiqua, we added to the incubation medium 3,7-dihydro-6-[4-(2-(N'-(5-fluoresceinyl)thioureido) ethoxy)phenyl]-2-methylimidazo(1,2-a)pyrazin-3-one (FCLA), which is a Cypridina luciferin analogue and a specific fluorescent probe for detecting O2- and 1O2. The live phytoplankter was observed with the laser scanning microscope. At high magnification (x 6400) it was found that the plankter has many large and small verruciform protrusions on the cell surface. When the cell was irradiated with an argon laser (488 nm), a very intense fluorescence was noted at each protrusion. This fluorescence was completely inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase to the incubation medium, thus suggesting O2- generation at each verruciform protrusion on the cell surface.

Treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip in children after walking age. Indications from two-directional arthrography.

We treated 120 children between the ages of 12 and 31 months with 137 developmental dislocations of the hip and reviewed them at a mean follow-up of 14 years. We had used two-directional arthrography of all hips before reduction to evaluate the anterior, superior, and posterior portions of the limbus. Of the 137 hips, 64 had no interposed limbus in the AP view of the arthrogram, but 45 of these had an interposed anterior or posterior portion of the limbus. The hips with good stability and no interposed limbus in either AP or lateral arthrograms had excellent results by closed methods; in the other cases the results were less satisfactory. Our findings suggest that hips suitable for management by closed reduction can be identified by two-directional arthrography. Hips shown to have an interposed limbus are best managed by open reduction.

Deformity of the proximal end of the femur following open reduction for developmental dislocation of the hip.

We studied deformity of the proximal end of the femur following open reduction using the wide exposure method for developmental dislocation of the hip. We reviewed radiographs of 22 children with unilateral dislocation of the hip who had undergone open reduction between one and three years of age. Ages at final examination ranged from 14 to 21 years. None of the patients in this study had undergone any additional surgery. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was not observed in any patients. Radiographic measurements were observed when the children were 3, 6, 9, and 12 years old, and at the final examination. Coxa magna and valga were the factors associated with poor results. Coxa valga had occurred at 6 to 12 years of age, but rapidly improved thereafter. Throughout the course of treatment the epiphysis-femoral neck angle was within the normal range. The fusion of the epiphyseal growth plates on both sides occurred simultaneously. The coxa valga was due to valgus of the femoral neck, and not to valgus head tilt. These results suggest that, provided the mechanics of the joint have been properly corrected as in our operation, the biomechanics of the hip will improve until growth ceases, but that it may take more than ten years to attain normality.

Reconstruction of bone defect using the bone transport technique for a case of osteosarcoma of the femur.

There are few reports on skeletal reconstruction using the bone transport technique to repair bone defects caused by resections of tumors associated with osteosarcoma. We attempted to reconstruct a 23 cm bone defect after resection of an osteosarcoma of the left femur, and succeeded in gaining 17 cm by bone transport. Five years after surgery, this patient remains alive without metastasis or local recurrence.

Enantioselective Addition of Allylic Trimethoxysilanes to Aldehydes Catalyzed by p-Tol-BINAP small middle dotAgF.

Catalytic asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allylic trimethoxysilanes was achieved with the p-Tol-BINAP small middle dotAgF complex as catalyst [Eq. (a); p-Tol-BINAP=2,2'-bis(di-p-tolylphosphanyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl)]. High anti and enantioselectivities were obtained in the reaction with crotyltrimethoxysilane, irrespective of the configuration at the double bond.

Location of main occluding areas and masticatory ability in patients with reduced occlusal support.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in location of the main occluding area with reduction of occlusal support and to evaluate the subsequent impairment in masticatory ability. METHODS: One hundred and two patients were recruited according to the Eichner's index, which is based on the number of occlusal support zones. Each subject was instructed to clench a piece of temporary stopping in the particular occluding area that was preferably used during mastication. The main occluding area was judged by locating the tooth on which the temporary stopping rested. Subjective masticatory ability was self-assessed by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: Group classification depending upon the location of the main occluding area was significantly associated with the category of the Eichner's index. The level of masticatory ability was significantly associated with the category of the Eichner's index. Moreover, masticatory ability was significantly more impaired in subjects with main occluding areas at the premolar regions compared to those at the molar regions. CONCLUSIONS: The location of the main occluding area may differ under the influence of the remaining natural teeth. The location of the main occluding area and the masticatory ability are likely to be closely related.

Congenital muscular torticollis: long-term follow-up of thirty-eight partial resections of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Thirty-eight patients with muscular torticollis were treated by a partial resection of the sternocleidomastoid muscle between 1970 and 1981. Clinical evaluations were performed on 35 of these patients who were followed up for 10 years (average of 11.3 years). Of 31 patients under 5 years of age at operation, good results according to Canale's criteria were obtained in 28 (90%). In four patients aged 6 years or more at operation, three showed good results. Postoperatively, massive cotton bandaging was applied with the neck in the neutral position for 3 weeks. A plaster cast, brace, or physiotherapy involving active motion training was not necessary.

New Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains that possess high copy numbers of the repeated sequence RS alpha.

In a survey of DNA fingerprints of indigenous Bradyrhizobium japonicum with the species-specific repeated sequences RS alpha and RS beta, 21 isolates from three field sites showed numerous RS-specific hybridization bands. The isolates were designated highly reiterated sequence-possessing (HRS) isolates, and their DNA hybridization profiles were easily distinguished from the normal patterns. Some HRS isolates from two field sites possessed extremely high numbers of RS alpha copies, ranging from 86 to 175 (average, 128), and showed shifts and duplications of nif- and hup-specific hybridization bands. The HRS isolates exhibited slower growth than normal isolates, although no difference in symbiotic properties was detected between the HRS and normal isolates. Nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes showed that HRS isolates were strains of B. japonicum. There was no difference in the spectra of serological and hydrogenase groupings of normal and HRS isolates. Some HRS isolates possessed a tandem repeat RS alpha dimer that is similar to the structure of (IS30)2, which was shown to cause a burst of transpositional rearrangements in Escherichia coli. The results suggest that HRS isolates are derived from normal isolates in individual fields by genome rearrangements that may be mediated by insertion sequences such as RS alpha.

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. A long-term follow up of 8 patients.

Eight patients who had polyostotic fibrous dysplasia were followed up for more than 10 years. One had the Albright syndrome. Two of 3 proximal femoral lesions which were treated before puberty by either curettage and bone grafting or by osteotomy, developed progressive deformity during the growth period. One of 2 proximal femoral lesions treated by curettage and bone grafting after the age of 18 also developed a deformity. Two tibial lesions operated on at the age of one and 30 years remained stable. The histological findings showed more active lesions in young patients compared with adults.

Coxa magna after open reduction for developmental dislocation of the hip.

We studied coxa magna after open reduction of developmental hip dislocation, including the etiology, incidence, and influence on the long-term results and acetabular development. Forty-seven hips in 47 patients were radiographically examined for at least 10 years, and another 20 hips in 20 patients were examined arthrographically at an early stage after open reduction. At follow-up, the incidence of coxa magna, which was defined as a femoral head with a size > or = 20% greater than the opposite side, was 34.0%, and that seemed to be one of factors that worsened the long-term results. One of the most important causes of coxa magna is to overwiden the acetabular capacity by excising the limbus; another cause is the surgical invasion and synovitis of the hip joint after operation.

Polyostotic lesions compatible with osteofibrous dysplasia. A case report.

An 18-month-old girl with lesions in the cortex of the bilateral tibiae and ulnae and right fibula is reported. The lesion in the right tibia disappeared after curettage and xenogeneic bone grafting, and the other lesions disappeared spontaneously by the age of 12 years. All lesions involved the bone cortex. The right tibia lesion exhibited the histopathological features of "zonal architecture" and a osteoblast rim formation around the trabeculae. We consider that osteofibrous dysplasia can involve systemically any long bone.

High complication rate of reconstruction using Ilizarov bone transport method in patients with bone sarcomas.

We performed five reconstructions by bone transport in patients with bone sarcoma: three osteosarcomas, one Ewing's sarcoma and one chondrosarcoma. Four sarcomas were in the distal femur and one in the shaft of the tibia. Four patients received multidrug chemotherapy. The average length of the skeletal defect after tumour resection was 17 (range 10-25) cm. All patients underwent double elongation from both proximal and distal sites of the bone defect. The average follow-up period was 48 (range 40-66) months, and the average duration of external fixation was 32 months (range 579-1340 days). In one case, bone formation was satisfactory, but in the other cases, it was poor and slow. The average treatment index was 95 (range 53-191) days per 1 cm of elongation. In one case, the bone fragment disappeared during the bone transport. In one case, the end of the bone protruded from the skin, and osteomyelitis set in. This patient underwent above-knee amputation due to failure of infection control. Three patients suffered talipes equinus. One patient died of pulmonary metastasis. Two patients had fair and three had poor function. This method is not recommended for patients with bone sarcoma who may have a poor prognosis, as it has an unacceptably high complication rate.