In situ proliferation and differentiation of macrophages in dental pulp

The presence of macrophages in dental pulp is well known. However, whether these macrophages proliferate and differentiate in the dental pulp in situ, or whether they constantly migrate from the blood stream into the dental pulp remains unknown. We have examined and compared the development of dental pulp macrophages in an organ culture system with in vivo tooth organs to clarify the developmental mechanism of these macrophages. The first mandibular molar tooth organs from ICR mice aged between 16 days of gestation (E16) to 5 days postnatally were used for in vivo experiments. Those from E16 were cultured for up to 14 days with or without 10% fetal bovine serum. Dental pulp tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry to detect the macrophages and with reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of factors related to macrophage development. The growth curves for the in vivo and in vitro cultured cells revealed similar numbers of F4/80-positive macrophages in the dental pulp. RT-PCR analysis indicated the constant expression of myeloid colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in both in-vivo- and in-vitro-cultured dental pulp tissues. Anti-M-CSF antibodies significantly inhibited the increase in the number of macrophages in the dental pulp. These results suggest that (1) most of the dental pulp macrophages proliferate and differentiate in the dental pulp without a supply of precursor cells from the blood stream, (2) M-CSF might be a candidate molecule for dental pulp macrophage development, and (3) serum factors might not directly affect the development of macrophages

Chiasmata Promote Monopolar Attachment of Sister Chromatids and Their Co-Segregation toward the Proper Pole during Meiosis I

The chiasma is a structure that forms between a pair of homologous chromosomes by crossover recombination and physically links the homologous chromosomes during meiosis. Chiasmata are essential for the attachment of the homologous chromosomes to opposite spindle poles (bipolar attachment) and their subsequent segregation to the opposite poles during meiosis I. However, the overall function of chiasmata during meiosis is not fully understood. Here, we show that chiasmata also play a crucial role in the attachment of sister chromatids to the same spindle pole and in their co-segregation during meiosis I in fission yeast. Analysis of cells lacking chiasmata and the cohesin protector Sgo1 showed that loss of chiasmata causes frequent bipolar attachment of sister chromatids during anaphase. Furthermore, high time-resolution analysis of centromere dynamics in various types of chiasmate and achiasmate cells, including those lacking the DNA replication checkpoint factor Mrc1 or the meiotic centromere protein Moa1, showed the following three outcomes: (i) during the pre-anaphase stage, the bipolar attachment of sister chromatids occurs irrespective of chiasma formation; (ii) the chiasma contributes to the elimination of the pre-anaphase bipolar attachment; and (iii) when the bipolar attachment remains during anaphase, the chiasmata generate a bias toward the proper pole during poleward chromosome pulling that results in appropriate chromosome segregation. Based on these results, we propose that chiasmata play a pivotal role in the selection of proper attachments and provide a backup mechanism that promotes correct chromosome segregation when improper attachments remain during anaphase I

Normal and high-normal blood pressures, but not body mass index, are risk factors for the subsequent occurrence of both preeclampsia and gestational hypertension : A retrospective cohort study

Blood pressure (BP) levels and body mass index (BMI) are known as risk factors for preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. However, there have been few investigations regarding the effects of BID and BMI levels on preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in the same cohort. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using multiple logistic regression analysis. The cohort included 1,518 patients without nephritis. The unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension were increased in pregnant women with normal BP (120-129 mmHg systolic or 80-84 mmHg diastolic), high-normal BID and hypertension in the second trimester compared to those with optimal BP. The unadjusted ORs of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension were also increased in obese women in the pre-pregnancy period compared to women with normal range BML When adjustment was made for both the BP levels and pre-pregnancy BMI levels, the ORs (95% confidence intervals) of normal BID, high-normal BID, hypertension and obesity for the subsequent occurrence of preeclampsia were 5.1 (2.2-12), 8.3 (3.1-22), 16 (5.0-50) and 2.0 (0.67-5.9), and those for the subsequent occurrence of gestational hypertension were 7.0 (2.6-19), 7.4 (2.1-25), 22 (6.1-83) and 1.3 (0.33-4.8), respectively. For the subsequent occurrence of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, normal BID, high-normal BP and hypertension in the second trimester may be independent risk factors. Obesity in the pre-pregnancy period, however, may not be an independent risk factor

Placental Insertion into the Cervix with Cervical Shortening as a Clinical Sign to Suspect Cervico-Isthmic Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

The clinical signs of cervico-isthmic pregnancy during pregnancy remain unknown. We herein report a case of cervico-isthmic pregnancy showing placental insertion into the cervix with cervical shortening, with a final diagnosis of placenta increta at the uterine body and cervix. A 33-year-old multiparous woman with a history of cesarean section was referred to our hospital at 7 weeks of gestation with suspected cesarean scar pregnancy. Cervical shortening with a cervical length of 14 mm was noted at 13 weeks of gestation. The placenta is gradually inserted into the cervix. An ultrasonographic examination and magnetic resonance imaging strongly suggested placenta accreta. We planned elective cesarean hysterectomy at 34 weeks of gestation. The pathological diagnosis was cervico-isthmic pregnancy with placenta increta at the uterine body and cervix. In conclusion, placental insertion into the cervix with cervical shortening in the early pregnancy period may be a clinical sign to suspect cervico-isthmic pregnancy

Idiopathic Adrenal Hematoma Masquerading as Neoplasm

We report herein a case of idiopathic adrenal hematoma. A 59-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a 7.0 cm mass in the right upper abdominal cavity. The tumor was suspected to originate from either the posterior segment of the liver or the right adrenal gland. His chief complaint was weight loss of 8 kg over the previous 6 months. He had no past medical history and took no medications, including no anticoagulants. Laboratory data were almost normal except for a slight elevation of PIVKA-II. The origin of the tumor was found to be the adrenal gland, as angiography revealed the blood supply to the mass to derive from the right superior and inferior adrenal arteries. A fine needle biopsy of the lesion was unable to confirm the diagnosis. Open right adrenalectomy was performed. The histopathological findings of the surgical specimen revealed a hematoma with normal adrenal tissue. In the absence of any obvious etiology, the diagnosis was idiopathic adrenal hematoma