Primary ALK-1-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the brain: Case report and review of the literature

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma composed of CD30-positive cells. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) -1 positive ALCL frequently involves both lymph nodes and extranodal sites. While primary extranodal involvement of ALK-1 negative ALCL is rare, this case is unique in that it is a case of primary ALK-1 negative ALCL of the brain. A 79-year-old man presented with dementia-like symptoms. Neuroimaging revealed a well-enhanced mass in the left parieto-occipital region. The tumor was excised and histological diagnosis of primary ALK-1-negative ALCL was made. Primary ALK-1-negative ALCL in this case showed aggressive clinical behavior and fatal outcome. It is of great importance to avoid any delay in reaching an accurate diagnosis, as even primary ALCL of the brain is too seldom suspected clinically.ArticleNEUROPATHOLOGY. 29(2):166-171 (2009)journal articl

Standard and limitation of intraoperative monitoring of the visual evoked potential

Visual evoked potential (VEP) has been installed as one of the intraoperative visual function monitoring. It remains unclear, however, whether intraoperative VEP monitoring facilitates as a real time visual function monitoring with satisfactory effectiveness and sensitivity. To evaluate this, relationships between VEP waveform changes and postoperative visual function were analysed retrospectively. Intraoperative VEP monitoring was carried out for 106 sides (eyes) in 53 surgeries, including two intraorbital, 36 parasellar and 15 cortical lesions in Shinshu University Hospital under total intravenous anaesthesia. Red light flash stimulation was provided to each eye independently. VEP recording and postoperative visual function were analysed. In 103 out of 106 sides (97%), steady VEP monitoring was recorded. Stable VEP was acquired from eyes having corrected visual acuity greater than 0.4. VEP was not recorded in one side with corrected visual acuity of 0.3 and two sides in whom sevoflurane was used incidentally for anaesthesia. Transient VEP decrease was observed in three sides, but visual function was preserved. Permanent VEP decrease was seen in seven sides, which presented visual impairment postoperatively. In one side, visual acuity improved but minor visual field defect was encountered postoperatively, though VEP unchanged throughout the surgery. Intraoperative monitoring of VEP predicts postoperative visual function: reversible change in VEP means visual function to be preserved. Visual field defect without decrease in the visual acuity may not be predicted by VEP monitoring. Intraoperative VEP monitoring will be mandatory for surgeries harbouring a risk of visual impairment.ArticleACTA NEUROCHIRURGICA. 152(4):643-648 (2010)journal articl

Establishment of a monoclonal antibody for human LXRα: Detection of LXRα protein expression in human macrophages

Liver X activated receptor alpha (LXRα) forms a functional dimeric nuclear receptor with RXR that regulates the metabolism of several important lipids, including cholesterol and bile acids. As compared with RXR, the LXRα protein level in the cell is low and the LXRα protein itself is very hard to detect. We have previously reported that the mRNA for LXRα is highly expressed in human cultured macrophages. In order to confirm the presence of the LXRα protein in the human macrophage, we have established a monoclonal antibody against LXRα, K-8607. The binding of mAb K-8607 to the human LXRα protein was confirmed by a wide variety of different techniques, including immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). By immunoblotting with this antibody, the presence of native LXR protein in primary cultured human macrophage was demonstrated, as was its absence in human monocytes. This monoclonal anti-LXRα antibody should prove to be a useful tool in the analysis of the human LXRα protein

Gliosarcoma arising from a fibrillary astrocytoma

We report a 67-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a gliosarcoma at a second operation after diagnosis of a fibrillary astrocytoma 5 months previously. Initially, she underwent a CT-guided stereotactic biopsy. Histological examination showed fibrillary astrocytoma (World Health Organization [WHO] grade II). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1 p, 10q, and 19q was not detected. She received chemotherapy, but no radiotherapy. Five months after the biopsy, MRI revealed rapid tumor growth. Tissue obtained from partial removal of the tumor revealed gliosarcoma (WHO grade IV), and LOH on 10q and 19q was detected. The history, histopathology, and genetic alterations of this patient are discussed.ArticleJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. 18(9):1251-1254 (2011)journal articl

Expression and localization of P1 promoter-driven hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4α) isoforms in human and rats

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4α; NR2A1) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily involved in various processes that could influence endoderm development, glucose and lipid metabolism. A loss-of-function mutation in human HNF4α causes one form of diabetes mellitus called maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1 (MODY1) which is characterized in part by a diminished insulin secretory response to glucose. The expression of HNF4α in a variety of tissues has been examined predominantly at the mRNA level, and there is little information regarding the cellular localization of the endogenous HNF4α protein, due, in part, to the limited availability of human HNF4α-specific antibodies. RESULTS: Monoclonal antibodies have been produced using baculovirus particles displaying gp64-HNF4α fusion proteins as the immunizing agent. The mouse anti-human HNF4α monoclonal antibody (K9218) generated against human HNF4α1/α2/α3 amino acids 3–49 was shown to recognize not only the transfected and expressed P1 promoter-driven HNF4α proteins, but also endogenous proteins. Western blot analysis with whole cell extracts from Hep G2, Huh7 and Caco-2 showed the expression of HNF4α protein, but HEK293 showed no expression of HNF4α protein. Nuclear-specific localization of the HNF4α protein was observed in the hepatocytes of liver cells, proximal tubular epithelial cells of kidney, and mucosal epithelial cells of small intestine and colon, but no HNF4α protein was detected in the stomach, pancreas, glomerulus, and distal and collecting tubular epithelial cells of kidney. The same tissue distribution of HNF4α protein was observed in humans and rats. Electron microscopic immunohistochemistry showed a chromatin-like localization of HNF4α in the liver and kidney. As in the immunohistochemical investigation using K9218, HNF4α mRNA was found to be localized primarily to liver, kidney, small intestine and colon by RT-PCR and GeneChip analysis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that this method has the potential to produce valuable antibodies without the need for a protein purification step. Immunohistochemical studies indicate the tissue and subcellular specific localization of HNF4α and demonstrate the utility of K9218 for the detection of P1 promoter-driven HNF4α isoforms in humans and in several other mammalian species

Low magnetic field promotes recombinant human BMP-2-induced bone formation and influences orientation of trabeculae and bone marrow-derived stromal cells

Effects of high magnetic fields [MFs, ≥ 1 T (T)] on osteoblastic differentiation and the orientation of cells or matrix proteins have been reported. However, the effect of low MFs (< 1 T) on the orientation of bone formation is not well known. This study was performed to verify the effects of low MFs on osteoblastic differentiation, bone formation, and orientation of both cells and newly formed bone. An apparatus was prepared with two magnets (190 mT) aligned in parallel to generate a parallel MF. In vitro, bone marrow-derived stromal cells of rats were used to assess the effects of low MFs on cell orientation, osteoblastic differentiation, and mineralization. A bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-induced ectopic bone model was used to elucidate the effect of low MFs on microstructural indices, trabecula orientation, and the apatite c-axis orientation of newly formed bone. Low MFs resulted in an increased ratio of cells oriented perpendicular to the direction of the MF and promoted osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. Moreover, in vivo analysis demonstrated that low MFs promoted bone formation and changed the orientation of trabeculae and apatite crystal in a direction perpendicular to the MF. These changes led to an increase in the mechanical strength of rhBMP-2-induced bone. These results suggest that the application of low MFs has potential to facilitate the regeneration of bone with sufficient mechanical strength by controlling the orientation of newly formed bone.Okada R., Yamato K., Kawakami M., et al. Low magnetic field promotes recombinant human BMP-2-induced bone formation and influences orientation of trabeculae and bone marrow-derived stromal cells. Bone Reports, 14, 100757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bonr.2021.100757

環境デザイン教育に関する国際教育プログラムの実施方法と課題に関する研究/WAT_Kobe 2009での実践を通して

本研究では、2009年11月に神戸市で開催された、ユネスコによる景観と環境デザインに関する国際ワークショップWAT_Kobe 2009の開催準備・実施・フォローアップの経緯を概観するとともに、その参画経験をもとに、国際教育プログラムの実施方法や日本人学生の抱える課題に関して考察し、以下の5点に要約した。(1) 国際ワークショップにおける課題設定の重要性(2) 国際ワークショップにおけるグループ編成の重要性(3) 参加者各自が得意分野・スキルを持つ重要性(4) 外国語によるコミュニケーション能力の重要性(5) リーダーシップ教育の重要性今後は、WAT_Kobe 2009への参加を通して得た経験を、本学における今後の国際教育プログラムの運営実施のためのノウハウとして蓄積・活用し、世界的教育ネットワークへの参加、将来の海外研究者の招致など、さまざまな国際デザイン教育への参画の機会拡充の契機としてゆく。This study examines the implementation method of international education program and issues of Japanese students based on our experience of the preparation for, implementation of and follow-up on WAT_Kobe 2009, the international workshop regarding landscape and environmental design by UNESCO held in Kobe in 2009, and summarizes as follows:(1) Site selection for international workshops is essential.(2) Composition of working teams for international workshops is significant.(3) Acquiring individual strong skills are useful.(4) Oral communication skills are indispensable.(5) Training of leadership is important.We will accumulate and utilize the experience that we have gained through WAT_Kobe 2009 as our know-how in the implementation of international workshops and enlarge our opportunities for participating in various international education programs in environmental design

Large-scale analysis of full-length cDNAs from the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro-Tom, a reference system for the Solanaceae genomics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Solanaceae family includes several economically important vegetable crops. The tomato (<it>Solanum lycopersicum</it>) is regarded as a model plant of the Solanaceae family. Recently, a number of tomato resources have been developed in parallel with the ongoing tomato genome sequencing project. In particular, a miniature cultivar, Micro-Tom, is regarded as a model system in tomato genomics, and a number of genomics resources in the Micro-Tom-background, such as ESTs and mutagenized lines, have been established by an international alliance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To accelerate the progress in tomato genomics, we developed a collection of fully-sequenced 13,227 Micro-Tom full-length cDNAs. By checking redundant sequences, coding sequences, and chimeric sequences, a set of 11,502 non-redundant full-length cDNAs (nrFLcDNAs) was generated. Analysis of untranslated regions demonstrated that tomato has longer 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions than most other plants but rice. Classification of functions of proteins predicted from the coding sequences demonstrated that nrFLcDNAs covered a broad range of functions. A comparison of nrFLcDNAs with genes of sixteen plants facilitated the identification of tomato genes that are not found in other plants, most of which did not have known protein domains. Mapping of the nrFLcDNAs onto currently available tomato genome sequences facilitated prediction of exon-intron structure. Introns of tomato genes were longer than those of Arabidopsis and rice. According to a comparison of exon sequences between the nrFLcDNAs and the tomato genome sequences, the frequency of nucleotide mismatch in exons between Micro-Tom and the genome-sequencing cultivar (Heinz 1706) was estimated to be 0.061%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The collection of Micro-Tom nrFLcDNAs generated in this study will serve as a valuable genomic tool for plant biologists to bridge the gap between basic and applied studies. The nrFLcDNA sequences will help annotation of the tomato whole-genome sequence and aid in tomato functional genomics and molecular breeding. Full-length cDNA sequences and their annotations are provided in the database KaFTom <url>http://www.pgb.kazusa.or.jp/kaftom/</url> via the website of the National Bioresource Project Tomato <url>http://tomato.nbrp.jp</url>.</p

複合感覚の科学から捉えるデザインの快適性

デザインについては、意匠や使い易さだけではなく、科学的な視点からヒトにおける複合感覚と快適性の関係を考察する必要がある。快・不快の感覚は時間・場所・状況によって変動し、複合した環境刺激の影響を受けることが多い。また、心身の快適性を言語表現だけでは説明できない。感覚が複合する現実場面に立って、快適性科学の視点からデザインを検討することが重要である。今回は、温度と色彩の複合刺激がヒトの感覚に与える影響を主観的および客観的方法（生理指標）を用いて総合的に評価した。具体的には、異なる温度の環境下において色彩がヒトに与える影響を検討するために、「温冷感」・「快適感」と生理的な変化を計測した。その結果、常温環境における客観的指標と主観的指標の変化は一致しなかった。一方、高温環境下においては、色彩と温度による複合効果が見られた。とくに、高い温度刺激がもたらす心理的な負荷が青色刺激によって軽減され、さらに皮膚血管の収縮により熱の放散が抑制される可能性が示唆された。このように、種々の複合刺激がヒトの感覚に与える影響を検討する際には、主観的および客観的な方法を併用する必要がある。潜在的な欲求や意識されない気持ち良さ・イメージを捉えるには、複合刺激と感覚の関係を考察する必要がある。It is crucial for design activities to investigate relation between multiple sensation and comfort in human from scientific viewpoint, in addition to user-friendly concepts. Sensation of comfort/discomfort is influenced by time, place, and situation as well as complex stimuli of environment. Further, mental- and physical comforts cannot be explained only by verbal expressions.In the present study, using both subjective and objective methodologies we investigated effects of complex stimuli of ambient temperature and color on the human sensations. In particular, sensations of “cool-warm” and “comfort”, and physiological changes were measured in order to evaluate effects of color under different ambient temperatures.As results, in the normal temperature, the subjective measures were not consistent with the objective ones. In the hot temperature there were combined effects of ambient temperature and color on the measures. Especially, the temperature-induced mental loads were reduced by blue color, which suggests inhibition of heat dissipation due to skin vasoconstriction. Both subjective and objective methodologies are required for study of complex sensation