The purpose of this study is to compare the usefulness of conventional MR imaging and gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced fat-suppressed MR imaging for the depiction and staging of rectal carcinoma. Thirty-two patients were prospectively evaluated by MR imaging using a 1.5-T unit. Based on the results of a barium study and/or digital examination, a balloon catheter was inserted to the level of the lesion before examination. Both conventional T1- and T2-weighted images and gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted images were obtained for all patients. The kappa statistics were performed for the evaluation of interobserver agreement and the McNemar test was performed for the analysis of staging accuracy. When only T1- and T2-weighted images were used, 5 of 32 tumors were not detected and the extent of 18 of 32 tumors were unclear. However, when gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced fat-suppressed imaging was added, 24 of 32 tumors were well defined and only one tumor was not detected. In determining the depth of invasion, the staging accuracy was 72% for conventional imaging and 68% for all images combined. There was no significant difference between with gadopentetate dimeglumine fat-suppressed imaging and conventional imaging (P > .05). Use of gadopentetate dimeglumine (fat-suppressed imaging) resulted in overestimation of muscular invasion, perirectal fat invasion, and adjacent organ invasion in 12 patients, whereas nine patients were overestimated without the use of gadopentetate dimeglumine. In the detection of metastatic lymph nodes, gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced fat-suppressed imaging also was not useful. Tumor detection was excellent using gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced fat-suppressed images. However, the accuracy of staging was not improved by obtaining such images.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chain length of cationic alpha-helical peptide sufficient for gene delivery into cells.

To define the minimal peptide length needed for gene delivery into mammalian cells, we synthesized several peptides with shortened chain lengths from the amino-termini of the original amphiphilic peptides (4(6), Ac-LARL-LARL-LARL-LRAL-LRAL-LRAL-NH( 2,) and Hel 11-7, KLLK-LLLK-LWKK-LLKL-LK), which have been known to have gene transfer abilities into cells. Each synthetic peptide was studied for its ability to bind and aggregate with plasmid DNA and the structural change of the peptide caused by binding with the DNA to establish a relative in vitro gene transfection efficiency in COS-7 cells. As a result, the deletion of eight amino acid residues of 4(6) had little influence on their ability, whereas that of 12 amino acid residues remarkably reduced the abilities to make aggregates and transfer the DNA into the cell. In the case of the Hel 11-7 series peptides, deletion of amino acid residues caused a considerable reduction in abilities to bind and form aggregates with DNA and to transfer the DNA into cell in due order. In summary, 16 and 17 amino acid residues were sufficient to form aggregates with the DNA and transfer the DNA into the cells in the deletion series of 4(6) and Hel 11-7, respectively. Furthermore, it was indicated that reduction of membrane perturbation activity of the peptide-DNA complex due to deletion of the peptide chain length caused suppression of the transfection efficiency even if the complex was incorporated into the cells. Transfer of the complex to cytosol mediated by membrane perturbation activity of the peptide is an important step for efficient protein expression from its cDNA. The results of this study will make it easy to design and synthesize a functional gene carrier molecule such as a carbohydrate-modified peptide used in targeted gene delivery.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Automated high-speed DNA sequencing.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Automation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endometrial carcinoma coexisting with pregnancy, presumed to derive from adenomyosis: a case report.

Endometrial carcinoma coexisting with pregnancy is rarely observed. We report here the case of a 35-year-old woman with an endometrial carcinoma that was diagnosed 6 months after childbirth. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic mass attached to the uterus, with a papillary projection on the wall of the mass. The patient underwent complete surgical extirpation and five postoperative courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, given that the tumor contents had leaked into the peritoneal cavity when the capsule of the tumor ruptured intraoperatively. Microscopic examination revealed an endometrioid adenocarcinoma in the muscular layer close to the uterine serosa that was presumed to derive from adenomyosis. Further investigation is required to elucidate the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma in association with pregnancy and adenomyosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to CXCR4 mRNA block replication of HIV-1 in COS cells.

CXCR4 is both a chemokine receptor and an entry co-receptor for the T-cell line-adapted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To find a more efficacious therapeutic treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, we examined the effects of antisense oligonucleotides on CXCR4 production. COS cells, stably expressing CXCR4 and CD4, were incubated with several kinds of oligonucleotides. Total human p24 antigen production was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. An antisense phosphorothioate-modified oligonucleotide, complementary to the translation initiation region of the CXCR4 mRNA, showed minimal inhibition of p24 antigen production at the high concentration of 2 microM. On the other hand, the antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, when used with transfection reagents, showed high efficiency at low concentrations, and confirmed the sequence-specific action. Interestingly, the oligonucleotide with the natural phosphodiester backbone, when used with the transfection reagents, also had high functional effects, comparable to the modified oligonucleotide. This study defines the prerequisite criteria necessary for the design and the application of antisense oligonucleotides against HIV-1 in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hereditary multiple malformation in Japanese quail: a possible powerful animal model for morphogenetic studies.

Hereditary multiple malformation (HMM), a new mutation of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), is controlled by an autosomal recessive gene. The proposed gene symbol for the mutant gene is hmm. The majority of the homozygotes die at the sixth day of incubation, and the remainder die at various stages by 15 days of incubation. The homozygotes surviving to the late embryonic stage have greatly shortened lower and upper beaks that are set apart and show an early embryo-like body shape, with feather buds but no plumules. Furthermore, they show syndactylous polydactyly in both fore and hind limbs. In the abdomen of the homozygote, a part of the ventriculus, liver, and small intestine protrudes out of the umbilicus region. In the skeleton of the late HMM embryos, ossification is generally delayed and morphogenetic abnormalities are observed all over the body. This mutant seems to become a powerful animal model in the research fields for morphogenesis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microphthalmia: a morphogenetic lethal mutation of the campbelli hamster (Phodopus campbelli).

Microphthalmia is a new mutation of the campbelli hamster (Phodopus campbelli) that is controlled by an incomplete dominant autosomal gene Mi. The dorsal coat of the heterozygote had dark markings on a white background. The dark markings appear on the head, back, and rump. Their color is very similar to that of the wild type, but slightly lighter. The pupil and iris of the heterozygote are black with reddish tinge. The homozygote has pure white fur all over the body and shows a smaller body size than the wild type and heterozygote. Moreover, the homozygote is characterized by small eyes with unopened eyelids and loss of the incisors. The pupil and iris are colorless and transparent or show a faint reddish tinge when the eyelid is artificially opened. In addition to these abnormalities, individual bones of the homozygote show dwarfism. The parietal and frontal region of the skull are thin and their symphysis is incomplete. The distal regions of the vertebral ribs show swelling. The homozygote is basically lethal within 3 weeks of age. A very few survivors are sterile.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Short beak: a new autosomal recessive semilethal mutation in Japanese quail.

Short break (SBK) is a new semilethal mutation of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The SBK individuals are characterized externally by short breaks, shanks, and digits. The shank is also thicker than the wild type. The shape of the mutant beak does not show a parrotlike appearance, contrasting with that of other poultry chondrodystrophic mutants reported in the literature. Bones in the fore and hind limbs of the SBK mutant are also shorter than the wild types. The humerus and ulna in the wing are significantly thicker than the wild types. Other bones in the wing and leg show approximately the same thickness as the wild types. The majority of the SBK mutants die at the late embryonic stage. Some chicks can hatch with no assistance, but almost all die around 3 days of age. However, a part of the SBK individuals (5.3%, 8/151) reach sexual maturity and can reproduce. Genetic analyses revealed that the SBK mutation is controlled by an autosomal recessive gene. The proposed gene symbol is sbk. The sbk gene is allelic to the previously reported stumpy-limb (sl) gene that expresses a somewhat similar phenotype to the SBK.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computer tomography of congenital absence of the left lobe of the liver.

Computed tomography of absence of the left lobe of the liver is described. Liver scintigraphy may be misinterpreted as indicating tumor of the left lobe. Computed tomography correctly identifies absence of the left lobe and compensatory hyperplasia of the caudate lobe. Two illustrative cases with a peculiar "tongue-like projection" of the caudate lobe are presented.

Female↗

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Nucleolar organizer regions in intraductal lesions associated with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

To estimate cell kinetics of intraductal carcinoma present outside the invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, an argyrophil stain for proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NOR) was applied on paraffin sections of 28 breast cancers with an extensive intraductal component. The patients chosen for study were comparable to those eligible for breast-conserving surgery in our institute. The mean numbers of Ag-NOR in the nucleus were: normal duct 1.2 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD), normal lobule 3.1 +/- 1.2, main tumor 10.7 +/- 4.1 and intraductal lesion 7.7 +/- 2.6. A significant difference of Ag-NOR numbers was observed not only between the normal epithelium and main tumor (p < 0.01) but also between the main tumor and intraductal lesion (p < 0.01). As for intersite variation in individual cases, the Ag-NOR number of the intraductal lesion was lower than that of the main tumor in 25 out of 28 cases (89%). These results demonstrate that an intraductal lesion is less aggressive than the main tumor.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Large placental chorioangiomas as a cause of cardiac failure in two fetuses.

We report 2 cases of fetal heart failure associated with large placental chorioangiomas. One fetus exhibited serious hydrops on the initial fetal echocardiogram and was ultimately stillborn. The fetus in the other case exhibited cardiomegaly. Following the premature termination of the pregnancy, the fetus received medical treatment and recovered in 7 days. Monitoring the fetal cardiac size with ultrasonography is recommended to determine the optimal time of delivery in cases of large placental angioma that are diagnosed prenatally.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Usefulness of diagnostic criteria for aspiration cytology of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To establish new criteria for cytodiagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing cytologic findings of hepatocellular carcinoma with those of liver cirrhosis. STUDY DESIGN: Review of cytologic findings of hepatocellular carcinoma on preoperative aspiration biopsy of 31 lesions from 27 patients who underwent surgical resection and comparison of these findings with those of liver cirrhosis in 17 patients. RESULTS: In the 11 lesions of moderately and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, significant cytologic findings included monotonous and abundant cytoplasm, thick cytoplasm, increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, irregular nuclear contours, increased chromatin density, intranuclear vacuoles and naked nuclei. In the 20 lesions demonstrating well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, significant cytologic findings included monotonous and scant cytoplasm, well-defined cytoplasmic borders, thick cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, thick nuclear membranes and increased chromatin density. We established the criteria for moderately and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma as including three cytologic parameters: increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, irregular nuclear contours and increased chromatin density. We also established the criteria for well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma as including six cytologic parameters: monotonous cytoplasm, scant cytoplasm, well-defined cytoplasmic borders, thick cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei and increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. For all 31 hepatocellular carcinoma lesions, including 27 lesions that were < or = 2 cm in diameter, both sensitivity and specificity were 100% by concurrently employing both criteria. CONCLUSION: The new criteria for cytodiagnosis we established were useful for differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma from liver cirrhosis. In particular, our criteria ensured appropriate diagnostic accuracy for well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aged↗