Sulfation is an important conjugation reaction in the metabolism of various xenobiotics and endogenous compounds and is catalyzed by sulfotransferase (ST) present in cytosols. The cloning studies on STs have provided the basis for the understanding of the ST multigene family. STs are classified into hydroxysteroid (or alcohol), aryl (or phenol), estrogen, flavonol and polysaccharide STs and recent developments in the molecular characterization of these isoforms are reviewed. Regulation and localization of ST isoforms in various tissues are characterized at the molecular level by virtue of the specific antibodies and the corresponding cDNA probes. The recent developments are summarized. ST inhibitors are potent tools for the study on ST multiplicity and for the characterization of the enzyme structure. It also appears to be important to understand exogenous and endogenous ST inhibitors in clinical environment. The recent developments are reviewed.

Animals↗

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Unruptured interstitial pregnancy: a pitfall of MR imaging.

We report two cases with interstitial pregnancy, which showed completely different MR appearances. In case 1, a gestational sac was demonstrated and the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was straightforward. In case 2, a hypervascular mass was shown without demonstration of a gestational sac, the findings usually seen in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). MR imaging may play some role in the diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy when sonography is insufficient or equivocal. If GS is visualized, diagnosis is easy. However, if not, the appearance may have a spectrum and can be similar to GTD.

Adult↗

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Multicenter genetic study of retinitis pigmentosa in Japan: I. Genetic heterogeneity in typical retinitis pigmentosa.

A nationwide, multicenter study of typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was carried out in collaboration with 18 hospitals throughout Japan to obtain current information for genetic counseling. We analyzed the genetic heterogeneity of RP based on the parental consanguinity of 434 probands registered during a 6-month period in 1990. A gradual decline in the frequency of consanguineous marriage was recognized among the normal parents of RP patients. The relative frequencies of inheritance patterns were estimated as: autosomal recessive, 25.2%; autosomal dominant, 16.9%; X-linked, 1.6%; and simplex, 56.3%. A comparison of these results with previous reports in Japan revealed a decline in the relative frequency of autosomal recessive cases and an increase in simplex cases. This suggests a decrease in the incidence of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa in Japan, as well as the necessity for exhaustive investigations aimed at identifying inheritance patterns for RP patients seeking genetic counseling.

Adolescent↗

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Multicenter genetic study of retinitis pigmentosa in Japan: II. Prevalence of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetically heterogeneous diseases with autosomal recessive (AR), autosomal dominant, and X-linked modes of inheritance. Autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP) is the most common form in Japan. A genetic analysis was done to determine the prevalence of ARRP indirectly, to provide an estimation of changing trends in the overall prevalence of RP. Data on the frequency of consanguinity and marriage year of normal parents of 59 ARRP patients were obtained from a nationwide multicenter survey of typical retinitis pigmentosa conducted in 1990. The gene frequency of ARRP was 0.01145 (Dahlberg's formula). In 1990, the number of young symptomatic ARRP patients decreased, while the number of patients aged 40 years and older increased. The total number of symptomatic ARRP patients in 1990 was nearly 21% higher than in 1970. Despite a dramatic decline in consanguinity in recent decades in Japan, the number of ARRP patients has increased. This increase is attributed to greater longevity and overall population growth. Our results suggest that the total number of RP patients has not decreased, and may even have increased.

Adolescent↗

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The COP9 complex is conserved between plants and mammals and is related to the 26S proteasome regulatory complex.

The COP9 complex, genetically identified in Arabidopsis as a repressor of photomorphogenesis, is composed of multiple subunits including COP9, FUS6 (also known as COP11) and the Arabidopsis JAB1 homolog 1 (AJH1) ([1-3]; unpublished observations). We have previously demonstrated the existence of the mammalian counterpart of the COP9 complex and purified the complex by conventional biochemical and immunoaffinity procedures [4]. Here, we report the molecular identities of all eight subunits of the mammalian COP9 complex. We show that the COP9 complex is highly conserved between mammals and higher plants, and probably among most multicellular eukaryotes. It is not present in the single-cell eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, however. All of the subunits of the COP9 complex contain structural features that are also present in the components of the proteasome regulatory complex and the translation initiation factor eIF3 complex. Six subunits of the COP9 complex have overall similarity with six distinct non-ATPase regulatory subunits of the 26S proteasome, suggesting that the COP9 complex and the proteasome regulatory complex are closely related in their evolutionary origin. Subunits of the COP9 complex include regulators of the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-Jun, a nuclear hormone receptor binding protein and a cell-cycle regulator. This suggests that the COP9 complex is an important cellular regulator modulating multiple signaling pathways.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

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Therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: MRI and pathology.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the usefulness of multisection dynamic MRI with gadopentetate dimeglumine in the assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) with iodized oil for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings on multisection dynamic MRI images were compared with gross appearance and histologic findings in 13 patients with HCCs after TAE with iodized oil. Arterial dominant phase images of the entire liver were obtained 20 s after the start of administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine. RESULTS: In 3 of the 13 patients, no enhancing areas within the tumors were detected. In the remaining 10 patients, enhancing portions were detected within the tumor on arterial dominant phase images. Histologically, viable tumor cells were present in the rapidly enhancing portions, while necrotic tissues were present in nonenhancing areas, irrespective of the accumulation of iodized oil on CT scans. However, in one patient in whom no enhancing portion was seen in the tumor, a small number of viable tumor cells within the capsule were identified on pathologic examination. CONCLUSION: Multisection dynamic MRI is helpful for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of TAE with iodized oil for HCCs by revealing the hemodynamics of the tumor irrespective of accumulation of iodized oil.

Adult↗

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Clinical evaluation of indocyanine green video-angiography in the diagnosis of choroidal neovascular membrane associated with age-related macular degeneration.

The Authors compared ICG video-angiographic findings in 85 eyes of 78 cases of presumed choroidal neovascular membrane (CNM) associated with age-related macular degeneration with those diagnosed by fluorescein angiography. The detection rate of CNM was 68% with indocyanine green (ICG) video-angiography and 59% with fluorescein angiography. ICG video-angiography can be especially useful for identifying hemorrhagic or exudative detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium. In these cases, detection of CNM by ICG video-angiography was generally far superior to that by fluorescein angiography. However, some CNM in which leakage was identified with fluorescein angiography could not be visualized by ICG video-angiography.

Aged↗

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Indocyanine green video-angiographic findings in choroidal osteoma.

Indocyanine green video-angiography (ICG) was done twice on three patients with choroidal osteoma. Choroidal osteoma consisted of two portions, a yellow-white area and a surrounding orange area. The early phase of ICG angiography showed hypofluorescence due to blockage, corresponding to the osteoma. However, the hypofluorescence was greater in areas corresponding to the orange portions of the lesions than in the yellow-white parts. In the late phase, tumor staining was present, corresponding to the orange area. Although long-standing yellow-white lesions blocked fluorescence in the late phase, some of these showed hyperfluorescence. ICG video-angiography showed areas of blocked fluorescence in the early phase as well as hyperfluorescent areas accompanied by several small hypofluorescent foci in the late phase, corresponding to very slight ophthalmoscopically observed changes in the vicinity of the osteoma. During follow-up observation, fluorescein angiography confirmed the extension of the osteoma into this area. These results confirm that the characteristic findings of choroidal osteoma can be observed with ICG video-angiography. This imaging technique showed the lesions were larger than they appeared with ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preoperative thermochemotherapy of oral cancer using magnetic induction hyperthermia (Implant Heating System: IHS).

Eight patients with primary cancer of the oral cavity were preoperatively treated by combined treatment with hyperthermia and chemotherapy. They received two courses of chemotherapy, which included intra-arterial infusion of 100 mg of cisplatin (CDDP) and 25 mg of peplomycin (PEP) via the superficial temporal artery. The patients also received interstitial hyperthermia for 45 min once a week using the Implant Heating System (IHS) with chemotherapy. IHS consists of ferromagnetic implant, induction coil and generator to produce high frequency magnetic field. The ferromagnetic implant is made of Fe-Pt alloy (Fe: 73%, Pt: 27%), and has a Curie temperature of 68 degrees C. As a result, clinical complete response (CR) was observed in seven patients and partial response (PR) in one, and postoperative pathological examination showed no residual tumour cells in any specimen. Combined interstitial hyperthermia by IHS and chemotherapy is thus found to be an effective therapeutic method for treating oral cancers.

Adult↗