Biomedical subjects

S Nakamura

Publications and source records attributed to S Nakamura.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Incidence of beta-lactamase production and antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic gram-negative rods isolated from pus specimens of orofacial odontogenic infections.

The incidence of beta-lactamase production in anaerobic gram-negative rods isolated from 93 pus specimens of orofacial odontogenic infections and the antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates against 11 antibiotics were determined. A total of 191 anaerobic gram-negative rods were isolated from the specimens. Beta-lactamase was detected in 35.6% of the black-pigmented Prevotella and 31.9% of the nonpigmented Prevotella. However, no strains among the other species isolated produced beta-lactamase. Ampicillin, cefazolin and cefotaxime showed decreased activity as regards beta-lactamase-positive Prevotella strains, whereas the activity of ampicillin/sulbactam, cefmetazole, and imipenem continued to be effective against such strains. All tested beta-lactam antibiotics were effective against Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium. Erythromycin showed decreased activity against nonpigmented Prevotella and Fusobacterium. Clindamycin, minocycline and metronidazole were powerful antibiotics against which anaerobic gram-negative rods could be tested. The present study showed that beta-lactamase-positive strains were found more frequently in the Prevotella strains than in any of the other species of anaerobic gram-negative rods. The effectiveness of adding sulbactam to ampicillin was demonstrated, as well as the difference in cephalosporin activity against beta-lactamase-positive strains.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Abnormal signals on proton density-weighted MRI of the superior cerebellar peduncle in progressive supranuclear palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess MRI signal abnormalities of the superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Signal changes were examined on proton density-weighted images (PDWI) and on T2-weighted images (T2WI) of SCP in 9 PSP patients, and findings were compared to those in 20 Parkinson's disease patients and 20 age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: We observed effacement or lack of clarity of the low signal on PDWI in SCP in 4 of 9 PSP patients, but not in any of the Parkinson's disease patients or control subjects. These signal changes were not observed on T2WI. CONCLUSIONS: The signal changes on PDWI may be a specific finding reflecting demyelination and gliosis of SCP in PSP. Our findings suggest that evaluation of SCP on PDWI may be helpful in the diagnosis of PSP patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Effect of ceramide analogs on interleukin-1alpha-induced production of prostaglandin E2 by amnion-derived (WISH) cells.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is reportedly synthesized in the amnion, and its levels are increased during labor. Our objective was to measure the level of PGE2 induced by interleukin (IL)-1alpha following treatment with ceramide analogs in amnion-derived cells. METHODS: Amnion-derived (WISH) cells were cultured and stimulated by IL-1alpha, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), C2-ceramide and C6-ceramide. The levels of PGE2 in the media were measured by ELISA. The induction of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Following stimulation with IL-1alpha, the production of PGE2 could not be detected until incubation had continued for 2 h, but this production appeared to continue after 4 h of incubation. The production of PGE2 was significantly increased by IL-1alpha, and was suppressed by IL-1 ra, in a dose-dependent manner. PGE2 production was significantly increased by IL-1alpha and C2-ceramide as compared with IL-1alpha alone. However, PGE2 production was not significantly increased by IL-1alpha and C6-ceramide as compared with IL-1alpha alone. PGHS-2 mRNA were induced by treatment with IL-1alpha, and were strongly induced by treatment with IL-1alpha and C2-ceramide by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that IL-1alpha induce the PGHS-2 mRNA and stimulate the production of PGE2 by a mechanism that involves the sphingomyelin-ceramide system. Ceramide may be important in increasing the production of PGE2 during parturition.

Amnion↗

PubMed2001

Acute viral lymphadenitis mimicking low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A clinicopathological study of nine cases.

Acute viral lymphadenitis, especially infectious mononucleosis (IM), often shows the presence of Reed-Sternberg-like cells, resulting in confusion with Hodgkin's disease. However, acute viral lymphadenitis requiring differential diagnosis from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not widely recognized. We describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of lymph node lesions from nine such patients which pose serious problems of differential diagnosis from low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphoma. There were three males and six females with ages ranging from 21 to 44 years (median 25 years). All patients had "B" symptoms and multicentric lymphadenopathy. The clinical course was also self-limiting. Each lymph node specimen showed an obvious expansion of an interfollicular area by pleomorphic and polymorphous infiltration with an increased number of arborizing postcapillary venules. The infiltrate was composed of variable numbers of small and medium-sized lymphocytes, immunoblasts, plasma cells in various stage of maturation and occasional granulocytes. The small lymphocytes usually had regular round nuclei, whereas the medium-sized lymphocytes occasionally showed nuclear pleomorphism. Hyperreactivity of B-lymphocytes, including hyperplastic germinal centers and/or foci of monocytoid B-cells, was seen in parts of the lesion. The majority of the interfollicular T-lymphocytes, including T-immunoblasts, expressed CD8 antigen. Various numbers of TIA-1-positive small and medium-sized T-cells were observed in the paracortical area. Despite these findings, the overall histological picture of this series posed serious difficulties when differentially diagnosing this condition from low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphomas such as angioimmunoblastic T-cell (AILD) and T-zone types, indicating that viral lymphadenitis occasionally presents with histological features of AILD and T-zone lymphomas. To avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment, we emphasize the need to pay careful attention to the clinical and laboratory findings as well as the morphological features.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Lymph node necrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. A histopathological and immunohistochemical study of four cases.

The lymph node lesions of lupus lymphadenitis are characterized by necrosis sometimes accompanied by hematoxylin bodies, but only a few immunohistological analyses of this unique lesion have been reported. In this study we investigated the immunopathogenesis of these lesions. Lymph node specimens from four patients were analyzed immunohistochemically by applying recently developed monoclonal antibodies to immunocompetent cells. Necrosis occupied almost the entire lymph node in two cases (extensive type), whereas small foci of necrosis were found in the paracortex in the remaining two (localized type). No hematoxylin body formation was detected in any of the samples. Necrosis of the small muscular arteries, arterioles and venules was seen in the necrotic areas in all four cases. In one case of the localized type, necrotizing angitis was seen in a few arterioles and venules in the non-necrotic area. By immunohistology, amorphous depositions of immunoglobulins and C3 were demonstrated in the walls of the arterioles and venules in two cases. Our findings indicate that vasculitis due to local deposition of immune complexes in the blood vessels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of necrosis in lupus lymphadenitis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with hyperplastic germinal centers: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 10 cases.

An absence of germinal centers is one of the histological characteristics of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). We report here 10 unusual cases of AITL with hyperplastic germinal centers. The clinical presentation of each patient was characterized by generalized lymphadenopathy, constitutional symptoms and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. The initial biopsy findings of each patient were similar and were characterized by hyperplastic germinal centers with ill-defined borders and a proliferation of high endothelial venules (HEV). In the paracortical area there was a mixed infiltrate including irregularly shaped clusters or small nests of clear cells in all cases. Moreover, the clear cells invaded the lymphoid follicles, resulting in expansion of the germinal centers, except for one case. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells, including clear cells, were CD4-expressing T cells. Some of the atypical lymphocytes were also Bcl-6-positive. A majority of the follicular dendritic cell networks showed a normal/reactive or an expanded/disrupted pattern in all cases. Moreover, three lesions possessed a few large irregularly shaped proliferations of follicular dendritic cells around the HEV Four cases progressed to AITL within a few years. The present 10 cases probably represent an early stage of AITL preceding follicular dendritic cell hyperplasia. Detection of clear cells, Bcl-6-positive atypical T lymphocytes, and foci of irregularly shaped proliferation of follicular dendritic cells appears to be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of AITL with hyperplastic follicles.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Synergistic effect of interleukin-1alpha and ceramide analogue on production of prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha by endometrial stromal cells.

PROBLEM: Prostaglandins (PGs) are synthesized in the endometrium. Our objective was to evaluate interleukin (IL)-1alpha-induced production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in endometrial stromal cells (ESC) following treatment with ceramide analogues. METHODS OF STUDY: ESC were obtained from human uterine endometrium by enzymic digestion and filtration. ESC were treated with IL-1alpha, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), C2-ceramide and C6-ceramide. The concentrations of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in media were determined using ELISA. The induction of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA was also ascertained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha was significantly increased by IL-lalpha and suppressed by IL-1 ra, in a dose-dependent manner. PGF2alpha production was further increased by treatment with the combination of IL-1alpha and C2-ceramide as compared with IL-1alpha treatment alone. There was no significant difference in PGE2 production between cells treated with IL-1alpha and C2-ceramide and those treated with IL-1alpha alone. Both PGE2 and PGF2alpha production were significantly increased by treatment with IL-1alpha and C6-ceramide as compared with IL-1alpha treatment alone. Treatment of ESC with IL-1alpha stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA. PGHS-2 mRNA was decreased when IL-1 ra was added to the IL-1alpha-stimulated cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IL-1alpha stimulates the production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha by a mechanism that involves the sphingomyelin-ceramide system, and thus that ceramide may be important in increasing the production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in the human endometrium.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2001

Establishment of a follicular lymphoma cell line (FLK-1) dependent on follicular dendritic cell-like cell line HK.

A novel cell line, FLK-1, was established from bone marrow cells of a patient with follicular lymphoma by means of co-culture with follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-like cell line HK. Immunophenotypic analysis showed that FLK-1 expressed CD10, CD19, CD20, CD38, IgG and HLA-DR, which is a typical feature of germinal center B cells. Cytogenetic analysis of FLK-1 demonstrated t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation involving BCL2 and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. Especially noteworthy is that the growth of FLK-1 was found to be dependent on a FDC line, HK. When HK cells were removed from the culture, FLK-1 cells stopped growing and eventually died. An apoptotic mechanism appeared to be involved as indicated by the presence of chromosome condensation and DNA ladder formation. The culture experiment using micropore membranes showed that soluble factor(s) of HK cells supported the growth, while direct cell-to-cell contact appeared to be necessary for longterm cell proliferation. These findings suggest the importance of the micro-environment for follicular lymphoma cells to grow. The FLK-1 cell line may thus prove to be useful for studying the growth mechanism of follicular lymphoma and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma.

Cell Communication↗

PubMed2001

Trace level determination of phenols as pentafluorobenzyl derivatives by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for the trace level determination of 11 phenols as pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) is described. First, the conditions for the PFB derivatisation of phenols were optimized and were found to be reaction temperature 80 degrees C and reaction time 5 h. Second, the detection limits using selected ion monitoring (SIM) were compared between trimethylsilylated (TMS) derivatives in the electron ionization (EI) mode and PFB derivatives in the NICI mode. The responses for the PFB derivatives in the NICI mode were 3.3-61 times higher than those of the TMS derivatives in the EI mode. The instrumental detection limits using NICI-SIM ranged from 2.6 to 290 fg. This method was applied to the analysis of phenols in river water using solid-phase extraction. The recoveries of the phenols from a river water sample spiked with standards at 100 ng l-1 with 2-chlorophenol, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol and pentachlorophenol and at 1000 ng l-1 with phenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 4-nitrophenol were 81.2-106.3% (RSD 5.1-8.0%), except for 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol, for which the recoveries were 5.8 and 4.2%, respectively, because water contained in the acetone eluate interfered with the derivatisation of these compounds with two electrophilic nitro groups.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2001

Prediction of the permanent dentition in deciduous anterior crossbite.

Early prospective evaluation for self-correction of deciduous anterior crossbite can enable identification of patients who require early treatment as well as those who do not. The purpose of the present study was to generate an algorithm that can be used to predict self-correction in the transitional dentition in 3-year-old subjects. The subjects were divided into 2 groups. One group comprised 22 subjects whose anterior crossbite self-corrected during the transitional stage (hereafter referred to as group N). The other group was comprised of 22 subjects whose anterior crossbite persisted during the transitional dentition (hereafter referred to as group R). All subjects were examined using lateral cephalometric radiography in order to evaluate differences in occlusion. Fifteen measurements were used for the evaluation. For each measurement, the variance ratio and the difference in the population mean between groups N and R were tested and t-values were derived. Based on the Student's t-test results, only measurements that had statistically significant differences (P < .05) were extracted. Predictor variables that had a partial F value of 5 or greater were selected for stepwise discriminant analysis, and the following equation was obtained: deciduous indicator (DI) = -0.58(cranial length anterior) + 1.31(posterior facial height) - 0.76(porion location) - 2.02(Wits appraisal) - 70.28. The lower the DI value (negative), the higher the probability that the crossbite will self-correct at the transitional dentition. On the other hand, a high (positive) discriminant score strongly suggests that the subject requires treatment in the primary dentition. The result of this analysis showed that the apparent error rate was 95.46% and the Maharanobis' generalized distance was 8.99.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

2-Nonenal newly found in human body odor tends to increase with aging.

Human body odor consists of various kinds of odor components. Here, we have investigated the changes in body odor associated with aging. The body odor of subjects between the ages of 26 and 75 was analyzed by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 2-Nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde with an unpleasant greasy and grassy odor, was detected only in older subjects (40 y or older). Furthermore, analysis of skin surface lipids revealed that omega7 unsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxides also increased with aging and that there were positive correlations between the amount of 2-nonenal in body odor and the amount of omega7 unsaturated fatty acids or lipid peroxides in skin surface lipids. 2-Nonenal was generated only when omega7 unsaturated fatty acids were degraded by degradation tests in which some main components of skin surface lipids were oxidatively decomposed using lipid peroxides as initiator of an oxidative chain reaction. The results indicate that 2-nonenal is generated by the oxidative degradation of omega7 unsaturated fatty acids, and suggest that 2-nonenal may be involved in the age-related change of body odor.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Detection of AP12-MALT1 chimaeric gene in extranodal and nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic long and accurate PCR analyses.

t(11;18)(q21;q21) has been recognized as a characteristic chromosomal translocation in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type lymphoma, and recent studies have demonstrated that this translocation results in the chimaeric transcript of API2 (apoptosis inhibitor 2)-MALT1 (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation gene 1). In this study, we used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyse the incidence of this fusion product in a large series of MALT lymphoma, nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (nMZBCL) and extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) cases. RT-PCR analysis revealed that 17 of the 95 (17.9%) MALT lymphomas but none of the nine nMZBCLs or 16 DLBLs had API2-MALT1 fusion transcripts. The incidence of API2-MALT1 varied among MALT lymphomas arising from different sites and was highest for pulmonary MALT lymphomas (10 out of 16 cases, 62.5%). The presence of the API2-MALT1 fusion gene was also confirmed by long and accurate (LA)-PCR with genomic DNA, and the result correlated well with that obtained with the RT-PCR assay, thus demonstrating the usefulness of LA-PCR for the detection of the API2-MALT1 fusion gene.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

IgG subclasses of anti Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody in inflammatory bowel disease.

Elevation of serum anti Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) has been reported in patients with Crohn's disease. We analysed the subclasses of Immunoglobulin (Ig) G reaction in ASCA in sera from patients with inflammatory bowel disease, healthy controls, and patients with intestinal Behçet's disease. Serum samples were obtained from 29 patients with Crohn's disease, 30 patients with ulcerative colitis, 7 patients with intestinal Behçet's disease, and 12 healthy controls. Serum IgG subclasses IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 of ASCA were analysed using ELISA. IgG4 ASCA was significantly increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In patients with intestinal Behçet's disease, IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 ASCA were increased. Differential responses, in terms of subclasses in ASCA, were found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and patients with intestinal Behçet's disease, which may represent different pathophysiologies of these intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The relationship between alphaB-crystallin and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease.

AlphaB-crystallin is known as a small heat shock protein with a cytoprotective function. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between alphaB-crystallin and changes seen in Alzheimer's disease. The distribution and immunohistochemical characteristics of alphaB-crystallin positive neurones in the cerebral cortices of 4 patients with Alzheimer's disease were examined. AlphaB-crystallin positive neurones were mainly distributed in the limbic and paralimbic regions, namely parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, cingulate cortex, middle and superior frontal gyrus, and insular cortex, which corresponded to commonly affected regions in Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, such neurones were present predominantly in the III or V layer of the cerebral cortex. The number of alphaB-crystallin positive neurones increased in parallel with the neuronal loss. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relation between the density of alphaB-crystallin positive neurones and that of extracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.57 and P < 0.0001 in 14 regions of the cerebral cortex. In contrast, the relation was not statistically significant between the density of alphaB-crystallin positive neurones and that of classical senile plaques, diffuse plaques or intracellular NFTs. Modified Gallyas-Braak (GB) staining on alphaB-crystallin positive neurone demonstrated several patterns of the structures: faint GB positive structures in the swollen perikaryon with straight neurites, fine granules compressed and contorted into fuzzy bundles, intensely GB positive filamentous structures together with fine granules and very intensely GB positive ring-like NFTs in a swollen perikaryon with curved neurites. In positive neurones, the density of ring-like NFTs correlated with that of atrophic perikaryon, or bent neurites and a decrease in the immunoreactivity of alphaB-crystallin. These data suggest that a close relationship exists between the appearance of alphaB-crystallin in neurones, extracellular NFTs, and neurofibrillary formation in alphaB-crystallin positive neurones in Alzheimer brain.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Physical interactions between ABA response loci of Arabidopsis.

Genetic and physiological studies have shown that the Arabidopsis thaliana abscisic acid-insensitive (ABI) loci interact to regulate seed-specific and/or ABA-inducible gene expression. We have used the yeast two-hybrid assay to determine whether any of these genetic interactions reflect direct physical interactions. By this criterion, only ABI3 and ABI5 physically interact with each other, and ABI5 can form homodimers. The B1 domain of ABI3 is essential for this interaction; this is the first specific function ascribed to this domain of the ABI3/VP1 family. The ABI5 domains required for interaction with ABI3 include two conserved charged domains in the amino-terminal half of the protein. An additional conserved charged domain appears to have intrinsic transcription activation function in this assay. Yeast one-hybrid assays with a lacZ reporter gene under control of the late embryogenesis-abundant AtEm6 promoter show that only ABI5 binds directly to this promoter fragment.

Abscisic Acid↗

PubMed2001

Ectopically localized HNK-1 epitope perturbs migration of the midbrain neural crest cells in Pax6 mutant rat.

Small eye rats, which have a mutation in a gene encoding transcription factor Pax6, exhibit impaired migration of the midbrain neural crest cells, thereby showing severe craniofacial defects. Orthotopic grafting of the midbrain neural crest cells taken from the wild-type into Pax6 mutant embryos has suggested environmental defects along the migratory pathway of the midbrain crest cells. In the present study we found that the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope was ectopically localized in the frontonasal epithelium of Pax6 mutant embryos. The GlcAT-P gene, encoding an enzyme for the synthesis of the HNK-1 epitope, was also expressed ectopically in the frontonasal epithelium of the mutant. In explant cultures, the migration rate of neural crest cells from the midbrain, but not from the forebrain, was significantly less in HNK-1-coated dishes than in non-coated dishes. These results suggest that the arrested migration of the midbrain crest cells in Pax6 mutant embryos may, at least in part, be due to the inhibitory effect of the HNK-1 epitope ectopically localized in the frontonasal epithelium.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Blastic natural killer cell lymphoma arising from the mediastinum with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression.

Blastic natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma/leukemia is a relatively rare NK cell malignancy. We report the second case of blastic NK cell lymphoma arising from the mediastinum with an aggressive clinical course. The patient was a 63-year-old Japanese man with an anterior mediastinum tumor. The biopsy specimen showed diffuse proliferation of tumor cells with frequent mitotic figures and apoptotic bodies. Both angiocentric features and small foci of coagulative necrosis were found in this section. The tumor cells had medium to large nuclei with a fine chromatin pattern, inconspicuous nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. The nuclear contour was oval to moderately irregular, showing slight pleomorphism as compared with typical lymphoblastic lymphoma. The tumor cells were positive for CD2, CD56 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, but negative for other T-cell antigens, B-cell antigens and myeloid markers. In situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded small ribonucleic acid 1 was negative.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2001

Adrenocorticotropin-independent unilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome: Immunohistochemical studies of steroidogenic enzymes, ultrastructural examination and a review of the literature.

A 60-year-old woman presented with a history of palpitations, headaches and severe hypertension, which was resistant to hypotensive agents. She had a 2-year history of obesity and a moon face. Her plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone level was below the limits of detection and did not respond to corticotropin-releasing hormone. Urinary-free cortisol was elevated and the circadian rhythm of serum cortisol level had completely disappeared. Imaging analysis demonstrated a unilaterally functioning mass in the left adrenal gland. Serum cortisol level in the left adrenal vein was elevated. The resected adrenal mass measured 4 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm, and ranged from yellow to tan in color. The adrenal cortex adjacent to the nodule did not demonstrate cortical atrophy. The mass was well circumscribed but not encapsulated, and consisted of multiple cortical nodules. These nodules were composed predominantly of clear cortical cells, and partly of compact cortical cells. Immunoreactivity of steroidogenic enzymes including cholesterol side-chain-cleavage P450, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 21-hydroxylase cytochrome P450, 11beta-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 and 17alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 was marked in cortical nodules, but minimal in non-nodular cortex. Ultrastructural examination of nodular cortical cells also demonstrated well-developed mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, consistent with elevated steroidogenesis in these cells.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗