Michinari Muraoka

Biphasic expression of activating transcription factor-3 in neurons after cerebral infarction.

It has been demonstrated that some of immediate early genes such as c-Jun are induced immediately and transiently following focal cerebral ischemia. Here we newly characterize the activating transcription factor (ATF)-3 as a focal ischemia associated immediate early gene. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we compared the expression profile of ATF-3 with those of ATF-2 and c-Jun after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Focal cerebral ischemia induced two temporal and spatial patterns of ATF-3 expression. Early and transient induction of ATF-3 mRNA was observed in the core and margins of the cortex immediately after MCA occlusion. Late-onset and prolonged expression of ATF-3 mRNA and its protein were specifically identified in the peri-infarct cortex and thalamus where neurons survive at least 1 month. The expression profiles of ATF-3 and c-Jun were virtually similar, but c-Jun expression was also observed in other regions of the brain in control rats. Expression of ATF-2 was ubiquitously seen in neuronal cells throughout the brain in normal rats, but was suppressed in ischemic regions. Double immunohistochemical labeling revealed concurrent expression of ATF-3 and phospho-c-Jun in neurons. We conclude that the transcription factor ATF-3 is a suitable marker of neurons subjected to ischemic insult directly and indirectly, and that cooperative works of ATF-3 and c-Jun may be crucial triggers of various transcriptional responses to the ischemic insult.

Osteolipoma in the parapharyngeal space

Abstract We report our experience in managing a 58-year-old Japanese woman with a rare parapharyngeal interstitial cell tumor. Her main complaint was that of a submandibular swelling, which was diagnosed as osteolipoma histologically after resection.

Twenty Years of Statistics and Observation of Facial Bone Fracture

We analyse the details of patients with facial bone fractures who visited us from 1993 to 1997, and compare past cases treated from 1978 to 1992. From 1993 to 1997, the total numbers of patients and fractures were 633 and 697, respectively. Thus, we had 127 patients and 139 fractures annually. The number of patients has increased over the years. The highest occurrence rate of facial bone fracture was in the nasal bone (half of all), followed by the malar bone, blowout fractures and the mandibular bone. The rate was the lowest in the maxillary bone. The ratio of males to females was 7:3. Facial bone fractures were most often seen in the 10-29 age group.

Transgenic mouse overexpressing the Akt reduced the volume of infarct area after middle cerebral artery occlusion

Transgenic mouse lines expressing the active form Akt gene under the control of the damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase (DINE) promoter were made from three different founder mice, and its neuroprotective potential against ischemic brain damage was investigated. Twenty-four hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion, two DINE-Akt-transgenic mouse lines displayed reductions of the infarcted area by 35% compared to the wild-type littermate. RT-PCR assays showed a high level of transgene in response to ischemic brain damage in these lines. These results suggest that the DINE promoter is a useful promoter, which responds to neuronal insults and that the Akt-induced neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage is potent in vivo.

Tape attachment therapy for correction of congenital malformations of the auricle: Clinical and experimental studies†

After the auricular cartilage of 5‐week‐old rabbits was bent and fixed by suture, the cartilage increased in thickness in a short period of time. The thickness was maximal 6 weeks later and slightly greater than that of the control cartilage 12 weeks later. At this stage, the auricle was fixed in curved form. There was no difference in the morphology of cartilage cells between the bent group and the control.

Expression of damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase (DINE) mRNA in peri-infarct cortical and thalamic neurons following middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Damage‐induced neuronal endopeptidase (DINE) is a unique nerve‐injury associated molecule, which was recently identified in a peripheral nerve injury model. The aim of this study was to determine the expression profiles and distribution of DINE in adult rats after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Focal cerebral ischemia induced late‐onset and prolonged expression of DINE mRNA in the peri‐infarct cortex and specific nuclei of thalamus. Double labeling using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that DINE mRNA was exclusively expressed in cells that were positive to a neuronal marker NeuN. Previously established knowledge on neuroanatomical fiber connection suggests that DINE mRNA was expressed in areas projecting their axons to or through the core region of the infarction. This unique expression profile was similar to that of activating transcription factor‐3 (ATF‐3), which is a marker of nerve‐injured neuron. More than 98% of ATF‐3 immunoreactive neurons simultaneously expressed DINE mRNA, suggesting that DINE expression is observed in injured neurons of CNS as well as PNS. Since DINE expression promotes antioxidant activity, our results suggest that DINE may act as a neuroprotective molecule in neurons under ischemic insult.

Asymptomatic leiomyosarcoma of maxillary sinus accompanied by primary mucocele

SummaryA case of asymptomatic leiomyosarcoma of the maxillary sinus accompanied by primary maxillary mucocele is presented together with a review of the literature. The manifestation and symptoms, pathology in special reference to electron microscopic findings, treatment and prognosis, and origin of this tumor are discussed. Initially, this tumor should be treated by extensive surgical excision, but long-term follow-up is essential in the light of this high rate of local recurrence, and radical neck surgery is indicated for metastatic nodal disease.

Single stage reconstruction of scalp and skull using free muscle flap and titanium mesh in patients with epidural infection

Simultaneous scalp and skull reconstruction using free muscle flap transfer and titanium mesh was performed in two patients with postoperative intracranial infection. The postoperative course in both patients was uneventful. The transferred flap was the latissimus dorsi muscle flap in one and a combination flap with the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscle in another. The titanium mesh afforded satisfactory contour with only mild foreign-body reaction and could be applied simultaneously with the free muscle flap to the infected cranial wound.

Cutaneous ciliated cyst on the cheek in a male

A 53‐year‐old man presented with a 2‐year history of a painless mass on the right cheek. On physical examination, the lump was a solitary, well‐demarcated, mobile lesion. There was no abnormality in the surrounding skin. Ultrasonography demonstrated a single, cystic, well‐defined, subcutaneous cyst, measuring 20 mm in diameter. Laboratory tests, including sex hormones, were within the normal range. The tumor was resected surgically under local anesthesia. The cyst had a slightly yellow wall and contained clear, watery fluid. The patient had no other medical problems and no history of other skin disease.

Enhancement of Ciliary Action by a β-Adrenergic Stimulant

It is known that β-adrenergic stimulants enhance mucociliary transport in the respiratory tract. The present study clearly indicated that such an enhancement resulted from not only the alteration in secretory function but also the direct stimulation of ciliated cells. However, the enhancement of ciliary beating depended on the morphological changes in ciliated cells. On the other hand, the effect of terbutaline aerosol, a β-adrenergic stimulant, on patients with chronic sinusitis was evaluated by paranasal sinus radiography. Consequently, marked improvements in shadows were achieved after 4 weeks in 40% of the cases examined.