Expression levels of histone deacetylases and acetylation of histone H4 and tubulin associated with breast cancer progression

Abstract #2051

Background: Excess histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity can induce global hypoacetylation of histone and non-histone protein substrates, altering gene expression patterns and cell behavior potentially associated with malignant transformation. However, HDAC expression and protein acetylation have not previously been studied in the context of breast cancer progression.
 Materials and Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess expression levels of acetylated histone H4 (acH4), acH4K12, acTubulin, HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC6 in formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections with synchronous normal epithelium (N), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) components from 58 archived samples at UCSF. Staining was assessed on the basis of H-score, defined as the sum of the intensity of staining (0-3) multiplied by % of stained cells for each intensity (score range 0-300). H-score differences between groups were tested for significance using either the Mann-Whitney test or the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired samples.
 Results: From N to DCIS, there was a marked reduction in histone acetylation (acH4, acH4K12). Tubulin acetylation, a marker of non-histone protein acetylation, showed a smaller reduction. Expression of all three HDACs was also reduced, but to a lesser extent than histone acetylation. Moreover, from DCIS to IDC, the same pattern of changes in acetylation and HDAC expression was seen, although these differences were of smaller magnitude than between N and DCIS. All markers were significantly different between N and DCIS (all p<0.0001) and between DCIS and IDC (all p<0.03). ER-negative tumors exhibited greater changes from N to DCIS than did ER-positive tumors, particularly for acH4 and HDAC1 (p=0.05 and 0.0001 respectively). High-grade invasive tumors showed more significant changes from N to DCIS than low/intermediate grade tumors for acH4, acH4K12, acTubulin, and HDAC1 (p=0.0009, 0.006, 0.05, and <0.0001 respectively). The change in protein acetylation and HDAC expression with cancer progression did not differ by HER2 status or age (≤50 or >50).
 
 Conclusions: Overall there was a pattern of hypoacetylation associated with malignant progression, with normal epithelium exhibiting the highest acH4, acH4K12, and acTubulin levels and IDC exhibiting the lowest levels. Paradoxically, expression of HDAC 1, 2 and 6 was not increased; thus, our data support that histone hypoacetylation is not regulated by HDAC expression but rather by modulation of HDAC activity. Outcome studies and clinical trials are needed to assess the prognostic significance of these findings and to determine how effectively HDAC inhibitors could reverse the hypoacetylation observed in progression from N to DCIS and IDC.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2051.

Behavioral sleep in captive owl monkey (Aotus azarae) and squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that activity-behavioral sleep parameters differ between nocturnallyactive owl monkeys and diurnally-active squirrel monkeys which are sympatric and of Bolivian origin. The total sleep time (TST) and sleep episode length (SEL) of 7 adult owl monkey siblings and 4 adult squirrel monkeys were quantitated by actigraphy for 7 days under captive conditions. The higher TST/24 h values and longer SEL/12 h quiescent phase quantitated for owl monkeys in comparison to that of squirrel monkeys clearly indicate that the behavioral sleep is markedly different between these two groups, though they are sympatric in wild. Significant differences noted in the sleep architecture between squirrel monkeys and owl monkeys can be attributed to the influences in the selected sleep niche, threat perception from predators, and disturbances from natural elements (especially rain) in the natural habitat.

Development of the supralaryngeal vocal tract in Japanese macaques: implications for the evolution of the descent of the larynx

The configuration of the supralaryngeal vocal tract depends on the nonuniform growth of the oral and pharyngeal portion. The human pharynx develops to form a unique configuration, with the epiglottis losing contact with the velum. This configuration develops from the great descent of the larynx relative to the palate, which is accomplished through both the descent of the laryngeal skeleton relative to the hyoid and the descent of the hyoid relative to the palate. Chimpanzees show both processes of laryngeal descent, as in humans, but the evolutionary path before the divergence of the human and chimpanzee lineages is unclear. The development of laryngeal descent in six living Japanese macaque monkeys, Macaca fuscata, was examined monthly during the first three years of life using magnetic resonance imaging, to delineate the present or absence of these two processes and their contributions to the development of the pharyngeal topology. The macaque shows descent of the hyoid relative to the palate, but lacks the descent of the laryngeal skeleton relative to the hyoid and that of the EG from the VL. We argue that the former descent is simply a morphological consequence of mandibular growth and that the latter pair of descents arose in a common ancestor of extant hominoids. Thus, the evolutionary path of the great descent of the larynx is likely to be explained by a model comprising multiple and mosaic evolutionary pathways, wherein these developmental phenomena may have contributed secondarily to the faculty of speech in the human lineage.

Striking alteration of some populations of T/B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship to expression of CD62L or some chemokine receptors

Recent studies have revealed new populations of T/B cells, including central/effector memory, follicular T cells and CXCR3+ or CXCR4+ B cells. In the present study, changes in these populations of CD4+ T cells were examined on the basis of the expression of CD62L, CCR7 and CXCR5 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in relation to CCL21 and CXCL10. Changes in CXCR3+, CXCR4+ and CXCR5+ B cells were also examined. CD62L and various chemokine receptors were examined by flow cytometry analysis using monoclonal antibodies, and CCL21 and CXCL10 were examined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In patients with SLE, a decrease of naive T cells and an increase in the ratio of activated effector memory T cells were associated with an increase of CCL21 and CXCL10 in serum, although the correlation was not significant. An increase in the ratio of CXCR3+ B cells was also recognized. These results suggest that naive T cells are transferred to lymphoid tissue by CCL21, and that effector memory T cells are activated by CXCL10. It is also suggested that B cells responsive to follicular helper T cells tend to migrate to inflammatory tissue.

Role of pathogenic auto-antibody production by Toll-like receptor 9 of B cells in active systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is a pattern-associated receptor functioning in innate immunity that may be involved in the recognition of self-antigens and the production of pathogenic auto-antibodies. Therefore, we examined the expression of TLR9 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to determine whether TLR9 is involved in the production of pathogenic auto-antibodies.

METHODS

B cells were collected from patients with active SLE, and subjected to analysis of the TLR9 molecule using flow cytometry fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and TLR9 mRNA by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. SLE B cells were stimulated with CpG-ODN, and subsequent cytokine and anti-dsDNA antibody production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The expression and mRNA level of TLR9 on B cells was up-regulated in SLE patients, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and CH50 were correlated with TLR9 expression on CD20+ B cells. Moreover, TLR9-CpG interaction enhanced the production of anti-dsDNA antibody and IL-10.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that higher expression of TLR9 on peripheral blood B cells from patients with active SLE was significantly correlated with CH50 and SLEDAI to TLR9, and induced the production of anti-dsDNA antibody and IL-10 by TLR9-CpG ligation. These results suggest that an abnormality of innate immunity plays a crucial role in the pathology of SLE, and that blockade of CpG-TLR9 interaction may be a new therapeutic approach for SLE.

The pharmacokinetics and effects of a long-acting preparation of superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) in man

AIM

To study the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of single rising doses up to 80 mg of superoxide dismutase covalently linked to lecithin (PC-SOD) in healthy White volunteers.

METHODS

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-period cross-over study was performed in eight healthy volunteers (four male/four female). Three doses of PC-SOD (20, 40 and 80 mg) and placebo were administered intravenously in randomized order. Serum and urinary PC-SOD concentrations were measured predose and up to 96 h after dosing. In addition to standard safety measurements, the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, alpha-glutathione S-transferase (alpha-GST) and pi-GST was measured to evaluate renal function. The PK of PC-SOD was analysed using noncompartmental and compartmental methods.

RESULTS

All treatments were well tolerated, and no obvious relationship between adverse events and treatment was observed. No effects of PC-SOD on renal function could be detected. Dose normalized C(max) and AUC were not different between the different dosages, indicating linearity of plasma concentrations with dose. Estimated PC-SOD clearance was 2.54 ml min(-1)[95% confidence interval (CI) 2.07, 2.83]. The terminal half-life was estimated to be 1.54 days (95% CI 0.93, 2.15). SOD activity was elevated above baseline for 19 +/- 6 h after the 80-mg dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Single intravenous administrations of PC-SOD in doses up to 80 mg were well tolerated in healthy White male and female volunteers. With the doses used, SOD activity was linearly related to the dose; after the 80-mg dose it was present for an appreciable period. These findings suggest that it is worthwhile to investigate PC-SOD in clinical conditions characterized by a high radical overload.

Expression of B-cell activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) in T cells in active systemic lupus erythematosus: the role of BAFF in T cell-dependent B cell pathogenic autoantibody production

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether B cell activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) is involved in T cell-dependent B cell pathogenic autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 23 SLE patients were analysed by flow cytometry to examine the intracellular expression of BAFF in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the surface expression of BAFF-receptor (R) and TACI on CD20+ B cells. Moreover, peripheral blood was used to determine the level of BAFF messenger RNA (mRNA) in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the level of BAFF-R mRNA in CD20+ B cells. Blocking of BAFF function with TACI-Ig measured anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with active SLE expressed intracellular BAFF whereas those from normal subjects did not. BAFF-R and TACI were expressed on B cells from both normal controls and patients with active SLE and there was no significant difference. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients expressed BAFF mRNA whereas those from normal controls did not. Expression of BAFF-R mRNA in CD20+ B cells showed no significant difference between SLE patients and normal controls. TACI-Ig suppressed spontaneous in vitro T cell-dependent B cell anti-dsDNA antibodies production on active SLE with kidney involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

BAFF may play a pathogenic role in SLE by stimulating T cell-dependent B cell autoantibodies production. Blockade of BAFF is a promising therapeutic approach for SLE especially in patients with kidney involvement.

Spontaneous smile and spontaneous laugh: An intensive longitudinal case study

One male infant was observed from the day of his birth to the end of the 6th month. Total observation days were 171 days, and total observation time was 329 h 25 min and 35s. Five hundred and sixty-five spontaneous smiles and 15 spontaneous laughs (smiles accompanied by vocal sounds) were observed. Developmental psychologists have thought that spontaneous smiles integrate at about 3 months, but spontaneous smiles were recorded even in the 6th month. The percentage of bilateral smiles increased from the 2nd month. This is the first intensive longitudinal study on spontaneous smiles and spontaneous laughs.

Quantitation of sleep and spinal curvature in an unusually longevous owl monkey (Aotus azarae)

BACKGROUND

A table summarizing the primary literature on 19 species of longevous non-human primates, other than owl monkey, is presented.

METHODS

We prospectively quantitated the sleep of a longevous female owl monkey (Aotus azarae), aged >30 years, longitudinally for 2 years and also evaluated the senility-induced change in spinal curvature.

RESULTS

The mean daily total sleep time (TST) of this monkey ranged between 790 and 1106 minutes, and was markedly higher in comparison with its female progeny (aged 16 years and used as a control) whose daily TST during the same experimental period ranged between 612 and 822 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

The calculated kyphotic index (KI) of 2.27 for this monkey, compared with the KIs 4.83 and 5.42, for its progeny and female grandprogeny (aged 1 year) respectively, confirmed the prominent spinal curvature.

Altered expression of hepatocyte growth factor in cardiac allografts of nonhuman primates

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a critical role in transplant rejection. Herein we addressed whether HGF expression could be used for accurate and early diagnosis of acute and chronic rejection in cardiac transplantation. We used a heterotopic cardiac transplantation model using nonhuman primates (Macaca fuscata, n = 7). The grafts were harvested on days 1, 7, 22, 28, 40, 41, and 95 for histology and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, HGF was expressed in the spindle-shaped cells of the acutely rejecting myocardium. The expression of HGF was enhanced in both thickened intima and media of the coronary arteries. Altered HGF expression is a sensitive indicator for acute and chronic cardiac rejection.

Promoter polymorphism in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene is associated with obesity

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of promoter polymorphisms of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene with obesity.

SUBJECTS

In total, 213 nondiabetic Japanese subjects. They were divided into three groups according to World Health Organization definitions: lean (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2), overweight (25 < or = BMI < 30 kg/m2) and obese (BMI> or = 30 kg/m2).

METHODS

We examined two polymorphic loci in the MIF gene in the subjects: a single-nucleotide polymorphism at position -173 (G/C) and a CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position -794, which both can affect promoter activity in different cells.

RESULTS

We detected four alleles: 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-CATT at position -794. Genotypes without the 5-CATT allele (X/X, X refers to 6-, 7- or 8-CATT alleles) were more common in obese subjects than in lean or overweight groups (P = 0.013). The X-CATT allele was more frequent in obese subjects than in lean or overweight subjects (P = 0.030). In contrast, -173G/C was not associated with obesity. Among the haplotypes of the two promoter polymorphisms, G/5-CATT ((-173G/C)/(-794[CATT](5-8))) was associated with a decreased risk of obesity (P = 0.025) and G/6-CATT with an increased risk of overweight (P=0.028).

CONCLUSION

Promoter polymorphism in the MIF gene is linked with obesity.

Decreased CD161+CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases

OBJECTIVES

Although it has been reported that the numbers of both CD4(-)CD8(-) and CD4(+) natural killer T (NKT) cells are selectively decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatic diseases, there have been no reports concerning a novel subpopulation of CD8(+) NKT cells. To examine whether CD161(+)CD8(+) T cells, which are closely related to CD8(+) NKT cells, are also decreased in patients with rheumatic diseases, we have investigated the expression of CD161, together with that of CD28, CD25 and CD62L, on T cells in the peripheral blood of these patients.

METHODS

The rheumatic diseases evaluated in this study were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n= 54), mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) (n= 15), systemic sclerosis (SSc) (n= 14), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) (n= 13) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n= 24). Healthy donors were examined as controls (n= 18). The expression of CD161, CD28, CD25 and CD62L on T cells was analysed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Both the frequency of CD161 expression on CD8(+) cells and the absolute number of CD161(+)CD8(+) cells were significantly decreased in patients with SLE, MCTD, SSc and PM/DM. Only the absolute number of CD161(+)CD8(+) T cells was significantly decreased in RA. CD161 expression on CD28(-)CD8(+) T cells was significantly decreased in SLE, MCTD and SSc. The absolute number of CD161(+)CD8(+)CD62L(-) T cells was significantly decreased in SLE, MCTD and SSc.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the frequency and the absolute number of CD161(+)CD8(+) T cells were decreased in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from SLE, MCTD, SSc and PM/DM. This result suggests that there is also an abnormality of NKT cells in the CD8(+) population.

Determination of Bovine Serum Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol using the N-geneous Method

The N-geneous method is a recently developed method for determination of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in human serum. In the present study, we attempted to adapt this method to bovine serum. The values of LDL-C obtained using the N-geneous method were highly correlated with those from the method using ultracentrifugation and heparin sepharose affinity chromatography (r = 0.934, p < 0.001). The reproducibility of this method was acceptable (intra-assay CV 4.2%, inter-assay CV 7.6%) for clinical use. Using the N-geneous method, serum LDL-C was evaluated in cows around parturition, and in cows with fatty liver induced by fasting. The concentration of LDL-C decreased significantly in cows close to parturition. A reduced concentration of LDL-C was also observed in cows with fatty liver. In both cases, the changes of LDL-C were similar to those of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-100, and the values of LDL-C were highly correlated (r = 0.876, p < 0.001) with those of apoB-100. These results suggest that the concentration of LDL-C reflects the level of apoB-100. The N-geneous method is simple and rapid, and might to be a useful tool to elucidate the clinical significance of LDL-C in bovine serum.

Characterization of obesity in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) in a pedigreed colony

BACKGROUND

Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata, is recognized as the monkey species inhabiting the northernmost area in the world, and thus likely to possess unique fat-depositing mechanisms to resist cold weather in winter. We report that obese females are present in the Wakasa group of Japanese monkey reared in an open enclosure of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eight of 12 females were categorized as obese, showing percentage body fat of over 22%. The levels of serum leptin (mean +/- SD, 4.9 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) measured in these obese monkeys were significantly higher than those of non-obese peers of the same group (n = 4; 1.2 +/- 0.5 ng/ml) and another Japanese monkey group (Takahama, n = 14; 0.8 +/- 0.25 ng/ml); however, serum levels of adiponectin, insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and fructosamine did not differ between obese and non-obese monkeys. Few serum lipid parameters such as triglyceride and cholesterol showed lower levels in obese monkeys than their non-obese peers.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that these obese monkeys in the Wakasa group have not developed obesity-related diseases/disorders such as diabetes. In the Wakasa group, the frequency of obese individuals was high in some maternal lineages, suggesting that genetic factors responsible for obesity may have been inherited in these lineages.

Bone‐bonding ability of a hydroxyapatite coated zirconia–alumina nanocomposite with a microporous surface

Using a combination of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating and microporous surface treatment, bone-bonding ability was given to composites of ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia and alumina (CZA), which possesses excellent mechanical and wear properties and phase stability. Four types of CZA plates (2 x 10 x 15 mm3) were prepared for this study, which were CZA with a polished surface (group 1), a microporous surface prepared by hydrofluoric acid and heat treatment (group 2), a microporous surface with a submicron HA coating prepared by alternately soaking the plate from group 2 in aqueous CaCl2/HCl and Na2HPO4 solutions (group 3), and a microporous surface with a 4-microm HA coating prepared by the biomimetic method, where the plates from group 3 were soaked in simulated body fluid (group 4). Plates were implanted into rabbit tibia, and after 4, 8, and 16 weeks, tensile testing and histological examination of the bone-implant interface were conducted. At 4 weeks, group 4 had superior bone-bonding ability compared with other implants, which was maintained at the later postimplantation times. This HA-coated CZA with a microporous surface has the possibility of clinical use as a bearing material in cementless joint prostheses or as a load-bearing bone substitute.

Sleep quantitation in common marmoset, cotton top tamarin and squirrel monkey by non-invasive actigraphy

Sleep quantitation data on the Neotropical primate species, apart from the squirrel monkey, are still sparse. As such, we have quantitated sleep in the common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), cotton top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) reared in one primate facility simultaneously, by non-invasive actigraphy. The range in total sleep time/24h measured for male adult common marmosets, cotton top tamarins and squirrel monkeys were 713-793 min (n=4), 707-889 min (n=4) and 459-475 min (n=2) respectively. The range in sleep episode length /12h dark phase for marmosets, tamarins and squirrel monkeys were 21-52 min (n=3), 10-28 min (n=4) and 9-15 min (n=2) respectively. Since vigilance is a critical evolutionary adaptive feature of predator avoidance among Callitrichid monkeys and squirrel monkeys, the shorter ranges in sleep episode length recorded, even under captivity, in this study could be interpreted as probable indicators of such vigilance behavior during the rest phase. We hypothesize that the vigilance behavior when it exists during a primate's active phase should also prevail when it is at rest (sleep). This hypothesis deserves additional testing in female Callitrichid monkeys.

Descent of the hyoid in chimpanzees: evolution of face flattening and speech

The human supralaryngeal vocal tract develops to form a unique two-tube configuration with equally long horizontal and vertical cavities. This anatomy contributes greatly to the morphological foundations of human speech. It is believed to depend on the reduced growth of the palate and on the developmental descent of the larynx relative to the palate. Anatomically, the descent of the larynx is accomplished through both the descent of the laryngeal skeleton relative to the hyoid and the descent of the hyoid relative to the palate. We have studied the development of three living chimpanzees using magnetic resonance imaging. Our previous study showed that, as in humans, chimpanzees show rapid laryngeal descent, with changes in the relative proportion of the vocal tract during early infancy. However, this is not accompanied by the descent of the hyoid relative to the palate, although it is achieved with the descent of the laryngeal skeleton relative to the hyoid. Here, we show that subsequently the chimpanzee hyoid also descends to maintain the rapid descent of the larynx, similarly to humans. We argue that the descent of the larynx probably evolved in a common ancestor of extant hominoids, originally to confer an advantage via a function unrelated to speech. Thus, the descent of the larynx per se is not unique to humans, and facial flattening was probably the major factor that paved the way for speech in the human lineage.

Origins of smile and laughter: a preliminary study

To present fundamental data, spontaneous smiles and spontaneous laughs (smiles accompanied by vocal sounds) were cross-sectionally observed in 10 newborn infants and longitudinally observed in six infants. Unilateral spontaneous smiles were more common than bilateral smiles in neonates, but by 2 months almost all spontaneous smiles were bilateral. All spontaneous laughs were bilateral. "Spontaneous smile" and "Spontaneous laugh" might be different behaviors from the beginning.

Clinicopathological features and the prognosis of IgA nephropathy in Japanese children on long-term observation

AIMS

Clinicopathological features were investigated to clarify the ultimate prognosis and prognostic indicators for patients with IgA nephropathy in Japanese children.

METHODS

We evaluated the outcomes of 181 patients in whom IgA nephropathy was diagnosed before the age of 15 years since September 1979 and followed-up at least for three years with regard to clinical data at the onset of symptoms and renal histologic data.

RESULTS

After mean follow-up of 7.3 years from onset, 91 patients of 181 (50.3%) were in clinical remission at the last examination, 24 (13.2%) had isolated hematuria, 59 (32.6%) had hematuria and proteinuria. Eighteen of 59 (9.9%) had proteinuria more than 1 g per 24 hours. Hypertension was observed in 12 cases and 7 (3.9%) developed end-stage renal disease. Except 7, no patient had reduced renal function and elevated serum creatinine at the final follow-up. Predicted renal survival rate from onset was 92.3% at 10 years and 89.1% at 20 years. In multivariable analysis, age at onset and chronic changes of tubulointerstitium were associated with poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Of 181 children with IgA nephropathy, 50% regressed, remaining 46% had hematuria and/or proteinuria and 4% of patients lapsed into end-stage renal disease. Our results indicate that childhood IgA nephropathy has a benign course and the risk for end-stage renal disease is lower than that of adults. Age at onset and tubulointerstitial lesions were the strong predictors of a progressive course of childhood IgA nephropathy.

Search for cosmic-ray antideuterons

We performed a search for cosmic-ray antideuterons using data collected during four BESS balloon flights from 1997 to 2000. No candidate was found. We derived, for the first time, an upper limit of 1.9 x 10(-4) (m2s sr GeV/nucleon)(-1) for the differential flux of cosmic-ray antideuterons, at the 95% confidence level, between 0.17 and 1.15 GeV/nucleon at the top of the atmosphere.

Predictors of smoking cessation during pregnancy among the women of Yamato and Ayase municipalities in Japan

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy affects the unborn fetus. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the smoking status of pregnant women before, during and after pregnancy in the Yamato and Ayase municipalities, Kanagawa, Japan; (2) the characteristics that differentiate successful spontaneous smoking quitters from continuous smokers during pregnancy; and (3) the awareness of risks of smoking that may influence smoking cessation during pregnancy. A community-based, cross-sectional survey of 420 postpartum women, who delivered their babies from July 2002 to October 2002, was performed. Out of 420 respondents, 275 (65.4%) did not smoke before and during pregnancy. Of the 145 women who smoked before pregnancy, 101 (69.3%) quit successfully while pregnant. Smoking prevalence during pregnancy was 10.4%. Out of 101 successful quitters during pregnancy, 22 (21.8%) women resumed smoking after childbirth. A multiple regression analysis showed that the independent predictors of smoking cessation during pregnancy were primiparous women and women living with non-smokers in the household. Although maternal age predicted smoking cessation in a simple regression analysis, this predictive value was lost in the multiple analysis. A simple analysis showed no significant association between the awareness of smoking risks and smoking cessation during pregnancy. It is suggested that Japanese smokers are more likely to quit while pregnant than women in other countries. In the future, smoking cessation programmes should be designed to help multiparous women and women living with smokers to give up smoking.

Malignant NK/T-cell lymphoma associated with simian Epstein-Barr virus infection in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)

A case of spontaneous malignant lymphoma in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) was pathologically, etiologically and virologically studied. Nasal cavity was involved in the neoplastic lesions in addition to lymphoid and visceral tissues. Histopathological analyses revealed the presence of neoplastic cells classified into histiocytic Hodgkin-like cells and Reed-Sternberg-like cells. Histiocytic Hodgkin-like cells were CD16+ and CD20+, and the CD16+ cells were also positive for simian Epstein-Barr virus (sEBV)-encoded early RNA transcripts. RS-like cells were negative for CD3, CD16 and CD20. Antibodies to early antigen of sEBV were detected, while antibodies to simian T-cell leukemia virus-1 were negative. The case may correspond to EBV-associated nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma in humans rather than Hodgkin lymphoma.

Catechins attenuate myocardial cell infiltration and fibrosis but do not prolong graft survival in murine cardiac allografts

Although tea catechins have many biological functions, their effects on cardiac allograft rejection have not been well studied. We used a total allomismatch heart transplant model to test the effects of catechins in cardiac rejection. We have shown that cell infiltration and fibrosis were suppressed in catechin-treated allografts compared with nontreated transplants. However, catechins did not statistically prolong graft survival. We conclude that catechins have a potential to suppress inflammation in cardiac allografts.

A specific COX-2 inhibitor attenuates cell infiltration but does not prolong graft survival in murine cardiac transplantation

COX-2 is a key factor in the progression of inflammation, the effects of a specific COX-2 inhibitor in cardiac transplantation have not yet been elucidated. To test the hypothesis that a COX-2 inhibitor can alter cardiac rejection, we analyzed graft survival using totally allomismatched grafts. Although the COX-2 inhibitor attenuated myocardial cell infiltration, the inhibitor did not prolong survival. We conclude that the COX-2 inhibition may have potential for the suppression of inflammation in cardiac allografts.

Effect of cabergoline treatment on Cushing's disease caused by aberrant adrenocorticotropin-secreting macroadenoma

The present case involves a 47-yr-old woman with Cushing's disease due to pituitary macroadenoma. The patient had suffered from hypertension and obesity for two yr. Her serum cortisol levels were moderately elevated throughout the observation period, and dexamethasone failed to suppress the cortisol secretion. Plasma ACTH levels were markedly high (>100 pg/ml) and did not respond to CRH provocation. Gel filtration analysis of the patient's plasma detected the existence of big ACTH molecules, which eluted with a peak of authentic 1-39 ACTH. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 3 cm pituitary tumor occupying the sellar region and right cavernous sinus with diffuse enhancement by gadolinium. The pituitary mass was removed by transsphenoidal surgery, and was pathologically identified as compatible to ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR analysis of total cellular RNA extracted from the resected adenoma revealed a relatively high expression level of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) mRNA. Therefore, a long-acting D2R agonist, cabergoline (0.25 to 0.5 mg/week), was administered for the remnant adenoma, which gradually reduced ACTH levels in 90 days. In addition, cranial MRI exhibited shrinkage of the remnant pituitary mass after a 6-month treatment with cabergoline. This case demonstrates the efficacy of cabergoline to treat Cushing's disease caused by pituitary macroadenoma secreting aberrant ACTH molecules.

Changes in testicular and nipple volume related to age and seasonality in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), especially in the pre- and post-pubertal periods

We investigated, longitudinally and cross-sectionally, age and seasonal change in both the testis and nipple volume of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in relation to concentration profiles of gonadal steroids: testosterone (T) in males and progesterone (P) in females. Testicular volume (TV) and nipple volume (NV) showed rapid growth at puberty, 4.5 and 3.5 years of age in males and females, respectively, but in both sexes there were precocious individuals. The testis as a whole matures at about 10 years of age. TV change is closely related to T concentration profile. The pattern of TV change is composed of maturation and seasonal effects, with individual variation evident mainly in the latter. Some individuals show a simple pattern consisting of one peak in the breeding season (from summer to winter) and one trough in the non-breeding season. Other individuals exhibit a more complicated pattern composed of two or more peaks and troughs before and during the breeding season. The nipple matures at about 7 years but it is difficult to determine the exact maturational age as there are many confounding factors relating to NV. NV shows seasonal fluctuations similar to that of TV. Many animals have periods of substantial growth whereas others do not. The NV in adults from 10 to 25 years does not appear to change much with age, but animals older than 25 years of age have significantly smaller nipples. Seasonal fluctuation in NV mirrors that of the P level. Considered to be controlled by estrogen and P, the NV is a good indicator of the physiological status of reproduction, with its peak about 2 weeks earlier than that of P, that is, at the mid-follicular phase. NV and P level show a similar pattern in pregnancy; from conception, indicated by a P peak, NV and P concentration first decrease, then they increase until peri-parturition and slowly decrease again until the next breeding season.

Time-course changes in VEGF expression and capillarity in the early stage of exercise training with Co2+ treatment in rat skeletal muscles

AIM

Cobalt administration was reported to mimic hypoxia. This study was designed to examine the time-course changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and capillary geometry in skeletal muscles during endurance training with CoCl(2) administration in female Wistar rats.

METHODS

Exercise training by running lasted for up to 10 days at 25 m min(-1) on a 20% gradient, 15-42 min day(-1). Rats in the Co(2+)-treated groups drank water containing 0.01% CoCl(2). Serial frozen sections were stained for alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV to identify capillary profiles and VEGF-A protein.

RESULTS

In the soleus muscle, the density of VEGF-positive capillaries (VEGF-cap) was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of the Co(2+) administration (by 27 and 65% respectively) while the capillary-to-fibre ratio (C : F) first increased after 10 days. The training with Co(2+) significantly increased VEGF-cap by 69, 44 and 60%, respectively, after 3, 6 and 10 days. The VEGF-cap was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of training alone by 38 and 58%, respectively. In a similar extent, both training groups with and without Co(2+) showed a significant increase in the C : F ratio after 6 and 10 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that activation of the cellular oxygen-sensing mechanism induced by Co(2+) administration slightly facilitates an expression of VEGF but does not facilitate exercise-induced microvascular remodelling in hind-leg muscles.

Factors affecting clinical outcome of patients who undergo transcatheter arterial embolisation in splenic injury

Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) offers a less invasive approach to traditional laparotomy for the management of bleeding in the context of blunt splenic injury. This is a retrospective review study to identify clinical factors associated with clinical outcome of the patients who underwent this procedure. Of 65 patients with splenic injuries at our institution, 26 patients underwent TAE for management of bleeding. The following factors were assessed to determine their relationship to procedure outcomes: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade, complications, age, shock index, injury severity score (ISS), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), systolic blood pressure (BP), BP changes during TAE, blood transfused before TAE and timing of TAE. The overall good clinical outcome rate was 73.1% (19/26). Of the factors we assessed, absence of concomitant pelvic injury, higher Hb, higher Ht, higher BP, greater increases in BP during TAE and a decreased requirement for blood transfusions before TAE were associated with good clinical outcome of the patients who underwent TAE in splenic injury.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with hereditary deficiency of the 4th component of complement

A 10-year-old female patient was found positive for urine protein and occult blood on Japanese school urinary screening. Examination of the blood was normal except low values of the complement system with CH50 13.5 U/ml, C3 45 mg/dl and C4 3 mg/dl. Renal biopsy demonstrated a focal membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). As for the activity of each component of the complement in the early stage of the disease, the C4 activity was markedly declined and the activity of classical pathway component was also decreased, but the activity of alternative pathway component was normal. On the HLA examination, the patient demonstrated a C4 double null haplotype (C4A2, Q0, BQ0 phenotype). A null C4 gene at both the C4A and C4B loci was found in her mother, aunt and grandfather on the mother's side and C4B null allele in her father and her grandmother on the mother's side. The development of the disease is found in 1 case and not in the other, although both have the genetic defect and the mechanism by which the complement is activated remains unknown. Thus, there appear to be many subjects to be studied as to the relationship between the defect of C4 gene and immune competence.

Long-Term Treatment Effects of Pueraria mirifica Phytoestrogens on Parathyroid Hormone and Calcium Levels in Aged Menopausal Cynomolgus Monkeys

To determine the effect of Pueraria mirifica (PM) on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels on aged menopausal monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), subjects were treated with 10, 100, or 1,000 mg/day of PM. Blood samples were collected every 5 days for 30, 90, and 60 days during pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods, respectively. Sera were assayed for PTH, estradiol, and calcium levels. PM-1,000 had the strongest effect on the decrease in PTH (0.001<P< or =0.05) and calcium levels (0.001<P< or =0.03) during the treatment period. PTH levels remained low for the first 15 days of the post-treatment period (0.01< or =P < or =0.05). PM-10 induced a significant decrease in PTH level on day 80 (P=0.02) during the treatment period and a significant decrease in calcium level on day 75 (P<0.01). There were no changes in serum PTH and calcium levels throughout the study period in the PM-100 group. Estradiol levels decreased significantly during the treatment period in all treatment groups. The results suggest that long-term treatment with 1,000 mg/day of PM decreases serum PTH and calcium levels in aged menopausal monkeys, indicating that PM ameliorates bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency.

Putative pyrophosphate phosphofructose 1-kinase genes identified in sugar cane may be getting energy from pyrophosphate

Pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK) has been detected in several types of plant cells, but the gene has not been reported in sugar cane. Using Citrus paradisi PPi-PFK gene (AF095520 and AF095521) sequences to search the sugar cane EST database, we have identified both the alpha and beta subunits of this enzyme. The deduced amino acid sequences showed 76 and 80% similarity with the corresponding alpha and beta subunits of C. paradisi. A high degree of similarity was also observed among the PFK b subunits when the alignment of the sugar cane sequences was compared to those of Ricinus communis and Solanum tuberosum. It appears that alpha and beta are two distinct subunits; they were found at different concentrations in several sugar cane tissues. It remains to be determined if the different gene expression levels have some physiological importance and how they affect sucrose synthesis, export, and storage in vacuoles. A comparison between the amino acid sequences of b PFKs from a variety of organisms allowed us to identify the two critical Asp residues typical of this enzyme's activity site and the other binding sites; these residues are tightly conserved in all members of this protein family. Apparently, there are catalytic residues on the b subunit of the pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme.

Hypothyroidism associated with anti-human chorionic gonadotropin antibodies secondarily produced by gonadotropin therapy in a case of idiopathic hypothalamic hypogonadism

We report a 22-yr-old male patient with idiopathic hypothalamic hypogonadism who showed secondary resistance to gonadotropin (Gn) therapy over 3 yr after successful treatment with hCG combined with human menopausal Gn. The patient simultaneously developed subclinical hypothyroidism. Endocrine examination revealed low levels of testosterone (0.3 ng/ml), free T4 (0.91 ng/dl), and increased levels of TSH (31.1 microU/ml) in the serum. Serum autoantibodies to thyroid gland were all negative. Interestingly, thyroid function was improved after discontinuation of Gn therapy. In vitro assays by immunoprecipitation using 125I-hCG or 125I-TSH elucidated the presence of anti-hCG antibody in the serum 13 months after commencement of Gn therapy but anti-TSH antibody was not detected in the serum. Furthermore, the anti-hCG antibody specifically bound to hCG but not to other glycoproteins including TSH and FSH based on a competitive displacement assay. Bioassays using porcine thyroid cells revealed that the serum gamma-globulin fraction enables the suppression of cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis stimulated by TSH. Our findings suggest that anti-hCG and/or anti-idiotypic hCG antibodies induced by hCG therapy impaired TSH-dependent cAMP production through interfering with binding of TSH to its receptor, and this resulted in subclinical hypothyroidism in this patient.