DNA typing of bone specimens—the potential use of the profiler test as a tool for bone identification

Twenty-six bone DNA identification cases are described. The postmortem periods of the studied remains ranged from three days to over 30 years, and the locations where the remains were found varied resulting in a variety of postmortem conditions. Nuclear DNA typing using an AmpFLSTR Profiler kit and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing of hypervariable regions 1 and 2 (HV1 and HV2) in a control region were performed both with decalcified and non-treated bone powder samples. Decalcification was shown to improve the success of DNA typing. The nucleotide sequences of the HV1 and HV2 regions were successfully determined in all cases examined. Nuclear DNA typing was very successful, more than half of the loci were typed during multiple amplifications (10 loci in one reaction) in 23 cases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibition was observed in five cases including three samples that were found buried in soil. This inhibitory effect was identified as the result of unbalanced multiple PCR during the profiler test. These results revealed that DNA typing targeting nuclear DNA is a potentially powerful tool for bone identification.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer tumors: intermediate results

BACKGROUND

We investigated the feasibility and suitability of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for curing selected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with this less invasive technique.

METHODS

We performed VATS segmentectomy for small (< 20 mm) peripherally located tumors and pathologically confirmed lobar lymph node-negative disease by frozen-section examination during surgery. Of the 34 patients who underwent this limited resection, 22 were treated with complete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (intentional group), whereas 12 patients who were deemed to be high risk in their toleration for lobectomy underwent VATS segmentectomy with incomplete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (compromised group). The surgical and clinical parameters were evaluated and compared with those of segmentectomy under standard thoracotomy to evaluate the technical feasibility of VATS segmentectomy.

RESULTS

We found that VATS segmentectomy could be performed safely with a nil mortality rate and acceptably low morbidity. The mean period of observation was relatively short at 656.7 +/- 572.1 and 783.4 +/- 535.8 days in the intentional and compromised groups, respectively. At the time of writing, all intentional patients remain alive and free of recurrence. There were two cases of non-cancer-related death in the compromised group. Clinical data indicated that VATS segmentectomy caused the same number or fewer surgical insults compared with segmentectomy under standard thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results are intermediate only; the rate of long-term survival and the advantages of the less invasive procedure still need further investigation. Nevertheless, we believe that VATS segmentectomy with complete lymph node dissection is a reasonable treatment option for selected patients with small peripheral NSCLC.

Mediastinal Solitary Fibrous Tumor: Report of a Case with Direct Invasion to the Trachea

The solitary fibrous tumors in the pleura are a rare entity that is usually adhesive and sometimes invasive. Because of its benign feature, complete surgical resection is generally considered. We describe a very rare case of mediastinal solitary fibrous tumor arised or invaded into the tracheal wall, which was surgically resected with combined cylindrical resection of the trachea.

Structure and expression of 12-oxophytodienoate reductase (subgroup I) genes in pea, and characterization of the oxidoreductase activities of their recombinant products

Recently, we observed that expression of a pea gene (S64) encoding an oxophytodienoic acid reductase (OPR) was induced by a suppressor of pea defense responses, secreted by the pea pathogen Mycosphaerella pinodes. Because it is known that OPRs are usually encoded by families of homologous genes, we screened for genomic and cDNA clones encoding members of this putative OPR family in pea. We isolated five members of the OPR gene family from a pea genomic DNA library, and amplified six cDNA clones, including S64, by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-PCR). Sequencing analysis revealed that S64 corresponds to PsOPR2, and the amino acid sequences of the predicted products of the six OPR-like genes shared more than 80% identity with each other. Based on their sequence similarity, all these OPR-like genes code for OPRs of subgroup I, i.e., enzymes which are not required for jasmonic acid biosynthesis. However, the genes varied in their exon/intron organization and in their promoter sequences. To investigate the expression of each individual OPR-like gene, RT-PCR was performed using gene-specific primers. The results indicated that the OPR-like gene most strongly induced by the inoculation of pea plants with a compatible pathogen and by treatment with the suppressor from M. pinodes was PsOPR2. Furthermore, the ability of the six recombinant OPR-like proteins to reduce a model substrate, 2-cyclohexen-1-one (2-CyHE), was investigated. The results indicated that PsOPR1, 4 and 6 display robust activity, and PsOPR2 has a most remarkable ability to reduce 2-CyHE, whereas PsOPR3 has little and PsOPR5 does not reduce this compound. Thus, the six OPR-like proteins can be classified into four types. Interestingly, the gene structures, expression profiles, and enzymatic activities used to classify each member of the pea OPR-like gene family are clearly correlated, indicating that each member of this OPR-like family has a distinct function.

Alleles responsible for ABO phenotype-genotype discrepancy and alleles in individuals with a weak expression of A or B antigens

ABO types obtained from evidentiary samples have been used effectively to obtain the initial information leading to the apprehension of culprits in Japanese criminal investigations. A simple ABO genotyping method using multiplex sequence-specific PCR and capillary electrophoresis was developed as a supplement to serological ABO typing. Limitations in predicting a phenotype based on genotype were evaluated using 1134 randomly selected Japanese peripheral blood samples. A concordance rate of 99.82% (1132/1134 samples) was found between genotypes and phenotypes defined as Groups A, B, AB, and O. Sequencing analysis revealed that one discrepant sample contained an O allele having a previously unreported point mutation at the primer binding site in exon 6, and another discrepant sample contained an O allele lacking the guanine deletion at nt 261 (the O301 allele). Therefore, the existence of such alleles must be given some consideration when predicting phenotype based on genotype.

Orexin-A (hypocretin-1) impairs Morris water maze performance and CA1-Schaffer collateral long-term potentiation in rats

Glucose-sensitive neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area produce orexin-A (hypocretin-1) and orexin-B (hypocretin-2) and send their axons to the hippocampus, which predominantly expresses orexin receptor 1 showing a higher sensitivity to orexin-A. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of orexin-A on the performance of Wistar rats during the Morris water maze test and then to determine the effects of orexin-A on both the long-term potentiation and long-term depression in Schaffer collateral/commissural-CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices. The results of the Morris water maze test show that 1.0 and 10 nmol of orexin-A, when administered intracerebroventricularly, retarded spatial learning. A probe test examined after training of water maze task also showed an impairment in spatial memory. The results of an electrophysiological study using hippocampal slices demonstrated that 1.0 to 30 nM of orexin-A applied to the perfusate produces a dose-dependent and time dependent suppression of the long-term potentiation. In addition, the long-term depression was not affected by orexin-A. The results of a paired-pulse facilitation experiment indicated that the effects of orexin-A were post-synaptic and not due to presynaptic transmitter release. These results show that orexin-A impairs spatial performance and these impairments can be attributed to a suppression of long-term potentiation in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 hippocampal synapses.

Monoclonal antibodies against blood group A secretors and nonsecretors saliva

To obtain monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that distinguish secretor and nonsecretor from their saliva in forensic casework, two (K7405 and K7422) and one (K7516) MAbs reacting to blood group A antigen were produced by immunization of mice with salivary mucin obtained from blood group A secretors and nonsecretors, respectively. K7405, produced by immunization with salivary mucin obtained from A secretor, reacted with the A substances bound to the carrier protein but not with the A substance separated from the carrier protein. On the other hand, the K7422 and K7516 were reactive to the A substance separated from carrier protein. From these results, we conclude that K7405 recognizes the A substances clustered on the carrier protein and K7422 and K7516 recognize the isolated A substance. In the forensic blood typing of body fluids, A secretors and A nonsecretors can be clearly discriminated by the combined application of two MAbs (K7405 and K7516), which react differently against saliva samples.

The DeltafliD mutant of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, which secretes flagellin monomers, induces a strong hypersensitive reaction (HR) in non-host tomato cells

To investigate the role of flagella and monomer flagellin in the interaction between Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci and plants, non-polar fliC and fliD mutants were produced. The ORFs for fliC and fliD are deleted in the DeltafliC and DeltafliD mutants, respectively. Both mutants lost all flagella and were non-motile. The DeltafliC mutant did not produce flagellin, whereas the DeltafliD mutant, which lacks the HAP2 protein, secreted large amounts of monomer flagellin into the culture medium. Inoculation of non-host tomato leaves with wild-type P. syringae pv. tabaci or the DeltafliD mutant induced a hypersensitive reaction (HR), whereas the DeltafliC mutant propagated and caused characteristic symptom-like changes. In tomato cells in suspension culture, wild-type P. syringae pv. tabaci induced slight, visible HR-like changes. The DeltafliC mutant did not induce HR, but the DeltafliD mutant induced a remarkably strong HR. Expression of the hsr203J gene was rapidly and strongly induced by inoculation with the DeltafliD mutant, compared to inoculation with wild-type P. syringae pv. tabaci. Furthermore, introduction of the fliC gene into the DeltafliC mutant restored motility and HR-inducing ability in tomato. These results, together with our previous study, suggest that the flagellin monomer of pv. tabaci acts as a strong elicitor to induce HR-associated cell death in non-host tomato cells.

Effects of G169R and P34S substitutions produced by mutations of CYP2D6*14 on the functional properties of CYP2D6 expressed in V79 cells

CYP2D6 is a polymorphic enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of various drugs. At least 40-mutant alleles of CYP2D6 have been reported. CYP2D6*14, which is one of them found in Asian populations, causes deficient activity of CYP2D6. Four amino acid substitutions, P34S, G169R, R296C, and S486T, are present in the protein encoded by CYP2D6*14 (CYP2D6 14). Among them, G169R is thought to be a definitive substitution because it is unique to CYP2D6 14. However, a previous study showed that the activity of G169R-substituted CYP2D6 was about 40% of wild-type CYP2D6, suggesting that a combination of G169R and other substitutions may be required to abolish the activity of CYP2D6. In the present study, we examined the effects of combined substitutions of G169R and P34S on the functional properties of CYP2D6 and compared them with those of a single substitution of G169R or P34S using a cDNA expression system of V79 cells. The results showed that a combined substitution of G169R and P34S reduced the activities of CYP2D6 to less than the detection limit of our analytical method for bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and dextromethorphan O-demethylation. However, these activities were not completely abolished by a single substitution of P34S or G169R. The findings suggest that simultaneous substitution of G169R and P34S is crucial for almost completely abolishing the activity of CYP2D6 at least in V79 cells, although whether the absence of metabolism is due to the absence of functional protein or catalytic incompetency remains unclear because the levels of CYP2D6 protein expressed in V79 cells were too low to be determined by difference CO-reduced spectra.

[Results of surgical treatment for thymic epithelial tumors with special reference to the WHO classification]

We examined the clinical significance of World Health Organization (WHO) classification based on a surgical experience with 71 patients. There were 6, 21, 6, 10, 14, and 14 patients with type A, AB, B1, B2, B3 and C tumors. In these patients, average stage by Masaoka's classification was significantly associated with the WHO classification. Invasive tumors of stage III and IV were seen more frequently in patients with type B2, B3 and C tumors than in those with type A, AB and B1. The incidence of tumors invading the lung, the pericardia or the pleura was higher in type B2, B3 and C than in type A, AB or B1. Furthermore, tumor recurrences and tumor-related deaths were seen only in patients with type B2, B3 or C. This study suggested that type B2, B3 and C tumors had more malignant nature in terms of invasiveness, recurrence and prognosis following operation, and that WHO classification may be a useful guideline for planning treatment of thymic epithelial tumors.

Indirect arterial blood pressure measurement at the wrist using a pad-type square cuff and volume-oscillometric method

Using theoretical and experimental approaches, we examined whether blood pressure at the wrist can be accurately measured by a volume-oscillometric method using a small pad-type square cuff placed above the radial artery (RA). Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist allowed us to determine the geometry of two-dimensional (2-D) finite-element models. Finite-element method (FEM) analysis predicted that the pressure transmission ratio (calculated tissue pressure over externally applied pressure; square cuff to RA) was 98.8% for a cuff with a bladder sidelength 0.25 times the wrist diameter placed on the skin surface between the tendons of the brachioradialis muscle (Ta) and the flexor capri radialis muscle (Tb) and over the site (L) at which RA crosses the most protuberant spot on the volar aspect of the distal end of the radius. In addition, FEM analysis using a 3-D finite-element model (constructed by extending the 2-D finite-element model at site L in the longitudinal direction) showed that for all square cuffs with bladder sidelengths greater than or equal to 0.25 times the wrist diameter, the external pressure was transmitted almost completely to RA beneath the cuff center. Moreover, when the bladder sidelength was 0.44 times the wrist diameter, but not 0.29 times the wrist diameter, the mean blood pressure measured at site L in human subjects was similar to that measured at the upper arm. Taken together, the theoretical and the experimental results suggest that (i) blood pressure at the wrist can be measured accurately using a pad-type square cuff placed on the skin surface between Ta and Tb at site L, and (ii) the minimum bladder sidelength for accurate readings is somewhere between one-third and one-half of the wrist diameter.

Comparability of epidemiological information between self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires

The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which respondents provided the same answers to a health-related lifestyle questionnaire in self- and interviewer-administered forms. A total of 234 subjects completed a 110-item questionnaire in both interviewer and self-administered forms. Modes of administration were separated by a 2-week interval. The order was determined by random allocation. The presence and the extent of the tendency to give socially acceptable responses were evaluated using percentage of bias calculated as the ratio of the difference in proportion of positive responses or the mean between interviews and questionnaires and those in questionnaires. All percentages of bias were in the positive direction, ranging from 1.4% (physical exercise) to 26.1% (general life stress). The average percentage of bias was higher in women than in men and were stronger for younger respondents. The age differences between interviewer and respondent were inversely and most strongly related to percentage of bias. Self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires yield very similar results in discriminating between subjects, but the interviewer-administered questionnaire showed systematically more desirable responses to questions related to lifestyle factors. The differences in characteristics between interviewer and respondent may be important determinants of the socially desirability bias in the interview.

Fas ligand expression and depletion of T-cell infiltration in astrocytic tumors

Fas (APO-1/CD95) ligand (FasL) and its receptor, Fas, play a key role in the regulation of apoptosis in the immune system. FasL acts as a cytotoxic effector molecule to Fas-expressing malignant tumor cells; however, it has recently been suggested that FasL also acts as a possible mediator of tumor immune privilege. We studied FasL expression in glioblastoma cell lines and a series of human glioma specimens by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, quantitative analysis of T-cell infiltration in these tumors was performed. FasL expression was seen in all cell lines and in 9 of 14 specimens by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The distribution of FasL was recognized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells (5 of 9) and in the vascular endothelium (4 of 9). Both types of FasL expression were associated with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in T-cell infiltration when compared with FasL-negative areas within the same tumor or FasL-negative specimens. Since T-cell apoptosis could be induced by FasL-expressing tumor cells, the present findings suggest that apoptosis induction by FasL expressed on tumor cells and/or vascular endothelium might be one mechanism for T-cell depletion in astrocytic tumor tissues.

An immunohistochemical examination of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: report of a case

We recently encountered a patient with basaloid carcinoma of the esophagus with extensive node involvement. The patient died of hematogenous metastasis 6 months after surgery. The tumor expressed cytokeratin but did not express either Type IV collagen or laminin. Both tumor cells and metastatic lesions in the regional lymph nodes expressed p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 proteins, but did not express cyclin D1 proteins.

Insulin-like growth factor II-producing intra-abdominal hemangiopericytoma associated with hypoglycemia

We report a patient with insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II-producing hemangiopericytoma with hypoglycemia in whom repeated intra-abdominal recurrences developed over a period of about 10 years and tumor resection was performed four times. A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in 1995 because of hypoglycemic attacks. In 1985, partial resection of the small bowel had been performed for a 17-cm abdominal tumor of the transverse mesocolon, and the pathological diagnosis was hemangiopericytoma. In 1991, left hemicolectomy had been performed for a mesosigmoidal tumor associated with hypoglycemia. In 1994, hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, and resection of an intrapelvic tumor were performed. The fourth operation was performed in 1996, about 10 years after the first operation. The spleen was removed, together with more than 1500 tumors having a total weight of 1,660 g. The hypoglycemia was ameliorated after each operation. Before this operation, her serum IGF-I level was low, but her IGF-II level was within the normal range; however, the Western immunoblot method showed that most of the IGF-II was high-molecular-weight IGF-II. The tissue IGF-I level was also low, and the IGF-II level was high, suggesting an IGF-II-producing tumor. We suspect that the mechanism of the hypoglycemia in this patient was related to the high-molecular-weight IGF-II produced by the tumor. The patient died in 1997 because of tumor recurrence.

Application of an integrated prepstation-GC-NPD system to automated continuous measurement of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the atmosphere

An integrated PrepStation-gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-NPD) system was used for the fully automated, continuous, low parts per billion analysis of lower aldehydes in the atmosphere. Analysis involved a solid phase extraction procedure based on the collection of aldehydes from air pumped through a silica gel cartridge impregnated with acidified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). Automated continuous measurements were performed with a typical temporal resolution of 3 h, including 146 min for sampling of air at a constant air flow rate of 0.15 L min(-1) and 34 min for the preparation and extraction of several cartridges. Analysis of samples could be performed in parallel by using previously defined scheduler settings from separate, independent software to operate the PrepStation module. GC-NPD measurements were highly repeatable, and relative standard deviations were < 3.0%. Recoveries for all compounds were 88-101%. DNPH decomposition products did not adversely affect the quantitative determination of aldehyde DNPHs; therefore, it was not necessary to remove excess DNPH reagent. The limits of quantification (10sigma of the blank hydrazones) of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were 2.2 and 1.2 ppb, respectively, for 21.9 L (0.15 L min(-1) for 146 min) of air sample volume. The integrated PrepStation GC-NPD system gave results comparable to those of the Sep-Pak DNPH silica cartridge method.

Intravenous immunoglobulin for cranial polyneuropathy associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection

This study reports the efficacy of i.v. immunoglobulin in a patient with cranial polyneuropathy resulting from Campylobacter jejuni infection who had high titers of serum IgG antibodies against gangliosides GD1a and GT1b in the acute phase. Treatment with i.v. immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg/day x 5 days) led to rapid partial resolution of his neurologic manifestations, but complete recovery was not obtained until 6 months later. The present case suggests that i.v. immunoglobulin therapy prevents further progression of the disease but that it may not shorten the clinical course of cranial polyneuropathy in some cases associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection.

Gramine increase associated with rapid and transient systemic resistance in barley seedlings induced by mechanical and biological stresses

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is one of the intriguing issues for studying the mechanism in signal transduction system in a whole plant. We found that SAR and increase of an antifungal compound were induced rapidly and transiently in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Goseshikoku) by mechanical and biological stresses. One of the major antifungal compounds was identified as an indole alkaloid, gramine (N,N-dimethyl-3-aminomethylindole), by mass spectrum and NMR analyses. Gramine is well known as a constitutive compound of barley, but it increased significantly in the primary and secondary leaves of barley seedlings within 12 h after pruning or inoculating with the powdery mildew fungi of barley (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) and wheat (B. graminis f.sp. tritici). However, in the leaf detached from unwounded seedlings or in the leaf inoculated with the barley powdery mildew fungus, gramine did not increase at all. In the water droplets contacted with barley leaves, the amount of leaked gramine increased dependently upon the time after the seedling was injured mechanically. We also found a tight correlation between gramine increase and enhancement of resistance to the barley powdery mildew fungus in barley leaves treated with an endogenous elicitor. Furthermore, such a systemic resistance was not observed in a barley cultivar Morex that lacks the biosynthetic pathway of gramine. From these results, we conclude that gramine is the excellent marker in rapid and transient systemic acquired resistance in barley.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection within Warthin's tumor: report of two cases

We report two patients with Warthin's tumor who were also infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Case 1 was a 75-year-old woman with Warthin's tumor and multiple small epithelioid granulomas with caseous necrosis involving the submandibular gland. This patient died of tuberculous meningitis 4 months after biopsy. Case 2 was a 78-year-old man with a 10-year history of a parotid mass which had enlarged rapidly over 2 months. Surgical excision revealed Warthin's tumor and epithelioid granulomas involving the left parotid gland. DNA extracted from paraffin sections was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer sets for the mycobacterial 65-KDa antigen gene. Restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR products could differentiate Mycobacterium tuberculosis from other mycobacteria in both cases. Although the histogenesis of lymphoid components of Warthin's tumor is controversial, the frequent prevalence of inflammation or necrosis and our present findings suggest these components have a similar behavior to regional lymph nodes.

A comparative study of characteristics of current-type and conventional-type cationic bactericides

We have synthesized new polycationic bactericides, polyloxyethylene(dimethyliminio)trimethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloridel (OXD) and poly(hexamethyleneguanidine phosphate) (HEP), in order to develop more active but less skin-irritative bactericides. The effects of these bactericides on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the degree of their irritations on skin were compared with those of a widely used low molecular-weight cationic bactericide, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), and a polycationic bactericide, poly[2-hydroxyethylene(dimethyliminio)methylene chloride] (2HYC). The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of OXD for 10 min contact incubation was 16 microg/ml against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. marcescens and K. pneumoniae, and >1000 microg/ml against MRSA. The MBC of HEP for 10 min contact incubation was 16 microg/ml against P. aeruginosa, 32 microg/ml against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and 64 microg/ml against S. marcescens and MRSA. Itch, edema, erythema, heat, injury, desquamation and keratinization caused by skin irritation were examined in 21 subjects by patch tests. Only one subject treated with OXD experienced edema, and one subject with HEP experienced keratinization. However, BAC caused itch in 3 subjects, edema in 1, erythema in 10 and desquamation in 2, indicating that the incidence of skin irritation of BAC was higher than that of OXD or HEP. OXD and HEP had sterilization ability similar to BAC, however, they were less skin-irritative than BAC. This indicates that OXD and HEP can be used as safe bactericides.

Carcinosarcoma of the uterus: immunohistochemical and genetic analysis of clonality of one case

BACKGROUND

Carcinosarcomas of the uterus are characterized by admixtures of malignant epithelial and stromal cells, and their histogenesis remains controversial.

CASE

An operated case of carcinosarcoma of the uterus in a 49-year-old woman is reported with clonal analysis. The tumor was composed of carcinomatous, sarcomatous, and transitional elements in the frontal wall of the uterine body and therefore was diagnosed as a carcinosarcoma. On immunohistochemical analysis, the sarcomatous component proved negative for epithelial membrane antigen and keratin while both components were positive for vimentin. Analysis of X-chromosome inactivation showed the same pattern throughout and additionally, the same K-ras and p53 mutations were homogeneously detected. Microsatellite instability analysis showed loss of heterozygosity at D5S346 in the sarcomatous but not the carcinomatous component.

CONCLUSIONS

This tumor appears monoclonal in line with the combination tumor theory, with late divergence in genetic alteration in the sarcomatous elements.

KAI1/CD82 expression as a prognosic factor in sporadic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Since its identification as a suppressor gene for prostate cancer metastasis, down-regulation of KAI1/CD82 in a variety of malignancies has been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using immunohistochemistry, we examined KAI1/CD82 expression in surgical specimens obtained from 70 patients with advanced colorectal cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological factors, to clarify their prognostic significance.

RESULTS

KAI1/CD82 expression was positive in 55% of the 70 colorectal cancers. There were statistically significant correlations between KAI1/CD82 expression and Dukes' stage, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation and liver metastasis. The significant correlation between KAI1/CD82 expression and outcome among patients with Dukes' C cancer (p=0.024) is particularly noteworthy. On multivariate analysis, KAI1/CD82 expression and Dukes' stage were identified as significant and independent prognostic factors (p=0.006 and 0.045, respectively).

CONCLUSION

KAI1/CD82 expression closely correlates with clinicopathological factors for colorectal cancers. KAI1/CD82 expression appears to be a useful prognostic marker.

Epigenetic regulation of the KAI1 metastasis suppressor gene in human prostate cancer cell lines

Expression of the KAI1 gene, a metastasis-suppressor for prostate cancer, is reduced in all foci of prostatic metastasis. The altered regulatory mechanism is not strongly related to mutations or allelic losses of the KAI1 gene in prostate tumors. Since transcriptional silencing of genes has been found to be caused by epigenetic mechanisms, we have investigated the involvement of this epigenetic regulation of KAI1 expression in prostate cancers. The methylation status of the KAI1 promoter region was examined by restriction-enzyme digestion and sequencing, after amplifying a 331-bp fragment in the GC-rich promoter region from 4 human prostate cancer cell lines treated with bisulfite. The same 4 cell lines were also exposed to various concentrations of the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) and / or the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA). To clarify the influence of epigenetic modification on reduced KAI1 mRNA expression in the tumor cells, RT-PCR and northern-blot analyses were performed. Bisulfite-sequencing data showed a few methylated CpG islands in the promoter. RT-PCR analysis of 5-AzaC and / or TSA-treated cells indicated reversal of suppression of KAI1 transcription in two cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145), although the expression could not be detected by northern blots. From these results, it is suggested that epigenetic change is not the main mechanism of KAI1 down-regulation, though there remains a possibility that methylation in a more upstream region might be associated with this regulation.

Design and synthesis of a highly selective EP4-receptor agonist. Part 1: 3,7-dithiaPG derivatives with high selectivity

A series of 3,7-dithiaPGE(1) analogues 3, 4, 11, 16 and 19 were identified as highly selective EP4-receptor agonists starting from the chemical modification of 7-thiaPGE(1) analogue 1. EP4-receptor selectivity and agonist activity were maximized in 3 and 4.

Design and synthesis of a highly selective EP4-receptor agonist. Part 2: 5-thia and 9beta-haloPG derivatives with improved stability

Further chemical modification to identify more chemically stabilized EP4-receptor selective agonists was continued. As a result, a further two EP4-receptor selective agonists 5-thiaPGE(1) 2a, 10 and 9beta-chloroPGF(2) analogue 11 were discovered.

Oxygen consumption of single bovine embryos probed by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Oxygen consumption of individual bovine embryos was noninvasively quantified by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). A probe microelectrode was used to scan near a single embryo surface in a culture medium to monitor the oxygen reduction current at 37 degrees C, under a water-saturated atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air. The oxygen concentration profiles near the embryos were in good agreement with the theoretical spherical diffusion. When an embryo reached the stage of a morula with a 74-microm radius on day 6 after in vitro fertilization, the oxygen concentration difference (deltaC) between the bulk solution and the morula surface was 6.90 +/- 1.35 microM. The oxygen consumption rate (F) of the single morula was estimated to be (1.40 +/- 0.27) x 10(-14) mol s(-1). After the SECM measurement, the embryo was continuously cultured for another 2 days and grew to the stage of a blastocyst with a 100-microm radius. For the blastocyst, the deltaC values for the inner cell mass side and the trophoblast side were 16.40 +/- 1.83 and 9.14 +/- 1.68 microM, respectively. The oxygen consumption rate of the blastocyst was found to be in the range of (2.50 +/- 0.46) x 10(-14) mol s(-1) < F < (4.49 +/- 0.50) x 10(-14) mol s(-1). We have carried out SECM measurements for 19 embryos, and the results were compared in detail with these from an optical microscopic observation. The deltaC values for the morulae on day 6 after in vitro fertilization were strongly related to the morphological embryo quality. The morulae showing a larger deltaC value developed into blastocysts of a larger size, and the deltaC value after the subsequent 2 days of cultivation was found to be increased.

Frameshift mutation in the collagen VI gene causes Ullrich's disease

Patients with Ullrich's disease have generalized muscle weakness, multiple contractures of the proximal joints, and hyperextensibility of the distal joints. Recently, we found a deficiency of collagen VI protein in two patients with Ullrich's disease. In this study, we detected a homozygous 26 bp deletion in exon 14 of the collagen VI alpha 2 gene (COL6A2) in one patient. This mutation causes a frameshift and a premature termination codon, and results in a truncated collagen VI alpha 2 chain. Our data suggest that at least some cases of Ullrich's disease result from recessive mutations in COL6A2.

Recurrent giant longitudinal duodenal ulcer with massive hemorrhage in a Helicobacter pylori-negative patient

A 67-year-old man, in whom a linear ulcer running from the duodenal bulb to the descending part had been noted 3 years previously, was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain and melena. Duodenoscopy revealed a bleeding giant longitudinal ulcer, which was more extensive than before. Tests for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) were negative. The ulcer was cured by endoscopic hemostasis and repeated blood transfusions. Attention must be paid to Hp-negative post-bulbar duodenal ulcers because of the frequent complications including hemorrhage.

[In terms of infection control team(ICT)]

We think it is important to make up a medical team for the infection control in the hospital since patients admitted often turn to compromised hosts who possessed the high risk to provoke the possible transmission of nosocomial infections. Infection control team(ICT) under the infection control committee(ICC) was established in our Yamagata University Hospital at the 1994 April. Members of the ICT are composed of staffs at various sections: physicians, pharmacists, nurses, clinical laboratory staffs, a neutrionist and administration office staffs, with the aim of preventing the nosocomial infections. Twenty three staffs of ICT who are specialist at each section have practiced the round of wards, leading in hand-washing, checking of the proper use of antibiotics and disinfectants, making and revising of the infection control manual, follow-up of the route of infection, and a countermeasure of prevention for needle pad accidents, etc. Furthermore, ICT has exerted all possible efforts of various investigations for infections when it is necessary. Problems that are faced our ICT are the construction of a network an inter-net among clinical divisions, nursing, pharmacy and clinical laboratory, and a system of the centralized management is actualized thereby.

Expression of ICAD-l and ICAD-S in human brain tumor and its cleavage upon activation of apoptosis by anti-Fas antibody

ICAD / DFF is a downstream molecule of caspases, participating in nuclear DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. ICAD / DFF binds CAD / DFF40 and inhibits its DNase activity. ICAD / DFF has two alternative isoforms, long isoform (ICAD-L / DFF45) and short isoform (ICAD-S / DFF35). We have studied the presence and functional status of ICAD / DFF in human glioma cell lines. All cell lines tested expressed both ICAD-L and ICAD-S. When the cultured glioma cells were exposed to anti-Fas antibody, these isoforms were degraded prior to the fragmentation of the nuclear DNA, indicating that the ICAD / DFF expressed in cultured glioma cells was potentially functional. In primary brain tumors and normal brain tissues, there was a difference in the expression level between ICAD-L and ICAD-S. In glioblastomas, ICAD-S was more abundant than ICAD-L. In contrast, ICAD-L was more abundant than ICAD-S in medulloblastomas. The present findings suggest that primary brain tumors and normal brain constitutively express ICAD / DFF, and that there is a difference between the expression levels of ICAD-L and ICAD-S.

The role of epigenetic modifications in retinoic acid receptor beta2 gene expression in human prostate cancers

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) beta gene is a putative tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 3p24, where a high incidence of loss of heterozygosity is detected in many types of tumors. Retinoic acid suppresses cancer cell growth through binding to RARs, especially RARbeta, indicating a critical role in mediating anticancer effects. Selective loss or down-regulation of RARbeta mRNA and protein has been reported in prostate cancers (PCas), although the mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the role of epigenetic modification in RARbeta2 gene silencing. Aberrant methylation was detected in 11 of 14 (79%) primary PCas, 9 of 10 (90%) hormone-refractory PCas, and 2 of 4 (50%) PCa cell lines, but not in any normal prostate samples. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that all RARbeta2-negative cells (LNCaP, PC3, and DU145) were hypoacetylated at both histones H3 and H4. After exposure to 5-aza-2prime;-deoxycytidine treatment, Trichostatin A and all-trans retinoic acid induced partial demethylation, increased accumulation of acetylated histones, and markedly restored the expression of RARbeta2 in RARbeta2-negative cells. These data suggest that the RARbeta2 gene may be one of the frequently silenced genes by epigenetic modifications in PCa.

Bacteriophage P4282, a parasite of Ralstonia solanacearum, encodes a bacteriolytic protein important for lytic infection of its host

To enhance bacterial wilt resistance in tobacco expressing a foreign protein, we isolated the bacteriolytic gene from a bacteriophage that infects Ralstonia solanacearum. The bacteriolytic protein of phage P4282 isolated in Tochigi Prefecture was purified from a lysate of R. solanacearum M4S cells infected with the phage, and its bacteriolytic activity was assayed by following the decrease in the turbidity of suspensions of R. solancacearum M4S cells. The molecular weight of the bacteriolytic protein was approximately 71 kDa, and the sequence of the N-terminal 13 amino acids was determined. We used oligonucleotide probes based on this amino acid sequence to isolate the bacteriolytic gene from phage P4282 DNA. This gene of 2061 bp encodes a product of 687 amino acids, whose calaculated molecular weight was 70.12 kDa. The bacteriolytic gene was placed under the control of an inducible promoter. and the plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli NM522. The soluble proteins extracted from E.coli NM522 cells harboring the plasmid with the bacteriolytic gene showed obvious bacteriolytic activities against several strains of R. solanacearum isolated in various districts in Japan. DNA fragments from five phages, isolated in Niigata, Aomori, Okinawa, Fukushima and Yamaguchi Prefectures, hybridized to the bacteriolytic gene of phage P4282. These observations indicate that the bacteriolytic protein shows nonspecific activity against R. solanacearum strains, and a sequence similar to that of the bacteriolytic gene is conserved in the DNA of other bacteriophages. These results indicate that the generation of transgenic (tobacco) plants expressing the bacteriolytic gene of phage P4282 might result in enhanced resistance to bacterial wilt in tobacco.

Impact of genetic polymorphisms of 17-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (CYP17) and steroid 5alpha-reductase type II (SRD5A2) genes on prostate-cancer risk among the Japanese population

Steroid hormones, especially testosterone, play important roles in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer, and several studies have reported changes in risk with polymorphisms of genes involved in steroid metabolism. One example is the CYP17 gene, which has a polymorphic T-to-C substitution in the 5'-untranslated region giving rise to A1 (T) and A2 (C) alleles. Steroid 5alpha-reductase type II (SRD5A2), which converts testosterone to the metabolically more active dihydrotestosterone, exhibits 2 polymorphisms: V89L, which substitutes leucine for valine at codon 89, and A49T, which substitutes threonine for alanine at codon 49. We therefore designed a case-control study of 105 prostate-cancer patients and 210 controls with benign prostatic hyperplasia for the purpose of investigating the association between prostate-cancer risk and polymorphisms in the SRD5A2 and CYP17 genes among the Japanese. The frequency of the CYP17 A2/A2 genotype in cases (18.8%) was higher than in controls (14.5%). Compared with the A1/A1 genotype, the odds ratio for the A2/A2 genotype was 2.39 (95% confidence interval 1.04-5.46, p = 0.04). The frequency of the SRD5A2 LL genotype in cases (29.3%) was also slightly higher than in controls (24.6%), but this was not significant. Regarding the A49T polymorphism of SRD5A2, we could not detect the T allele in any of the examined samples. These data suggest a significant association between the CYP17 polymorphism and prostate-cancer risk among the Japanese.

Sequence conservation at human and mouse orthologous common fragile regions, FRA3B/FHIT and Fra14A2/Fhit

It has been suggested that delayed DNA replication underlies fragility at common human fragile sites, but specific sequences responsible for expression of these inducible fragile sites have not been identified. One approach to identify such cis-acting sequences within the large nonexonic regions of fragile sites would be to identify conserved functional elements within orthologous fragile sites by interspecies sequence comparison. This study describes a comparison of orthologous fragile regions, the human FRA3B/FHIT and the murine Fra14A2/Fhit locus. We sequenced over 600 kbp of the mouse Fra14A2, covering the region orthologous to the fragile epicenter of FRA3B, and determined the Fhit deletion break points in a mouse kidney cancer cell line (RENCA). The murine Fra14A2 locus, like the human FRA3B, was characterized by a high AT content. Alignment of the two sequences showed that this fragile region was stable in evolution despite its susceptibility to mitotic recombination on inhibition of DNA replication. There were also several unusual highly conserved regions (HCRs). The positions of predicted matrix attachment regions (MARs), possibly related to replication origins, were not conserved. Of known fragile region landmarks, five cancer cell break points, one viral integration site, and one aphidicolin break cluster were located within or near HCRs. Thus, comparison of orthologous fragile regions has identified highly conserved sequences with possible functional roles in maintenance of fragility.

Mutation analysis of the p51 gene and correlation between p53, p73, and p51 expressions in prostatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

p73 and p51 are genes possessing amino-acid similarities to p53. We previously found no mutation in p73 in prostatic carcinoma, but did find abnormal expression of the gene. Involvement of these genes in prostatic carcinogenesis is still poorly understood.

METHODS

Mutation analysis of the p51 gene and allelotyping of 3q28, on which p51 lies, were performed. Expression of p53, p73, and p51 was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and expression levels were compared.

RESULTS

No mutation in p51 was found (0/55 cases). Loss of heterozygosity at 3q28 was detected in 6 of 28 cases (21.8%). By expression analysis we found that in p53, 4 of 38 cases (10.5%) showed downregulation. No cases showed upregulation of p53. In contrast, p73 and p51 were downregulated in 42.1 and 39.5% of cases, respectively, and upregulated in 31.5 and 34.2% of cases, respectively. Expression levels of p51 corresponded with those of p73 in 25 of 38 cases (65.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Somatic mutations in p73 and p51 are not important in prostatic carcinogenesis. These genes may be associated with tumors by expression levels and may have roles in addition to tumor suppression.

Genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and GSTT1 and susceptibility to prostate cancer in the Japanese population

Associations between genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and prostate cancer (PCa) were analyzed in a case-control study of 315 individuals. The frequency of valine (Val)/valine (Val) genotypes for CYP1A1 was 11.3% in cases compared with 5.5% in controls, this polymorphism thus being associated with a significantly increased risk of PCa (odds ratio=2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-5.57). No links were detected between PCa and polymorphisms in other enzymes. However, the combination of CYP1A1 (Ile/Val and/or Val/Val) polymorphisms with the GSTM1 null type resulted in an OR of 2.2 (CI=1.10-4.57, 1.12-4.20, respectively). This study suggests that the CYP1A1 polymorphism and its combination with GSTM1 may be associated with PCa susceptibility in the Japanese population.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is involved in alpha6 integrin gene expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells: role of proximal Sp1 consensus sequence

Metastatic diseases of prostate cancer reveal high expression of alpha6 integrin and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinase). Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine whether MAP kinase pathway is involved in the alpha6 integrin gene expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. alpha6 integrin mRNA expression, the alpha6 integrin promoter-induced luciferase activities and MAP kinase enzyme activities in androgen-independent LNCaP and PC-3 cell lines were higher than those in androgen-dependent LNCaP. Deletion and mutation analysis showed that Sp1 consensus sequence at -48 to -43 bp from the transcription start site was necessary for basal promoter activity. Binding of Sp1 to its consensus sequence in three cell lines was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Sp1 binding to its consensus sequence, as well as promoter activity and mRNA expression, were found to be inhibited by an inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase 1 and 2, U0126, in the androgen-independent cell lines. Our results indicate that the proximal Sp1 is necessary for basal promoter activity of the alpha6 integrin, suggesting that signal transduction from MAP kinases to activation of Sp1 might be involved in alpha6 integrin gene expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines.

Myristoylation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag protein is required for efficient env protein transportation to the surface of cells

Highly conserved amino acids in the N-terminal region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Pr55(gag) are recognized to be critical for the attachment of myristic acid. We previously reported that the env protein was not detected on the cell surface by blocking of N-myristoylation of Pr55(gag) with N-myristoyl glycinal diethylacetal. Here, we constructed a mutant by substituting the N-terminal glycine of Pr55(gag) with alanine to demonstrate that N-myristoylation of Pr55(gag) is required for efficient env protein transportation to the cell surface. The expression level of the env protein on the surface of Jurkat cells transfected with the myristoylation-defective phenotype was observed to be significantly reduced by electron microscopic analyses with a gold-labeled monoclonal antibody against the env protein. In addition, Jurkat cells transfected with the myristoylation-defective phenotype lost the ability of envelope-mediated cell-to-cell fusion. The results suggest that N-myristoylation of the HIV-1 gag protein is necessary for efficient env protein transportation to the cell surface.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of pea cDNA E86 encoding homologous protein to hypersensitivity-related hsr203J

Clone E86 was isolated as cDNA for elicitor-inducible gene from pea epicotyls by differential screening. The deduced amino acid sequence of E86 showed high homology to hypersensitivity-related protein hsr203J in tobacco and also showed significant homologies to the Ser-active hydrolases, such as mammalian hormone-sensitive lipases, bacterial lipases and esterases. E86 polypeptide possesses consensus amino acid sequence motifs (His-Gly) and (Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly) conserved in lipases and esterases and showed esterase degradation of p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Northern blot analysis revealed that the E86-transcript is abundant in roots and stems and was induced by fungal elicitor in pea epicotyls. However, elicitor-induced accumulation of E86 mRNA was significantly inhibited by the fungal suppressor. Furthermore the expression of the genes encoding E86 and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was induced within 1 h after the inoculation of a nonpathogen, but it was delayed for 5 h by the inoculation of a compatible pathogen. These results suggest that the elicitor-induced Ser-active hydrolase derived from E86 gene might be related to the plant defense responses.

Effect of methyl jasmonate on harpin-induced hypersensitive cell death, generation of hydrogen peroxide and expression of PAL mRNA in tobacco suspension cultured BY-2 cells

Methyl jasmonate inhibited the harpin-induced defense responses such as cell death, H2O2 generation and gene expression encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in tobacco suspension cultured BY-2 cells. These results suggest that MeJA may act as an endogenous suppressor for plant defense response including hypersensitive reaction.

Prognostic significance of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 immunoreactivity and tumor micronecrosis for recurrence of meningiomas

Recurrence is an important factor for prognosis of meningioma patients, this also occurring with some lesions diagnosed histopathologically as benign. To analyze their relationships with clinicopathological factors, p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 immunoreactivity, 80 meningiomas were classified into four groups with regard to the World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification and recurrence: 40 cases of Group I (typical type)-NR (no recurrence); five cases of Group I-R (recurrence); 20 cases of Group II (atypical or anaplastic type)-NR and 15 cases of Group II-R. Micronecrosis was detected in 25% of Group II-NR and 73.3% of Group II-R (P = 0.007, odds ratio (OR) = 8.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.79-38.01). Patients receiving radiation therapy had a lower risk of recurrence (P = 0.041, OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.05-0.85). Immunoreactivity for p53 protein was positive in 22% of Group I and 54% or Group II (P = 0.005), and in 80% of Group I-R and 15% of Group I-NR (P = 0.006, OR = 22.7, 95% CI = 2.15-239.4). p21WAF1/CIP1 protein was detected in 22% of Group I and 48% of Group II (P = 0.017), but with no link to recurrence. Multivariate analysis also showed p53 immunoreactivity in Group I (benign lesions) and micronecrosis in Group II (atypical/anaplastic meningiomas) to be strong prognostic factors for recurrence (P < 0.05). These results indicate that p53 immunoreactivity and micronecrosis can help predicting recurrence of meningiomas.

The forkhead-associated domain of NBS1 is essential for nuclear foci formation after irradiation but not essential for hRAD50[middle dot]hMRE11[middle dot]NBS1 complex DNA repair activity

NBS1 (p95), the protein responsible for Nijmegen breakage syndrome, shows a weak homology to the yeast Xrs2 protein at the N terminus region, known as the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain and the BRCA1 C terminus domain. The protein interacts with hMRE11 to form a complex with a nuclease activity for initiation of both nonhomologous end joining and homologous recombination. Here, we show in vivo direct evidence that NBS1 recruits the hMRE11 nuclease complex into the cell nucleus and leads to the formation of foci by utilizing different functions from several domains. The amino acid sequence at 665-693 on the C terminus of NBS1, where a novel identical sequence with yeast Xrs2 protein was found, is essential for hMRE11 binding. The hMRE11-binding region is necessary for both nuclear localization of the complex and for cellular radiation resistance. On the other hand, the FHA domain regulates nuclear foci formation of the multiprotein complex in response to DNA damage but is not essential for nuclear transportation of the complex and radiation resistance. Because the FHA/BRCA1 C terminus domain is widely conserved in eukaryotic nuclear proteins related to the cell cycle, gene regulation, and DNA repair, the foci formation could be associated with many phenotypes of Nijmegen breakage syndrome other than radiation sensitivity.

Obliterative airway disease and graft stenting in pig-to-dog tracheal xenotransplantation

OBJECTIVE

Obliterative airway disease occurring in concordant tracheal xenografts in rodent models is histologically similar to obliterative bronchiolitis in human lung allografts. We studied whether obliterative airway disease would occur in a large animal-discordant model.

METHODS

Pig and dog tracheas were cryopreserved for 7 to 14 days, and 18 recipient dogs given splenectomy 7 days before transplantation, then seven tracheal rings were removed and a corresponding five-ring donor tracheal segment was transplanted to the excised site. Grafts were wrapped with pedicled omentum and inmmunosuppression was conducted with tacrolimus or deoxyspergualin. Graft status was observed by bronchoscopy. Dogs were classified into three groups. Group 1 consisted of dog-to-dog allotransplantation animals (control group, n = 5), Group 2 of pig-to-dog xenotransplantation animals (n = 8), and Group 3 of pig-dog xenotransplantation animals who also underwent graft stenting immediately after transplantation (n = 5).

RESULTS

Grafts healed well in 4 of 5 Group 1 dogs. Tracheal stricture began on day 5 post transplantation and the lumen was obstructed by fibrosis by days 8 to 14 in all Group 2 dogs. All Group 3 dogs remained in good respiratory status until death.

CONCLUSION

Obliterative airway disease developed quickly in pig-to-dog discordant tracheal xenografts. Graft stenting is a feasible treatment for managing of tracheal obstruction.

Effect of human hydrosalpinx fluid on in vitro mouse embryogenesis

OBJECTIVE

Women with hydrosalpinx have an unfavorable pregnancy rate. As one approach to elucidate the effect of hydrosalpinx on uterine tubal functioning, we examined the effect of hydrosalpinx fluid on early embryo development in mice.

METHODS

Hyperovulation was induced in ICR mice, and late 2-cell-stage embryos were harvested 42 hours after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Hydrosalpinx fluid was obtained from patients during surgery after informed consent was obtained. The embryos were cultured in 3 culture fluids: (1) mBWW medium containing 0.3% bovine serum albumin (positive-control medium) (BSA), (2) Ca2+, Mg2+-free phosphate buffered saline (negative-control medium) (PBS), and (3) 100% human hydrosalpinx fluid. The developmental status of the embryos 120 hours after hCG administration was examined.

RESULTS

Embryogenesis from a 2-cell-stage embryo to a blastocyst was observed in 98.3% (118/120) of the embryos cultured in the mBWW medium, in 0% (0/120) of the embryos cultured in PBS, and in 98.3% (118/120) of the embryos cultured in 100% human hydrosalpinx fluid.

CONCLUSION

In the micro-environment of human hydrosalpinx fluid, late 2-cell embryos of ICR mice developed normally to blastocysts. The present results also suggest that non-species-specific embryogenetic factors might be present in human hydrosalpinx fluid.

Epigenetic regulation of androgen receptor gene expression in human prostate cancers

Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are thought to play important roles in gene transcriptional inactivation. Heterogenous expression of androgen receptor (AR), which appears to be related to variable responses to endocrine therapy in prostate cancer (PCa) may also be due to epigenetic factors. The methylation status of the 5' CpG island of the AR in 3 prostate cancer cell lines and 10 primary and 14 hormone-refractory PCa samples was determined using the bisulfite PCR methods. In DU145, CpG-rich regions of the AR were hypermethylated. By an immunohistochemical analysis, only one PCa sample had no AR expression, the others being heterogenous. Bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific PCR analysis showed aberrant methylation of AR 5'-regulatory region in 20% of 10 primary and 28% of 14 hormone-refractory PCa samples. To clarify the effect of epigenetic regulation on AR expression, we treated three prostate cancer cell lines with a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (azaC), and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A (TSA). In DU145, re-expression of AR mRNA was detected after treatment with azaC and/or TSA. Our results suggest that epigenetic regulations including CpG methylation and histone acetylation may play important roles in the regulation of the AR.

Gastric amyloidosis with massive bleeding requiring emergency surgery

We report a 66-year-old woman who had massive bleeding from a gastric ulcer complicating primary systemic amyloidosis, in whom emergency surgery proved lifesaving. Physical examination revealed anemia and macroglossia. Gastroscopy was performed, and an extensive, irregular, hemorrhagic ulcer was found in the gastric body. Biopsy resulted in a diagnosis of amyloidosis. On the 11th hospital day the patient went into shock as a result of a massive hemorrhage. Emergency surgery was performed, but the extent of the submucosal lesion in the stomach could not be identified, and total gastrectomy was unavoidable. Histological examination of the surgical specimen and biopsy tissue collected from other organs revealed amyloid deposition extending from the submucosa to the muscularis propria of the stomach. There was also deposition of large amounts of amyloid around the small blood vessels in the liver and under the mucosa of the small intestine. The amyloid was AA-antibody-negative and resistant to treatment with K2MO4, and a diagnosis of AL-type systemic amyloidosis was made. The patient's general condition recovered after the operation, but on the 103rd hospital day, she experienced sudden onset of arrhythmia and died. Patients with amyloidosis in whom gastrointestinal surgery is performed are rare; only 41 cases, including our own, have been reported in the Japanese literature since 1972.