Factors affecting cryopreservation-associated damages in sperm motility of cockerels (Gallus gallus domesticus)

1. Sperm are exposed to severe osmotic stress during cryopreservation, which results in impairment of fertilisation ability, including motility and viability, in poultry. Sperm osmotolerance is regulated by many extracellular factors and varies widely in birds, leading to uncertainty in the nature of the osmotic injury.2. Tail bending is a primary response resulting from cell swelling from excessive osmotic stress. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for tail bending is largely unknown. This study examined the relationship between osmotic stress and post-thaw motility, with a particular focus on the role of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase (NKA) in the tail bending response.3. Cryopreserved sperm exhibited rapidly reduced motility when maintained at 37°C. The combination of temperature change and osmotic stress was a primary factor responsible for tail bending. This work tested a hypothesis known to be associated with post-thaw tail abnormality in other species and found that cold shock, that is not accompanied by an apoptotic response, may occur. Ouabain inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity alleviated the tail bending response in fresh and post-thaw sperm.4. These results demonstrated that the combination of temperature change and osmotic stress has a primary impact on the reduction of post-thaw motility, with a particular role in NKA activity, in the tail bending response of chicken sperm. These results provide a foundation for establishing cryopreservation methodology to ensure the optimal fertilisation potential of cryopreserved chicken sperm.

Developmental potential of cryopreserved gonadal germ cells from 7-day-old chick embryos recovered using the PBS(-) method

1. A series of experiments were conducted to examine the developmental potential of cryopreserved gonadal germ cells (GGCs) recovered from both males and females on embryo day 7 (7 d-GGCs) using the PBS(-) method. Germline chimeras were produced by transferring 200 frozen/unfrozen 7 d-GGCs recovered from female/male Rhode Island Red (RIR) embryos into the dorsal aorta of 2-day-old female and male white leghorn (WL) embryos.2. Germ-cell recipient embryos were hatched and raised to sexual maturity and progeny testing was conducted by mating with RIR of the opposite sex. Brown-feathered progeny chicks were hatched in all eight possible progeny testing combinations, except for male GGC recipients produced by transferring female GGCs. Furthermore, brown-feathered progeny chicks were hatched when frozen-thawed sperm from male germline chimeras, produced by transferring unfrozen 7d-GGCs, were inseminated in normal female RIR and female WL germline chimeras.3. The results indicated that cryopreserved female/male GGCs from 7-day-old chick embryos, recovered using the PBS(-) method, were fully capable of developing into normal spermatozoa and ova in the gonad of recipient embryos under appropriate GGC donor/recipient combinations.

Association among fatigue, sleep disorders and other clinical parameters in Parkinson’s disease

Introduction Fatigue and sleep disorders are common in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. Fatigue is not always clinically recognized because of its subjective character manifested by feelings of extreme tiredness. These non-motor symptoms can occur from the early stages of the disease and tend to persist.

Objectives To evaluate fatigue in patients with PD and the possible association with sleep disorders and other clinical parameters of the PD; and to evaluate the impact of fatigue on quality of life

Methodology A cross-sectional study with 123 patients with PD was implemented. The following instruments were used: Mini Mental State Examination, the Hoehn-Yarh Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Parkinson’s Disease Fatigue Scale.

Results Fatigue was found in 48% of patients. Patients with fatigue presented longer duration of illness, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, severity of motor symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness and nocturnal sleep disorder. Fatigue combined with sleep disorder occurred in 21% of the total sample, being more frequent in females (32% vs 15%) and in patients at more advanced stages of the disease (52% in HY3). The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the significant independent variables for the presence of fatigue were: cognition (OR = 1.19 P = 0.02), nocturnal sleep disorder (OR = 1.03 P = 0.0001); among PDSS domains, nocturnal motor symptoms (OR = 1.09 P = 0.0005) and sleep refreshment (OR = 1.11 P = 0.02); among PDQ-39 domains, mobility (OR = 0.9323 P < 0.0001) and body discomfort (OR = 0.9767 P = 0.0428).

Conclusion Fatigue is common in PD, especially in the more advanced stages, and it seems to be associated with the female gender, nocturnal sleep disorder and cognition, having thus a negative impact on the quality of life.

High Quality a-SiO:H Films and Their Application to a-Si Solar Cells

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxide (a-SiO:H) films were prepared by rf glow discharge decomposition of SiH4, CO2 and H2 gas mixture. These films showed better properties than a-SiC:H films. By applying the a-SiO:H to the p-layer, we attained an efficiency of 12.5% for 1cm2 single junction solar cells and a total-area efficiency of 10.1% for 30cm × 40cm tandem submodules.

Observer performance in diagnosing osteoporosis by dental panoramic radiographs: results from the osteoporosis screening project in dentistry (OSPD)

Mandibular cortical erosion detected on dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) may be useful for identifying women with osteoporosis, but little is known about the variation in diagnostic efficacy of observers worldwide. The purpose of this study was to measure the accuracy in identifying women at risk for osteoporosis in a worldwide group of observers using DPRs. We constructed a website that included background information about osteoporosis screening and instructions regarding the interpretation of mandibular cortical erosion. DPRs of 100 Japanese postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older who had completed skeletal bone mineral measurements by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were digitized at 300 dpi. These were displayed on the website and used for the evaluation of diagnostic efficacy. Sixty observers aged 25 to 66 years recruited from 16 countries participated in this study. These observers classified cortical erosion into one of three groups (none, mild to moderate, and severe) on the website via the Internet, twice with an approximately 2-week interval. The diagnostic efficacy of the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), a simple clinical decision rule based on age and weight, was also calculated and compared with that of cortical erosion. The overall mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the 60 observers in identifying women with osteoporosis by cortical erosion on DPRs were 82.5, 46.2, 46.7, and 84.0%, respectively. Those same values by the OST index were 82.9, 43.1, 43.9, and 82.4%, respectively. The intra-observer agreement in classifying cortical erosion on DPRs was sufficient (weighted kappa values>0.6) in 36 (60%) observers. This was significantly increased in observers who specialized in oral radiology (P<0.05). In the 36 observers with sufficient intra-observer agreement, the overall mean sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV in identifying women with osteoporosis by any cortical erosion were 83.5, 48.7, 48.3, and 85.7%, respectively. The mean PPV and NPV were significantly higher in the 36 observers with sufficient intra-observer agreement than in the 24 observers with insufficient intra-observer agreement. Our results reconfirm the efficacy of cortical erosion findings in identifying postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis, among observers with sufficient intra-observer agreement. Information gathered from radiographic examination is at least as useful as that gathered from the OST index.

Computer-aided system for measuring the mandibular cortical width on dental panoramic radiographs in identifying postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density

INTRODUCTION

Mandibular inferior cortical width manually measured on dental panoramic radiographs may be useful for identifying postmenopausal women with low skeletal bone mineral density (BMD). Automatic measurement of cortical width may enable us to identify a large number of postmenopausal women with suspected low skeletal BMD. The purposes of this study were to develop a computer-aided system for measuring mandibular cortical width on dental panoramic radiographs and clarify the diagnostic efficacy of this system.

METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 100 postmenopausal women who had had BMD assessments of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck were used in this study. Experienced oral radiologist determined the position of the mental foramen on 100 digitized dental panoramic radiographs. After determination of the mental foramen, mandibular cortical width below the mental foramen was measured automatically with a computer-aided system by identifying the area of interest, enhancing the original image, determining inner and outer margins of the cortex, and selecting an appropriate point. Cortical width measured by this system was compared with BMD of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant correlation between cortical width measured by the computer-aided system and spinal BMD (r=0.50) and femoral neck BMD (r=0.54). These correlations were similar with those between cortical width by manual measurement and skeletal BMD. Sensitivity and specificity for identifying postmenopausal women with low spinal BMD by the computer-aided system were about 88.0% and about 58.7%, respectively. Those for identifying postmenopausal women with low femoral neck BMD by this system were about 87.5% and about 56.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that our computer-aided system may be useful for identifying postmenopausal women with low skeletal BMD.

Structure and property of self-assemble valinyl bolaform amides having different chirality

Bolaform amides were designed from N,N'-bis(carboethoxy-L-valinyl)-diaminoethane (1) by linking t-butyloxycarbonyl-valine through ethylenediamine (EDA) to enable spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses. N,N'-Bis(Boc-L-valinyl)-diaminoethane (2) and N,N'-bis(Boc-D-valinyl)-diaminoethane (3) were composed of L-Val and D-Val, respectively. N-(Boc-L-valinyl)-N'-(Boc-D-valinyl)-diaminoethane (4) was composed of both L-Val and D-Val, and was achiral (meso-peptide). Peptide 5 was a 1:1 mixture of 2 and 3, and was also achiral (racemate). These peptides mediated gelation of corn oil at a concentration of approximately 1%. Within crystals, the peptides formed beta-sheet ribbons, but differences were observed in hydrogen-bonding patterns and side-chain arrangements. These differences were also deduced from temperature dependence of amide protons. Force-field calculations based on the crystal structures indicated that association of beta-sheet ribbons had energy benefits, and it was assumed that molecular aggregation progressed spontaneously. These structural studies indicated the chirality of amino acids affected for the properties of bolaform amides.

Relationship of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase activity to serum adiponectin levels in Japanese hyperlipidemic men

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine how lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase (HTGL) activity relate to serum adiponectin levels.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Fifty-five hyperlipidemic Japanese men were recruited for this study. LPL and HTGL activity in post-heparin plasma (PHP) was measured using Triton X-100 emulsified-[14C] triolein. The remaining activity in the presence of 1M NaCl was defined as HTGL activity. Serum adiponectin levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system.

RESULT

LPL activity had a positive relationship with HDL2, but had no relation with HDL3, while HTGL had positive relationship with HDL3, but had no relationship with HDL2. LPL activity showed a positive relationship [r = 0.345, p = 0.010] to serum adiponectin levels, while and HTGL activity showed an inverse relationship [r = - 0.365 p = 0.006]. Multiple regression analysis with LPL and HTGL as dependent variables and age, BMI, serum adiponectin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as independent variables showed LPL and HTGL's association to adiponectin did not persist after adjustments for these covariants. However, the association of LPL activity to HOMA-IR was found to persist after adjustments of age, BMI, and serum adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a co-linearity between insulin sensitivity and adiponectin as well as insulin sensitivity and LPL/HTGL activity.

Epitope analysis of monoclonal antibody E5/G6, which binds to a linear epitope in the nucleocapsid protein of hantaviruses

Monoclonal antibody E5/G6 recognized a linear epitope common to hantavirus nucleocapsid proteins. Using synthetic peptides, we identified epitope E5/G6 as the 9 mer YEDVNGIRK (NP 165-173), in which D167, G170, I171, and R172 are indispensable. Furthermore, all the peptides synthesized using various hantavirus sequences bound MAb E5/G6 consistently, despite the existence of several amino acid variations in this region. These results indicate that MAb E5/G6 is a useful tool for detecting hantavirus antigen in rodent or patient tissues using Western blotting or other immunohistochemical assays.

Central motor conduction in patients with anti-ganglioside antibody associated neuropathy syndromes and hyperreflexia

OBJECTIVES

Several serum antibodies against gangliosides are diagnostically important, particularly in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Although hyperreflexia is an atypical symptom in these disorders, it has been found in some patients with GBS, MFS, and MMN. The aim of the study was to determine whether hyperreflexia corresponds to corticospinal tract dysfunction in these patients.

METHODS

The study examined central and peripheral motor conduction in patients with hyperreflexia who exhibited acute paralysis (group 1, n=5), acute ataxia and ophthalmoplegia (group 2, n=7), or chronic paralysis with conduction block (group 3, n=2). The clinical symptoms are similar to those in patients with GBS, MFS, and MMN, respectively, and serum anti-ganglioside antibodies were found to be positive in all patients. Using magnetic and electrical stimulation techniques, central and peripheral motor conduction were compared in patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 and patients with GBS (n=7), MFS (n=8), and MMN (n=6).

RESULTS

Central motor conduction times (CMCTs) in patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 were significantly delayed compared with those in patients with GBS, MFS, and MMN (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively), and the delayed CMCTs significantly improved in the recovery periods (p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). However, motor conduction velocity, compound muscle action potential, and F wave conduction velocity were not significantly different between the patients.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that corticospinal tract is functionally involved in patients with anti-ganglioside antibody associated neuropathy syndromes and hyperreflexia

Effect of asymmetric modification on the conformation of ascidiacyclamide analogs

Ascidiacyclamide (ASC), cyclo(-Ile1-Oxz2-d-Val3-Thz4-)2 (Oxz=oxazoline and Thz=thiazole) has a C2-symmetric sequence, and the relationships between its conformation and symmetry have been studied. In a previous study, we performed asymmetric modifications in which an Ile residue was replaced by Gly, Leu or Phe to disturb the symmetry [Doi et al. (1999) Biopolymers49, 459-469]. In this study, the modifications were extended. The Ile1 residue was replaced by Gly, Ala, aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), Val, Leu, Phe or d-Ile, and the d-Val3 residue was replaced by Val. The structures of these analogs were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR and CD techniques. X-Ray diffraction analyses revealed that the [Ala1], [Aib1] and [Phe1]ASC analogs are folded, whereas [Val1]ASC has a square form. These structures are the first examples of folded structures for ASC analogs in the crystal state and are similar to the previously reported structures of [Gly1] and [Phe1]ASC in solution. The resonances of amide NH and Thz CH protons linearly shift with temperature changes; in particular, those of [Aib1], [d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs exhibited a large temperature dependence. DMSO titration caused nonlinear shifts of proton resonances for all analogs and largely affected [d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs. A similar tendency was observed upon the addition of acetone to peptide solutions. Regarding peptide concentration changes, amide NH and Thz CH protons of [Gly1]ASC showed a relatively large dependence. CD spectra of these analogs indicated approximately two patterns in MeCN solution, which were related to the crystal structures. However, all spectra showed a similar positive Cotton effect in TFE solution, except that of [Val3]ASC. In the cytotoxicity test using P388 cells, [Val1]ASC exhibited the strongest activity, whereas the epimers of ASC ([d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs), showed fairly moderate activities.

Capacitation status and in vitro fertility of boar spermatozoa: effects of seminal plasma, cumulus-oocyte-complexes-conditioned medium and hyaluronan

In the present study, the effects of seminal plasma (SP), cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) conditioned medium (CCM) and hyaluronan (HA) on functional changes and in vitro fertilizing ability of porcine spermatozoa were examined. In in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments, 10% (v/v) of exogenous SP in the fertilization medium prevented sperm penetration (using fresh-extended and frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa). Analysis of frozen-thawed CCM revealed a HA content to levels of 30 ng/mL per incubated COC. Presence of frozen-thawed CCM did not, however, prove effective to increase (furthermore decreasing) oocyte penetration in vitro, and neither did supplementation with exogenous HA at the same concentration as that present in the CCM (secreted by COCs). Analysis of sperm capacitation using the chlortetracycline (CTC) assay showed that frozen-thawed CCM had no elevating effect on 'B-pattern' spermatozoa (implying capacitation-like changes) and that addition of 10% (v/v) SP held spermatozoa in the 'F-pattern' (intact) status. Dose of 500 microg/mL HA and freshly prepared CCM increased, however, the frequency of capacitated spermatozoa (B-pattern) without resulting in increased rates of 'AR-pattern' (acrosome-reacted) spermatozoa, compared with controls. The present results confirm the decapacitating effect of SP and suggest capacitating actions of HA (dose-related) and CCM (freshly prepared) on boar spermatozoa in vitro. The unclear effects of frozen-thawed CCM and a low dose of HA on penetration rates of boar spermatozoa call for further researches of their function in vivo.

Patterns of failure in carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with definitive radiotherapy alone

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the patterns of failure for the patients treated with definitive radiotherapy, and to discuss future treatment strategies for the uterine cervical cancer. From 1986 to 1995, 177 patients with stages I-III cervical cancer treated with a combination of two-axial conformal radiotherapy and radium brachytherapy were analyzed. The first treatment failures were pelvic failure in 11%, and distant metastases (DM) in 16% of the 177 patients. Paraaortic lymph nodes (PAN) were the most frequently metastatic regions (71%). In the pelvic control group, DM were in 6% of patients for stages I-II, and in 32% of patients for stage III. In the pelvic failure group, DM were in 75% of patients for stages I-II, and in 19% of patients for stage III. In stages I-II, the DM rate was significantly correlated with pelvic tumor control. However, there was no correlation in stage III. To improve survival, it is important to increase the pelvic tumor control rate for patients with stage I-II, and to increase the pelvic tumor and metastatic control rate in stage III. Additional treatments such as chemotherapy and/or PAN irradiation using conformal radiotherapy are required in stages I-II with locally bulky tumor and in stage III.

Developmental study of the different effects on the hybrid sterility of Kit and KitW-v alleles paired with Kit from Mus spretus

The combination of the KitW or KitW-n mutant alleles and KitS from Mus spretus results in male hybrid sterility with small testes. In the present study, reproduction of the combination between KitW-v and KitS alleles was examined. The KitW-v/KitS male was fertile and the histologic structure was normal; the seminiferous tubules showed all of the normal stages of spermatogenesis. The postnatal development of the testis at 8, 12, 16 and 20 days was also studied in the fertile +Kit/+Kit and KitW-v/KitS males and the sterile KitW/KitS. The results showed that at 8 days there was no noticeable difference among the three genotype combinations, while from 12 to 20 days spermatogenesis in the KitW/KitS male nearly stopped before the meiosis stage. The expression of Kit receptor protein from the KitS allele in the sterile testis of the KitW/KitS male was confirmed using western blot analysis. The Kit ligand derived from M. spretus showed two amino acid changes in the extracellular domain compared with that from C57BL and it appears that the ligand-receptor interaction between C57BL and SPR may influence the male hybrid sterility of KitW/KitS.

Outcomes of radiotherapy for inoperable locally advanced (T4) esophageal cancer-retrospective analysis-

To assess the treatment outcome after radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for inoperable locally advanced (T4) esophageal cancer (EC), a retrospective analysis was performed. We enrolled 37 patients with T4 EC and analyzed 35 patients. A total of 28 patients were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (median dose, 60 Gy) and seven patients were treated with radiation alone (median dose, 60 Gy). Many mainly received high-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (FU) or continuous infusion of low-dose CDDP and 5-FU. Among the 35 patients, there were eight survivors and 27 deaths. The median follow-up period was 15.5 months (3.5 to 74 months). The one-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 37.5%, 10.0%, and 10.0%, respectively, with a median survival time (MST) of 7.3 months. When the patients were divided into two groups, a complete response (CR) group and a non-CR group, MST was 16.5 and 6.2 months, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (p=0.0317). CR patients showed more satisfactory long-term outcomes than non-CR patients.

Three types of polymorphisms in exon 14 in porcine Mx1 gene

Much is known about the antiviral activity of Mx proteins in species such as mouse and human. In the mouse, loss of resistability to influenza virus has been shown to be due to specific polymorphisms in the Mx gene. This gene is therefore an interesting candidate gene for disease resistance in farm animals. The porcine Mx1 gene has already been identified and characterized based on its homology with mouse Mx1; however, until now no evidence of polymorphisms in the porcine gene has been reported. In this study, we have found two new polymorphisms in exon 14 of porcine Mx1 by DNA sequencing and confirmed their presence in different breeds, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) with NarI and NaeI restriction enzymes. On the basis of the deduced amino acid sequence, one allele contains a deletion that may result in a frameshift to yield several amino acid substitutions and extension of the carboxyl terminal region of Mx1 protein. The deletion allele, Mx1c, was found to be segregating in Landrace, Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Yucatan miniature pig. A second point mutation, Mx1b, was detected in Meishan and two Vietnamese native pig breeds. All other breeds tested were fixed for the Mx1a allele that is identical to the sequence reported previously. It will be interesting to determine if the Mx1c deletion is associated with variation in resistance to the myxovirus family in the pig.

Characterization of a novel gene, sperm-tail-associated protein (Stap), in mouse post-meiotic testicular germ cells

During mammalian spermatogenesis, many specific molecules show the dynamics of expression and elimination, corresponding with the morphological differentiation of germ cells. We have isolated a novel cDNA designated F77 from mouse testis by cDNA subtractive hybridization between normal and sterile mice, using the C57BL/6 congenic strain for the hybrid sterilityhyphen;3 lpar;Hsthyphen;3rpar; allele from Mus spretus. The full-length F77 mRNA was 3.4 kb and showed significant nonmatching with entries in the databases. F77 was mapped at a proximal position between D8Mit212 and D8Mit138 on mouse chromosome 8, in which no corresponding genes related to its nucleotide sequence were found. F77 mRNA was not detected in any other organs except the testis of adult fertile mice. F77 protein was only seen in normal adult testis and epididymis. In contrast to normal C57BL/6 mice, F77 mRNA and protein were not seen in germ cell-deficient Kit(W)/Kit(Wv) mice. By in situ hybridization, F77 mRNA was detected mainly at round spermatids in the sexually mature testis, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that F77 protein was located at the tail of elongated spermatids. We are proposing the name, sperm-tail-associated protein (Stap), for the gene encoding F77 cDNA. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 350-358, 2001.

Caged and clustered structures of endothelin inhibitor BQ123, cyclo(-D-Trp-D-Asp--Pro-D-Val-Leu-)-Na+, forming five and six coordination bonds between sodium ions and peptides

BQ123 is a cyclic pentapeptide and a potent endothelin-1 inhibitor. The crystal structure of the BQ123 sodium salt was determined as the first example of an endothelin inhibitor. Four independent molecules and many solvent molecules were found in the asymmetric unit; the total weight was about 3000 Da. The precise structure including the solvent molecules was determined using high-resolution data collected on a synchrotron source. Sodium ions formed unique structures with five and six coordination bonds and their forms were distinguished into three classes. An ion was sandwiched by two BQ123 molecules. This peptide-sodium (2:1) complex showed a cage-like structure and octahedral coordination was observed. Sodium ions also formed a cluster composed of hydrated water molecules and peptides. Two sodium ions were contained in this cluster, making five coordination bonds. Despite having the same coordination numbers, these ions were distinguishable by differences in the polyhedra. One was trigonal bipyramidal (having six planes) and the other was square pyramidal (having five planes). Both shapes were very similar to each other, although the synchrotron data clearly revealed slight geometrical differences.

Mouse Mx2 protein inhibits hantavirus but not influenza virus replication

The antiviral potential of Mx2 protein remains unknown, because the Mx2 gene in commonly used strains of laboratory mice is nonfunctional. Our previous study showed that functional Mx2 protein in some feral-origin strains was induced upon interferon treatment, was localized in the cytoplasm, and inhibited vesicular stomatitis virus replication. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the embryonic fibroblastic cells from a feral-origin strain (SPR) expressed 74 kDa Mx2 protein, which prevented the accumulation of viral transcripts and proteins of hantaviruses when the Mx2 gene was constitutively expressed in transfected Vero cells. Furthermore, the cells showed significantly lower titers of the virus than control cells. In contrast, influenza virus replication was not affected by the expression of Mx2 protein in the Vero cells.

Male hybrid sterility of mice with the genomic region of the KitW mutation and the KitS allele from Mus spretus

Two congenic strains, C57BL-KitW and C57BL-KitS, were generated. The KitW allele originated from strain WB-KitW and the KitS allele from Mus spretus. The KitW/KitS males showed hybrid sterility with small testes, but the females were fertile. The development of the seminiferous tubules of KitW/KitS males stopped before the spermatocyte stage and they were almost free of sperm. The Kit gene is located at position 42 on chromosome 5. We investigated in the C57BL-KitS congenic strain which part of the chromosomal region adjacent to the KitS allele is introduced from SPR into a C57BL background. The region between positions 42 and 44 was derived from SPR. Eleven amino acid substitutions of the KitS cDNA were detected by comparison with the sequence data of the +Kit cDNA from C57BL; seven were in the extracellular domain, one in the transmembrane domain, two in the kinase I domain, and one in the carboxy-terminal tail. The Kit mRNA derived from both KitW and KitS alleles was expressed in the sterile testes of KitW/KitS males.

Isoform-specific regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family mRNA expression in cultured mouse brown adipocytes

We have shown that brown adipose tissue (BAT), a thermogenic organ in mammals, expresses high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in response to exposure to cold, which may contribute to angiogenesis associated with cold-induced hyperplasia of this tissue. In the present study, we examined mRNA expression of not only VEGF, but also VEGF-B and VEGF-C, recently cloned VEGF isoforms, in vitro using immortal brown adipocytes (HB2) isolated from mouse BAT. HB2 preadipocytes expressed detectable levels of VEGF, VEGF-B and VEGF-C mRNA, but a low level of VEGF. After HB2 cells differentiated into adipocytes, the VEGF mRNA level increased without a noticeable change in the VEGF-B and VEGF-C mRNA levels. When HB2 cells were stimulated by norepinephrine, the VEGF mRNA level increased without a change in that of VEGF-B, while the VEGF-C mRNA level decreased. A marked reduction of VEGF-C mRNA expression was also found when HB2 cells were treated with agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma, troglitazone), retinoic acid receptor (RAR, all-trans retinoic acid) and retinoid X receptor (RXR, 9-cis retinoic acid). These results suggest a specific adrenergic mechanism for up-regulation of VEGF expression different from those for other VEGF isoforms, and thereby the major contribution of VEGF to the cold-induced angiogenesis in BAT. In addition, the agonists of PPARgamma, RAR and RXR are suggested to be inhibitory to angiogenesis through the reduction of VEGF-C production.

Effects of amino acids and chirality for molecular folding of desoxazoline-ascidiacyclamide derivatives: X-ray crystal structures of four cyclic octapeptides including unusual amino acids, cyclo(-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-)(2), cyclo(-Ala-aThr-D-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-), cyclo(-Val-aThr-D-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-), and cyclo(-Ile-aThr-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-)

Desoxazoline derivative of ascidiacyclamide (1), cyclo(-L-Ile-L-allo-threonine-D-Val-thiazole-)(2), was modified to disturb the C(2)-symmetry. An Ile(1) residue of 1 was replaced for Ala (2) or Val (3), and the D-Val(3) residue was replaced for Val (4). The crystal structures of 1-4 were analyzed by x-ray diffraction methods. The molecules of all compounds were folded and this type of structure was not observed in x-ray structures of ascidiacyclamide derivatives so far except for patellamide D. The folding patterns of 1-4 were similar to each other and resembled that of patellamide. The asymmetric modifications at position 1 caused the conformational changes at local area, and these were related with the peptide-peptide and peptide-solvent interactions. Despite the diverse backbone conformation by the epimeric modification at position 3, the entire molecule of 4 was folded. These results mean that (1) the desoxazoline-ascidiacyclamides favored the folded structures and (2) the modifications of the side chain size at position 1 and the chirality at position 3 brought the local conformational changes to derivatives, suggesting that (3) the lack of the oxazoline block leads to conformational flexibility of 1-4, which accepts the conformational change with no drastic change on the entire structure.

Beta 3-adrenergic agonist up-regulates uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 in skeletal muscle of the mouse

Chronic stimulation of the beta3-adrenergic receptor (AR) in obese animals resulted in a reduced adiposity associated with an increased expression of thermogenic uncoupling protein (UCP)1 in adipose tissues. In this study, the mRNA expression of newly cloned UCP isoforms (UCP2 and UCP3) were examined in obese yellow KK and C57BL control mice. UCP2 mRNA was found in all tissues examined, with higher levels in adipose tissues and skeletal muscle of the obese mice. UCP3 mRNA was expressed in skeletal muscle, heart and brown adipose tissue similarly in the two mouse strains. Daily injection of a selective beta3-adrenergic agonist, CL316,243 (0.1 mg/kg), for 10 days resulted in a marked reduction of white fat pad weight and 1.8-4.8-fold increase in the mRNA levels of UCP2 and UCP3 in skeletal muscle of obese mice. No noticeable change in the UCP2 and 3 mRNA levels was found in brown and white adipose tissues. It was also found that CL316,243 injection produced a marked and sustained elevation of the plasma free fatty acid level. These results, together with our previous findings of the fatty acid-induced UCP expression in a myocyte cell line in vitro, suggest that the beta3-AR agonist-induced UCP expression in skeletal muscle may be mediated through the elevated plasma free fatty acids. It was also suggested that anti-obesity effect of beta3-AR agonists is attributable to increased thermogenesis not only by UCP1 but also by UCP2 and UCP3.

IgG antiganglioside antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome with bulbar palsy

Some patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) develop bulbar palsy, which may lead to serious complications during the acute phase of the illness. A serological marker that could predict the occurrence of bulbar palsy would be valuable for the treatment of acute GBS. We examined the serum levels of various IgG antiganglioside antibodies in the sera of 16 patients with GBS with bulbar palsy [GBS-BP(+)] and 72 patients with GBS without bulbar palsy [GBS-BP(-)]. Anti-GT1a antibodies were detected in a higher percentage of the GBS-BP(+) patients (10/16, 63%) than the GBS-BP(-) patients (2/72, 3%). In addition to GT1a, a new disialosylganglioside antigen was recognized by the sera of four GBS-BP(+) patients. Anti-GM1b antibodies were also frequently detected in the sera of the GBS-BP(+) cases. However, anti-GM1 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies, which are highly associated with acute axonal motor neuropathy (AMAN), were not detected in any of the GBS-BP(+) cases, while anti-GM1 antibodies were detected in 29% (21/72) and anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies were detected in 8% (6/72) of the GBS-BP(-) cases. These findings suggest that the presence of particular antiganglioside antibodies might be related with certain clinical manifestations of GBS. In patients who are diagnosed with GBS, the presence or absence of anti-GT1a and anti-GM1b antibodies should be tested at the early stage of GBS so that appropriate therapies that prevent the development of bulbar palsy and improve the outcome of GBS, may be initiated.

Treatment results of chemoradiation for T1 esophageal cancer with lymph node metastases

PURPOSE

We clinically evaluated 12 patients with advanced superficial esophageal cancer who had undergone chemoradiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed between October 1992 and December 1998 on 12 patients with M1 metastasis in lymph nodes or direct invasion of enlarged lymph nodes (A3) to adjacent structures. Combined treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was applied to all patients. High-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were administered to five patients, low-dose CDDP and 5-FU to five patients, and others to two patients. Ten patients were treated by external irradiation alone, and two patients were treated by external and intracavitary irradiation.

RESULTS

Of the 12 patients, the response of the primary tumor to this therapy resulted in 11 CRs (91.6%) and one PR, while the response of the largest metastatic lesion in lymph nodes in each patient resulted in three CRs (25%), four PRs (33.3%), and five NCs (41.6%). The 2-year survival rate of all patients was 51.9%, and MST was 28.9 months. The 2-year survival rates of the M1 and A3 patients were 60.0% and 41.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the present chemotherapy regimen is ineffective in treating metastatic lymph node lesions. Therefore, it will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapeutic agents from the perspective of their effects on metastatic lymph nodes.

Mutated human beta3-adrenergic receptor (Trp64Arg) lowers the response to beta3-adrenergic agonists in transfected 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Wild-type or mutated human beta3-adrenergic receptor (Trp64Arg) cDNAs were stably expressed in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. Saturation binding study using a beta-adrenergic ligand revealed that there was no significant difference in the receptor density and the equilibrium dissociation constant between the two cell lines. However, the ability of the mutant beta3-adrenergic receptor to accumulate cyclic AMP (cAMP) in response to isoproterenol was much reduced and Kact for cAMP accumulation was lowered as compared to the wild type receptor. The amount of alpha subunit of stimulatory GTP-binding protein (GSalpha) and adenylyl cyclase activity in response to forskolin were not different in the two cell lines. The responses of the mutant receptor to epinephrine, norepinephrine and L-755,507, a highly specific agonist for human beta3-adrenergic receptor, were also reduced, but the reduction of Kact for L-755,507 was more evident than other agonists tested. The cAMP accumulation in response to some conventional beta3 agonists was less than 10% of that to isoproterenol even in the cells expressing the wild type receptor. These results suggest that the Trp64Arg mutant beta3-adrenergic receptor has less ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase, and that lipolytic activity through the beta3-adrenergic receptor by catecholamines in subjects carrying this mutation might be suppressed.

Myotonic dystrophy associated with 47 XYY syndrome

A case of myotonic dystrophy with 47 XYY presented with tall stature and mental retardation. The patient was a 37-year-old male. In addition to grip myotonia and percussion myotonia, severe weakness and atrophy were noted in the face and the neck muscles and in the distal muscles of the four limbs. He also had diabetes mellitus, cataracts and sexual behavior abnormalities. He was found to be 47 XYY from chromosomal examinations. The combination of 47 XYY syndrome and myotonic dystrophy has not been reported previously.

Both fertilization promoting peptide and adenosine stimulate capacitation but inhibit spontaneous acrosome loss in ejaculated boar spermatozoa in vitro

Both fertilization promoting peptide (FPP) and adenosine stimulate capacitation and inhibit spontaneous acrosome loss in epididymal mouse spermatozoa; these responses involve modulation of the adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP signal transduction pathway. However, it was unclear whether these responses were restricted to the mouse or possibly common to many mammalian species. To address this question, the response of boar spermatozoa to FPP and/or adenosine was evaluated. FPP is found in nanomolar concentrations in seminal plasma of several mammals, but not the pig. When cultured in caffeine-containing Medium 199 for 2 hr, chlortetracycline fluorescence evaluation indicated that neither FPP nor adenosine stimulated boar sperm capacitation per se but did inhibit spontaneous acrosome loss. However, in caffeine-free medium, FPP and adenosine both stimulated capacitation and inhibited spontaneous acrosome loss, suggesting that boar spermatozoa have receptors for both FPP and adenosine. Gln-FPP, a competitive inhibitor of FPP in mouse spermatozoa, has recently been shown to inhibit mouse sperm responses to adenosine as well, suggesting that FPP receptors and adenosine receptors interact in some way. Used with boar spermatozoa, Gln-FPP also significantly inhibited responses to both FPP and adenosine. These responses suggest that mechanisms whereby FPP and adenosine can regulate sperm function, via AC/cAMP, are of considerable physiological significance. Mouse, human, and now boar spermatozoa have been shown to respond to FPP, suggesting that these mechanisms may be common to many mammalian species. We also suggest that the effects of FPP and adenosine could also be exploited to maximize monospermic fertilization in porcine in vitro fertilization.

[Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using protracted infusion of low-dose CDDP and 5-FU and radiotherapy for esophageal cancer]

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effects and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 1994 and April 1998, concurrent chemoradiotherapy using protracted infusion of low-dose cisplatin (CDDP: 3-6 mg/m2/24h), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU: 200 mg/m2/24h) and radiotherapy was given to 26 patients. The median age was 70 yr, with a range from 58 to 86 yr. With regard to TNM classification (1987), six patients were stage II, five stage III, and 15 stage IV. Radiotherapy was performed by external irradiation alone in 23 patients and external irradiation plus brachytherapy in three patients. One patient underwent surgery after a dose of 40 Gy owing to the possibility of idiopathic bleeding from the stomach.

RESULTS

Locally, primary effects resulted in complete response in 11 patients (42.3%) and partial response in 15 (57.7%). Acute toxicity was primarily hematologic. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or 4 occurred in eight (30.7%) and six (23.0%) of 26 patients, respectively. In patients administered CDDP at more than 5 mg/m2/day, hemotoxicity was severe because in five of the 10 patients administered 5 mg/m2 CDDP and one of the two patients administered 6 mg/m2 CDDP, thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or 4 occurred.

CONCLUSION

Protracted infusion of low-dose CDDP and 5-FU with concomitant radiation therapy is effective, but from the point of acute toxicity, the optimal dose of CDDP and 5-FU needs further investigation.

Restoration of resistance to osmotic swelling of vitrified mouse embryos by short-term culture

In cryopreservation of mammalian embryos, embryos can be injured by osmotic swelling during removal of the cryoprotectant after warming. We have shown that vitrified embryos are more sensitive to osmotic swelling than fresh cells but that sensitivity is reduced or abolished if vitrified cells are cultured for a short period before subjecting them to hypotonic stress. In the present study, we examined the mechanism by which vitrified two-cell mouse embryos regain their resistance to osmotic swelling by culturing the embryos in the presence of various inhibitors before hypotonic treatment. New synthesis of RNA and proteins during culture was not required for regaining resistance to osmotic swelling because actinomycin D and cycloheximide failed to inhibit restoration. Inhibitors of polymerization of microfilaments and microtubules (cytochalasin B and demecolcine, respectively) also did not affect restoration of resistance to osmotic swelling, suggesting that rearrangement or repolymerization of cytoskeletal components is not involved in this process. On the other hand, brefeldin A and concanamycin A, which inhibit intracellular vesicular transport, strongly suppressed restoration of resistance. These results suggest that the intracellular vesicular transport system plays a crucial role in restoration of resistance of vitrified embryos to osmotic swelling during short-term culture.

Cold-induced mRNA expression of angiogenic factors in rat brown adipose tissue

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the major site of non-shivering thermogenesis in rodents. Rapid angiogenesis is induced in association with adaptive hyperplasia of this tissue when the animal is exposed to cold. We demonstrated previously adrenergic activation of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat BAT and its possible contribution to the cold-induced angiogenesis in this tissue. In the present study, we examined the effect of cold exposure on mRNA expression of other two angiogenic factors, VEGF-B and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), in rats. Conventional Northern blot analysis revealed abundant mRNA expression of VEGF-B as well as VEGF, but not bFGF, in BAT. When rats were exposed to cold at 4 degrees C, the VEGF mRNA level was increased by 2.7-fold in 1-4 hr and returned to the basal level within 24 hr. In contrast, the VEGF-B mRNA level did not change throughout the course of cold exposure. A significant expression of bFGF mRNA was detected in BAT by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To evaluate the tissue bFGF mRNA level quantitatively, a competitive RT-PCR method was developed using a shorter RNA fragment as a competitor. The bFGF mRNA level in BAT was found to increase by 2.3-fold in 4 hr and decreased to the basal level within 24 hr after cold exposure. These results suggest that cold exposure leads to induce VEGF and bFGF rapidly and transiently in BAT, which in turn stimulate the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in this tissue.

Beta-2-microglobulin and ferritin in cerebrospinal fluid for evaluation of patients with meningitis of different etiologies

To determine whether or not the beta-2-microglobulin (beta2-m) and/or ferritin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be used as markers for the differential diagnosis of meningitis and determination of the response to treatment, 122 subjects with etiologically well-characterized diagnoses were classified into three groups: bacterial meningitis (n = 5; mean age +/- SD. 1.0+/-1.0 year), viral meningitis (n = 39; 5.9+/-3.8 years), and a non-meningitis group (n = 78; 5.2+/-4.9 years). The levels of beta2-m and ferritin in CSF were determined by means of a latex photometric immunoassay. The statistical significance of the data was analyzed with the Mann Whitney U-test. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of each prediction marker. This study indicated that (1) the levels of beta2-m and ferritin in CSF were related with age in the non-meningitis group: subjects of up to 5 months of age exhibited higher concentrations of these proteins than ones of above 6 months of age (beta2-m, 1.89+/-1.13 vs. 0.84+/-0.65 mg/l. P < 0.01; ferritin, 2.97+/-2.04 vs. 1.81+/-1.34 microg/l, P = 0.09); (2) the beta2-m level was significantly higher in the CSF of patients with viral meningitis than in ones without meningitis (2.41+/-1.23 vs. 0.84+/-0.65 mg/l, P < 0.01): the best cut-off value was 1.2 mg/l (3) the ferritin level was significantly higher in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis than in ones with viral meningitis (43.24+/-39.49 vs. 6.81+/-7.41 microg/l, P < (.01): the best cut-off value was 7.5 microg/l; and (4) sequential measurement of the CSF ferritin level was of value for determination of the response to antibiotic treatment for bacterial meningitis. These results only apply to patients of greater than 6 months of age. beta2-m and ferritin in the CSF can be used as an ancillary tool for diagnostic guidance in the acute phase of meningitis and determination of the response to treatment for bacterial meningitis.