ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) Analysis of Stromal Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (sTILs) in Breast Cancer and Its Limitations

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) reflect antitumour immunity. Their evaluation of histopathology specimens is influenced by several factors and is subject to issues of reproducibility. ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) helps in determining the number of observers that would be sufficient for the reliable estimation of inter-observer agreement of TIL categorisation. This has not been explored previously in relation to TILs. ONEST analyses, using an open-source software developed by the first author, were performed on TIL quantification in breast cancers taken from two previous studies. These were one reproducibility study involving 49 breast cancers, 23 in the first circulation and 14 pathologists in the second circulation, and one study involving 100 cases and 9 pathologists. In addition to the estimates of the number of observers required, other factors influencing the results of ONEST were examined. The analyses reveal that between six and nine observers (range 2-11) are most commonly needed to give a robust estimate of reproducibility. In addition, the number and experience of observers, the distribution of values around or away from the extremes, and outliers in the classification also influence the results. Due to the simplicity and the potentially relevant information it may give, we propose ONEST to be a part of new reproducibility analyses.

Rescue of BDNF expression by the thalamic parafascicular nucleus with chronic treatment with the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 may contribute to the LY379268 rescue of enkephalinergic striatal projection neurons in R6/2 Huntington's disease mice

We have found that daily subcutaneous injection with a maximum tolerated dose of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 (20 mg/kg) beginning at 4 weeks of age dramatically improves the motor, neuronal and neurochemical phenotype in R6/2 mice, a rapidly progressing transgenic model of Huntington's disease (HD). We also previously showed that the benefit of daily LY379268 in R6/2 mice was associated with increases in corticostriatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and in particular was associated with a reduction in enkephalinergic striatal projection neuron loss. In the present study, we show that daily LY379268 also rescues expression of BDNF by neurons of the thalamic parafascicular nucleus in R6/2 mice, which projects prominently to the striatum, and this increase too is linked to the rescue of enkephalinergic striatal neurons. Thus, LY379268 may protect enkephalinergic striatal projection neurons from loss by boosting BDNF production and delivery via both the corticostriatal and thalamostriatal projection systems. These results suggest that chronic treatment with mGluR2/3 agonists may represent an approach for slowing enkephalinergic neuron loss in HD, and perhaps progression in general.

Intra-Tumour Heterogeneity Is One of the Main Sources of Inter-Observer Variation in Scoring Stromal Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Stromal tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) are a strong prognostic marker in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Consistency scoring sTILs is good and was excellent when an internet-based scoring aid developed by the TIL-WG was used to score cases in a reproducibility study. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of sTILs assessment using this scoring aid in cases from routine practice and to explore the potential of the tool to overcome variability in scoring. Twenty-three breast pathologists scored sTILs in digitized slides of 49 TNBC biopsies using the scoring aid. Subsequently, fields of view (FOV) from each case were selected by one pathologist and scored by the group using the tool. Inter-observer agreement was good for absolute sTILs (ICC 0.634, 95% CI 0.539-0.735, p < 0.001) but was poor to fair using binary cutpoints. sTILs heterogeneity was the main contributor to disagreement. When pathologists scored the same FOV from each case, inter-observer agreement was excellent for absolute sTILs (ICC 0.798, 95% CI 0.727-0.864, p < 0.001) and good for the 20% (ICC 0.657, 95% CI 0.561-0.756, p < 0.001) and 40% (ICC 0.644, 95% CI 0.546-0.745, p < 0.001) cutpoints. However, there was a wide range of scores for many cases. Reproducibility scoring sTILs is good when the scoring aid is used. Heterogeneity is the main contributor to variance and will need to be overcome for analytic validity to be achieved.

Gastric Serotonin Biosynthesis and Its Functional Role in L-Arginine-Induced Gastric Proton Secretion

Among mammals, serotonin is predominantly found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it has been shown to participate in pathway-regulating satiation. For the stomach, vascular serotonin release induced by gastric distension is thought to chiefly contribute to satiation after food intake. However, little information is available on the capability of gastric cells to synthesize, release and respond to serotonin by functional changes of mechanisms regulating gastric acid secretion. We investigated whether human gastric cells are capable of serotonin synthesis and release. First, HGT-1 cells, derived from a human adenocarcinoma of the stomach, and human stomach specimens were immunostained positive for serotonin. In HGT-1 cells, incubation with the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine reduced the mean serotonin-induced fluorescence signal intensity by 27%. Serotonin release of 147 ± 18%, compared to control HGT-1 cells (set to 100%) was demonstrated after treatment with 30 mM of the satiating amino acid L-Arg. Granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, reduced this L-Arg-induced serotonin release, as well as L-Arg-induced proton secretion. Similarly to the in vitro experiment, human antrum samples released serotonin upon incubation with 10 mM L-Arg. Overall, our data suggest that human parietal cells in culture, as well as from the gastric antrum, synthesize serotonin and release it after treatment with L-Arg via an HTR3-related mechanism. Moreover, we suggest not only gastric distension but also gastric acid secretion to result in peripheral serotonin release.

The Long-Term Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Ovarian Cancer-A Study of the OVCAD Consortium

INTRODUCTION

We previously reported the prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a multicenter study on minimal residual disease in primary ovarian cancer. With additional follow-up data, we evaluated the combined CTC approach (CTCs^combo), in particular for the patients who had survived more than five years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood samples taken at baseline and six months after adjuvant treatment (follow-up) were assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) measuring PPIC transcripts and immunofluorescent staining (IF). A positive result with either IF or qPCR was classified as CTC^combo-positive. Further, PPIC was assessed in the primary tumor tissue.

RESULTS

The concordance of IF and qPCR was 65% at baseline and 83% after treatment. Results showed that 50.5% of the baseline and 29.5% of the follow-up samples were CTC^combo-positive. CTCs^combo after treatment were associated with increased mortality after adjusting for FIGO stage (HR 2.574, 95% CI: 1.227-5.398, p = 0.012), a higher risk of recurrence after adjusting for peritoneal carcinosis (HR 4.068, 95% CI: 1.948-8.498, p < 0.001), and increased mortality after five survived years.

DISCUSSION

The two-sided analytical approach revealed CTC subpopulations associated with ovarian cancer progression and may illuminate a potential treatment-related shift in molecular phenotypes. That approach can identify patients who have elevated risk of recurrence and death due to ovarian cancer and who may require risk-adapted treatment strategies.

Two common polymorphic variants of OATP4A1 as potential risk factors for colorectal cancer

Genetic variations in the organic-anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)-encoding solute carrier of organic anions (SLCO) genes can promote cancer development and progression. The overexpression of solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4A1 (OATP4A1), a transporter for steroid hormones, prostaglandins, and bile acids, has been previously associated with tumor recurrence and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between 2 frequent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLCO4A1 (rs34419428, R70Q; rs1047099G, V78I) and CRC predisposition. Following restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR analysis in 178 patients with CRC [Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage I/II] and 65 healthy controls, no significant difference was observed in allele frequency and the number of heterozygous/homozygous individuals between the groups. Notably, the R70Q minor allele was identified to be associated with the V78I minor allele in the genome. Comparing of the individual genotypes of CRC patients to clinical data, including sex, UICC-stage and relapse revealed no increased risk for CRC. In addition, the OATP4A1 immunoreactivity assay in paraffin-embedded CRC and adjacent non-tumorous mucosa sections, examined using quantitative microscopy image analysis, did not reveal any association with these polymorphisms. No significant differences were observed in the expression levels, localization, and sodium fluorescein transport capacity among the OATP4A1 variants, which was studied using functional assays in Sf9-insect and A431 tumor cells overexpressing the 2 single and a double mutant OATP4A1 SNP variants. These results suggested that the 2 most frequent polymorphisms located in the first intracellular loop of OATP4A1 do not associate with CRC predisposition and tumor recurrence. They are unlikely to affect the outcome of CRC in patients.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Is Absent From a European Community-Based Aging Cohort While Cortical Aging-Related Tau Astrogliopathy (ARTAG) Is Highly Prevalent

This study determined the prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and cortical aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) in a European community-based population (n = 310). The frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices, representing initial stages of CTE were assessed. No case fulfilling CTE consensus criteria was found. However, isolated astroglial or neuronal tau pathologies were recognized in the depths of cortical sulci (<2%). A single case (female, 85 years) without a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) showed combined tau-immunoreactive features confined to frontal sulci without perivascular accumulation. Another 24 cases had single tau pathologies in cortical sulci. ARTAG was identified in 117 cases (38%), with a similar regional prevalence. Gray matter ARTAG was the most common followed by subpial, white matter, and perivascular. The presence of any type of ARTAG was strongly associated with having another type of ARTAG in the same region (p < 0.05). In summary, although isolated tau pathologies in the depths of cortical sulci were identified, no case fulfilled diagnostic criteria of CTE. Cortical ARTAG in this population is common and contrasts the high prevalence of CTE in individuals with repeated mild TBI. ARTAG in isolation might not be indicative of CTE although commonalities in pathogenesis should be considered.

SFRP1 promotor methylation analysis of FTA card touch-prep samples derived from colonic polyps

Whatman FTA® cards provide the most reliable method for DNA storage and extraction, however, the literature lacks reports on the epigenetic analysis of FTA card-derived tumor DNA. Therefore, this study aimed at demonstrating that punches from colonic adenoma samples preserved on FTA filter cards are suitable for methylation analysis by real-time methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Genomic DNA was isolated from a total of 40 sporadic colorectal adenoma samples stored on FTA cards for a median of 59.60 (range 48-72) months. After bisulfite treatment, deaminated DNA was analyzed by SYBR Green real-time MSP using primers specific for methylated and unmethylated promotor sequences of the secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) gene. Amplifiable DNA could be isolated from all FTA card punches while SFRP1 promotor methylation was present in 34/40 (85.0%) colorectal adenomas. Our results indicate that genomic DNA isolated from colonic tumor samples preserved on FTA cards is suitable for downstream methylation detection methodologies such as MSP even after prolonged storage periods.

Deposits of disease-associated alpha-synuclein may be present in the dura mater in Lewy body disorders: implications for potential inadvertent transmission by surgery

Deposition of alpha-synuclein in the brain is a hallmark of Lewy body disorders. Alpha-synuclein has been considered to show prion-like properties. Prion diseases can be transmitted by the transplantation of cadaveric dura mater causing iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Recent observations of amyloid-β deposition in dural grafts support the seeding properties of amyloid-β. Here we assessed the presence of alpha-synuclein in dura mater samples as a potential transmissible seed source. We immunostained 32 postmortem dura mater samples; 16 cases with Lewy-body disorder (LBD) showing different pathology stages and 16 non-LBD cases for phosphorylated (Ser129) and disease-associated (5G4) alpha-synuclein. Disease-associated alpha-synuclein aggregates were identified in intradural nerve fibres and associated with a vessel in a single LBD-Braak stage 4 case. We conclude that alpha-synuclein is detectable, although rarely, in dura mater samples in patients with LBD. The risk of potential transmissibility of dural alpha-synuclein deserves assessment by complementary experimental studies.

Distinct gradients of various neurotransmitter markers in caudate nucleus and putamen of the human brain

The caudate nucleus (CN) and the putamen (PUT) as parts of the human striatum are distinguished by a marked heterogeneity in functional, anatomical, and neurochemical patterns. Our study aimed to document in detail the regional diversity in the distribution of dopamine (DA), serotonin, γ‐aminobuturic acid, and choline acetyltransferase within the CN and PUT. For this purpose we dissected the CN as well as the PUT of 12 post‐mortem brains of human subjects with no evidence of neurological and psychiatric disorders (38–81 years old) into about 80 tissue parts. We then investigated rostro‐caudal, dorso‐ventral, and medio‐lateral gradients of these neurotransmitter markers. All parameters revealed higher levels, turnover rates, or activities in the PUT than in the CN. Within the PUT, DA levels increased continuously from rostral to caudal. In contrast, the lowest molar ratio of homovanillic acid to DA, a marker of DA turnover, coincided with highest DA levels in the caudal PUT, the part of the striatum with the highest loss of DA in Parkinson’s disease (N. Engl. J. Med., 318, 1988, 876). Highest DA concentrations were found in the most central areas both in the PUT and CN. We observed an age‐dependent loss of DA in the PUT and CN that did not correspond to the loss described for Parkinson’s disease indicating different mechanisms inducing the deficit of DA. Our data demonstrate a marked heterogeneity in the anatomical distribution of neurotransmitter markers in the human dorsal striatum indicating anatomical and functional diversity within this brain structure.

Embryoscopy and karyotype findings of repeated miscarriages in recurrent pregnancy loss and spontaneous pregnancy loss

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to assess cytogenetic and embryoscopic characteristics in subsequent miscarriages of spontaneous pregnancy losses (SPL) and recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 75 women was affected by repeated pregnancy loss. Of those, 34 had SPL, 24 primary RPL, and 17 secondary RPL. Ploidy status and morphology was analyzed by transcervical embryoscopic examination of the embryo and cytogenetic analysis of the chorionic villi in subsequent miscarriages.

RESULTS

Similar rates of recurrent ploidy status were observed between first and second miscarriage in SPL and RPL (82.4% recurrent ploidy status in SPL, p > 0.999; 73% recurrent ploidy status in RPL, p = 0.227). No difference was found regarding recurrent abnormal morphology between SPL and RPL (p = 0.092). However, secondary RPL resulted significantly more often in recurrent abnormal morphology compared to primary RPL (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of recurrent normal/abnormal karyotypes were observed in all groups with a majority of embryos presenting with recurrent abnormal morphology. Secondary RPL presented significantly more often with recurrent abnormal morphology compared to primary RPL. These findings offer prognostic information for the affected patient and might impact treatment choice.

Effect of early embryonic deletion of huntingtin from pyramidal neurons on the development and long-term survival of neurons in cerebral cortex and striatum

We evaluated the impact of early embryonic deletion of huntingtin (htt) from pyramidal neurons on cortical development, cortical neuron survival and motor behavior, using a cre-loxP strategy to inactivate the mouse htt gene (Hdh) in emx1-expressing cell lineages. Western blot confirmed substantial htt reduction in cerebral cortex of these Emx-htt^KO mice, with residual cortical htt in all likelihood restricted to cortical interneurons of the subpallial lineage and/or vascular endothelial cells. Despite the loss of htt early in development, cortical lamination was normal, as revealed by layer-specific markers. Cortical volume and neuron abundance were, however, significantly less than normal, and cortical neurons showed reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and reduced activation of BDNF signaling pathways. Nonetheless, cortical volume and neuron abundance did not show progressive age-related decline in Emx-htt^KO mice out to 24 months. Although striatal neurochemistry was normal, reductions in striatal volume and neuron abundance were seen in Emx-htt^KO mice, which were again not progressive. Weight maintenance was normal in Emx-htt^KO mice, but a slight rotarod deficit and persistent hyperactivity were observed throughout the lifespan. Our results show that embryonic deletion of htt from developing pallium does not substantially alter migration of cortical neurons to their correct laminar destinations, but does yield reduced cortical and striatal size and neuron numbers. The Emx-htt^KO mice were persistently hyperactive, possibly due to defects in corticostriatal development. Importantly, deletion of htt from cortical pyramidal neurons did not yield age-related progressive cortical or striatal pathology.

Is Regression after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Different in Sentinel and Non-sentinel Nodes?

Tumor draining sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are the sites of selective changes as compared to non-SLNs. They show features of tumor-reactive lymphadenopathy, including increased total number of functional blood vessels, but a relative immunosuppressed status has also been described in them. We explored the hypothesis of a selective regression or non-regression in SLNs versus non-SLNs in 142 patients with 110 estrogen receptor-positive and 32 estrogen receptor-negative tumors undergoing both SLN biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant therapy by assessing the tumoral (metastatic) and regression statuses of SLNs and non-SLNs separately. Of the 89 cases with signs of nodal regression, 22 cases (25%) were in favor of a selective non-regression in SLNs, 18 cases (20%) were supportive of a selective and more pronounced regression in the SLNs and the remaining showed equal degrees of regression or non-regression in SLNs and non-SLNs. The results indicate that there is no obvious difference in the degree of regressive histological changes shown by SLNs and NSLNs. Therefore, this phenomenon may not be a major contributor to the higher false negative rate of SLN biopsy after neoadjuvant treatment.

PTEN expression as a predictor for the response to trastuzumab-based therapy in Her-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

Background

Even though trastuzumab is an effective therapy in early stage Her-2+ breast cancer, 40–50% of advanced Her-2+ breast cancer patients develop trastuzumab resistance. A potential resistance mechanism is aberrant downstream signal transmission due to loss of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). This study investigated the relationship between the expression of PTEN and trastuzumab response in Her-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2007, 164 patients with Her-2+ metastatic breast cancer received trastuzumab-based therapy in our institution. We analyzed PTEN status by immunohistochemistry of 115 available tumor tissues and analyzed associations with other histopathological parameters, response rate, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with a median follow-up of 60 months.

Results

Eighty patients were PTEN positive (69.6%) and 35 patients PTEN negative (30.4%). We found a significant association of the expression of PTEN and p53 (p = 0.041), while there was no association with grading, hormone receptor status, IGFR or MIB. We found significantly more cases with progressive disease under trastuzumab-based therapy in patients with PTEN positive breast cancers (p = 0.018), while there was no significant correlation with PFS or OS.

Conclusion

In Her-2-positive metastatic breast cancers, PTEN positivity was significantly associated with progressive disease, but not with PFS or OS.

Abstract P1-09-10: Pathological complete response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab is dependent on HER2/CEP17 ratio in HER2-amplified early breast cancer

Purpose To evaluate whether pathological complete response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab is dependent on the level of HER2 amplification.

Patients and Methods 114 women with HER2-overexpressing early breast cancer who had received neo-adjuvant trastuzumab in the prospective ABCSG-24 and ABCSG-32 trials, and for whom the HER2/CEP17 ratio was available, were included in this analysis. The ratio was correlated with tumor response as measured by the three most commonly used definitions of pathological complete response: ypT0 ypN0, ypT0/is ypN0, and ypT0/is.

Results In trastuzumab-treated patients, ypT0 pN0 was achieved in 69.0% of patients with a HER2/CEP17 ratio of &gt;6, but only in 30.4% of tumors with a ratio of ≤6 (p=0.001, Chi Square test). When pCR was defined by ypT0/is pN0 or by ypTis, 75.9% and 82.8% of tumors with a high ratio had a complete remission, while only 39.1%, and 38.3% with a low ratio achieved a pCR (p=0.002 and p&lt;0.001, respectively). Logistic regression revealed that tumors with a higher HER2/CEP17 ratio had a significantly higher probability to achieve ypT0 ypN0 (OR: 5.08, 95% CI 1.86-13.90; p=0.002) than tumors with a low ratio, while none of the other clinicopathological parameters was predictive of pCR. The association between high HER2 amplification and pCR was almost exclusively confined to HR positive tumors (62.5% vs. 24.0%, 75.0% vs. 28.0%, and 87.5% vs. 28.0%, for ypT0 ypN0, ypT0/is ypN0, and ypT0/is; p=0.014, p=0.005, and p&lt;0.001), and was largely absent in HR negative tumors.

Conclusion A HER2/CEP17 ratio of &gt;6 in the pre-therapeutic tumor biopsy is associated with a significantly higher pCR rate particularly in HER2 / HR co-positive tumors, and can be used to predict outcome before neoadjuvant trastuzumab is initiated.

Citation Format: Singer CF, Tan YY, Fitzal F, Steger GG, Egle D, Reiner A, Rudas M, Gruber C, Bartsch R, Fridrik M, Seifert M, Exner R, Balic M, Bago-Horvath Z, Filipits M, Gnant M, For the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group. Pathological complete response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab is dependent on HER2/CEP17 ratio in HER2-amplified early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-10.

Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab Is Dependent on HER2/CEP17 Ratio in HER2-Amplified Early Breast Cancer

Purpose: To evaluate whether pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant trastuzumab is dependent on the level of HER2 amplification.Experimental Design: 114 HER2-overexpressing early breast cancer patients who had received neoadjuvant trastuzumab were included in this study. Absolute HER2 and chromosome 17 centromere (CEP17) were measured by in situ hybridization analysis, and associations were examined between HER2/CEP17 ratio and tumor pCR status (commonly defined by ypT0 ypN0, ypT0/is ypN0, and ypT0/is).Results: In trastuzumab-treated patients, ypT0 ypN0 was achieved in 69.0% of patients with high-level amplification (HER2/CEP17 ratio > 6), but only in 30.4% of tumors with low-level amplification (ratio ≤ 6; P = 0.001). When pCR was defined by ypT0/is ypN0 or ypTis, 75.9% and 82.8% of tumors with high-level amplification had a complete response, whereas only 39.1%, and 38.3% with low-level amplification achieved pCR (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). Logistic regression revealed that tumors with high-level amplification had a significantly higher probability achieving ypT0 ypN0 (OR, 5.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-13.90; P = 0.002) than tumors with low-level amplification, whereas no other clinicopathologic parameters were predictive of pCR. The association between high-level HER2 amplification and pCR was almost exclusively confined to hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors (ypT0 ypN0: 62.5% vs. 24.0%, P = 0.014; ypT0/is ypN0: 75.0% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.005; and ypT0/is: 87.5% vs. 28.0%, P < 0.001), and was largely absent in HR-negative tumors.Conclusions: An HER2/CEP17 ratio of >6 in the pretherapeutic tumor biopsy is associated with a significantly higher pCR rate, particularly in HER2/HR copositive tumors, and can be used as a biomarker to predict response before neoadjuvant trastuzumab is initiated. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3676-83. ©2017 AACR.

Transcervical embryoscopic and cytogenetic findings reveal distinctive differences in primary and secondary recurrent pregnancy loss

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cytogenetic and embryoscopic characteristics of primary and secondary recurrent pregnancy loss.

DESIGN

Clinical prospective descriptive study.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENT(S)

Nine hundred and eighty-four women affected by first-trimester pregnancy loss; 145 patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and 839 patients with nonrecurrent pregnancy loss as controls.

INTERVENTION(S)

Transcervical embryoscopic examination of the embryo before uterine evacuation, and cytogenetic analysis of the chorionic villi by standard G-banding cytogenetic techniques.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Aneuploidy frequency in the primary and secondary RPL group and the nonrecurrent pregnancy loss (non-RPL) control group.

RESULT(S)

Patients with RPL showed statistically significantly fewer aneuploid pregnancy losses (odds ratio [OR] 0.596; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.88). Primary RPL was associated with lower aneuploidy rates compared with the non-RPL group (OR 0.423; 95% CI, 0.27-0.66) while secondary RPL was not (OR 1.414; 95% CI, 0.67-2.99). Patients with primary RPL had statistically significantly more morphologically normal embryos compared with non-RPL and secondary RPL.

CONCLUSION(S)

Patients' embryos after primary and secondary RPL show distinctive differences in aneuploidy and morphologic defect rates. These findings suggest different treatment approaches for the patients with primary and secondary RPL.

Dura mater is a potential source of Aβ seeds

Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain parenchyma and vessels is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). Recent observations of Aβ deposition in iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD) after dural grafting or treatment with pituitary extracts raised concerns whether Aβ is capable of transmitting disease as seen in prion diseases by the disease-associated prion protein. To address this issue, we re-sampled and re-evaluated archival material, including the grafted dura mater of two cases with iCJD (28 and 33-years-old) without mutations in the AβPP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes, and carrying ε3/ε3 alleles of the APOE gene. In addition, we evaluated 84 dura mater samples obtained at autopsy (mean age 84.9 ± 0.3) in the community-based VITA study for the presence of Aβ deposition. We show that the dura mater may harbor Aβ deposits (13 %) in the form of cerebral amyloid angiopathy or amorphous aggregates. In both iCJD cases, the grafted dura mater had accumulated Aβ. The morphology and distribution pattern of cerebral Aβ deposition together with the lack of tau pathology distinguishes the Aβ proteinopathy in iCJD from AD, from that seen in young individuals without cognitive decline carrying one or two APOE4 alleles, and from that related to traumatic brain injury. Our novel findings of Aβ deposits in the dura mater, including the grafted dura, and the distinct cerebral Aβ distribution in iCJD support the seeding properties of Aβ. However, in contrast to prion diseases, our study suggests that such Aβ seeding is unable to reproduce the full clinicopathological phenotype of AD.

Long wavelength optical control of glutamate receptor ion channels using a tetra-ortho-substituted azobenzene derivative

A tetra-ortho-chloro substituted azobenzene unit was incorporated into a photoswitchable tethered ligand for ionotropic glutamate receptors. This compound confers the modified protein with the unusual optical responses of the substituted azo scaffold permitting channel opening with yellow and red light and channel closing with blue light.

Mineral oil in human tissues, part II: characterization of the accumulated hydrocarbons by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Mineral oil hydrocarbons are by far the largest contaminant in the human body. Their composition differs from that in the mineral oils humans are exposed to, and varies also between different tissues of the same individual. Using the presently best technique for characterizing the composition of mineral oil hydrocarbons, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), the hydrocarbons in human tissues were compared to those of various mineral oils. This provided information about the strongly accumulated species and might give hints on the flow path through the human body. The selectivity of accumulation is probably also of interest for the risk assessment of synthetic hydrocarbons (polyolefins). GC×GC grouped the MOSH into classes of n-alkanes, paraffins with a low degree of branching, multibranched paraffins and naphthenes (alkylated cyclic hydrocarbons) with 1-4 rings. Metabolic elimination was observed for constituents of all these classes, but was selective within each class. The MOSH in the subcutaneous abdominal fat tissues and the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) had almost the same composition and included the distinct signals observed in mineral oil, though in reduced amounts relative to the cloud of unresolved hydrocarbons. The MOSH in the liver and the spleen were different from those in the MLN and fat tissue, but again with largely identical composition for a given individual. Virtually all constituents forming distinct signals were eliminated, leaving an unresolved residue of highly isomerized hydrocarbons.

Specific expression of OATPs in primary small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells as novel biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy

The expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) was elucidated in cell lines from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and lung carcinoids and in paraffin-embedded samples from primary and metastatic SCLCs. We found a strong relationship between OATP expression and the origin of the cells, as cells from primary or metastatic SCLC and carcinoid tumors differ with respect to OATP levels. OATP4A1 is most prominent in non-malignant lung tissue and in all SCLC and carcinoid cell lines and tissues, OATP5A1 is most prominent in metastatic cells, and OATP6A1 is most prominent in SCLC cell lines and tumors. Treatment with topotecan, etoposide and cisplatin caused significant changes in the expression patterns of OATP4A1, OATP5A1, OATP6A1, chromogranin and synaptophysin. This effect was also evident in GLC-14 cells from an untreated SCLC patient before chemotherapy compared to GLC-16/-19 chemoresistant tumor cells from this patient after therapy. mRNA expression of OATP4A1, 5A1 and 6A1 correlates with protein expression as confirmed by quantitative microscopic image analysis and Western blots. OATPs might be novel biomarkers for tumor progression and the development of metastasis in SCLC patients.

The role of the organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP4A1 in immunactivation in colorectal cancer and inflammatory colon disease

481

Background: OATP-transporter proteins, such as OATP4A1, present influence cancer progression by providing compounds (hormones, prostaglandins, cyclic nucleotides, second messenger proteins, drugs) which either inhibit or stimulate tumor cells growth. Therefore, OATP expression in cancer cells and in the stroma, i.e., the microenvironment surrounding the epithelial cells can become a critical parameter. Methods: OATP4A1 was investigated in paraffin-embedded specimens from 148 patients with colorectal cancer and 20 with diverticulitis by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on an automatic quantitative microscopic image analysis system (TissuesFaxs). With the Histoquest program, the immunoreactive score (IRS), was calculated from the degree of the staining intensity and the number of OATP4A1-positive cells. To identify OATP4A1+-cells, double-immunofluorescence staining (IF) was done with antibodies against appropriate cellular markers. Results: OATP4A1 was located in the membrane and cytosol of colon cancer cells and immune cells, while membranous OATP4A1staining was seen in normal mucosa. OATP4A1 levels were higher in cancer cells in patients without tumor recurrence for up to 5 years (NR) than in patients with an early relapse (R) having IRS of 4391±231 and 3026±373 (Mean±SEM), respectively. Highest OATP4A1 levels were observed in immune cells in the tumors of Rs (IRS, 5712 ±254, while in NRs they were lower (IRS: 3549±358; p=0.05). In both groups, OATP4A1 levels in stroma cells were low (288±54 vs. 611±82). OATP4A1 expressing immune cell subtypes in cancer and diverticulitis sections were identified as CD45+ leukocytes, CD3+ T- and CD20+ B-cells, CD68+ macrophages, CD34+precursor cells. OATP4A1 was not detectable in Conclusions: High levels of OATP4A1 in immune cells in malignant and non-malignant colon disease suggest a role of the transporter in the activation of the immune system in malignant and non-malignant colon disease. Whether OATP4A1 might be a therapeutical target has to be established.

Generalization of adiposity genetic loci to US Hispanic women

BACKGROUND:

Obesity is a public health concern. Yet the identification of adiposity-related genetic variants among United States (US) Hispanics, which is the largest US minority group, remains largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To interrogate an a priori list of 47 (32 overall body mass and 15 central adiposity) index single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously studied in individuals of European descent among 3494 US Hispanic women in the Women's Health Initiative SNP Health Association Resource (WHI SHARe).

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional analysis of measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were inverse normally transformed after adjusting for age, smoking, center and global ancestry. WC and WHR models were also adjusted for BMI. Genotyping was performed using the Affymetrix 6.0 array. In the absence of an a priori selected SNP, a proxy was selected (r²⩾0.8 in CEU).

RESULTS:

Six BMI loci (TMEM18, NUDT3/HMGA1, FAIM2, FTO, MC4R and KCTD15) and two WC/WHR loci (VEGFA and ITPR2-SSPN) were nominally significant (P<0.05) at the index or proxy SNP in the corresponding BMI and WC/WHR models. To account for distinct linkage disequilibrium patterns in Hispanics and further assess generalization of genetic effects at each locus, we interrogated the evidence for association at the 47 surrounding loci within 1 Mb region of the index or proxy SNP. Three additional BMI loci (FANCL, TFAP2B and ETV5) and five WC/WHR loci (DNM3-PIGC, GRB14, ADAMTS9, LY86 and MSRA) displayed Bonferroni-corrected significant associations with BMI and WC/WHR. Conditional analyses of each index SNP (or its proxy) and the most significant SNP within the 1 Mb region supported the possible presence of index-independent signals at each of these eight loci as well as at KCTD15.

CONCLUSION:

This study provides evidence for the generalization of nine BMI and seven central adiposity loci in Hispanic women. This study expands the current knowledge of common adiposity-related genetic loci to Hispanic women.

The prostaglandine E2 transporting organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP4A1: A potential prognostic marker in colorectal cancer?

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Background: Organic anions transporters (OATPs) are important for tumor progression and therapeutic response by regulating cellular levels of hormones, second messenger proteins and drugs. OATP4A1 is a transporter of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 and may contribute to cancer progression. Data on the expression of OATP4A1 and its clinical impact in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) is rare. Our study was designed to proof the overexpression of OATP4A1 in primary CRC. Methods: Frozen samples from 20 unselected CRC patients (pat) and five CRC cell lines were analyzed for OATP4A1 mRNA expression by real time PCR (mean level normalized to the calibrator, MNE). Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin- embedded tumor sections from 50 CRC pat., UICC 0-II (25/50 with subsequent relapse). An automatic quantitative image analysis program was applied to quantify OATP4A1 expression. Expression and intensity was correlated with clinical parameters and relapses. Results: Significant (p>0.05) higher levels of OATP4A1 mRNA were observed in 20 cancer samples as compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissue (2.44 vs. 0.46 MNE). The highest expression (9.85 MNE) was observed in a well-differentiated tumor sample. Similar high levels were observed in the COGA1A cell line, expression in the other cell lines ranged between 1.83 and 0.28 MNE. Immunoreactive staining for OATP4A1 was located in the membrane and occasionally in the cytosol of tumor cells, it was exclusively membrane located in the adjacent non-cancerous epithelial cells. The staining intensity was significantly higher in cancer cells compared to non-cancerous areas (1528±326 vs.376±218) while staining of stroma cells was only occasionally detectable. Surprisingly, the highest OATP4A1 levels were observed in immune cells (2839±381 vs.298±56). Data on the clinical impact of OATP4A1 in the early stage CRC pat. will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: The profound expression of OATP4A1 in CRC cells and in the inflammatory infiltrates supports its implication on cancer progression. Suitability of OATP4A1 as a potential prognostic marker has to be established on a larger patient collective.

BDNF may play a differential role in the protective effect of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 on striatal projection neurons in R6/2 Huntington's disease mice

We have found that daily subcutaneous injection with a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 (20mg/kg) beginning at 4 weeks dramatically improves the phenotype in R6/2 mice. For example, we observed normalization of motor function in distance traveled, speed, the infrequency of pauses, and the ability to locomote in a straight line, and a rescue of a 15-20% striatal neuron loss at 10 weeks. As acute LY379268 treatment is known to increase cortical BDNF production, and BDNF is known to be beneficial for striatal neurons, we investigated if the benefit of daily LY379268 in R6/2 mice for striatal projection neurons was associated with increases in corticostriatal BDNF, with assessments done at 10 weeks of age after daily MTD treatment since the fourth week of life. We found that LY379268 increased BDNF expression in layer 5 neurons in motor cortex, which project to striatum, partly rescued a preferential loss of enkephalinergic striatal neurons, and enhanced substance P (SP) expression by SP striatal projection neurons. The enhanced survival of enkephalinergic striatal neurons was correlated with the cortical BDNF increase, but the enhanced SP expression by SP striatal neurons was not. Thus, LY379268 may protect the two main striatal projection neuron types by different mechanisms, enkephalinergic neurons by the trophic benefit of BDNF, and SP neurons by a mechanism not involving BDNF. The SP neuron benefit may perhaps instead involve the anti-excitotoxic action of mGluR2/3 receptor agonists.

The group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist LY379268 rescues neuronal, neurochemical and motor abnormalities in R6/2 Huntington's disease mice

Excitotoxic injury to striatum by dysfunctional cortical input or aberrant glutamate uptake may contribute to Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. Since corticostriatal terminals possess mGluR2/3 autoreceptors, whose activation dampens glutamate release, we tested the ability of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 to improve the phenotype in R6/2 HD mice with 120-125 CAG repeats. Daily subcutaneous injection of a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of LY379268 (20mg/kg) had no evident adverse effects in WT mice, and diverse benefits in R6/2 mice, both in a cohort of mice tested behaviorally until the end of R6/2 lifespan and in a cohort sacrificed at 10weeks of age for blinded histological analysis. MTD LY379268 yielded a significant 11% increase in R6/2 survival, an improvement on rotarod, normalization and/or improvement in locomotor parameters measured in open field (activity, speed, acceleration, endurance, and gait), a rescue of a 15-20% cortical and striatal neuron loss, normalization of SP striatal neuron neurochemistry, and to a lesser extent enkephalinergic striatal neuron neurochemistry. Deficits were greater in male than female R6/2 mice, and drug benefit tended to be greater in males. The improvements in SP striatal neurons, which facilitate movement, are consistent with the improved movement in LY379268-treated R6/2 mice. Our data indicate that mGluR2/3 agonists may be particularly useful for ameliorating the morphological, neurochemical and motor defects observed in HD.

Open-label, randomised, parallel-group, multicentre study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of an AS03(B)/oil-in-water emulsion-adjuvanted (AS03(B)) split-virion versus non-adjuvanted whole-virion H1N1 influenza vaccine in UK children 6 months to 12 years of age

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of an AS03(B)/oil-in-water emulsion-adjuvanted (AS03(B)) split-virion versus non-adjuvanted whole-virion H1N1 influenza vaccine in UK children aged 6 months to 12 years.

DESIGN

Multicentre, randomised, head-to-head, open-label trial.

SETTING

Five UK sites (Oxford, Bristol, Southampton, Exeter and London).

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 6 months to < 13 years, for whom a parent or guardian had provided written informed consent and who were able to comply with study procedures, were eligible for inclusion.

INTERVENTIONS

A tocopherol/oil-in-water emulsion-adjuvanted (AS03(B)) egg culture-derived split-virion H1N1 vaccine and a non-adjuvanted cell culture-derived whole-virion vaccine, given as a two-dose schedule, 21 days apart, were compared. Participants were grouped into those aged 6 months to < 3 years (younger group) and 3 years to < 13 years of age (older group) and were randomised by study investigators (1 : 1 ratio) to receive one of the two vaccines. Vaccines were administered by intramuscular injection (deltoid or anterior-lateral thigh, depending on age and muscle bulk). Local reactions and systemic symptoms were collected for 1 week post immunisation, and serum was collected at baseline and after the second dose. To assess safety and tolerability, parents or guardians recorded the following information in diary cards from days 0-7 post vaccination: axillary temperature, injection site reactions, solicited and unsolicited systemic symptoms, and medications.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Comparison between vaccines of the percentage of participants demonstrating seroconversion by microneutralisation assay.

RESULTS

Among 937 children receiving vaccine, per-protocol seroconversion rates were higher after the AS03(B)-adjuvanted vaccine than after the whole-virion vaccine (98.2% vs 80.1% in children < 3 years, 99.1% vs 95.9% among those aged 3-12 years), as were severe local reactions (3.6% vs 0.0% in those under 5 years, 7.8% vs 1.1% in those aged 5-12 years), irritability in children < 5 years (46.7% vs 32.0%), and muscle pain in older children (28.9% vs 13.2%). The second dose of the adjuvanted vaccine was more reactogenic than the first, especially for fever > 38.0°C in those under 5 years of age (8.9% vs 22.4%).

CONCLUSION

The adjuvanted vaccine, although reactogenic, was more immunogenic, especially in younger children, indicating the potential for improved immunogenicity of influenza vaccines in this age group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN89141709.

Bayesian methods for meta-analysis of causal relationships estimated using genetic instrumental variables

Genetic markers can be used as instrumental variables, in an analogous way to randomization in a clinical trial, to estimate the causal relationship between a phenotype and an outcome variable. Our purpose is to extend the existing methods for such Mendelian randomization studies to the context of multiple genetic markers measured in multiple studies, based on the analysis of individual participant data. First, for a single genetic marker in one study, we show that the usual ratio of coefficients approach can be reformulated as a regression with heterogeneous error in the explanatory variable. This can be implemented using a Bayesian approach, which is next extended to include multiple genetic markers. We then propose a hierarchical model for undertaking a meta-analysis of multiple studies, in which it is not necessary that the same genetic markers are measured in each study. This provides an overall estimate of the causal relationship between the phenotype and the outcome, and an assessment of its heterogeneity across studies. As an example, we estimate the causal relationship of blood concentrations of C-reactive protein on fibrinogen levels using data from 11 studies. These methods provide a flexible framework for efficient estimation of causal relationships derived from multiple studies. Issues discussed include weak instrument bias, analysis of binary outcome data such as disease risk, missing genetic data, and the use of haplotypes.

Safety and immunogenicity of AS03B adjuvanted split virion versus non-adjuvanted whole virion H1N1 influenza vaccine in UK children aged 6 months-12 years: open label, randomised, parallel group, multicentre study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of an adjuvanted split virion H1N1 vaccine and a non-adjuvanted whole virion vaccine used in the pandemic immunisation programme in the United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Open label, randomised, parallel group, phase II study.

SETTING

Five UK centres (Oxford, Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, and London).

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 6 months to less than 13 years for whom a parent or guardian had provided written informed consent and who were able to comply with study procedures were eligible. Those with laboratory confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza or clinically diagnosed disease meriting antiviral treatment, allergy to egg or any other vaccine components, or coagulation defects, or who were severely immunocompromised or had recently received blood products were excluded. Children were grouped by age: 6 months-<3 years (younger group) and 3-<13 years (older group). Recruitment was by media advertising and direct mailing. Recruitment visits were attended by 949 participants, of whom 943 were enrolled and 937 included in the per protocol analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive AS03(B) (tocopherol based oil in water emulsion) adjuvanted split virion vaccine derived from egg culture or non-adjuvanted whole virion vaccine derived from cell culture. Both were given as two doses 21 days apart. Reactogenicity data were collected for one week after immunisation by diary card. Serum samples were collected at baseline and after the second dose.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary reactogenicity end points were frequency and severity of fever, tenderness, swelling, and erythema after vaccination. Immunogenicity was measured by microneutralisation and haemagglutination inhibition assays. The primary immunogenicity objective was a comparison between vaccines of the percentage of participants showing seroconversion by the microneutralisation assay (fourfold rise to a titre of >or=1:40 from before vaccination to three weeks after the second dose).

RESULTS

Seroconversion rates were higher after the adjuvanted split virion vaccine than after the whole virion vaccine, most notably in the youngest children (163 of 166 participants with paired serum samples (98.2%, 95% confidence interval 94.8% to 99.6%) v 157 of 196 (80.1%, 73.8% to 85.5%), P<0.001) in children under 3 years and 226 of 228 (99.1%, 96.9% to 99.9%) v 95.9%, 92.4% to 98.1%, P=0.03) in those over 3 years). The adjuvanted split virion vaccine was more reactogenic than the whole virion vaccine, with more frequent systemic reactions and severe local reactions in children aged over 5 years after dose one (13 (7.2%, 3.9% to 12%) v 2 (1.1%, 0.1% to 3.9%), P<0.001) and dose two (15 (8.5%, 4.8% to 13.7%) v 2 (1.1%, 0.1% to 4.1%), P<0.002) and after dose two in those under 5 years (15 (5.9%, 3.3% to 9.6%) v 0 (0.0%, 0% to 1.4%), P<0.001). Dose two of the adjuvanted split virion vaccine was more reactogenic than dose one, especially for fever >or=38 masculineC in those aged under 5 (24 (8.9%, 5.8% to 12.9%) v 57 (22.4%, 17.5% to 28.1%), P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this first direct comparison of an AS03(B) adjuvanted split virion versus whole virion non-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine, the adjuvanted vaccine, while more reactogenic, was more immunogenic and, importantly, achieved high seroconversion rates in children aged less than 3 years. This indicates the potential for improved immunogenicity of influenza vaccines in this age group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trials.gov NCT00980850; ISRCTN89141709.

CAG repeat lengths > or =335 attenuate the phenotype in the R6/2 Huntington's disease transgenic mouse

With spontaneous elongation of the CAG repeat in the R6/2 transgene to > or =335, resulting in a transgene protein too large for passive entry into nuclei via the nuclear pore, we observed an abrupt increase in lifespan to >20 weeks, compared to the 12 weeks common in R6/2 mice with 150 repeats. In the > or =335 CAG mice, large ubiquitinated aggregates of mutant protein were common in neuronal dendrites and perikaryal cytoplasm, but intranuclear aggregates were small and infrequent. Message and protein for the > or =335 CAG transgene were reduced to one-third that in 150 CAG R6/2 mice. Neurological and neurochemical abnormalities were delayed in onset and less severe than in 150 CAG R6/2 mice. These findings suggest that polyQ length and pathogenicity in Huntington's disease may not be linearly related, and pathogenicity may be less severe with extreme repeats. Both diminished mutant protein and reduced nuclear entry may contribute to phenotype attenuation.

Towards a unification of hierarchical reference theory and self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation: analysis of exactly solvable mean-spherical and generalized mean-spherical models

The hierarchical reference theory (HRT) and the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) are two liquid state theories that both furnish a largely satisfactory description of the critical region as well as the phase coexistence and equation of state in general. Furthermore, there are a number of similarities that suggest the possibility of a unification of both theories. Earlier in this respect we have studied consistency between the internal energy and free energy routes. As a next step toward this goal we here consider consistency with the compressibility route too, but we restrict explicit evaluations to a model whose exact solution is known showing that a unification works in that case. The model in question is the mean spherical model (MSM) which we here extend to a generalized MSM. For this case, we show that the correct solutions can be recovered from suitable boundary conditions through either SCOZA or HRT alone as well as by the combined theory. Furthermore, the relation between the HRT-SCOZA equations and those of SCOZA and HRT becomes transparent.

Differential localization of the GluR1 and GluR2 subunits of the AMPA-type glutamate receptor among striatal neuron types in rats

Differences among the various striatal projection neuron and interneuron types in cortical input, function, and vulnerability to degenerative insults may be related to differences among them in AMPA-type glutamate receptor abundance and subunit configuration. We therefore used immunolabeling to assess the frequency and abundance of GluR1 and GluR2, the most common AMPA subunits in striatum, in the main striatal neuron types. All neurons projecting to the external pallidum (GPe), internal pallidum (GPi) or substantia nigra, as identified by retrograde labeling, possessed perikaryal GluR2, while GluR1 was more common in striato-GPe than striato-GPi perikarya. The frequency and intensity of immunostaining indicated the rank order of their perikaryal GluR1:GluR2 ratio to be striato-GPe>striatonigral>striato-GPi. Ultrastructural studies suggested a differential localization of GluR1 and GluR2 to striatal projection neuron dendritic spines as well, with GluR1 seemingly more common in striato-GPe spines and GluR2 more common in striato-GPi and/or striatonigral spines. Comparisons among projection neurons and interneurons revealed GluR1 to be most common and abundant in parvalbuminergic interneurons, and GluR2 most common and abundant in projection neurons, with the rank order for the GluR1:GluR2 ratio being parvalbuminergic interneurons>calretinergic interneurons>cholinergic interneurons>projection neurons>somatostatinergic interneurons. Striosomal projection neurons had a higher GluR1:GluR2 ratio than did matrix projection neurons. The abundance of both GluR1 and GluR2 in striatal parvalbuminergic interneurons and projection neurons is consistent with their prominent cortical input and susceptibility to excitotoxic insult, while differences in GluR1:GluR2 ratio among projection neurons are likely to yield differences in Ca(2+) permeability, desensitization, and single channel current, which may contribute to differences among them in plasticity, synaptic integration, and excitotoxic vulnerability. The apparent association of the GluR1 subunit with synaptic plasticity, in particular, suggests striato-GPe neuron spines as a particular site of corticostriatal synaptic plasticity, presumably associated with motor learning.

Self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation for molecules with soft cores

The self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) is an accurate liquid state theory. So far it has been tied to interactions composed of hard core repulsion and long-range attraction, whereas real molecules have soft core repulsion at short distances. In the present work, this is taken into account through the introduction of an effective hard core with a diameter that depends upon temperature only. It is found that the contribution to the configurational internal energy due to the repulsive reference fluid is of prime importance and must be included in the thermodynamic self-consistency requirement on which SCOZA is based. An approximate but accurate evaluation of this contribution relies on the virial theorem to gauge the amplitude of the pair distribution function close to the molecular surface. Finally, the SCOZA equation is transformed by which the problem is reformulated in terms of the usual SCOZA with fixed hard core reference system and temperature-dependent interaction.

Single-cell RT-PCR, in situ hybridization histochemical, and immunohistochemical studies of substance P and enkephalin co-occurrence in striatal projection neurons in rats

Single-cell RT-PCR studies in 3-4-week-old rats have raised the possibility that as many as 20% of striatal projection neurons may be a unique type that contains both substance P (SP) and enkephalin (ENK). We used single-cell RT-PCR, retrograde labeling, in situ hybridization histochemistry, and immunolabeling to characterize the abundance of this cell type, its projection target(s), and any developmental changes in its frequency. We found by RT-PCR that 11% of neurons containing either SP or ENK contained both in 4-week-old rats, while in 4-month-old rats SP/ENK colocalization was only 3%. SP-only neurons tended to co-contain dynorphin and ENK-only neurons neurotensin, while SP/ENK neurons tended to contain dynorphin. Single-cell RT-PCR showed SP/ENK co-occurrence in 4-week-old rats to be no more common among striatal neurons retrogradely labeled from the substantia nigra than among those retrogradely labeled from globus pallidus. Double-label in situ hybridization showed SP/ENK perikarya to be scattered throughout striatum, making up 8% of neurons containing either SP or ENK at 4 weeks, but only 4% at 4 months. Immunolabeling showed that presumptive striatal terminals in globus pallidus externus, globus pallidus internus and substantia nigra pars reticulata that colocalized SP and ENK were scarce. Terminals colocalizing SP and ENK were, however, abundant in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Thus, SP-only and ENK-only neurons make up the vast majority of striatal projection neurons in rats, the frequency of SP/ENK colocalizing striatal neurons is low in adult rats (3-4%), and SP/ENK colocalizing neurons primarily project to SNc but do not appear to be confined to striosomes.

Early post-traumatic osteoarthritis-like changes in human articular cartilage following rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament

OBJECTIVE

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) frequently leads to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). In this study we determined whether early degenerative changes characteristic of idiopathic OA are induced in articular cartilage following ACL injury.

METHODS

A small sample of femoral articular cartilage was removed at surgery, as part of ACL reconstruction, from a total of 50 patients with ACL injuries. Of these, 28 underwent surgery less than 1 year post-injury. Control cartilages were obtained from the same site from 21 persons at autopsy. All cartilages were examined for molecular changes. The content of type II collagen, its cleavage by collagenases and its denaturation were determined by immunoassay. The total content of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), which is principally aggrecan, was measured colorimetrically. Data were expressed per unit DNA (GAG and collagen content) or as a percentage of total collagen cleaved or denatured. Other cartilages from the same site (8 controls, 12 less than 1 year and 8 more than 1 year post-injury) were frozen sectioned and examined histologically to determine by Mankin grading cartilage degeneration.

RESULTS

Histological analyses revealed that control subjects exhibited staining for proteoglycan, which was reduced in some patients following ACL rupture. Degeneration of the articular surface was sometimes observed 1 year after ACL rupture. Although the Mankin grade increased with time after rupture these changes were not significant. Immunoassays, however, revealed an increase in GAG content within 1 year which was maintained after 1 year although no longer significant. No changes in total type II collagen content were observed during the period of study. However, there were significant increases in the denaturation and cleavage of type II collagen less than and more than 1 year post-ACL rupture. Total type II collagen content was directly correlated with GAG content in all three groups, with the significance being weakest at more than 1 year. After 1 year an inverse correlation was observed between total type II collagen content and collagen cleavage as well as denaturation.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations reveal that joint instability resulting from ACL injury rapidly results in degenerative changes characteristic of those seen in idiopathic OA at arthroplasty and in experimental OA following ACL surgery. These changes may contribute to the development of post-traumatic OA that is commonly observed following ACL injury. The observations support and extend conclusions from other studies on human and animal articular cartilage and synovial fluids post-ACL injury that have revealed a rapid onset of damage to type II collagen and an initial increase in proteoglycan content characteristic of experimental OA post-ACL injury. This study provides direct evidence for the rapid development of degenerative changes characteristic of OA following ACL injury.

Towards a unification of the hierarchical reference theory and the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation

The hierarchical reference theory and the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation are two liquid state theories that both furnish a largely satisfactory description of the critical region as well as phase coexistence and the equation of state in general. Furthermore, there are a number of similarities that suggest the possibility of a unification of both theories. As a first step towards this goal, we consider the problem of combining the lowest order gamma expansion result for the incorporation of a Fourier component of the interaction with the requirement of consistency between internal and free energies, leaving aside the compressibility relation. For simplicity, we restrict ourselves to a simplified lattice gas that is expected to display the same qualitative behavior as more elaborate models. It turns out that the analytically tractable mean spherical approximation is a solution to this problem, as are several of its generalizations. Analysis of the characteristic equations shows the potential for a practical scheme and yields necessary conditions that any closure to the Ornstein-Zernike relation must fulfill for the consistency problem to be well posed and to have a unique differentiable solution. These criteria are expected to remain valid for more general discrete and continuous systems, even if consistency with the compressibility route is also enforced where possible explicit solutions will require numerical evaluations.