Relationship between vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity and the number of combined nephrotoxic agents

Vancomycin is associated with nephrotoxicity; however, the influence of the number of combined nephrotoxic agents on the incidence of vancomycin nephrotoxicity has not been clarified. We investigated patient backgrounds in 148 inpatients who received vancomycin treatment. The patients were divided into nephrotoxicity (n=35) and non-nephrotoxicity (n=113) groups. A comparison of the patient backgrounds in the two groups revealed significant differences in weight, changes in serum creatinine before vancomycin administration, blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine ratio, length of vancomycin therapy, vancomycin trough concentration, and number of combined nephrotoxic agents. Multiple logistic regression analysis using these six factors as autonomous variables showed that the highest vancomycin trough concentration (odds ratio, 1.080; 95% confidence interval, 1.030-1.140; p = 0.003) and the number of combined nephrotoxic agents (odds ratio, 1.590; 95% confidence interval, 1.120-2.260; p = 0.010) were significantly related to nephrotoxicity.

Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy duration (3 versus 6 months) for high-risk stage II colon cancer: the randomized phase III ACHIEVE-2 trial

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with debilitating peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) in patients with high-risk stage II colon cancer. This open-label, multicenter, randomized phase III trial was conducted as a prospective pooled analysis to investigate the non-inferiority of 3 versus 6 months of adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 12 February 2014 to 31 January 2017, 525 Asian patients with high-risk stage II colon cancer were randomly assigned to 3- and 6-month treatment arms. The treatment consisted of either modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) or capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin (CAPOX). The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). The secondary end points were treatment compliance and safety.

RESULTS

Of the 525 randomized patients, 11 were not treated. Among the 514 participating patients (255 in the 3-month arm; 259 in the 6-month arm), 432 (84%) received CAPOX, and 184 (36%) presented with T4 as a high-risk factor for recurrence. The 3-year DFS rate was 88.2% in the 3-month arm and 87.9% in the 6-month arm [hazard ratio (HR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67-1.87]. With CAPOX, the 3-year DFS rate was 88.2% in the 3-month arm and 88.4% in the 6-month arm (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.65-1.96). The discontinuation rate in the 3- and 6-month arms was 10% and 31% for mFOLFOX6 (P = 0.0193), and 15% and 35% for CAPOX (P < 0.0001), respectively. The incidence of grade ≥2 PSN was significantly lower in the 3-month arm than in the 6-month arm (16% and 43%, respectively, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Three months of combination therapy presented significantly less grade ≥2 PSN than the respective 6-month regimen. The shortened therapy duration did not affect the 3-year DFS rate, suggesting that a 3-month course of CAPOX can be an effective treatment option.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000013036 and Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031180128.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of human herpesvirus-6 encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In this retrospective analysis using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program, we identified 145 patients with human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 encephalitis among 6593 recipients. The cumulative incidences of HHV-6 encephalitis at 100 days after transplantation in all patients, recipients of bone marrow or PBSCs and recipients of cord blood were 2.3%, 1.6% and 5.0%, respectively. Risk factors identified in multivariate analysis were male sex, type of transplanted cells (relative risk in cord blood transplantation, 11.09, P<0.001; relative risk in transplantation from HLA-mismatched unrelated donor, 9.48, P<0.001; vs transplantation from HLA-matched related donor) and GvHD prophylaxis by calcineurin inhibitor alone. At 100 days after transplantation, the overall survival rate was 58.3% and 80.5% among patients with and without HHV-6 encephalitis, respectively (P<0.001). Neuropsychological sequelae remained in 57% of 121 evaluated patients. With both foscarnet and ganciclovir, full-dose therapy (foscarnet ⩾180 mg/kg, ganciclovir ⩾10 mg/kg) was associated with better response rate (foscarnet, 93% vs 74%, P=0.044; ganciclovir, 84% vs 58%, P=0.047). HHV-6 encephalitis is not rare not only in cord blood transplant recipients but also in recipients of HLA-mismatched unrelated donors. In this study, development of HHV-6 encephalitis was associated with a poor survival rate, and neurological sequelae remained in many patients.

Increased ghrelin signaling prolongs survival in mouse models of human aging through activation of sirtuin1

Caloric restriction (CR) is known to retard aging and delay functional decline as well as the onset of diseases in most organisms. Ghrelin is secreted from the stomach in response to CR and regulates energy metabolism. We hypothesized that in CR ghrelin has a role in protecting aging-related diseases. We examined the physiological mechanisms underlying the ghrelin system during the aging process in three mouse strains with different genetic and biochemical backgrounds as animal models of accelerated or normal human aging. The elevated plasma ghrelin concentration was observed in both klotho-deficient and senescence-accelerated mouse prone/8 (SAMP8) mice. Ghrelin treatment failed to stimulate appetite and prolong survival in klotho-deficient mice, suggesting the existence of ghrelin resistance in the process of aging. However, ghrelin antagonist hastened death and ghrelin signaling potentiators rikkunshito and atractylodin ameliorated several age-related diseases with decreased microglial activation in the brain and prolonged survival in klotho-deficient, SAMP8 and aged ICR mice. In vitro experiments, the elevated sirtuin1 (SIRT1) activity and protein expression through the cAMP-CREB pathway was observed after ghrelin and ghrelin potentiator treatment in ghrelin receptor 1a-expressing cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, rikkunshito increased hypothalamic SIRT1 activity and SIRT1 protein expression of the heart in the all three mouse models of aging. Pericarditis, myocardial calcification and atrophy of myocardial and muscle fiber were improved by treatment with rikkunshito. Ghrelin signaling may represent one of the mechanisms activated by CR, and potentiating ghrelin signaling may be useful to extend health and lifespan.

Neuroprotective effects of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, on glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in cultured cells

To clarify the mechanism of yokukansan (TJ-54), a traditional Japanese medicine, against glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, the effects of TJ-54 on glutamate uptake function were first examined using cultured rat cortical astrocytes. Under thiamine-deficient conditions, the uptake of glutamate into astrocytes, and the levels of proteins and mRNA expressions of glutamate aspartate transporter of astrocytes significantly decreased. These decreases were ameliorated in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with TJ-54 (100-700 microg/ml). The improvement of glutamate uptake with TJ-54 was completely blocked by the glutamate transporter inhibitor DL-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid. Effects of TJ-54 on glutamate-induced neuronal death were next examined by using cultured PC12 cells as a model for neurons. Addition of 17.5 mM glutamate to the culture medium induced an approximately 50% cell death, as evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. TJ-54 (1-1000 microg/ml) inhibited the cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, competitive binding assays to glutamate receptors showed that TJ-54 bound potently to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, in particular, to its glutamate and glycine recognition sites. These results suggest that TJ-54 may exert a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity not only by amelioration of dysfunction of astrocytes but also by direct protection of neuronal cells.

Integrin alphavbeta3 regulates microfibril assembly in human periodontal ligament cells

Fibrillin-1 is the major structural component of extracellular microfibrils. However, the mechanism by which extracellular fibrillin-1 assembles into microfibrils is not fully understood. Fibrillin-1 contains the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, which may allow binding to RGD-recognizing integrins. We hypothesized that integrin alphavbeta3 on the cell surface of human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts may influence fibrillin-1 assembly into cell/matrix layers. We treated PDL fibroblasts with an integrin alphavbeta3-specific antagonist to examine fibrillin-1 assembly. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis showed that treatment with the integrin alphavbeta3 antagonist at 5 muM clearly abolished fibrillin-1 deposition. These results provide for the first time evidence that integrin alphavbeta3 regulates extracellular assembly of fibrillin-1, thereby modulating cell-mediated homeostasis of microfibrils.

Involvement of elevated expression of multiple cell-cycle regulator, DTL/RAMP (denticleless/RA-regulated nuclear matrix associated protein), in the growth of breast cancer cells

To investigate the detailed molecular mechanism of mammary carcinogenesis and discover novel therapeutic targets, we previously analysed gene expression profiles of breast cancers. We here report characterization of a significant role of DTL/RAMP (denticleless/RA-regulated nuclear matrix associated protein) in mammary carcinogenesis. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and northern blot analyses confirmed upregulation of DTL/RAMP in the majority of breast cancer cases and all of breast cancer cell lines examined. Immunocytochemical and western blot analyses using anti-DTL/RAMP polyclonal antibody revealed cell-cycle-dependent localization of endogenous DTL/RAMP protein in breast cancer cells; nuclear localization was observed in cells at interphase and the protein was concentrated at the contractile ring in cytokinesis process. The expression level of DTL/RAMP protein became highest at G(1)/S phases, whereas its phosphorylation level was enhanced during mitotic phase. Treatment of breast cancer cells, T47D and HBC4, with small-interfering RNAs against DTL/RAMP effectively suppressed its expression and caused accumulation of G(2)/M cells, resulting in growth inhibition of cancer cells. We further demonstrate the in vitro phosphorylation of DTL/RAMP through an interaction with the mitotic kinase, Aurora kinase-B (AURKB). Interestingly, depletion of AURKB expression with siRNA in breast cancer cells reduced the phosphorylation of DTL/RAMP and decreased the stability of DTL/RAMP protein. These findings imply important roles of DTL/RAMP in growth of breast cancer cells and suggest that DTL/RAMP might be a promising molecular target for treatment of breast cancer.

Expression of Golf in the rat placenta: Possible implication in olfactory receptor transduction

Olfactory receptors are G-protein coupled receptors and are encoded by an extremely large and diverse family of genes in mammals. There is increasing evidence that olfactory receptors are widely distributed in many organs, suggesting that olfactory receptors do not only recognize airborne odorants but also play important roles in chemotaxis or organ construction in embryo. In this study, we investigated whether olfactory receptors and their transduction molecule, Golf are expressed in the rat placenta. By RT-PCR, we identified 11 different olfactory receptor genes, which are all members of class II, in the rat placenta cDNAs, and our results suggested that particular members of the olfactory receptor gene family might be preferentially expressed in the placenta. By western blot analysis, we demonstrated that Golf protein is expressed in the placenta and its expression levels are developmentally regulated. We found that Golf immunoreactivity is exclusively localized to giant cell trophoblasts and spongiotrophoblast cells. These findings raised a possibility that a particular subset of olfactory receptors might be coupled with Golf and function in giant cell trophoblasts and spongiotrophoblast cells.

Clinical success of Neoral absorption profile

We investigated the clinical benefits of cyclosporine microemulsion preconcentrate (CyA-MEPC; Neoral) in 16 de novo renal transplant recipients. The dose of CyA-MEPC was managed from AUC(0-4h), with serial target values of AUC(0-4h) at 5000-->4000-->3000-->2000 ng. hr/mL. The frequency of acute rejection episodes was 25%. The decreased renal function reached a low value of 12.5%, and creatinine was stable. Therefore, setting the target AUC(0-4h) value in the early phase at 5000 ng.hr/mL is an effective strategy to prevent acute rejection episodes. The single dose of Neoral given immediately after the renal transplant was 6 mg/kg (making a daily dose of 12 mg/kg). Thereafter, the dose-normalized AUC(0-4h) was set at a constant value to 4 weeks posttransplant. At week 4, the single dose was decreased to 4 mg/kg twice daily (a daily dose of 8 mg/kg). From these studies a daily dose of 12 mg/kg is suggested to be the appropriate amount for the first dose immediately after transplant. The renal biopsy performed at 6 months posttransplant showed neither cyclosporine-induced renal impairments, nor findings of chronic rejection, suggesting that 2000 ng.hr/mL is an appropriate target AUC(0-4h) value in the maintenance phase. These results suggest that it is possible to set the target value of C2 monitoring in the maintenance phase to a value slightly lower than that proposed from other studies.

Sub-genomic replicons of Tick-borne encephalitis virus

We constructed three sub-genomic replicons of Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) (Oshima REP, Oshima REP-GFP and Oshima REP-Neo) by deleting genes coding for structural proteins without or with insertion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) or Neo genes, respectively. BHK cells transfected with Oshima REP expressed the viral non-structural antigens in immunofluorescent and western blot analyses. GFP and viral antigens were co-expressed in the transfected cells with Oshima REP-GFP. G418-resistant cells harboring Oshima REP-Neo consistently expressed the antigens without showing any apparent CPE. These replicons constructed in this study will be useful in studies on the replication, assembly and packaging of TBEV, and to develop vaccines and gene-delivering systems.

Detection of Grb-2-related Adaptor Protein Gene (GRAP) and Peptide Molecule in Salivary Glands of MRL/lpr Mice and Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome

The pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is poorly understood. In this study we used an in-house mouse spleen cDNA microarray to analyse genes in spleens from MRL/lpr (an SS mouse model) mice. We have previously demonstrated that GRAP genes were up-regulated in salivary glands of the same mice. The microarray analysis showed that seven out of 2304 genes were highly expressed in spleens from the MRL/ lpr mice, one of which was the GRAP gene. In other words, the GRAP gene is highly expressed in the salivary glands and spleen of MRL/lpr mice. We also carried out immunohistochemical studies. Mouse and human Grb-2-related adaptor protein ( GRAP) antigens were expressed on ductal cells and infiltrating lymphocytes in salivary glands of MRL /lpr mice and SS patients, but only weakly in controls (MRL/+ mice and individuals with salivary cysts). These results suggest that the GRAP gene might have a role in the pathogenesis of SS.

Residual contrast medium in the cortex of the kidney around an infected renal cyst on CT: case report

We present a case of a patient with an infected renal cyst. Delayed computed tomography showed residual contrast medium in the cortex of the kidney around it. Delayed computed tomography might be useful to identify an infected renal cyst.

Importance of transition zone biopsies in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided prostate systemic biopsies for the first time

INTRODUCTION

We analyze the efficacy of routine transition zone biopsies in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided systemic prostate biopsies for the first time because of a suspicious digital rectal examination or an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During systemic prostate biopsy two or four additional transition zone biopsies were performed in 192 consecutive patients: in 182 because of a serum PSA concentration >4.1 ng/ml and in 10 because of a suspicious digital rectal examination and a serum PSA level <4.0 ng/ml.

RESULTS

The overall prostate cancer detection rate was 37.5% (72/192). In 24 patients (33.3%), cancer was only detected in the peripheral zone, in 3 (4.2%) only in the transition zone, and in 45 (62.5%) in both zones.

CONCLUSION

Transition zone biopsies performed at the first time of systemic prostate biopsy seem to have a low efficacy.

Developmental changes in PSD-95 and Narp mRNAs in the rat olfactory bulb

Glutamate is the main neurotransmitter in the olfactory bulb. Recently, postsynaptic-density 95 (PSD-95) and neuronal activity-regulated pentraxin (Narp) have been reported to be pivotal for targeting and clustering of NMDA receptors and AMPA receptors, respectively. We thus investigated the expressions of PSD-95 and Narp mRNAs in the rat developing olfactory bulb. PSD-95 mRNA was already expressed in most neurons on the first postnatal day (P1). On the other hand, Narp mRNA expression was weakly seen only in mitral cells on P1. Thereafter, we found initial expression of Narp mRNA on P7 in periglomerular cells, and on P14 in granular cells, indicating that in the developing olfactory bulb PSD-95 mRNA expression precedes Narp mRNA expression, and that the expression pattern of Narp mRNA seems to be well correlated with the maturation of the neurons. These results indicate that PSD-95 and Narp play important roles in making efficient excitatory synapses in the developing rat olfactory bulb, and suggest that olfactory neurons might first express PSD-95 for making efficient NMDA receptors and thereafter express Narp for efficient AMPA receptors.

Identification and characterization of differentially methylated CpG islands in pancreatic carcinoma

To identify CpG islands differentially methylated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we used methylated CpG island amplification (MCA) coupled with representational difference analysis. Of 42 CpG islands identified by MCA/representational difference analysis, 7 CpG islands [methylated in carcinoma of the pancreas (MICP)] were differentially methylated in a panel of eight pancreatic cancer cell lines compared with normal pancreas. In a larger panel of 75 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, these 7 MICPs (ppENK, Cyclin G, ZBP, MICP25, 27, 36, and 38) were methylated in 93, 3, 9, 15, 48, 19, and 41% of cancers, respectively, by methylation-specific PCR but not in any of 15 normal pancreata. In pancreatic cancer cell lines, methylation of ppENK, a gene with known growth suppressive properties, was associated with transcriptional silencing that was reversible with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. Relationships between the methylation patterns of pancreatic adenocarcinomas and their clinicopathological features were also determined. Larger pancreatic cancers and those from older patients (P = 0.017) harbored more methylated loci than smaller tumors and those from younger patients (P = 0.017). ppENK, MICP25, and 27 were variably methylated in normal gastric, duodenal, and colonic mucosae. These data indicate that aberrant methylation of ppENK and its transcriptional repression is a common event in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

STK11/LKB1 Peutz-Jeghers gene inactivation in intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

Despite the growing awareness of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas among clinicians, the molecular features of IPMNs have not been well characterized. Previous reports suggest that inactivation of the STK11/LKB1, a tumor-suppressor gene responsible for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), plays a role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal hamartomas as well as several cancers, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Using polymerase chain reaction amplification of five microsatellite markers from the 19p13.3 region harboring the STK11/LKB1 gene, we analyzed DNA from 22 IPMNs for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). LOH at 19p13.3 was identified in 2 of 2 (100%) IPMNs from patients with PJS and 5 of 20 (25%) from patients lacking features of PJS (7 of 22, 32% overall). Sequencing analysis of the STK11/LKB1 gene in these IPMNs with LOH revealed a germline mutation in one IPMN that arose in a patient with PJS and a somatic mutation in 1 of the 20 sporadic IPMNs. None of the 22 IPMNs showed hypermethylation of the STK11/LKB1 gene. These results suggest that the STK11/LKB1 gene is involved in the pathogenesis of some IPMNs.

Developmental changes in gephyrin and collybistin mRNA expressions in the rat olfactory bulb

GABA and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters in the olfactory bulb. Recently, gephyrin, a receptor-associated peripheral membrane protein, and collybistin, a gephyrin-binding protein have been shown to be pivotal for the formation of postsynaptic glycine and GABA(A) receptor clusters. In this study, we, thus, examined expressions of gephyrin and collybistin mRNAs in the developing olfactory bulb using in situ hybridization. Although collybistin has two splice variants, we found only collybistin 1 isoform mRNA in the developing olfactory bulb. On the first postnatal day (P1), mitral cells abundantly expressed gephyrin and collybistin 1 mRNAs. However, their expressions were weak or not detected in the other regions. On P3, we first detected both transcripts in granule cells. It was on P7 when periglomerular cells first showed hybridization signals for gephyrin and collybistin mRNAs. The sequence of their expressions was well correlated with that of the maturation of individual neurons, suggesting that gephyrin and collybistin 1 mRNA expressions are induced when neurons arrive at their final destinations and ready for synaptogenesis, and that they are indispensable to make efficient inhibitory synapses in the developing rat olfactory bulb.

Epidermal growth factor down-regulates connexin-43 expression in cultured rat cortical astrocytes

Astrocytes are coupled via gap junction channels, predominantly formed by connexin-43 (Cx43), and contribute to neuronal function in the normal and diseased brain. In this study, we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor (EGF), applied to cortical astrocytes, results in a decrease in the expression of Cx43 mRNA and protein. We have further shown that the decrease is associated with the receptor tyrosine kinase pathway and the MEK inhibitor prevents EGF-stimulated down-regulation of Cx43 expression. These findings demonstrate a previously unknown function of EGF on cultured astrocytes, which may be relevant to the regulation of astrocytic growth and differentiation.

Heat-shock-induced proteins from Myxococcus xanthus

Optimal conditions for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of total cellular proteins from Myxococcus xanthus were established. Using these conditions, we analyzed protein patterns of heat-shocked M. xanthus cells. Eighteen major spots and 15 minor spots were found to be induced by heat shock. From N-terminal sequences of 15 major spots, DnaK, GroEL, GroES, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, 30S ribosomal protein S6, and ATP synthase alpha subunit were identified. Three of the 18 major spots had an identical N-terminal sequence, indicating that they may be different forms of the same protein. Although a DnaK homologue, SglK, has been identified in M. xanthus (R. M. Weimer, C. Creghton, A. Stassinopoulos, P. Youderian, and P. L. Hartzell, J. Bacteriol. 180:5357-5368, 1998; Z. Yang, Y. Geng, and W. Shi, J. Bacteriol. 180:218-224, 1998), SglK was not induced by heat shock. In addition, there were seven substitutions within the N-terminal 30-residue sequence of the newly identified DnaK. This is the first report to demonstrate that succinyl CoA synthetase, 30S ribosomal protein S6, and ATP synthase alpha subunit are heat shock inducible.

Association of serum antioxidant capacity with coronary artery disease in middle-aged men

The possible involvement of oxidative damage in the progression of atherosclerosis has been suggested. There is some evidence that antioxidant therapy may be beneficial for the prevention of coronary heart disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and serum antioxidative status by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS). Other relevant antioxidants, such as retinol, alpha, gamma-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, alpha, beta-carotenoids, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and oxidative products, were also determined in 31 male CAD patients with angiographically defined CAD and 66 male controls, aged 40-70 years, in a case-control study. The TAS levels, ratio and the concentrations of retinol, albumin, total protein and HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the CAD patients than in the controls (p<0.01), and alpha-tocopherol and alpha/gamma-tocopherol were significantly higher in the CAD patients than in the controls. The TAS level correlated positively with gamma-GTP, GPT, GOT and uric acid (p<0.01). A multiple regression analysis in the CAD patients revealed that the TAS levels correlated most negatively with the number of diseased vessels. The concentrations of carotenoids and GSH-Px, as well as the alpha/gamma-tocopherol ratio were also significantly associated. Although conditional logistic regression analysis suggested low levels of HDL-cholesterol to be a significant coronary risk factor (OR=5.1, 95% CI=1.09-24.3), the TAS level showed no significant independent contribution to CAD. This study demonstrated an association of antioxidant parameters with the atherosclerosis progression, however, it did not confirm antioxidants as an independent risk factor for CAD event.

Retrovirus-mediated gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with reversely oriented therapeutic gene expression regulated by alpha-fetoprotein enhancer/promoter

In the present study, to achieve more selective and efficient therapeutic gene expression in hepatoma cells, we compared the therapeutic efficacies of the retroviral vectors expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene by the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) enhancer/promoter in the forward (LNAFE0.3TK) and reverse (LN[AFE0.3TK]R) orientation to the vector long terminal repeats. By Northern blotting, the level of the HSV-tk mRNA in LN[AFE0.3TK]R-infected HepG2 human hepatoma cells was much higher than that in LNAFE0.3TK-infected cells. Consistent with this, LN[AFE0.3TK]R infection into HepG2 cells caused a greater cytotoxicity by ganciclovir exposure together with a stronger bystander effect than LNAFE0.3TK infection. In an animal model, intratumorous injection of LN[AFE0.3TK]R with ganciclovir treatment resulted in pronounced growth inhibition of HepG2 tumor. Thus, the reversely oriented therapeutic gene expression under the control of AFP enhancer/promoter is a possible candidate for the retrovirus-mediated gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Synthesis and absolute configuration of lactone II isolated from Streptomyces sp. Go 40/10

All four possible stereoisomers of lactone II isolated from Streptomyces sp. Go 40/10, an autoregulator, have been efficiently synthesized in a stereoselective manner starting from (S)-malic acid and sorbic acid, and the absolute configuration was determined to be 2S, 3S, 9R, 10S.

Synthetic study of macquarimicins: highly stereoselective construction of the AB-ring system

The highly stereoselective synthesis of the AB-ring system of macquarimicins, a novel class of microbial metabolites with inhibitory activity for neutral sphingomyelinase, has been achieved. The present synthesis features the highly stereocontrolled construction of the cis-tetrahydroindan structure via the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an (E,Z,E)-1,6,8-nonatriene derived from D-glyceraldehyde acetonide. Reaction: see text.

Phenotypical characteristics of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas: a comparison with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and relevance of E-cadherin, alpha catenin and beta catenin expression

The characteristics of undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma (UC) of the pancreas were analysed and compared with those of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PA). Eight cases of UC of the pancreas were evaluated by clinicopathological and immunohistochemical methods and compared with 20 cases of PA. Large size of the tumor, local invasion and lymph node metastasis were frequently seen in UC, leading to a significantly worse prognosis compared to that of PA (p=0.022). Immunohistochemically, E-cadherin expression was completely lost in 7/8 UC cases, whereas half the PA cases revealed a strong reactivity for E-cadherin. alpha- and beta-catenin expressions tended to be impaired in UC compared with PA. The results suggest that the altered expression of adhesion molecules is correlated with dedifferentiated change and is contributory to its aggressive biological behaviour.

Subunit C of the vacuolar-type ATPase from the vanadium-rich ascidian Ascidia sydneiensis samea rescued the pH sensitivity of yeast vma5 mutants

A vanadium-accumulating ascidian, Ascidia sydneiensis samea, expresses vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPases (V-ATPases) on the vacuole membrane of the vanadium-containing blood cells known as vanadocytes. Previously, we showed that the contents of their vacuoles are extremely acidic and that a V-ATPase-specific inhibitor, bafilomycin A(1), neutralized the contents of the vacuoles. To understand the function of V-ATPase in vanadocytes, we isolated complementary DNA encoding subunit C of V-ATPase from vanadocytes because this subunit has been known to be responsible for the assembly of V-ATPases and to regulate the ATPase activity of V-ATPases. The cloned cDNA was 1443 nucleotides in length, and encoded a putative 384 amino acid protein. By expressing the ascidian cDNA for subunit C under the control of a galactose-inducible promoter, the pH-sensitive phenotype of the corresponding vma5 mutant of a budding yeast was rescued. This result showed that the ascidian cDNA for subunit C functioned in yeast cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates acute graft-versus-host disease and promotes hematopoietic function

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and is characterized by hematopoietic dysfunction, immunosuppression, and tissue injury in the skin, liver, and intestinal mucosa. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), originally identified and cloned as a potent mitogen for hepatocytes, induces mitogenic and antiapoptotic activity in various epithelial cells and promotes hematopoiesis. Working in a murine model of acute GVHD, we performed repeated transfection of the human HGF cDNA into skeletal muscle and showed that this treatment inhibited apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and donor T-cell infiltration into the liver, thereby ameliorating the enteropathy and liver injury caused by acute GVHD. HGF also markedly suppressed IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression in the intestine and liver and decreased the serum IL-12. Furthermore, extramedullary hematopoiesis by donor cells was increased, and the survival rate was improved. These results suggest that HGF may be useful for controlling acute GVHD after allogeneic BMT.

HET0016, a potent and selective inhibitor of 20-HETE synthesizing enzyme

The present study examined the inhibitory effects of N-hydroxy-N'-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)-formamidine (HET0016) on the renal metabolism of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. HET0016 exhibited a high degree of selectivity in inhibiting the formation of 20-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in rat renal microsomes. The IC(50) value averaged 35+/-4 nM, whereas the IC(50) value for inhibition of the formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids by HET0016 averaged 2800+/-300 nM. In human renal microsomes, HET0016 potently inhibited the formation of 20-HETE with an IC(50) value of 8.9+/-2.7 nM. Higher concentrations of HET0016 also inhibited the CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4-catalysed substrates oxidation with IC(50) values of 3300, 83,900 and 71,000 nM. The IC(50) value for HET0016 on cyclo-oxygenase activity was 2300 nM. These results indicate that HET0016 is a potent and selective inhibitor of CYP enzymes responsible for the formation of 20-HETE in man and rat.

Molecular predictors of survival after adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival among patients with stage III colon cancer, but no reliable molecular predictors of outcome have been identified.

METHODS

We evaluated loss of chromosomal material (also called loss of heterozygosity or allelic loss) from chromosomes 18q, 17p, and 8p; cellular levels of p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) proteins; and microsatellite instability as molecular markers. We analyzed tumor tissue from 460 patients with stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer who had been treated with various combinations of adjuvant fluorouracil, leucovorin, and levamisole to determine the ability of these markers to predict survival.

RESULTS

Loss of heterozygosity at 18q was present in 155 of 319 cancers (49 percent). High levels of microsatellite instability were found in 62 of 298 tumors (21 percent), and 38 of these 62 tumors (61 percent) had a mutation of the gene for the type II receptor for transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). Among patients with microsatellite-stable stage III cancer, five-year overall survival after fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was 74 percent in those whose cancer retained 18q alleles and 50 percent in those with loss of 18q alleles (relative risk of death with loss at 18q, 2.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.65; P=0.006). The five-year survival rate among patients whose cancer had high levels of microsatellite instability was 74 percent in the presence of a mutated gene for the type II receptor for TGF-beta1 and 46 percent if the tumor did not have this mutation (relative risk of death, 2.90; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.14 to 7.35; P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Retention of 18q alleles in microsatellite-stable cancers and mutation of the gene for the type II receptor for TGF-beta1 in cancers with high levels of microsatellite instability point to a favorable outcome after adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil-based regimens for stage III colon cancer.

Isolation of Dlx and Emx gene cognates in an agnathan species, Lampetra japonica, and their expression patterns during embryonic and larval development: conserved and diversified regulatory patterns of homeobox genes in vertebrate head evolution

Agnathan cognates of vertebrate homeobox genes, Emx and Dlx, were isolated from embryonic cDNA of a Japanese marine lamprey, Lampetra japonica. Analyses of amino acid sequences indicated that the Dlx cognate was closely related to the common ancestor of gnathostome Dlx1 and Dlx6 groups and termed LjDlx1/6. Southern blot analyses could not rule out the possibility that L. japonica possesses more than one paralog for both LjDlx1/6 and LjEmx, the lamprey cognate of Emx. Expression of LjDlx1/6 was regulated spatially as well as developmentally, and its transcripts were mainly found in the craniofacial and pharyngeal mesenchyme and in the forebrain. The expression pattern of LjEmx changed dramatically during embryogenesis; expression was seen initially in the entire neural tube and mesoderm, which were secondarily downregulated, and secondarily in cranial nerve ganglia and in the craniofacial mesenchyme. No specific expression of LjEmx was seen in the telencephalon. Comparisons of Dlx and Otx gene expression patterns suggested a shared neuromeric pattern of the vertebrate brain. Absence of Emx expression implied that the patterning of the lamprey telencephalon is not based on the tripartite plan that has been presumed in gnathostomes. Expression domains of LjDlx1/6 in the upper lip and of LjEmx in the craniofacial mesenchyme were peculiar features that have not been known in gnathostomes. Such differences in expression pattern may underlie distinct morphogenetic pathway of the mandibular arch between the agnathans and gnathostomes.

SigB, SigC, and SigE from Myxococcus xanthus homologous to sigma32 are not required for heat shock response but for multicellular differentiation

Myxococcus xanthus has been known to have multiple sigma factors which are considered to play important roles in regulation of gene expression in development. A new gene encoding a putative sigma factor, sigE, was cloned by using a degenerate oligonucleotide corresponding to the conserved region 2.2 of M. xanthus SigA. In the 2.0-kb nucleotide sequence, an open reading frame consisting of 280 amino acid residues was identified. The amino acid sequence of SigE shows high similarity to heat shock sigma factors in bacteria. However, the sigE gene is not induced by heat shock and deletion of sigE does not affect production of heat shock proteins. SigE is expressed during both vegetative growth and fruiting body development. In the deletion mutant of the sigE gene fruiting body formation is initiated earlier and fewer spores are produced than in the parent strain. Interestingly, the deltasigE mutant shows defects in fruiting body formation at 37 degrees C. In addition to SigE, SigB and SigC show high sequence similarity to heat shock sigma factors. However, even if all three sigma factor genes are disrupted, heat shock proteins are still normally induced. A deltasigBdeltasigCdeltasigE triple deletion strain forms fruiting bodies earlier, but sporulats later than the parent strain. Spores from the triple deletion mutant are aberrant and their viability is less than 0.001% compared with that of the parent strain, suggesting that these sigma factors may have redundant functions in multicellular differentiation of M. xanthus.

A large family of eukaryotic-like protein Ser/Thr kinases of Myxococcus xanthus, a developmental bacterium

Myxococcus xanthus is a gram-negative bacterium that forms multicellular fruiting bodies upon starvation. Here, we demonstrate that it contains at least 13 eukaryotic-like protein Ser/Thr kinases (Pkn1 to Pkn13) individually having unique features. All contain the kinase domain of approximately 280 residues near the N-terminal end, which share highly conserved features in eukaryotic Ser/Thr kinases. The kinase domain is followed by a putative regulatory domain consisting of 185 to 692 residues. These regulatory domains share no significant sequence similarities. The C-terminal regions of 11 kinases contain at least 1 transmembrane domain, suggesting that they function as transmembrane sensor kinases. From the recent genomic analysis, protein Ser/Thr kinases were found in various pathogenic bacteria and coexist with protein His kinases. Phylogenetic analysis of these Ser/Thr kinases reveals that all bacterial Ser/Thr kinases were evolved from a common ancestral kinase together with eukaryotic Tyr and Ser/Thr kinases. Coexistence of both Ser/Thr and His kinases in some organisms may be significant in terms of functional differences between the two kinases. We argue that both kinases are essential for some bacteria to adapt optimally to severe environmental changes.

Effectiveness of endoscopic biliary drainage for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma associated with obstructive jaundice

Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with obstructive jaundice remains controversial because of the short survival of these patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure, we retrospectively studied 18 patients who had unresectable HCC with obstructive jaundice and underwent EBD with polyethylene stents, over a 10-year period. Nine patients with tumor thrombus involving the first branches of the portal vein or portal trunk (Vp3) formed group A and the other 9 (Vp0-Vp2) formed group B. The serum albumin level and serum total bililubin level differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005. Student's t-test), but prothrombin time did not. The obstructive jaundice was mainly caused by direct tumor invasion in 6 patients from group A and 3 from group B, by blood clots and/or tumor fragments in 2 patients from group A and 3 from group B, by the tumor protruding into the common hepatic duct in 2 patients from group B. and by tumor compression of the common bile duct in 1 patient from each group. Drainage was successful in 4 patients (44%) from group A and in all 9 patients (100%) from group B. Among the 5 patients with unsuccessful drainage in group A, 4 had obstruction of both the left and right hepatic ducts and 3 had multiple tumors in both lobes. The mean survival time (mean +/- SD) after EBD was 47 +/- 44 days in group A and 181 +/- 70 days in group B. In group A. the average survival time was only 85 days in the 4 patients with successful drainage. However, an improvement in the quality of life after EBD was observed in one-third of the Vp3 patients and in all of the Vp0-Vp2 patients. In summary, satisfactory palliation is possible with successful EBD, but this is difficult in most patients with Vp3 portal thrombus, direct tumor invasion involving both hepatic ducts, and multiple tumors in both lobes. It is important to determine the site, extent, and nature of the obstruction, as well as liver function and the presence of portal thrombus, before performing EBD.

Silencing of the caspase-1 gene occurs in murine and human renal cancer cells and causes solid tumor growth in vivo

Renal cell cancer is a unique solid tumor that occasionally shows spontaneous regression even at an advanced stage, of which the underlying mechanism is not well understood. To investigate a potential role of the pro-apoptotic molecule caspase-1 in the growth regulation of renal cell cancer, we created transfectants expressing exogenous caspase-1 from a murine renal cancer cell line, Renca. Overexpression of caspase-1 did not affect the growth of Renca cells in vitro at the exponential phase but induced apoptotic cell death at 50% to 75% confluence, whereas control cells underwent apoptosis only after reaching 100% confluence. When implanted into the flank of a syngeneic BALB/c mouse, caspase-1-overexpressing Renca cells did not effectively establish growth as a solid tumor, forming a measurable tumor in only 7 of 11 (64%) animals, whereas control cells formed a tumor in 6 of 6 (100%) animals. The growth of tumors from caspase-1-overexpressing cells slowed down markedly after the tumors reached 5 to 10 mm in diameter, and histological examination of such tumors revealed numerous apoptotic cells positively stained by TUNEL assay. Interestingly, endogenous caspase-1 was not detected in the tumors from control cells, which re-expressed caspase-1 when they were re-cultured and exposed to a demethylation reagent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Furthermore, treatment of a human renal cancer cell line, ACHN, with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine also caused recovery of caspase-1 expression, which was not detected before treatment. These data suggest that silencing of caspase-1 through DNA methylation may be involved in the oncogenesis of some renal cell cancers growing as a solid tumor.

Regulation of rat hippocampal neural cadherin in the kainic acid induced seizures

Regulation of neural (N-) cadherin expression in the hippocampus was examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods in the rat model of kainic acid (KA) induced seizures. After 12 and 24 h of KA administration, mRNA expression level of N-cadherin decreased in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 area in parallel with decrease of the number of neural cells. In contrast, after 48 h and 7 days, mRNA expression level recovered partially, although the number of neural cells remained small. In addition, immunohistochemical staining indicated that N-cadherin protein expression of survived neurons increased significantly after 48 h of KA administration. These results indicated that N-cadherin might be involved in neuronal reconstruction at the hippocampus.