Effects of intensive exercise combined with dapagliflozin on body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive exercise in addition to the administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (DAPA) on body composition, including fat-free mass, in type 2 diabetes. We randomly assigned 146 patients to 24 weeks of treatment with intensive exercise, including resistance training, plus 5 mg (up to 10 mg) of DAPA daily (IT group) or DAPA alone (CT group). The primary endpoint was the difference in the change in fat-free mass from baseline to 24 weeks between the groups. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI); metabolic profile, including HbA1c; and regional fat mass were also determined. ANCOVA was used for the group comparison, with least squares mean (LSM) differences and 95% confidence interval (CI). There was no significant difference in the change in fat-free mass (LSM difference -0.1 kg (95% CI: -0.5 to 0.4) and SMI (LSM difference -0.1 kg (95% CI: -0.2 to 0.1) between the groups. In contrast, the reduction of trunk fat mass was significantly higher in the IT group than in the CT group ((LSM difference -0.5 kg [95% CI -0.9 to -0.1]). Higher adherence to the resistance training tended to be associated with changes in HbA1c and high-sensitivity CRP levels. Our study suggests that intensive exercise do not prevent the reduction of fat-free mass after administration of SGLT2 inhibitors but can increase the reduction in abdominal fat, presumably leading to further improvements of hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation than DAPA alone in type 2 diabetes patients.

Effects of Nutritional Treatment on the Frequency of Pneumonia in Bedridden Patients Receiving Oral Care

Objective Pneumonia develops in bedridden patients, even in those receiving oral care, and malnutrition is associated with the development of pneumonia. We examined the effects of nutritional treatment on the prevention of pneumonia. Patients and Methods We retrospectively examined the effects of nutritional treatment on the prevention of pneumonia by analyzing the records of bedridden patients (n=68; mean age: 68.0 years) who stayed in a hospital for 2 years or longer. Results Among the analyzed patients, pneumonia developed in 52 (76%) patients, and the mean frequency of pneumonia was 1.6 times per year during the first year of stay. In a multivariate analysis, the serum albumin level at admission in the pneumonia group was lower than that in the non-pneumonia group. The frequency of pneumonia during the second year of stay was lower than that during the first year of stay. Serum levels of albumin and total protein (TP) at one year after admission were higher than those at admission in all analyzed patients, and in all patients (n=52) and elderly (≥65 years) patients (n=31) in the pneumonia group. The proportions of patients with hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) and hypoproteinemia (<6.5 g/dL) at one year after admission were lower than those at admission. The increases in the proportions of patients presenting a reduced frequency of pneumonia were correlated with increases in the proportions of patients presenting increased levels of albumin and/or TP. Conclusion Nutritional treatment may reduce the frequency of pneumonia by improving malnutrition in bedridden patients receiving oral care.

Effect of a Selective Thrombin Inhibitor MCI-9038 on Fibrinolysis In Vitro and In Vivo

The effect of a selective thrombin inhibitor, (2R, 4R)-4-methyl-1- [N2- [(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-quinolinyl)sulfo-nyl]-L-arginyl]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid (MCI-9038), on the fibrinolysis induced by t-PA and u-PA was studied in vitro and in vivo. MCI-9038 remarkably reduced the lysis time of the plasma clot generated by the addition of calcium chloride to the plasma at the concentration ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 μM. Heparin also reduced the plasma clot lysis time with a lower effect than MCI-9038. The fibrin crosslinkage in the plasma clot was inhibited by MCI-9038 or heparin. MCI-9038 potently inhibited the factor XIIIa generation from factor XIII by thrombin.

The effect on the in vivo thrombolysis was studied on the arterial thrombosis generated by the endothelial cell injury of the rabbit carotid artery by acetic acid. t-PA dissolved the thrombi with the infusion at 0.96 mg/kg over 2 h without a significant activation of a systemic fibrinolysis. u-PA dissolved the thrombi with the infusion at 180,000 and 360,000 IU/kg over 2 h. At a dose of 0.48 mg/kg t-PA or 90,000 IU/kg u-PA, the thrombi were not dissolved, but the combined use of MCI-9038 at 1.2 mg/kg over 2 h effectively dissolved the thrombi. Thus, combination of MCI-9038 with plasminogen activators accelerated thrombolysis of an experimental thrombosis in rabbits.

[A case of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the distal bile duct]

We diagnosed distal cholangiocarcinoma in a 76-year-old woman who was then treated by subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma on the side of the bile duct, and a neuroendocrine carcinoma in an area outside the bile duct where the tumor had infiltrated. Immunohistochemical staining identified homology between cytokeratins and MUC, indicating a similar origin. This report discusses problems associated with diagnosis and treatment by summarizing 22 patients who underwent curative resection and subsequently had a confirmed prognosis.

Pneumonia risks in bedridden patients receiving oral care and their screening tool: Malnutrition and urinary tract infection-induced inflammation

AIM

Pneumonia develops in bedridden patients even when they are receiving oral care. However, the pneumonia risk in bedridden patients remains unclear, and no screening tool has been developed to assess this risk by using daily hospital data.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined pneumonia risk factors by analyzing the records of 102 bedridden patients receiving oral care.

RESULTS

Body mass index, peripheral blood hemoglobin, and serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol and uric acid in the pneumonia group (n = 51; mean age 73.4 years) were lower than those in the non-pneumonia group (n = 51; mean age 68.1 years). In the univariate analysis, body mass index; leukocytosis; high C-reactive protein; low levels of hemoglobin, total protein and albumin (<3.5 g/dL); and urine bacteria were associated with the development of pneumonia. Furthermore, in the multivariate analysis, low levels of albumin and urine bacteria were independently associated with pneumonia. We developed a bedridden patient pneumonia risk (BPPR) score using these two risk factors to assess pneumonia risk. We applied scores of zero (0) or one (1) according to the absence or presence of the two risk factors and summed the scores in each patient. The proportion of pneumonia patients increased with increasing BPPR score when the patients were divided into three groups - low, moderate and high risk - according to the BPPR score (0, 1 or 2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition, urinary tract infection-induced inflammation and anemia were associated with pneumonia in bedridden patients. BPPR scoring might be useful for assessing pneumonia risk and managing affected patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 714-722.

Clinicopathological significance of ganglioside DSGb5 expression in renal cell carcinoma

Disialosyl globopentaosylceramide (DSGb5) is a ganglioside originally isolated from tissue extracts of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with metastasis. Previous in vitro experiments have suggested that DSGb5 promotes metastasis by enhancing the migration of RCC cells and downregulating NK cell cytotoxicity against RCC cells. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological significance of DSGb5 expression in RCC and outcomes of RCC patients. A total of 156 RCC patients who underwent surgical treatments at our hospital from January 2007 through December 2012 were analyzed in this study. The expression of DSGb5 in RCC specimens was examined by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody 5F3. The immunostaining intensity of RCC tissues was assessed in comparison with that in benign renal tubules as an internal positive control. The relationship between DSGb5 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was investigated and recurrence free survival following surgery was evaluated. Microvascular invasion was observed in 68% (n = 19/28) and in 45% (n = 58/128) of the DSGb5 high expression group and low expression group, respectively (p = 0.031). Of 156 patients with a median follow up of 51 months, 18 patients (12%) developed metastasis following surgery. Patients in the DSGb5 high expression group showed significantly lower recurrence-free survival as compared with those in the DSGb5 low expression group (log-rank P = 0.047). In the present study, DSGb5 expression was associated with microvascular invasion in RCC tissues, and patients with DSGb5 high expression showed significantly lower recurrence-free survival rates. These findings suggest that DSGb5 expressed in RCC is correlated with metastasis and is a potential predictor for identifying patients who experience metastasis after surgery.

Specific niches for lung-resident memory CD8+ T cells at the site of tissue regeneration enable CD69-independent maintenance

Takamura et al. show that most lung CD8⁺ T_RM cells are not maintained in the inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) but are maintained in specific niches created at the site of tissue regeneration, which are termed as repair-associated memory depots (RAMDs).

CD8⁺ tissue-resident memory T cells (T_RM cells) reside permanently in nonlymphoid tissues and provide a first line of protection against invading pathogens. However, the precise localization of CD8⁺ T_RM cells in the lung, which physiologically consists of a markedly scant interstitium compared with other mucosa, remains unclear. In this study, we show that lung CD8⁺ T_RM cells localize predominantly in specific niches created at the site of regeneration after tissue injury, whereas peripheral tissue-circulating CD8⁺ effector memory T cells (T_EM cells) are widely but sparsely distributed in unaffected areas. Although CD69 inhibited sphingosine 1–phosphate receptor 1–mediated egress of CD8⁺ T cells immediately after their recruitment into lung tissues, such inhibition was not required for the retention of cells in the T_RM niches. Furthermore, despite rigid segregation of T_EM cells from the T_RM niche, prime-pull strategy with cognate antigen enabled the conversion from T_EM cells to T_RM cells by creating de novo T_RM niches. Such damage site–specific localization of CD8⁺ T_RM cells may be important for efficient protection against secondary infections by respiratory pathogens.

Significance of Expression of Complement C4d in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. C4d is a degradation product of the classical complement pathway and is suggested as an early diagnostic marker for other SCCs. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association of complement C4d with ESCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining for C4d was performed on surgical specimens obtained from 114 patients with ESCC.

RESULTS

Positive C4d expression was observed in 70 (61.4%) cases and negative expression in 44 (38.6%) cases. There was a significant inverse correlation between C4d expression and depth of tumor invasion (p=0.0001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.011), lymphatic invasion (p=0.033), and TNM stage (p=0.0021). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that negative C4d expression tended to lead to shorter overall survival (p=0.232).

CONCLUSION

C4d expression in ESCC might be useful in developing treatment strategies or suppression of ESCC.

Ganglioside, disialosyl globopentaosylceramide (DSGb5), enhances the migration of renal cell carcinoma cells

About one third of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients exhibit metastasis upon initial presentation. However, the molecular basis for RCC metastasis is not fully understood. A ganglioside, disialosyl globopentaosylceramide (DSGb5), was originally isolated from RCC tissue extracts, and its expression is correlated with RCC metastatic potential. DSGb5 is synthesized by GalNAc α2,6-sialyltransferase VI (ST6GalNAcVI) and is expressed on the surface of RCC cells. Importantly, DSGb5 binds to sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-7 (Siglec-7) expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, thereby inhibiting NK-cell cytotoxicity. However, the role of DSGb5 in RCC progression remains obscure. To address this issue, we used ACHN cells derived from malignant pleural effusion of a patient with metastatic RCC. Using the limiting dilution method, we isolated three independent clones with different DSGb5 expression levels. Comparison of these clones indicated that the cloned cells with high DSGb5 expression levels exhibited greater migration potential, compared to the clone with low DSGb5 expression levels. In contrast, DSGb5 expression levels exerted no significant effect on cell proliferation. We then established the ACHN-derived cell lines that stably expressed siRNA against ST6GalNAcVI mRNA or control siRNA. Importantly, the ST6GalNAcVI-knockdown cells expressed low levels of DSGb5. We thus demonstrated the significantly decreased migration potential of the ST6GalNAcVI-knockdown cells with low DSGb5 expression levels, compared to the control siRNA-transfected cells expressing high DSGb5 levels, but no significant difference in the cell proliferation. Thus, DSGb5 expression may ensure the migration of RCC cells. We propose that DSGb5 expressed on RCC cells may determine their metastatic capability.

A pivotal role of Krüppel-like factor 5 in regulation of cancer stem-like cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there exists a highly tumorigenic subset of cells defined by high expression of CD44 and CD133 that has been reported to contain cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) regulates many factors involved in cell cycle, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and stemness and has cancer-promoting effects in some cancers. While some reports have indicated that KLF5 may have important roles in regulation of CSCs, what role, if any, KLF5 plays in regulation of CSCs in HCC remains to be elucidated. Flow cytometric analysis of CD44 and CD133 in HCC cell lines revealed subpopulations of CD44(High)/CD133(High) and CD44(Low)/CD133(Low) cells. We subsequently sorted these subpopulations and identified KLF5 as a gene that is significantly upregulated in CD44(High)/CD44(High) cells via RNA sequencing using next generation sequencing technology. Moreover, KLF5 overexpression enriched the CD44(High)/CD133(High) subpopulation and, consistent with the up-regulation of CD44(High)/CD133(High) cells, KLF5 overexpressing cells were more resistant to anti-cancer drugs and displayed enhanced colony-formation capacity. By contrast, knock-down of KLF5 by siRNA diminished the CD44(High)/CD133(High) subpopulation. When KLF5 was acetylated by TGF-β1, the KLF5-mediated CD44(High)/CD133(High) subpopulation enrichment was abrogated. Oppositely, ectopic expression of an acetylation-deficient KLF5 mutant further increased CD44(High)/CD133(High) subpopulations as compared to cell expressing wild-type KLF5. These findings provide novel mechanistic insight into a pivotal role for KLF5 in the regulation of CSCs in HCC.

Surface Modification of Si Field Emitter Arrays for Vacuum Sealing

Vacuum packaging is a very important issue for vacuum microelectronics devices, especially for field emission displays. Emission current from the field emitter array (FEA), however, is known to decrease significantly after the vacuum packaging process. The current decrease is caused by heating treatment in the vacuum sealing process. In the present paper, the effect of the heating treatment on Si FEA was investigated and CHF3 plasma treatment was proposed for avoiding the problem. The Si FEA was exposed to plasma for 15sec and emission characteristics were measured before and after the vacuum sealing process using frit. It was confirmed that CHF3 plasma treatment was very effective for avoiding the emission degradation of the Si FEA. Details of the heating damage and CHF3 plasma treatment are described.

Combined non-isotopic in situ hybridisation and indirect immunohistochemical analysis of hormone production in the rat pituitary gland

An understanding of the intracellular relation between hormonal expression (storage) and gene expression (production) is essential for elucidating the functional status of the individual cells in endocrine tissue such as the pituitary gland. To this end, mRNA expression was visualised by using a combined in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry method in routinely processed, formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded rat pituitaries. mRNA was detected by non-isotopic in situ hybridisation (alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase method, with nitroblue tetrazolium and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate as substrates). Sections were then stained by using the immunoperoxidase method to demonstrate pituitary hormone expression. The specificity of the combined staining method was confirmed by staining adjacent sections separately. The antigenicity of rat growth hormone and prolactin was adequately preserved following hybridisation. In conclusion, this method is specific, easy to use and permits the determination of the functional status of individual cells.

Higher pAkt expression predicts a significant worse prognosis in glioblastomas

phosphorylated-Akt (pAkt) plays an important role in tumorigenesis through promotion of cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis and mediating cell proliferation. Higher expression of pAkt has been reported to be associated with an unfavorable prognosis in several malignant tumors. In this study, the prognostic value of pAkt expression was investigated in glioblastomas by using immunohistochemical methods. Tissue sections obtained from 64 patients with glioblastoma were evaluated. The mean and median follow-up period was 16.2 +/- 12.4 and 12 months, respectively (range: from 1 to 62 months). pAkt expression levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining and evaluated for cell positivity. Positive staining was defined when more than 50% of the tumor cells were stained in each section. The correlation between expression of pAkt and overall survival rate was assessed. Glioblastomas showed either or both cytoplasmic and nuclear positive findings for pAkt. A total of 29.7% (19/64) of tissue specimens had greater than 50% positivity. The median survival periods of the patients with pAkt positive and negative tumor were 10 and 14 months, respectively. Two years overall survival rate of the pAkt positive and negative patients were 0% and 24.4%, respectively. Survival rate of the patients with pAkt positive tumor was significantly lower than that of the patients with pAkt negative tumors (p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that extent of surgery was the strongest factor for survival (p = 0.01) and the pAkt expression was the secondly strongest factor (p = 0.06). These results suggest that the higher expression of pAkt the poorer prognosis in patients with glioblastoma.

Overexpression of E2F-5 correlates with a pathological basal phenotype and a worse clinical outcome

The purpose of the present study is to identify genes that contribute to cell proliferation or differentiation of breast cancers independent of signalling through the oestrogen receptor (ER) or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). An oligonucleotide microarray assayed 40 tumour samples from ER(+)/HER2(−), ER(+)/HER2(+), ER(−)/HER2(+), and ER(−)/HER2(−) breast cancer tissues. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR detected overexpression of a cell cycle-related transcription factor, E2F-5, in ER-negative breast cancers, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation detected gene amplification of E2F-5 in 5 out of 57 (8.8%) breast cancer samples. No point mutations were found in the DNA-binding or DNA-dimerisation domain of E2F-5. Immunohistochemically, E2F-5-positive cancers correlated with a higher Ki-67 labelling index (59.5%, P=0.001) and higher histological grades (P=0.049). E2F-5-positive cancers were found more frequently in ER(−)/progesterone receptor (PgR)(−)/HER2(−) cancer samples (51.9%, P=0.0049) and in breast cancer samples exhibiting a basal phenotype (56.0%, P=0.0012). Disease-free survival in node-negative patients with E2F-5-positive cancers was shorter than for patients with E2F-5-negative cancers. In conclusion, we identify, for the first time, a population of breast cancer cells that overexpress the cell cycle-related transcription factor, E2F-5. This E2F-5-positive breast cancer subtype was associated with an ER(−)/PgR(−)/HER2(−) status, a basal phenotype, and a worse clinical outcome.

Mucosal T-cell immunoregulation varies in early and late inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Crohn's disease is a life-long form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mediated by mucosal immune abnormalities. Understanding of the pathogenesis is limited because it is based on data from adults with chronic Crohn's disease. We investigated mucosal T-cell immunoregulatory events in children with early Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Mucosal biopsies and T-cell clones were derived from children experiencing the first attack of Crohn's disease, children with long-standing Crohn's disease, infectious colitis, and children without gut inflammation.

RESULTS

As in acute infectious colitis, interleukin (IL) 12 induced T cells from early Crohn's disease to acquire a strongly polarised T helper (Th) type 1 response characterised by high IFN-gamma production and IL12Rbeta2 chain expression. Th1 polarisation was not induced in clones from late Crohn's disease. Mucosal levels of IL12p40 and IL12Rbeta2 messenger RNA were significantly higher in children with early than late Crohn's disease. These results demonstrate that susceptibility to IL12-mediated modulation is strongly dependent on the stage of Crohn's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

At the onset of Crohn's disease mucosal T cells appear to mount a typical Th1 response that resembles an acute infectious process, and is lost with progression to late Crohn's disease. This suggests that mucosal T-cell immunoregulation varies with the course of human IBD. Patients with the initial manifestations of IBD may represent an ideal population in which immunomodulation may have optimal therapeutic efficacy.

Transcription of plastid genes is modulated by two nuclear-encoded alpha subunits of plastid RNA polymerase in the moss Physcomitrella patens

In general, in higher plants, the core subunits of a bacterial-type plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) are encoded by the plastid rpoA, rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2 genes. However, an rpoA gene is absent from the moss Physcomitrella patens plastid genome, although the PpRpoA gene (renamed PpRpoA1) nuclear counterpart is present in the nuclear genome. In this study, we identified and characterized a second gene encoding the plastid-targeting alpha subunit (PpRpoA2). PpRpoA2 comprised 525 amino acids and showed 59% amino acid identity with PpRpoA1. Two PpRpoA proteins were present in the PEP active fractions separated from the moss chloroplast lysate, confirming that both proteins are alpha subunits of PEP. Northern blot analysis showed that PpRpoA2 was highly expressed in the light, but not in the dark, whereas PpRpoA1 was constitutively expressed. Disruption of the PpRpoA1 gene resulted in an increase in the PpRpoA2 transcript level, but most plastid gene transcript levels were not significantly altered. This indicates that transcription of most plastid genes depends on PpRpoA2-PEP rather than on PpRpoA1-PEP. In contrast, the transcript levels of petN, psbZ and ycf3 were altered in the PpRpoA1 gene disruptant, suggesting that these are PpRpoA1-PEP-dependent genes. These observations suggest that plastid genes are differentially transcribed by distinct PEP enzymes with either PpRpoA1 or PpRpoA2.

Primary structure, expression and localization of two intermediate subunit lectins of Entamoeba dispar that contain multiple CXXC motifs

We have recently identified 2 surface proteins in Entamoeba histolytica as intermediate subunits of galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable lectin (EhIgl1 and EhIgl2); these proteins both contain multiple CXXC motifs. Here, we report the molecular characterization of the corresponding proteins in Entamoeba dispar, which is neither pathogenic nor invasive. Two Igl genes encoding 1110 and 1106 amino acids (EdIgl1 and EdIgl2) were cloned from 2 strains of E. dispar. The amino acid sequence identities were 79% between EdIgl1 and EdIgl2, 75-76% between EdIgl1 and EhIgl1, and 73-74% between EdIgl2 and EhIgl2. However, all the CXXC motifs were conserved in the EdIgl proteins, suggesting that the fold conferred by this motif is important for function. Comparison of the expression level of the Igl genes by real-time RT-PCR showed 3-5 times higher expression of EdIgl1 compared to EdIgl2. Most EdIgl1 and EdIgl2 proteins were co-localized on the surface and in the cytoplasm of trophozoites, based on confocal microscopy. However, a different localization of EdIgl1 and EdIgl2 in intracellular vacuoles and a different level of phenotypic expression of the two Igls were also observed. These results demonstrate that Igls are important proteins even in non-pathogenic amoeba and that Igl1 and Igl2 may possess different functions.

Definitive experimental evidence for two-band superconductivity in MgB2

The superconducting-gap of MgB2 has been studied by high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The results show that superconducting gaps with values of 5.5 and 2.2 meV open on the sigma band and the pi band, respectively, but both the gaps close at the bulk transition temperature, providing a definitive experimental evidence for the two-band superconductivity with strong interband pairing interaction in MgB2. The experiments validate the role of k-dependent electron-phonon coupling as the origin of multiple-gap superconductivity as well as the high transition temperature of MgB2.

Spinal epidural metastasis from pineal germinoma

A 16-year-old boy first presented with a pineal tumour identified by neuroimaging but without positive serum or cerebrospinal fluid markers. The tumour disappeared after 50 Gy cranial irradiation. One year later he returned with spinal epidural metastasis from the pineal germinoma and required emergency surgery. Intraoperative findings showed that the spinal tumour had originated from cerebrospinal fluid dissemination and had passed through the spinal nerve sleeve. The pathologic diagnosis of the tumour was of a pure germinoma metastasis. An epidural tumour frequently requires emergency diagnosis and treatment. Attention should be paid to the possibility of this rare but serious clinical situation caused by a metastasis from a pineal germinoma.

Three-dimensional imaging of hormone-secreting cells and their microvessel environment in estrogen-induced prolactinoma of the rat pituitary gland by confocal laser scanning microscopy

This study focused on the three-dimensional imaging of hormone-secreting cells and their microvascular environment in estrogen-induced prolactinoma of the rat pituitary gland. Adult female Wistar-Imamichi rats were injected with estradiol dipropionate and killed 7 weeks later. Some rats given estrogen for 7 weeks also were injected with bromocriptine before killing. To obtain a detailed three-dimensional image of microvessels, dialyzed fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated gelatin was injected into the left ventricle of the rat heart. After the perfusion, the pituitary glands were resected and subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC). To evaluate the effects of estrogen and bromocriptine, IHC was performed with antibodies against prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and growth hormone (GH). With the combination, microvessels and cells containing PRL, ACTH, and GH could be clearly identified by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The PRL cells increased in number and became hypertrophic after prolonged exposure to estrogen. With bromocriptine administration after estrogen treatment, however, PRL cells decreased in number and became atrophic. The current study revealed that estrogen and bromocriptine had significant effects on PRL secretion and the microvascular environment. Therefore, this technique (FITC injection and IHC) with CLSM is suitable for the three-dimensional imaging of hormone-secreting mechanisms under various conditions.

Characterization of tissue- and cell-type-specific expression of a novel human septin family gene, Bradeion

Expression changes in subsets of genes occur in the course of altering cell fates, i.e., aging, cell death, and carcinogenesis. These changes simultaneously provide the good candidate as a biomarker for monitoring cancer. We have identified a novel human septin family gene, Bradeion, from adult brain cDNA library by a monoclonal antibody CE5. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis showed that Bradeion has two distinct transcripts, approximately 2.2 and 1.7 kb length (alpha and beta, respectively) mainly in brain and slightly in heart, and no expression in any fetal organs. Haplotype analysis placed the gene location at 17q23. The gene contains GTPase motifs highly conserved in the septin family genes that are essential for cytokinesis and cell separation. The transcript of beta form lacks a hydrophobic region, which suggests that this form arises from a single Bradeion gene through unique RNA splicing. Interestingly, this brain-specific Bradeion gene is also expressed in two human cancers, colorectal cancer and malignant melanoma. Ectopic expression of normal Bradeion alpha and beta transcripts were confirmed both in patients' tumor samples and in in vitro cultured human cancer cell lines. Thus the Bradeion provides valuable tools as a tumor-specific and selective marker.

Decreased Bax expression by mucosal T cells favours resistance to apoptosis in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Activated T cells are more susceptible to apoptosis than resting T cells. As intestinal T cells normally exhibit a higher state of activation, increased apoptosis may be necessary to maintain immune homeostasis in the specialised microenvironment of the mucosa. On the other hand, in Crohn's disease (CD) mucosal T cells are resistant to apoptosis, suggesting abnormal regulation of cell death mechanisms.

AIMS

To investigate differences in expression of anti- and proapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, key regulators of apoptosis, between circulating and mucosal T cells, and possible alterations in CD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Lamina propria T cells (LPT) were isolated from 10 control, seven CD, and eight ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and peripheral blood T cells (PBT) from healthy volunteers. Purified T cells were stained intracellularly for Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), and Bax, and mean fluorescence intensity measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with PBT, the expression level of Bcl-2 and Bax, but not Bcl-x(L), was significantly greater in LPT, resulting in lower Bcl-x(L)/Bax ratios. In PBT, Bax expression was highly and significantly correlated with both Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), but correlation with Bcl-2 was absent in LPT. Bax expression in CD, but not UC, LPT was significantly lower than in control LPT, resulting in a significantly higher Bcl-x(L)/Bax ratio. The significant correlation of Bcl-x(L) to Bax was preserved in CD, but not UC, LPT.

CONCLUSIONS

Regulation of Bcl-2 family protein expression differs between circulating and mucosal T cells, probably underlying diverse survival potentials. In CD LPT, a low Bax expression and a high Bcl-x(L)/Bax ratio favour resistance to apoptosis and may contribute to the chronicity of inflammation.

Histopathological analyses of silent pituitary somatotroph adenomas using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopic observation

To characterize the morphological and functional aspects of silent somatotroph adenomas with paradoxical responses of GH in TRH or GnRH provocation tests, which are considered to be a useful strategy for endocrinological identification of silent somatotroph adenomas, we examined three silent somatotroph adenomas histopathologically. The adenomas were investigated by immunohistochemistry, including the highly sensitive catalyzed signal amplification system, the non-radioisotopic in situ hybridization method, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. GH production and GH-immunopositive secretory granules in the adenoma cells were demonstrated histopathologically, and the adenomas were interpreted as being densely granulated somatotroph adenomas. Endocrinological identification of silent somatotroph adenomas in combination with paradoxical responses of GH in TRH or GnRH provocation tests may elucidate the increasing number of silent somatotroph adenomas that have been regarded as mammotroph or clinically inactive adenomas. One should be aware of the differences between the previously reported silent somatotroph adenomas, most of which are sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas, a somatotroph adenomas with paradoxical and the silent somatotroph adenomas, most of which are sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas, and the silent somatotroph adenomas with paradoxical responses of GH in TRH or GnRH provocation tests, which are densely granulated somatotroph adenomas.

Plasma lactate concentration and muscle blood flow during dynamic exercise with negative-pressure breathing

This study assessed the hypothesis that increasing cardiac filling pressure (CFP) would enhance contracting muscle blood flow (MBF) by stretching cardiopulmonary baroreceptors and attenuate the increase in plasma lactate concentration ([Lac(-)](p)) during dynamic exercise. Continuous negative-pressure breathing (CNPB) (-15 cmH(2)O) was used to increase the CFP by accelerating the venous return to the heart. In the first series of experiments, 10 men performed a graded exercise seated on a cycle ergometer with (N1) and without CNPB (C1). The increase in [Lac(-)](p) for N1 was attenuated at 60%, 90%, and 100% of maximal exercise intensity compared with that in C1 (P < 0.001). Also, the increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma catecholamine concentrations were attenuated in N1 compared with those in C1 throughout the graded exercise (P < 0.05). However, heart rate and pulse pressure were not significantly influenced by CNPB. Second, we studied the impact of CNPB on forearm MBF during a rhythmic handgrip exercise in 5 of the 10 subjects. Forearm MBF was measured immediately after cessation of the exercise by venous occlusion plethysmography at rest, 30%, 50%, and 70% of maximal work load (WL(max)) with (N2) and without CNPB (C2). Forearm MBF and vascular conductance for both trials increased with the increase in intensity, but forearm skin blood flow measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry remained unchanged. MBF and vascular conductance in N2, however, increased more than in C2 at every intensity (P < 0.01) except for MBF at 70% WL(max), whereas the increase in MAP for N2 was attenuated compared with that in C2 (P < 0.05). Thus augmented active muscle vasodilation occurred in N2 with a lower increase in MAP compared with that in C2. These findings suggest that the stretch of intrathoracic baroreceptors, such as cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors, by CNPB increased MBF by suppressing sympathetic nerve activity. The attenuation of the increase in [Lac(-)](p) might be caused, at least partially, by the increased MBF.

Effect of calcium in assay medium on D value of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 spores

The D value of commercial biological indicator spore strips using Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 was increased by higher calcium concentrations in assay media. The calcium concentration in assay media varied among the manufacturers. The calcium concentration in assay media is an important factor to consider to minimize the variation of D value.

Visual function in retinitis pigmentosa related to a codon 15 rhodopsin gene mutation

To determine the phenotype of a Japanese family in which retinitis pigmentosa cosegregates with a rhodopsin gene mutation, i.e. an asparagine-to-serine change at codon 15 (Asn-15-Ser), 5 affected and 5 unaffected members of one pedigree underwent several ophthalmic examinations as well as Ganzfeld electroretinography (ERG) and multifocal ERG. Genomic DNA samples were analyzed by PCR amplification, sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion. A codon 15 rhodopsin gene mutation (Asn-15-Ser) was found in all affected members. The region of pigmentary degeneration was localized in the lower hemiretina, and visual field defects corresponded to the retinal pigmentary changes. Scotopic ERG amplitudes, rather than photopic ERG amplitudes, were reduced. Multifocal ERG revealed a low magnitude of response density, even for the upper hemiretina, which showed no bony corpuscle pigmentation. Visual function in sectorial retinitis pigmentosa associated with rhodopsin gene codon 15 mutation is on the basis of the rod-cone dystrophy, regardless of differences in phenotypic expression.

Differentiation of necrotic cell death with or without lysosomal activation: application of acute liver injury models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)

We investigated the relationship between DNA degradation and lysosome activity (loss of lysosomal integrity) in necrotic cell death induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN): coagulation necrosis and hemorrhagic necrosis, respectively. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and enzyme histochemistry for acid phosphatase were performed in both models and results were analyzed by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In the CCl(4)-injected liver, TUNEL staining was closely associated with release of lysosomal enzymes into the cytoplasm, and intranuclear deposition of lysosomal enzymes took place at an early stage of subcellular damage. In the DMN-injected liver, TUNEL-positive nuclei tended to have well-preserved lysosomes and centrally localized TUNEL signals. It was assumed that acute hepatocellular damage in the CCl4-injected liver would be characterized by necrotic cell death with lysosome activation and that damage in the DMN-injected liver would be necrotic cell death without lysosome activation. In the DMN-injected liver, DNA degradation may be selectively induced in the nuclear center, in which heterochromatin (including inactive chromatin) is believed to be a target. We concluded that necrotic cell death, i.e., DNA degradation, would be at least divided into two types, with/without association with lysosome activation, represented by necrotic cell death in the CCl4-injected liver and that in the DMN-injected liver.

Lecithinized copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase ameliorates prolonged hypoxia-induced injury of cardiomyocytes

Recent studies have suggested that prolonged hypoxia results in increased production of reactive oxygen species in cardiomyocytes, which leads to apoptosis of these cells. We previously showed that lecithinized recombinant human copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (rhSOD) showed increased bioavailability through greater membrane affinity and a longer half-life than unmodified SOD. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lecithinized SOD plays a protective role against hypoxic injury in cardiomyocytes. Cultured rat cardiomyocytes incubated with lecithinized SOD (100 U/ml), unmodified SOD (100 U/ml), or vehicle alone were subjected to hypoxia for up to 72 h. Lecithinized SOD, but not unmodified SOD, was successfully delivered intracellularly, which was verified by Western blot and confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Treatment of cells with lecithinized SOD significantly suppressed hypoxia-induced cell damage. Since lecithinized SOD also suppressed hypoxia-induced DNA fragmentation, the improved cell survival provided by lecithinized SOD is thought to be mediated by its antiapoptotic effect. In summary, lecithinization resulted in a facilitated rhSOD delivery into cultured cardiomyocytes, which reduced mortality of cardiomyocytes exposed to prolonged hypoxia.

Zinc distribution in the small-intestinal digesta of pigs fed skim milk powder or defatted soybean flour

Zinc distribution in the small-intestinal digesta was studied in pigs fed a skim milk powder (SMP)-based or defatted soybean flour (DSF)-based diet. Ten pigs were fed experimental diets for 30 d. Serum and femoral zinc concentrations were lower in the DSF group than in the SMP group, suggesting the lower zinc availability in the DSF diet than in the SMP diet. In the digesta of small intestine, zinc solubility was higher in the SMP group than in the DSF group. A gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the SMP group exhibited four zinc peaks in the chromatogram of the supernatant of digesta. The chromatogram in the DSF group showed four zinc peaks corresponding to those of the SMP group. However, the first zinc peak was smaller and the second peak was larger in the DSF group than in the SMP group. Dietary treatment did not affect the other peaks of zinc. Although the high solubility of zinc in the digesta of SMP group is considered to result in the high availability of zinc, the difference of zinc distribution in the liquid phase of digesta may partly affect zinc availability.

A new approach to three-dimensional reconstructed imaging of hormone-secreting cells and their microvessel environments in rat pituitary glands by confocal laser scanning microscopy

There has been considerable interest in the relationship between hormone- secreting endocrine cells and their microvessels in human pituitary gland. However, microcirculatory networks have rarely been studied in three dimensions (3D). This study was designed to visualize and to reveal the relationship between hormone-secreting endocrine cells and their microvessel environment in 3D, using rat pituitary glands under various (hyper/hypo) experimental conditions by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Female adult Wistar rats were used after bilateral adrenalectomy or ACTH administration for 2 weeks. Clear 3D reconstructed images of ACTH cells, the microvessel network and counterstained nuclei were obtained at a maximal focus depth of 1 mm by CLSM without any background noise. In the hyperfunctional state, slender cytoplasmic processes of hypertrophic stellate ACTH cells frequently extended to the microvessels. In the hypofunctional state, ACTH cells appeared atrophic and round with scanty cytoplasm, and cytoplasmic adhesions to microvessel network patterns were inconspicuous. Therefore, 3D reconstructed imaging by CLSM is a useful technique with which to investigate the microvessel environment of hormone-secreting cells and has the potential to reveal dynamic hormone-secreting pathways.