Identification of membrane curvature sensing motifs essential for VPS37A phagophore recruitment and autophagosome closure

VPS37A, an ESCRT-I complex component, is required for recruiting a subset of ESCRT proteins to the phagophore for autophagosome closure. However, the mechanism by which VPS37A is targeted to the phagophore remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate that the VPS37A N-terminal domain exhibits selective interactions with highly curved membranes, mediated by two membrane-interacting motifs within the disordered regions surrounding its Ubiquitin E2 variant-like (UEVL) domain. Site-directed mutations of residues in these motifs disrupt ESCRT-I localization to the phagophore and result in defective phagophore closure and compromised autophagic flux in vivo, highlighting their essential role during autophagy. In conjunction with the UEVL domain, we postulate that these motifs guide a functional assembly of the ESCRT machinery at the highly curved tip of the phagophore for autophagosome closure. These results advance the notion that the distinctive membrane architecture of the cup-shaped phagophore spatially regulates autophagosome biogenesis.

ER stress elicits non-canonical CASP8 (caspase 8) activation on autophagosomal membranes to induce apoptosis

The VPS37A gene encodes a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-I complex that is frequently lost in a wide variety of human solid cancers. We have previously demonstrated the role of VPS37A in directing the ESCRT membrane scission machinery to seal the phagophore for autophagosome completion. Here, we report that VPS37A-deficient cells exhibit an accumulation of the apoptotic initiator CASP8 (caspase 8) on the phagophore and are primed to undergo rapid apoptosis through the intracellular death-inducing signaling complex (iDISC)-mediated CASP8 activation upon exposure to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and comparative transcriptome analysis, we identified the ATF4-mediated stress response pathway as a crucial mediator to elicit iDISC-mediated apoptosis following the inhibition of autophagosome closure. Notably, ATF4-mediated iDISC activation occurred independently of the death receptor TNFRSF10B/DR5 upregulation but required the pro-apoptotic transcriptional factor DDIT3/CHOP to enhance the mitochondrial amplification pathway for full-activation of CASP8 in VPS37A-deficient cells stimulated with ER stress inducers. Our analysis also revealed the upregulation of NFKB/NF-kB signaling as a potential mechanism responsible for restraining iDISC activation and promoting cell survival upon VPS37A depletion. These findings have important implications for the future development of new strategies to treat human cancers, especially those with VPS37A loss.Abbreviations: ATG: autophagy related; BMS: BMS-345541; CASP: caspase; CHMP: charged multivesicular body protein; DKO: double knockout; Dox: doxycycline; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ESCRT: endosomal sorting complex required for transport; gRNA: guide RNA; GSEA: gene set enrichment analysis; GSK157: GSK2656157; iDISC: intracellular death-inducing signaling complex; IKK: inhibitor of NFKB kinase; IPA: ingenuity pathway analysis; KO: knockout; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; NFKB/NF-kB: nuclear factor kappa B; OZ: 5Z-7-oxozeaenol; RNA-seq: RNA sequencing; UPR: unfolded protein response; TFT: transcription factor target; THG: thapsigargin; TUN: tunicamycin; VPS: vacuolar protein sorting.

A high-throughput sequencing determination method for upstream genetic structure (UGS) of ISEcp1-blaCTX-M transposition unit and application of the UGS to classification of bacterial isolates possessing blaCTX-M

INTRODUCTION

Because bla_CTX-M is responsible for resistance of bacteria to the third generation cephalosporins, location of bla_CTX-M could be a good indicator for classifying bacterial isolates harboring bla_CTX-M in molecular epidemiology. However, determination of bla_CTX-M location has been difficult when multiple copies of ISEcp1 were found on bacterial genome. We aimed to establish a high-throughput analytical method for upstream genetic structures (UGS) of ISEcp1 to facilitate determination of bla_CTX-M location.

METHODS

Extracted DNA samples obtained from 168 Escherichia coli isolates possessing bla_CTX-M were digested by restriction enzyme, HaeIII, and the digested DNA fragments were ligated with homemade barcode adaptors. Then, DNA fragments containing UGS of ISEcp1 were amplified and subjected to the Nanopore sequencer.

RESULTS

Nucleotide sequences and locations of 168 UGSs obtained from the examined E. coli isolates were determined. Among the 168 determined UGSs, 150 (89.3%) UGS were confirmed on plasmid and classified into eight types. Interestingly, coding sequence of ISEcp1 transposase gene in seven of the eight types were disrupted by IS26 insertion. The remaining 18 (10.7%) UGSs were observed in identical chromosomal region. The obtained nucleotide sequences the locations of UGSs were confirmed by conventional capillary sequencer and Southern blotting, respectively, and any discrepant result was not observed with these confirmation procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that the established method was efficient for simultaneously determining at least 100 different UGS, and suggested that the determined UGSs of ISEcp1-bla_CTX-M transposition unit was useful for classification of bacterial isolates harboring bla_CTX-M.

Oral environment and taste function of Japanese HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral environment and the taste function of Japanese HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy. Their median age of 73 patients taking anti-HIV drugs was 46 years. The median period of taking anti-HIV drugs was 30 months. The oral condition was evaluated by measurement of oral moisture, amount of saliva secretion, the number of oral bacteria, presence of oral candida, a taste test, and the number of missing teeth. The levels of oral moisture and secreted saliva were significantly lower in the HIV-infected group than in the healthy volunteer (control) group. The HIV-infected group showed a more robust decrease in taste sensation than the control group. The number of missing teeth was significantly higher in the HIV-infected group than in the control group. Furthermore, all of the evaluated oral conditions were worse in the HIV-infected patients whose CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were less than 500/mm³ than in the control group. It became clear that the patients taking anti-HIV drugs, especially the CD4+ count < 500/mm3 group, had a deteriorated oral environment and dysgeusia, suggesting that the management of oral hygiene is necessary to maintain oral health, which leads to systemic health.

Characterisation of chromosomally-located blaCTX-M and its surrounding sequence in CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates

OBJECTIVES

Although it has been regarded that the CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) gene bla_CTX-M is mainly carried by antimicrobial resistance plasmids, Escherichia coli possessing chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M has been reported in previous studies. This study aimed to characterise the genetic structure of the chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M transposition unit and its surrounding sequence in ESBL-producing E. coli isolated in a Japanese hospital.

METHODS

A total of 81 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were studied. The existence of chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M was confirmed by S1 nuclease-digested pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern blot hybridisation and by sequencing analysis of the PCR-amplified DNA fragments.

RESULTS

Chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M was confirmed in 22 (27.2%) of the 81 E. coli isolates examined; five and four location types of chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M-14 and bla_CTX-M-15 were determined, respectively. Among the 22 E. coli isolates, 15 (68.2%) possessed single chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M gene, probably due to single transposition of a plasmidic bla_CTX-M to the chromosome. In isolate N0057, the bla_CTX-M-15 transposition unit was transferred from a plasmid into two different chromosomal regions. In addition, 'recurrent' transposition of already existing chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M-14 to another chromosomal region was observed in isolates N0211, N0214, N01127, N1682 and N1753; consequently, these isolates possessed two copies of chromosomally-located bla_CTX-M-14.

CONCLUSION

Considering that isolates N0211, N0214, N01127, N1682 and N1753 in which the 'recurrent' transposition event occurred were genetically related according to PFGE, these data suggest the possibility of accumulation of bla_CTX-M on the chromosome in CTX-M-type ESBL-producing E. coli.

Characterization of CTX-M type ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from asymptomatic healthy individuals who live in a community of the Okinawa prefecture, Japan

This study was performed to characterize CTX-M type extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae carriage in asymptomatic health individuals, which has not been well investigated, in a community of the Okinawa prefecture, Japan. Fecal samples were voluntary collected from asymptomatic healthy individuals who were going to take a routine medical checkup. The collected fecal samples were inoculated on MacConkey agar supplemented with 2 μg/ml of cefotaxime and incubated at 37 °C. Randomly selected three lactose-fermented colonies per each sample were analyzed. Genetic relatedness among the CTX-M type ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates were performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after confirmation of ESBL phenotype and determination of bacterial species. Location of bla_CTX-M was confirmed by S1-PFGE, I-CeuI-PFGE and the Southern blotting hybridization. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was isolated from 32 (12.2%) of the collected 263 fecal samples, and 96 ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained. CTX-M type ESBL-producing Escherichia coli B2 were major (67 isolates, 72.0%) and 40 (59.7%) of the 67 CTX-M type ESBL -producing E. coli B2 were E. coli B2-ST131. Three CTX-M type ESBL-producing E. coli B2-ST131 isolates from asymptomatic healthy individuals showed similar PFGE band patterns as five CTX-M type ESBL -producing E. coli B2-ST131 isolates from a hospital locates in the same area of the target community. Chromosomally-transferred bla_CTX-M was observed in 10.0% of the examined CTX-M type ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates. We report current situation CTX-M type ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae carriage in asymptomatic healthy individuals of the Okinawa prefecture, Japan. In addition, our results indicated that worldwide distributed CTX-M type ESBL-producing E. coli B2-ST131 has been spread in a community. Therefore monitoring of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy individuals is important.

Rapid multiresidue determination of pesticides in livestock muscle and liver tissue via modified QuEChERS sample preparation and LC-MS/MS

Many multiresidue methods for the determination of pesticides in vegetables and fruits have been reported to date. However, few such methods have been employed to investigate pesticide residues in animal tissue. In this study, an LC-MS/MS multiresidue method coupled with modified QuEChERS extraction was developed and validated for the investigation of eight pesticide residues: prallethrin (PR), resmethrin (RMT), imidacloprid (IMC), diflubenzuron (DFB), cyromazine (CYR), etofenprox (EFP), dinotefuran (DNT) and phthalthrin (PTLT). This method involves initial extraction in a water/acetone system, the addition of salts and a subsequent extraction/partitioning step and, finally, a clean-up step utilising dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE). The mean recoveries of seven of the pesticides (the exception being CYR) ranged between 74.7% and 113.5%, and the CVs of the livestock tissue - bovine, swine, and chicken muscle and liver tissue spiked at 10 ng g^-1 (50 ng g^-1 for RMT and DNT) and 100 ng g^-1 - were < 13.8%. The recoveries of CYR in all muscle and liver spiked samples ranged from 56.9% to 78.3%, while those of RMT in swine liver were > 120%. Therefore, this method was considered as being unsuitable for the investigation of these samples. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of seven of the investigated pesticides (the exception being swine liver) in the tissue samples ranged from 0.9 to 15.2 ng g^-1. We therefore concluded that this LC-MS/MS multiresidue method is a valid and suitable for the investigation of seven pesticides in animal tissue, but it is unsuitable for the analysis of CYR in all animal tissues and RMT in swine liver tissue.

Decreased cortical thickness, as estimated by a newly developed ultrasound device, as a risk for vertebral fracture in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with eGFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2

Cortical porosity is increasingly recognized as an important risk for fracture in DM patients. The present study demonstrated that decreased cortical thickness, assessed using a newly developed quantitative ultrasonic bone densitometry, is a significant risk factor for vertebral fractures in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease, but not in those without.

INTRODUCTION

Cortical porosity is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for fracture in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients as well as in stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in whom serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) starts to increase. The present study aimed to clarify whether the coexistence of CKD might affect the relationship of decreased cortical thickness (CoTh) in the development of vertebral fractures (VF) in T2DM patients.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, trabecular bone mineral density (TrBMD), elastic modulus of trabecular bone (EMTb), and CoTh were estimated with a new quantitative ultrasound bone densitometry in 173 T2DM patients. VFs were identified radiographically.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients (22.5%) had VF. Those with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (low eGFR) showed a significantly higher VF rate (32.4%) than those with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (high eGFR, 16.2%). Serum PTH was significantly higher with low eGFR than with high eGFR. In those with high eGFR, EMTb was significantly lower in VF(+) than VF(-). In those with low eGFR, TrBMD, EMTb, and CoTh were significantly lower in VF(+) than in VF(-). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, EMTb was independently and significantly associated with VF in T2DM patients with a high eGFR, in contrast to those with only CoTh with VF in T2DM with low eGFR.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated CoTh as a factor independently associated with VF in T2DM patients with low eGFR and increasing serum PTH levels.

All-optical flip-flop operation based on asymmetric active-multimode interferometer bi-stable laser diodes

We demonstrate fast and low energy all optical flip-flop devices based on asymmetric active-multimode interferometer using high-mesa waveguide structure. The implemented devices showed high speed all-optical flip-flop operation with 25 ps long pulses. The rising and falling times of the output signal were 121 ps and 25 ps, respectively. The required set and reset pulse energies were only 7.1 fJ and 3.4 fJ, respectively.

Investigation on virtual palpation system using ultrasonic elasticity imaging

In the field of medical ultrasound, ultrasonic elasticity imaging has been developed and used in practical diagnosis. However, unfortunately, elasticity information is now displayed on ordinary 2D screen (for example, CRT). Since elasticity information is haptic information, not visible information, the information is expected to be displayed in "the sense of haptic". In this research, it is attempted that elasticity information is displayed on haptic display for virtual palpation system. In this system, a surface of diseased part is expressed by one rigid plane which has elasticity information. The elasticity information is a function of 2D coordinates of a haptic device on the plane. 3D elasticity information of the diseased part which is measured by ultrasonic elasticity imaging equipment is rendered to the plane by a way which is similar to volume rendering technique, to reduce computational cost and to realize human haptic sense easily in virtual palpation in real time. It is also important to reproduce the haptic sense in the case where a physician slides fingers on the surface in real palpation. The proposed system enables to reproduce the haptic sense in not only the perpendicular direction to the surface but the direction of horizontal movement of fingers on the surface. This system can realize virtual palpation system.

Ultrasonic diffraction tomography by pulse-plane wave: experimental result by frequency synthesis method

Diffraction tomography is a technique for imaging with acoustic fields in which parameter, such as reflective index, sound velocity, etc., can be mapped from scatter wave resulting from insonifying the object with a plane wave at a single temporal frequency. By solving the direct scattering problem, the scattered field can be presented in term of scattering parameters. Different inversion techniques can be applied to take advantage of the linearization process of the non-linear wave equation describing wave propagation in heterogeneous media under a limited class of scattering. Specifically, when the scattering effect is weak, one can invoke the Born or Rytov approximation and thus derive the generalized Fourier slice theorem to reconstruct the cross-section of the insonified object. Although diffraction tomography is a promising technology for medical application as it provides a quantitative ultrasonic image, its realization toward medical use is still far-to-go, and this may be due to the complexity of the hardware involved. In this research we investigate a potential use of diffraction tomography for medical application by using a delicate-designed ultrasonic computerized tomographic system. The contribution of the paper is that we have purposed to frequency synthesis method (FSM) that uses 3 frequency components of the Fourier transform of scattered filed, i.e. the center frequency and the -3 dB from center frequency of both side, to fill Fourier space for the generalized Fourier slice theory. The reconstructed ultrasonic image from such theory provides a very promising result.

International harmonisation of anthelmintic efficacy guidelines (Part 2)

The "International Co-operation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH)" is an international programme of co-operation between regulatory authorities and the animal health industries of the European Union, Japan and the United States of America which aims to harmonise the technical requirements for the registration of veterinary medicinal products. Australia and New Zealand participate as active observers. The objective of this second paper is to present additional guidelines established by the Working Group on anthelmintic guidelines: (1) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for equine (VICH GL15), (2) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for porcine (VICH GL16), (3) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for canine (VICH GL19), (4) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for feline (VICH GL20) and (5) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for poultry (VICH GL21). These guidelines do not consist of rigid stipulations, but make clear recommendations on the minimal standards needed. To the veterinary profession, livestock producers and animal owners, harmonisation should mean quicker access to safer and more effective veterinary anthelmintics. In general, products should be relatively more affordable because of the reduction in registration costs and efficient use of resources by the regulatory authorities.

Kinetic analyses of alcohol-induced potentiation of the response of GABA(A) receptors composed of alpha(1) and beta(1) subunits

To investigate the kinetics of both the potentiation and desensitization of the response of ionotropic GABA receptors (GABA(A) receptors) in the presence of various compounds, we expressed receptors composed of alpha(1) and beta(1) subunits by injecting cells with the cRNAs synthesized from cloned bovine GABA(A) receptor cDNAs and measured the electrical responses of the cells electrophysiologically with or without the compounds. The potentiation of the GABA(A) receptor-mediated response was quantitatively analyzed using a simple model with the assumption that the receptors have two identical binding sites for GABA molecules with a dissociation constant of K(1), and one potentiation site for the compound with a dissociation constant of K(p), and that the binding of the compound to the potentiation site only increases the affinity of the GABA binding sites, changing K(1) to K(1p). The estimated K(p) and K(1p) were dependent on the functional groups and the chain length of the compounds. These results could be satisfactorily analyzed using this simple model. The potentiation of the GABA(A) receptor-mediated response by the components of essential oils used for aromatherapy was also examined. These compounds accelerated the decay of the response, possibly due to desensitization of the receptors, which was also analyzed on the basis of the model.

The effect of soybean oil refuse powder used as vehicle on the absorption of oxolinic acid in chickens under fasting and nonfasting conditions and the correlation with in vitro dissolution

The effect of soybean oil refuse powder (SOR) when used as a vehicle on the absorption of oxolinic acid (OXA) powder in chicken, the dissolution profile of OXA and the correlation between in vivo and in vitro study were examined. To examine in vivo bioavailability, chickens fed or fasted were studied using a 2 x 2 crossover design. The OXA was administered OXA or OXA-SOR (1 : 9) mixture 20 mg OXA/kg. In vitro dissolution rates for OXA and OXA-SOR were measured using the paddle (PD) and the rotatory dialysis cell dissolution (PTSW) methods. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) were significantly increased by the addition of SOR to OXA. Differences between OXA and OXA-SOR were more remarkable under fasted as compared with fed condition. In vitro dissolution rates of OXA-SOR pH 1.2, 6.5 and 7.2 as determined by the PD and the PTSW methods were increased in the presence of SOR vehicle. Differences between OXA and OXA-SOR in vitro dissolution rates were greater than in vivo bioavailability. Correlation between in vitro release (%) and in vivo absorption (%) showed good linearity (gamma=0.8805-0.9999).

In vitro activities of moxifloxacin and other fluoroquinolones against Mycoplasma pneumoniae

A total of 105 isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were evaluated for susceptibility to moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. Moxifloxacin, a newly synthesized compound, showed the greatest activity. The MICs and MBCs at which 50 and 90% of isolates were affected were 0.15 (MIC(50) and MBC(50)) and 0.3 microg/ml (MIC(90) and MBC(90)) respectively. The results indicate that moxifloxacin might be promising an antimycoplasmal agent.

Novel compound heterozygous mutations for lipoprotein lipase deficiency. A G-to-T transversion at the first position of exon 5 causing G154V missense mutation and a 5' splice site mutation of intron 8

We systematically investigated the molecular defects causing a primary LPL deficiency in a Japanese male infant (patient DI) with fasting hyperchylomicronemia (type I hyperlipoproteinemia) and in his parents. Patient DI had neither LPL activity nor immunoreactive LPL mass in the pre- and post-heparin plasma. The patient was a compound heterozygote for novel mutations consisting of a G-to-T transversion at the first nucleotide of exon 5 [+1 position of 3' acceptor splice site (3'-ass) of intron 4] and a T-to-C transition in the invariant GT at position +2 of the 5' donor splice site (5'-dss) of intron 8 (Int8/5'-dss/t(+2)c). The G-to-T transversion, although affecting the 11 nucleotide of the 3'-consensus acceptor splice site, resulted in a substitution of Gly(154) to Val (G154V; GG(716)C(-->)GTC). The mutant G154V LPL expressed in COS-1 cells was catalytically inactive and hardly released from the cells by heparin. The Int8/5'-dss/t(+2)c mutation inactivated the authentic 5' splice site of intron 8 and led to the utilization of a cryptic 5'-dss in exon 8 as an alternative splice site 133 basepairs upstream from the authentic splice site, thereby causing joining of a part of exon 8 to exon 9 with skipping of a 134-bp fragment of exon 8 and intron 8. These additional mutations in the consensus sequences of the 3' and 5' splice sites might be useful for better understanding the factors that are involved in splice site selection in vivo.

International harmonisation of anthelmintic efficacy guidelines

The "International Co-operation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH)" is an international programme of co-operation between regulatory authorities and the animal health industries of the European Union, Japan, and the United States of America which aims to harmonise the technical requirements for the registration of veterinary medicinal products. Australia and New Zealand participate as active observers. The objective of the present paper is to present the guidelines established by the working group on Anthelmintic Efficacy Guidelines: (1) efficacy of anthelmintics: general requirements (VICH GL7); (2) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for bovines (VICH GL12); (3) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for ovines (VICH GL13); (4) efficacy of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for caprines (VICH GL14). These guidelines do not consist of rigid stipulations, but make clear recommendations on the minimal standards needed. To the veterinary profession, livestock producers and animal owners, harmonisation should mean quicker access to safer and more effective veterinary anthelmintics. In general, products should be relatively more affordable because of the reduction in registration costs and efficient use of resources by the regulatory authorities.

Bioavailability of amprolium in fasting and nonfasting chickens after intravenous and oral administration

The bioavailability of amprolium (APL) was measured after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration to chickens. Twelve healthy chickens weighing 1.28-1.41 kg received a dose of 13 mg APL/kg intravenously, and 13 or 26 mg APL/kg orally in both a fasted and a nonfasted condition in a Latin square design. Plasma samples were taken from the subwing vein for determination of APL concentration by HPLC method. The data following intravenous and oral administration were best fitted by 2-compartment and 1-compartment models, respectively, using weighted nonlinear least squares regression. The half-life beta t(1/2)beta, volume of distribution (Vd) and total body clearance (Cl) after intravenous administration were 0.21 h, 0.12 L/kg and 1.32 L/h.kg, respectively. The elimination half-life (t(1/2) Kel) after oral administration was 0.292-0.654 h which is 1.5-3.2 times longer than after intravenous administration, suggesting the presence of a 'flip-flop' phenomenon in chickens. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 13 mg/kg APL administered orally to chickens during fasting was significantly (about four times) higher than that during nonfasting (P < 0.05). Bioavailability during nonfasting was from 2.3 to 2.6%, and 6.4% during fasting.

Potentiation of GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes by perfume and phytoncid

To study the effects of perfume and phytoncid on GABAA receptors, ionotropic GABAA receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting mRNAs that had been prepared from rat whole brain. Essential oil, perfume and such phytoncid as leaf alcohol, hinokitiol, pinene, eugenol, citronellol and citronellal potentiated the response in the presence of GABA at low concentrations (10 and 30 microM), possibly because they bound to the potentiation-site in GABAA receptors and increased the affinity of GABA to the receptors. Since it is known that the potentiation of GABAA receptors by benzodiazepine, barbiturate, steroids and anesthetics induces the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative activity or anesthetic effect, these results suggest the possibility that the intake of perfume or phytoncid through the lungs, the skin or the intestines modulates the neural transmission in the brain through ionotropic GABAA receptors and changes the frame of the human mind, as alcohol or tobacco does.

Expression of functional tissue factor on small vesicles of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human vascular endothelial cells

We examined tissue factor expression on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated endothelial cells and their small vesicles by using specific antibodies and flow cytometry. Tissue factor functional activity was also assessed by activation of factor X. Endothelial cells were stimulated with 10 microg/ml of lipopolysaccharide in M-199/bovine serum albumin. Flow cytometry showed that expression of tissue factor on endothelial cells reached a maximum at 6 hours after stimulation, whereas that on small vesicles reached a maximum after 12 hours. Factor X activation mediated by factor VIIa and tissue factor was observed over a similar time course and was inhibited by the addition of antitissue factor antibody. Immunoelectron microscopy suggested that small vesicles with expression of some tissue factor were produced from the surface of endothelial cells. Our findings thus showed that tissue factor on endothelial cells produced by lipopolysaccharide stimulation was partly released to small vesicles. This may cause disseminated intravascular coagulation and related coagulation disorders.

Prognostic value of dipyridamole-thallium myocardial scintigraphy in patients with Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Although coronary artery lesions are critical complications of Kawasaki disease, their long-term outcome is still unclear. It is sometimes difficult to monitor progressive changes from aneurysms to stenotic lesions because coronary angiography (CAG) cannot be repeated very often, especially in infants. Our prospective study was designed to evaluate the prognostic value of dipyridamole-thallium single-photon-emission CT (SPECT) in the long-term follow-up of patients with Kawasaki disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 459 consecutive patients with Kawasaki disease, coronary aneurysms were detected in 90 cases by echocardiography during the acute stage. After paired studies of selective CAG and SPECT were conducted, all patients were followed up and monitored for the occurrence of any cardiac events for > or =8 years. During the follow-up interval, there were 15 cardiac events (1 death, 5 infarctions, 2 coronary artery bypass graft operations, and 7 occurrences of unstable angina). Of patients who had some event, thallium redistribution was found on SPECT in 14 (93%, P<0.001). Of the various clinical and scintigraphic image variables, the presence of thallium redistribution was the best multivariate independent predictor of a late cardiac event (chi2=57.8, P<0.0001). The number of aneurysms detected on CAG added minimal statistical improvement to the model (chi2=1.9, P=0.0009).

CONCLUSIONS

Dipyridamole-thallium SPECT is safely performed and is useful and important for risk stratification in the long-term follow-up of patients with Kawasaki disease.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of 12;21 translocation in Japanese childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was applied to detect t(12;21) using two yeast artificial chromosome probes and cosmid probes covering the TEL(ETV6) and the AML1 gene to clarify the incidence of abnormality of t(12;21) in Japanese childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We detected seven TEL/AML1 fusion positive patients (9.5%), all of whom were diagnosed as B-lineage ALL, among 74 childhood ALL. On the other hand, no TEL/AML1 fusion positive patients were found among 37 adult ALL. The incidence among Japanese seemed to be lower than that among other nations. Of the seven patients with the TEL/AML1 fusion, five exhibited normal karyotype, one was t(8;12)(q11;p13), i(21q) and the remaining one exhibited a near-triploid karyotype in conventional G-banding. The FISH method clearly demonstrated that all patients with the TEL/AML1 fusion had subpopulations of leukemic cells with deletion of the normal TEL allele, which is significant for understanding the progression of leukemia with t(12;21).

Quantitative analysis of myocardial ischemia by technetium-99m sestamibi exercise scintigraphy: a new method for change rate mapping

In order to quantitatively assess the extent and severity of myocardial ischemia by Tc-99m sestamibi exercise myocardial scintigraphy, we developed a new method of change rate (CR) mapping and examined its efficiency. CR was calculated to divide the counts per pixel in the stress polar map by that in the rest polar map at each corresponding pixel. The CR map showed the CR values at each pixel. To correct the differences between the stress and rest images for the dose of Tc-99m sestamibi administered, the mean counts per pixel in the stress polar map and the rest map were adjusted to the same level. Regarding the regions in which the CR value was less than 1 as ischemia, we compared the abilities of the CR map and the polar map to detect coronary artery stenosis in 5 patients with angina pectoris. The sensitivity for coronary artery stenosis was 80% in the CR map, and 40% in the polar map. The specificity for both was 75%. We concluded that the CR map was effective in assessing the extent and severity of myocardial ischemia in Tc-99m sestamibi exercise myocardial scintigraphy.

Rapid and sensitive determination of amprolium in chicken plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column reaction

A rapid, sensitive and reproducible reversed-phase HPLC assay was developed for the determination of amprolium (APL) in chicken plasma. Protein in plasma sample was precipitated with 0.33 M perchloric acid and supernatant solution was injected into the HPLC system. Following the chromatographic separation of APL and the beclotiamine (I.S.) on a C18 column, the derivatives of APL and I.S. were formed by post-column reaction and detected by fluorescence detection (excitation at 400 nm, emission at 460 nm). The method showed excellent precision, accuracy and speed with a detection limit of 2 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-assay variance of this method were less than 11.2%. This method has been successfully applied to plasma determinations after oral administration of APL to chicken.

[Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and complex chromosomal abnormality]

We report a 70-year-old Japanese man who had splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and a complex chromosomal abnormality. No monoclonal gammopathy was present. The peripheral blood film showed lymphocytes with thin and short villi arising from one or two poles of the cells. These cells were negative for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stain. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes showed moderate to strong expression of surface membrane IgM, IgD, IgA, and lambda as well as CD19, CD20, CD21, CD24, and HLA-DR. In addition, there was weak CD5, CD22, and CD25 expression, but no CD10, CD11c, CD23, CD38, or B-ly-7 expression. All 20 metaphases obtained from peripheral blood cells cultured for 5 days with lipopolysaccharide showed an abnormal karyotype: 47, XY, +der(3) t(3; 13) (q26; q12) inv(3) (?), t(7; 14), (q21; q11), der(13) t(3; 13) (q26; q12). Our patient followed a relatively benign clinical course and splenectomy was not performed.

Assessment of left ventricular volume using ECG-gated SPECT with technetium-99m-MIBI and technetium-99m-tetrofosmin

We evaluated ECG-gated SPECT (g-SPECT) in the measurement of absolute left ventricular (LV) volume by comparing it with left ventriculography (LVG) and with cine-MRI.

METHODS

Projection data from 31 patients were acquired with a three-headed SPECT system in 12 min using a 64 x 64 matrix with 1.5 zoom (1 pixel = 4.27 mm). The R-R interval from simultaneously acquired ECG was divided into eight frames. The end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (EDV; ESV) and LV mass were assessed by an area-length method with manual delineation of the epi- and endocardial LV borders using midventricular vertical and horizontal long-axis images. The stroke volume, LVEF and cardiac output (CO) were generated from the EDV, ESV and heart rate during the study. The g-SPECT LV values were compared with those of LVG (25 patients) and cine-MRI (18 patients).

RESULTS

The g-SPECT values correlated well with those from LVG (r = 0.83 to 0.92; p < 0.001) and cine-MRI (r = 0.76 to 0.99; p < 0.001). The g-SPECT technique provides an assessment of LV volumes (EDV, ESV, stroke volume, LVEF, CO, LV mass).

CONCLUSION

Despite potential problems that may cause inaccuracy and require improvements such as an accurate and reproducible automatic edge detection algorithm, g-SPECT has clinical utility in assessing global LV volumes and function.

[Effectiveness of the radioactive strontium (89Sr) chloride agent, SMS.2P for pain palliation in patients with metastatic bone tumor in phase III multicenter clinical trial]

The phase III clinical trial of strontium-89 chloride agent (SMS.2P) was performed in 90 patients with painful bone metastases secondary to prostate (53), breast (18) and other types of cancer (19). Some patients experienced a transient increase in pain or nausea and vomiting. However both symptoms subsided and serious side effects were not observed in any of the patients. As reported, we confirmed some abnormal changes in peripheral blood picture. A decrease in the number of white blood cells and platelets was considered to be partly a result of bone marrow suppression due to 89Sr irradiation. Pain was substantially improved after 89Sr therapy in 58% of the patients and there was some alleviation in 12%. The release from pain was accompanied by an improved quality of life for these patients including sleep patterns and morbidity. Some patients were able to resume their former life styles. Most of the improved patients experienced pain relief from days to one week following 89Sr therapy and in half cases, this remained effective for 2 or 3 months. There were even cases in which the pain relief continued over an observation period of time of clinical study.

Large-scale perfusion culture process for suspended mammalian cells that uses a centrifuge with multiple settling zones

A high-cell-density perfusion culture process, using a novel centrifuge, was developed. The centrifuge has spiral multiple settling zones to separate cells from culture medium. Because of the multiple zones, the separation area can be efficiently increased without enlarging the diameter of the centrifuge. The centrifuge used in this study had a separation capacity of 2600 ml culture medium min -1 at 100 g of the centrifugal force. A new cell separation and withdrawal method was also developed. The cells separated in the centrifuge can be withdrawn easily from the centrifuge with no cell clogging by feeding a liquid carrier such as a perfluorocarbon into the centrifuge and pushing the cells out with the liquid carrier. By this culture process, monoclonal antibodies were produced with mouse-human hybridoma X87X at a cell density of about 8 x 10(6) cells ml -1 for 25 days. This centrifuge culture shows promise as a large-scale perfusion culture process. (Himmelfarb et al. 1969; Feder and Tolbert 1983) usually have the problem of filter clogging, and perfusion culture processes with gravitational cell settling (Tokashiki and Arai 1989) are limited in scale-up because of low separation efficiency. Recently centrifugal separation of cells from culture medium has been used for perfusion culture processes (Hamamoto et al. 1989; Tokashiki et al. 1990; Apelman 1992; Jäger 1992). This process essentially has a high separation efficiency and can avoid further operational problems, such as filter clogging, by the type of filtration. To investigate the scale-up feasibility of the centrifuge culture system, we have developed a new type of centrifuge with four layers of spiral cell-settling zones to increase the separation area, and a novel cell separation and withdrawal method using a perfluorocarbon.

[Myelodysplastic syndrome with CREST syndrome successfully treated with metenolone--A case report]

A 54-year-old woman was diagnosed as having refractory anemia (RA) with CREST syndrome (incomplete type). She showed Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia, but not calcinosis and esophageal dysmotility. Laboratory findings revealed anemia and thrombocytopenia, and myelodysplasia, abnormal karyotype of 47, XX, +8 in bone marrow cells. Antinuclear and centromere antibody was positive. Treatment with prednisolone was not successful. After prednisolone was tapered, she was given 20 mg/body metenolone orally, which led to hematological improvement, and after 6 months of therapy, abnormal karyotype of 47, XX, +8 disappeared.

Establishment of a myeloid leukaemia cell line (Kasumi-4) with t(9;22;11)(q34;q11;q13), inv(3)(q21q26) and the EVI1 gene activation from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukaemia in blast crisis

A novel human leukaemia cell line (Kasumi-4) was established from the peripheral blood of a 6-year-old girl suffering from chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) in blast crisis. The Kasumi-4 cells had the following characteristic features: undifferentiated blasts which were positive from CD34, CD33 and CD13 surface markers, but negative for myeloperoxidase platelet peroxidase, CD36, CD41 and CD42; chromosome abnormalities of t(9;22;11) (q34;q11;q13), inv(3)(q21q26); and elevated expression of EVI1 gene which is located at chromosome band 3q26. Megakaryocytic maturation was not observed in the liquid culture following the addition of TPA, IL3, IL-6 or GM-CSF, b2-a2 type of BCR-ABL chimaeric messenger RNA was detected by RT-PCR analysis. This the first leukaemia cell line with a three-way translocation containing the the Ph chromosome and the second cell line with an inv(3)(q21q26). This cell line appears to be useful for studying the mechanisms of leukaemogenesis involving these chromosomal abnormalities and related oncogenes.

[A time-saving approach for quantifying regional cerebral blood flow and application to split-dose method with 123I-IMP SPECT using a single-head rotating gamma-camera]

We have proposed a modified early method, which can shorten the total time required for the quantitative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurement with N-isopropyl-p(-)[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) using single-head rotating gamma-camera and the continuous arterial sampling method. Between 7 to 25 minutes after the intravenous injection of 123I-IMP, brain activity increases linearly, the SPECT data acquisition is being performed, and during which detector is rotating continuously. Then the rCBF values based on the microsphere model were calculated using the planar images obtained before and after the above acquisition and 5 min after the injection, and input counts obtained by the continuous arterial sampling. A good correlation (r = 0.951) was observed between the rCBF values obtained by this method and the traditional method, in which the SPECT data acquisition started about 30 min after injection. Applying this method to the quantitative rCBF measurements at rest and during stress with Diamox by the split dose method of 123I-IMP, we could evaluate the rCBF at rest and cerebral perfusion reserve in the same day. We conclude that this method can shorten the total time required for the standard normal microsphere method and can be applied to the split dose method, and this method provide the rCBF values not so much affected by washout of the tracer from the brain.

Thallium-201 myocardial tomography with intravenous infusion of adenosine triphosphate in diagnosis of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and diagnostic accuracy of thallium-201 myocardial tomography with intravenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP) infusion in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

Both ATP and adenosine are potent coronary vasodilators with a very short half-life. Several studies have confirmed that the diagnostic accuracy of adenosine thallium-201 scintigraphy is comparable to that with exercise. However, a high incidence of side effects, including atrioventricular (AV) block, has also been reported. Because the appropriate infusion rate for ATP has not yet been determined, this agent has not been tested in combination with myocardial scintigraphy.

METHODS

The study group included 253 consecutive patients who underwent thallium-201 myocardial tomography with ATP infusion (0.16 mg/kg body weight per min for 5 min). The occurrence of adverse effects was carefully monitored. Of the 120 patients with coronary angiography, 76 had significant coronary artery disease. Tomographic images were assessed visually and by computer-quantified polar maps, and they were compared with the results of coronary angiography.

RESULTS

Although 56% of the patients had some adverse effects, they were transient and mild. In all patients, the ATP infusion protocol could be completed, and no patient required aminophylline; AV block occurred in only 2% of the patients. The sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 80%, respectively, by visual analysis and 91% and 86%, respectively, by computer quantification.

CONCLUSIONS

Thallium tomography with ATP is feasible and has a diagnostic value similar to that with adenosine for detecting coronary artery disease. In addition, it may have fewer side effects than adenosine myocardial tomography.

[Phase II clinical trial of the radioactive strontium (89Sr) chloride agent, SMS. 2P for pain palliation in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastases]

The phase II clinical trial of a strontium (89Sr) chloride agent (SMS. 2P) was performed in 9 patients with painful bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer. After an intravenous administration, 89Sr circulated in the plasma and was rapidly cleared. Urinary excretion varied widely among the patients. No serious acute side effects were observed. A mild transient increase in pain was reported by 4 patients 2-4 days after administration, two of whom complained of mild nausea or vomiting. All symptoms improved and never became a clinical problem. There were some abnormal hematological parameters. In particular, a decrease in the platelet level seemed to be a marrow suppression due to 89Sr irradiation. It is difficult to discriminate between the effects of 89Sr and the progress of the disease using tumor markers. The pain level improved within 2 weeks after administration and the effect continued for at least 8 weeks, which improved the quality of life for these patients.

[Quantitative analysis of myocardial tracer distribution in patients with ischemic heart disease: comparison of 201T1 and 123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP)]

Quantitative assessment of myocardial tracer uptake in stress-delayed thallium and resting BMIPP imagings were performed in 24 patients with coronary artery disease. Each distribution was displayed on the bull's eye polar map and % uptake of each distribution was calculated as a mean value in 9 myocardial segments on the polar map. Redistribution index (% delayed uptake minus % stress uptake on thallium images) and discordance index (% delayed thallium uptake minus % BMIPP uptake) were also calculated. Each parameter was compared to the visual uptake score and wall motion score on contract left ventriculography. Excellent correlations were obtained between % uptake and the uptake score in each tracer. The % thallium and BMIPP uptake also correlated with regional wall motion score. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between redistribution and discordance indexes in the mildly hypoperfused segments. These data indicate that the quantitative analysis of thallium and BMIPP distributions seems to be valuable to understand relationship between perfusion and regional wall motion. The discordant BMIPP uptake may represent asynergic but viable segments. However, several important factors, such as attenuation factor should be also taken into consideration for such quantitative analysis.

Internalization of an anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antibody by HEL cells

Platelets are known to internalize monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. We investigated whether an antibody directed against this complex (NNKY 2-11) was transported from the surface membrane to the intracellular pool in HEL cells. Flow cytometry showed that the percent binding of NNKY 2-11 to the surface membrane of HEL cells was decreased after incubation for 24 h compared with 1 h, while the binding of an anti-GPIb antibody (NNKY 5-5) did not change. It did not seem likely that the GP IIb/IIIa complex antibody was shed from the surface membrane of the HEL cells during incubation, because the medium conditioned by incubation with these cells for 24 h showed almost no binding to washed platelets. In addition, immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that GP IIb/IIIa complex antibodies were incorporated into the intracellular pool of HEL cells and were associated with alpha granules. These findings indicated that an anti-GP IIb/IIIa antibody could be internalized by megakaryocytes, as has been previously shown with platelets, suggesting that megakaryocyte GP IIb/IIIa may act as a carrier for various adhesion proteins.

Heterogeneity of acute myeloblastic leukemia without maturation: an ultrastructural study

We demonstrated by ultrastructural examination that the leukemic blasts of 13 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) without maturation (M1 in the French-American-British classification) showed heterogeneous features. In 7 patients, the leukemic blasts had a high level of light microscopic myeloperoxidase positivity (> 50%). Ultrastructurally, the cells were myeloblast-promyelocytes with 100% myeloperoxidase positivity, and these 7 patients appeared to have typical AML. In contrast, the remaining 6 patients had leukemic blasts with a low myeloperoxidase positivity (< 50%) and heterogeneous features. Three had ultrastructural features of myelomonocytic or monocytic lineage, 1 had myelomonocytic cells associated with megakaryoblasts, and 1 had undifferentiated blasts. The former group had a better prognosis than the latter, indicating that ultrastructural analysis of M1 leukemia may help predict the response to therapy.

An evaluation of the accelerated expectation maximization algorithms for single-photon emission tomography image reconstruction

We previously reported that brain single-photon emission tomography (SPET) images could be improved by using an attenuation coefficient map constructed with transmission data and the iterative expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. However, the conventional EM algorithm (CEM) typically requires 30-80 iterations to provide acceptable results, limiting its clinical applicability. Several methods have been proposed to accelerate the EM algorithm. The purpose of this study was to search for a practical method for accelerating the EM algorithm. The methods investigated here include the accelerated EM algorithm (ACEM) using additive correction, ACEM using multiplicative correction, and Tanaka's filtered iterative reconstruction method (FIR). These methods were assessed by simulated SPET studies of a phantom incorporating nonuniform attenuation and by reference to clinical brain SPET data. In the simulation studies, the above methods were evaluated by using three parameters (root mean square error, log likelihood value, and contrast recovery coefficient); the results showed that FIR had an advantage over other methods in terms of all parameters. The results obtained using the clinical data demonstrated that FIR could reconstruct acceptable images in only five iterations. These results show that FIR offers significant advantages over CEM or other ACEMs, indicating that FIR can make the EM algorithm practical for clinical use in SPET.

Thallium-201/technetium-99m-phytate (colloid) subtraction imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

This paper evaluates the clinical usefulness of 201Tl to image hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using 201Tl, 99mTc-phytate (colloid) and a three-headed SPECT camera.

METHODS

The tumor-to-nontumor ratios (T/N) of 201Tl for different categories of HCC were generated. Tumors were emphasized by image subtraction (201Tl-99mTc-colloid). Thirty-three lesions in 16 patients (18 studies) with HCC were evaluated. There were 19 untreated nodular, five untreated diffuse, five local recurrent and four necrotic lesions after interventional therapy.

RESULTS

The mean T/N were as follows: untreated nodular 1.54 +/- 0.31 (mean +/- s.d.), untreated diffuse 1.28 +/- 0.26, local recurrence 1.50 +/- 0.29 and necrosis 0.22 +/- 0.06. All the tumors (except necrotic areas) were enhanced by the image subtraction.

CONCLUSION

Thallium-201 is useful for liver tumor imaging but 99mTc-phytate (colloid) is essential to discriminate 201Tl tumor uptake from normal liver accumulation. Image subtraction (201Tl/99mTc-colloid) is helpful in detecting HCC.