93 The efficiency of estrus detection by accelerometry in Holstein and Japanese Black crossbred cows

Accurate oestrus detection is important in order to perform AI and embryo transfer procedures at appropriate times. Pedometers and accelerometers have been utilised in the livestock industry to detect oestrus. However, the efficacy of these devices in beef cattle production systems remains unclear. In this preliminary study, we evaluated the efficacy of a commercially available accelerometer device for oestrus detection in nonlactating Holstein×Japanese Black crossbred cows (n=14). Accelerometer devices (Farmnote Color, Farmnote Inc., Hokkaido, Japan) were placed on the neck of each animal and remained in place for 3 months. Cows were kept in a pen during the day (8-9 cows/pen) and a pasture during the night. Cows were visually monitored for oestrus activity twice daily in the morning and evening for 30min. The activity of cows detected by the sensor was recorded every hour. Oestrus occurrence and duration were automatically detected and calculated by the device. Alerts generated by the device were categorized as either true positives (TP), false positives (FP) or false negatives (FN). True positives were defined as the observation of oestrus in conjunction with a device-generated oestrus alert or confirmation of the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) by ovarian ultrasonography 5 days following an oestrus alert. False positives were defined as events in which an oestrus alert was generated by the device, but no corresponding visual observation of oestrus occurred or a CL was not present 5 days following the alert. False negatives were cases where oestrus was observed visually but there was no corresponding device-generated oestrus alert. Reasons for FP were categorized into 1 of 3 categories defined as (1) other cows in oestrus in the same pen, (2) cows that were moved from other herds, (3) ovarian disorder such as follicular cyst, and (4) unknown. Statistical analyses were conducted using Student’s t-test. Results were considered significant at P<0.05. A total of 58 alerts were generated by the accelerometer devices. The percentage of TP and FP were 46.6 and 53.4%, respectively. Of the FP, 46.7% (14/31) were generated due to other cows in the same pen being in oestrus. During the study, there were 33 visually observed estruses for which there was also a corresponding device alert. Of these, 81.8% were TP and 18.2% were FN. Oestrus duration was significantly longer for TP than for FP (15.5±5.2v. 11.5±3.8 h; P<0.01). In addition, the change in activity at 2-9h after device-generated alerts was greater for TP than for FP (P<0.05). Oestrus duration (15.5h) for TP in the present study was similar to that observed previously by pedometer (16.8h) or temperature measurement (16.3h) in beef cattle (Sakatani et al. 2016 J. Reprod. Dev. 62, 201-207, DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-095). These results indicate that accelerometry could be effective for detecting oestrus in beef cattle. However, FP rate was quite high. The FP rate could be decreased by improving the alert detection threshold because the duration and change in activity were lower in FP cows. Further research with a greater number of animals is necessary to confirm these preliminary observations. This study was supported by the Project of the NARO Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (AI-Project, The Special Scheme to Create Dynamism in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries through Deploying Highly Advanced Technology).

Cathepsin B activity has a crucial role in the developmental competence of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes exposed to heat shock during in vitro maturation

Cathepsin B was found to be correlated inversely with the quality of bovine oocytes and embryos. The aims of this study were to evaluate i) the relationship between heat shock during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and cathepsin B activity in relation to apoptosis and ii) the effect of supplementation of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) during IVM of heat-shocked COCs on embryonic development. After IVM at 38.5 °C for 22 h (control group) or at 38.5 °C for 5 h followed by 41 °C for 17 h (heat shock group) either with or without 1 μM E-64, activities and protein expression of cathepsin B and caspase 3 were evaluated as well as TUNEL staining. After IVF, developmental rate, total cell number, and the percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were evaluated on day 8 (day 0, IVF day). Heat-shocked IVM COCs showed significantly high activities and expressions of both cathepsin B, and caspase 3 accompanied by a significant increase in number of TUNEL-positive cells. Addition of E-64 significantly decreased the activities of cathepsin B and caspase 3, and TUNEL-positive cells in heat-shocked IVM COCs. Moreover, addition of 1 μM E-64 during IVM under heat shock conditions significantly improved both developmental competence and quality of the produced embryos. These results indicate that heat shock induction of cathepsin B is associated with apoptosis of COCs, and inhibition of cathepsin B activity can improve the developmental competence of heat-shocked COCs during IVM.

Efficacy and safety of voriconazole in the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: experience in Japan

BACKGROUND

Though various clinical conditions of aspergillosis can occur, depending essentially on the host's immunological status, the focus of research in North American and European countries has mainly been on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. There are, however, also many problems to overcome in chronic forms of aspergillosis. One of those problems is that there are no codified treatment guidelines for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Especially in Japan, this issue is more serious, because there are more cases with CPA due to the many aged people with past history of tuberculosis. Several clinical cases and case series have reported the usefulness of the various antifungal agents that are available. The new triazole, voriconazole, in particular, seems to be effective in the treatment of CPA. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of voriconazole in the treatment of CPA in non-immunocompromised patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, open-label, non-comparative, multicenter study over a 2-year period. For inclusion in the study, patients with confirmed or probable CPA were recruited in 11 hospitals of the National Hospital Organization in Japan. Clinical, radiological, serological, and mycological data were collected at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment or at the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Among 77 patients enrolled in the study, 71 patients (mean age 65.9 years, 56 males and 15 females) were eligible for the study. All of the eligible patients presented with underlying lung diseases, including sequelae of tuberculosis (n = 35), non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (n = 8), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 8), interstitial pneumonia (n = 7), cystic lung disease (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 3), bronchial cancer (n = 1), and others (n = 5). Voriconazole was indicated in 48 cases (68 %) as the first-line treatment for CPA and 23 patients previously received other antifungal therapies. Based on a composite of clinical, radiologic, serological, and mycologic criteria, good response was seen in 43 patients (60.6 %), no response was observed in 19 patients (26.8 %), and 4 cases (5.6 %) got worse. Five patients (7.0 %) were unassessable for efficacy. The common adverse events were visual disturbances (17 patients, 23.9 %), abnormal liver function test results (12 patients, 16.9 %), adverse psychological effects (3 patients, 4.2 %), and others (10 patients, 14.0 %). Treatment with voriconazole had to be stopped in 2 cases (2.8 %) because of serious adverse events (abnormal liver function test results). There was no association between adverse effects and trough voriconazole levels in serum.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japan, voriconazole provides effective therapy of CPA in non-immunocompromised patients with an acceptable level of toxicity.

Novel therapeutic vaccine: granulysin and new DNA vaccine against Tuberculosis

PURPOSE

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (M.TB) is a big problem in the world. We have developed novel TB therapeutic vaccines.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DNA vaccine expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 and IL-12 was delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-envelope. M. TB, MDR-TB or extremenly drug resistant (XDR-TB) was injected i.v. into DBA/1 mice, and treated with the vaccine three times. This HVJ-E/Hsp65DNA+IL-12DNA vaccine provided strong therapeutic efficacy against MDR-TB and XDR-TB (prolongation of survival time and the decrease in the number of TB) in mice. Therapeutic effect of this vaccine on TB infection was also demonstrated in chronic TB infection murine model using aerosol infection intratracheally. On the other hand, granulysin protein produced from CTL has lethal activity against TB. Granulysin protein vaccine also exerted strong therapeutic effect. Furthermore, we extended our studies to monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human TB. Hsp65DNA+IL-12 DNA vaccine exerted strong therapeutic efficacy (100% survival and augmentation of immune responses) in the TB-infected monkeys. In contrast, the survival of the saline control group was 60% at 16 week post-challenge. HVJ-Envelope/HSP65 DNA+IL-12 DNA vaccine increased the body weight of TB-infected monkeys, improved the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and augmentated the immune responses (proliferation of PBL and IL-2 production). The enhancement of IL-2 production from monkeys treated with this vaccine was correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of the vaccine.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that novel vaccines might be useful against TB including XDR-TB and MDR-TB for human therapeutic clinical trials.

[Comparison of conventional tuberculin skin test and QFT-2G, a new method for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, with the use of the contact score]

BACKGROUND

QuantiFERON TB-Gold (QFT) has recently been developed as a new method for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) infection. To evaluate the usefulness of QFT, we analyzed the relationship between QFT and the closeness of contact with a source of infection, in comparison with that of the tuberculin skin test (TST).

METHODS

Male (n=322) and female (n=340) subjects (4-75 years old) who had contact with an index case received QFT and TST. The diagnostic criterion for TB infection with TST was defined as a test with an erythema diameter of > or = 30 mm. The closeness of contact with an index case was quantified in the "contact score," based on the information obtained with a questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive correlation between the contact score and QFT-positive rate, while there was no such relationship for TST positivity. The odds ratios for positive QFT rate for the subjects in the 3rd and 4th quartile groups of contact score (taking the QFT-positive rate in the lowest score quartile as unity) were 3.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.07-10.76, p<0.05) and 7.62 (95% confidence interval: 2.60-22.37, p<0.01), respectively. These odds ratios were also significantly greater than unity after adjustment for age, sex, history of BCG vaccination and history of health care-related jobs. There was a wide difference in the QFT-positive rates between the 2nd and 3rd quartiles of contact score (3.5% vs. 11.9%). The borderline value of the contact score between these two quartiles corresponded to 200, which could be a cutoff value for defining a high-risk contact.

CONCLUSION

The QFT-positive rates correlated well with closeness of contact, while TST showed a poor correlation. Thus, QFT is considered more useful than TST for diagnosing tuberculosis infection.

152 EFFECT OF EMBRYO TRANSFER AFTER ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON THE CONCEPTION RATE IN DAIRY COWS UNDER HEAT STRESS IN SOUTHERN JAPAN

A serious decline in the reproductive performance of dairy cows occurs in southern Japan in the summer period, when the total number of hot days ≥35°C numbers more than 20 days annually. Previous reports have mentioned the effectiveness of embryo transfer (ET) at 7 days after AI (AI/ET) under heat-stressed conditions. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AI/ET on conception rate (CR) under heat-stressed conditions in the summer period. Artificial insemination was performed at 13 commercial dairies in this study from August through September in 2007 and 2008. Seven days after AI, a single embryo was transferred into the uterine horn contralateral to the ovary with a corpus luteum (AI/ET, n = 82). Artificial insemination at oestrus without further treatment was assigned as the control group (AI, n = 367). In 2007, frozen–thawed embryos of Japanese Black cattle were transferred, and the same cattle were used for ET of fresh embryos in 2008. The temperature-humidity index [0.8 × temperature + 0.01 ×relative humidity (temperature –14.4) + 46.4], rectal temperature, and diurnal highest or lowest and average ambient temperatures were measured at the time of AI and ET. Cows were diagnosed for pregnancy at 42 days after AI by palpation per rectum and were reexamined by transrectal ultrasonography at 60 days after AI. The CR was calculated as the number of cows diagnosed as pregnant 60 days after AI divided by the number of cows inseminated. Fetal loss was calculated as the number of cows that did not deliver calves after term divided by the number of cows diagnosed as pregnant. The CR, number of AI, fetal loss, and type of newborn (Holsteins, AI origin; Japanese Black, ET origin) were confirmed retrospectively. For statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test were used for comparison of the CR, fetal loss, and body temperature by using a statistical software program for PC (Excel Statistics 2006). The CR for AI/ET was 30.4% and for AI was 13.8% in 2007 (P < 0.01), and the CR for AI/ET was 30.8% and for AI was 21.5% in 2008 (P = 0.294). The average diurnal temperature was 31.1°C in 2007 and 30.1°C in 2008, and the temperature-humidity index was 81.8 and 80.8, respectively. On Day 8, the pregnant cows had a lower rectal temperature than the open cows in 2007, but not in 2008 (38.9 v. 39.4°C in 2007; P < 0.05; and 39.1 v. 38.9°C in 2008; P > 0.05). The fetal loss was 38.1% in AI/ET v. 7.4% in AI in 2007 (P < 0.05) and 12.5% v. 0% in 2008 (P < 0.05), respectively. The AI/ET procedure could improve CR in dairy cows during the summer period in southern Japan. However, other problems may accompany AI/ET, such as higher fetal losses.

Development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine against Tuberculosis using monkey and transgenic mice models

PURPOSE

BCG is not efficacious against M. tuberculosis (TB) in adult. Therefore, novel TB vaccines were established by using three kinds of animal models (cynomolgus monkey model which is the best animal model of human TB, IL-2R knock out SCID mice as a human immune model, and granulysin transgenic mouse).

METHODS AND RESULTS

DNA vaccine expressing TB Hsp65 and IL-12 was delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-envelope. The BCG prime followed by Hsp65+IL-12/HVJ vaccine boost showed a synergistic effect in the TB-infected cynomolgus monkey (100% survival). In contrast, 33% of monkeys were alive in BCG alone group. Furthermore, the prolongation of survival period of the monkey was observed by the combination of BCG and DNA vaccine even when the boost was performed after long-term period (4month) from prime. This combination also improved the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), increased the body weight, and augmented the proliferation of PBL and IL-12 production at higher levels than BCG alone or saline. Furthermore, this vaccine exerted therapeutic efficacy in IL-2R knock out SCID-PBL/hu mice, which were transplanted with human T cells. Granulysin is an important defensive molecule expressed by human T cells and NK cells and has a cytolytic activity against microbes including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and tumors. Expression of 15kD (15K) granulysin protein and mRNA in CD8 positive T cells in the patients infected with drug sensitive (TB) or multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) M. tuberculosis were lower than that in the healthy volunteers, suggesting that granulysin treatment might improve the tuberculous disease in human. Therefore, we established two kinds of granulysin transgenic mice (15K granulysin transgenic mice and 9K granulysin transgenic mice). It was demonstrated that 15K granulysin transgenic mice as well as 9K granulysin transgenic mice exerted in vivo anti-TB effect, including the decrease of the number of TB and augmentation of the CTL activity. These are the first findings which demonstrate in vivo effects of 15K granulysin and 9K granulysin against TB infection. Moreover, DNA vaccine expressing 15K granulysin showed a therapeutic activity against TB in mice.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that monkey, IL-2R gene-knock out SCID-PBL/hu and granulysin transgenic mice models provide useful tools for the development of novel vaccines (HVJ-Envelope/Hsp65 DNA + IL-12 DNA vaccine and granulysin vaccine) against TB.

[Detection of molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium gordonae isolates]

OBJECTS

To analyze the molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium gordonae strains from patients and environments in the hospital.

SUBJECTS

A total of 46 clinical strains were obtained from patients registered at the NHO Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center and 3 strains from hospital environments.

METHODS

By using genetic data from the 16S rRNA gene and hsp65PRA, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) assessment of their intraspecies variability and epidemiology was carried out.

RESULTS

Strains from six patients and environmental cultures exhibited the different genotypes of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the hsp65PRA type. The PFGE analysis suggested no pseudo-outbreak and showed a polyclonal infection in one patient.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that we should maintain effective surveillance of environments in the hospital and continuously perform molecular epidemiological investigations for infection control of M. gordonae.

[A DRG/PPS simulation in the medical care of tuberculosis]

PURPOSE

To study the expected usefulness of the introduction of the DRG-PPS (Diagnosis-Related Group/Prospective Payment System, in which an insurer pays a fixed medical fee per hospitalization) into the current medical care of tuberculosis (TB) in Japan.

METHOD

The medical fees were reviewed for all TB inpatients at 19 hospitals under the National Hospital Organization who were discharged in either June 2007 or February 2008. The sum of the fixed fee by the DRG was assumed based on the bivariate regression analysis of each patient's hospital days and his or her total actual fees during the hospital stay under the current (fee for care) system, since it was difficult to directly calculate the daily fees for every patient that would be the basis of DRG-PPS.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis estimated that the medical fees (including fees for the medical examinations and the treatments) for a hospital stay of 60 days, which is the standard for TB treatment, was 1,192,470 yen (19,870 yen per person per day) in June 2007, and 1,167,600 yen (19,460 yen per person per day) in February 2008.

DISCUSSION

If we assume an average medical fee of about Y1.1-1.2 million yen for the standard hospital care of TB, the economic balance of the hospitals is negative, with a deficit of 0.6-0.7 million yen, given the estimated expenses of 1.8 million yen (i.e., 30,000 yen per person per day x 60 days).

CONCLUSION

If the DRG-PPS is to be implemented based on the current medical fee rating system, the hospital administrators could not accept its introduction to the TB medical care service as it is, because it may undermine the economic management of hospitals.

Prompt improvement of a pressure ulcer by the administration of high viscosity semi-solid nutrition via a nasogastric tube in a man with tuberculosis: a case report

Introduction

Semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity has the advantage of reducing gastroesophageal reflux and diarrhea and shortens the duration of administration compared with liquid nutrition. This is the first report describing the administration of semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity via a nasogastric tube, which achieved a remarkable improvement in the patient's nutritional state.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man (mongoloid race, Japanese) with tuberculosis, a pressure ulcer and malnutrition was admitted to our hospital. He also had right hemiplegia, dysphagia and aphasia as sequelae of a cerebral hemorrhage. Before his admission, he had been treated at another hospital with 600 kcal/day of liquid nutrition via a nasogastric tube, which was insufficient and induced severe malnutrition. After he was admitted to our hospital, we increased the quantity of his liquid nutrition without success because of complications, specifically diarrhea and gastroesophageal reflux. As it was difficult to confirm whether or not he would accept gastrostomy feeding, we administered semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity (20,000 mPa x s) via a large-bore nasogastric tube (18 French). Soon after he was started on semi-solid nutrition, his pressure ulcer and malnutrition improved without diarrhea or complications accompanying the large-bore nasogastric tube.

Conclusion

When patients have problems with liquid nutrition, such as diarrhea or gastroesophageal reflux, semi-solid nutrition via a nasogastric tube is a useful method of achieving improvements in nutritional state in a short period of time.

A Novel Therapeutic and Prophylactic Vaccine (HVJ-Envelope / Hsp65 DNA + IL-12 DNA) against Tuberculosis Using the Cynomolgus Monkey Model

We have developed a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine; a combination of the DNA vaccines expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-envelope and -liposome (HSP65 + IL-12/HVJ). An IL-12 expression vector (IL-12DNA) encoding single-chain IL-12 proteins comprised of p40 and p35 subunits were constructed. This vaccine provided remarkable protective efficacy in mouse and guinea pig models compared to the BCG vaccine on the basis of C.F.U of number of TB, survival, an induction of the CD8 positive CTL activity and improvement of the histopathological tuberculosis lesions. This vaccine also provided therapeutic efficacy against multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) (prolongation of survival time and the decrease in the number of TB in the lung) in murine models. Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis. This novel vaccine provided a higher level of the protective efficacy than BCG based upon the assessment of mortality, the ESR, body weight, chest X-ray findings and immune responses. All monkeys in the control group (saline) died within 8 months, while 50% of monkeys in the HSP65+hIL-12/HVJ group survived more than 14 months post-infection (the termination period of the experiment). Furthermore, the BCG priming and HSP65 + IL-12/HVJ vaccine (booster) by the priming-booster method showed a synergistic effect in the TB-infected cynomolgus monkey (100% survival). In contrast, 33% of monkeys from BCG Tokyo alone group were alive (33% survival). Furthermore, this vaccine exerted therapeutic efficacy (100% survival) and augmentation of immune responses in the TB-infected monkeys. These data indicate that our novel DNA vaccine might be useful against Mycobacterium tuberculosis including XDR-TB and MDR-TB for human therapeutic clinical trials.

Identification of MICA as a susceptibility gene for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex infection

Host genetic susceptibility to adult pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease remains unknown. To identify genetic loci for the disease, we prepared 3 sets of pooled DNA samples from 300 patients and 300 sex-matched control subjects and genotyped 19,651 microsatellite markers in a case-control manner. D6S0009i-located in the MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A) gene, which encodes a ligand of the NKG2D receptor-had the lowest P value in pooled and individual DNA typing. The A6 allele of the microsatellite was significantly associated with female patients (P <. 001), whereas the classical HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles did not show significant association. Functional analysis of allelic expression imbalance revealed that A6-derived messenger RNA was more highly expressed than non-A6-derived messenger RNA in human bronchial epithelial cells. MICA was expressed in bronchiolar epithelium, alveolar macrophages, and granulomatous lesions. These findings suggest that MICA might be one of the immune molecules affecting the pathogenesis of the disease.

Novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against tuberculosis

We have developed a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine; a combination of the DNA vaccines expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-envelope and -liposome (HSP65+IL-12/HVJ). This vaccine provided therapeutic efficacy as well as remarkable protective efficacy via CD8(+) T and CD4(+) T cells in murine models compared with the saline controls, on the basis of CFU of number of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), and survival of extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) challenged mice. Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis. This vaccine exerted therapeutic efficacy (survival and immune responses) in the TB-infected monkeys. These data indicate that our novel DNA vaccine might be useful against Mycobacterium tuberculosis including XDR-TB and MDR-TB for human therapeutic clinical trials.

[Evaluation of the INNO-LiPA MYCOBACTERIA v2 for mycobacterial identification]

PURPOSE

Evaluation of the INNO-LiPA MYCOBACTERIA v2 (the INNO-LiPA assay) for mycobacterial identification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The laboratory identifications consisting of Cobas Amplicor systems, AccuProbe, and DDH, are commonly used to identify mycobacterial isolates in Japan. We compared the results between the INNO-LiPA assay and the common methods. A total of 122 clinical isolates from NHO Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center from 1 February to 30 June 2006 were tested.

RESULTS

There was agreement between the INNO-LiPA assay and the common methods for 112 mycobacterium isolates. The six discordant isolates have showed same results between sequencings and the INNO-LiPA assay. The one M. fortuitum isolates was indicated correctness by DDH and the one M. intracellulare isolates was recognized by Cobas Amplicor systems and as MAC by AccuProbe MAC. Moreover, discrepant results between sequencings and mycobacterial identifications including the INNO-LiPA assay were 2 isolates (M. paraffinicum, M. mucogenicum variant type).

CONCLUSION

The INNO-LiPA assay could provide rapid and correct identification results with clear-cut and easy interpretation.

218 GENE AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION OF ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN BOVINE EMBRYOS EXPOSED TO HEAT SHOCK

In a previous study, we reported that 8-cell-stage embryos exposed to a temperature of 41°C for 6 h had significantly increased embryonic mortality and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). There have been some reports that ROS regulates the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes in culture cells. In this study, we investigated the gene and protein expression of antioxidant enzymes in bovine 8-cell-stage embryos exposed to heat shock. In vitro-produced bovine embryos were used for the experiment. Embryos were cultured with CR1aa + 5% FCS at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 and 5% O2. On Day 2 after fertilization, 8-cell-stage embryos were exposed to heat shock at 41°C in 5% CO2 and 5% O2 for 6 h (HS). Eight-cell-stage embryos cultured at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 and 5% O2 were sampled at the same collection time as controls. After HS, 20 embryos were immediately collected for gene expression analysis. Expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), CuZn-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxide (GPx) genes was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Twenty embryos were also collected after 3 h of HS (3 h) and at 18 h after HS (18 h) to evaluate the expression of proteins. Expression of HSP70, SOD, and CAT proteins was examined by Western blotting. Both the gene and protein expression levels of HS groups were normalized to those of the controls to obtain the relative expression levels. All results were analyzed by Student’s t-test. Expression of the HSP70 gene significantly increased in HS embryos (P < 0.05). Expression of the SOD and CAT genes tended to increase in HS embryos (P < 0.07), but there were no significant differences in expression of the GPx gene. There was no significant difference in protein expression in all the antioxidant enzymes in 3-h-sampled embryos. Expression of the HSP70 protein increased significantly in heat-shocked embryos sampled at 18 h (P < 0.05). These results indicate that expression of antioxidant enzymes was not greatly affected in 8-cell-stage embryos exposed to HS. Thus, these results suggest the possibility that the early-stage embryos were stressed and damaged from heat shock because of their poor antioxidative potency. Table 1.Gene and protein expression of embryos This work was supported by KAKENHI [16780209, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)].

56 EFFECTS OF KNOCKDOWN OF DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE 1 BY RNA INTERFERENCE ON IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT AND DNA METHYLATION STATE IN BOVINE SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS

Reprogramming of epigenetic modification is a necessary process during mammalian development, which is aberrant in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Previous study has demonstrated that an abnormal state of genomic hypermethylation is consistently observed in SCNT embryos (Kang et al. 2001 Nat. Genet. 28, 173–177). On the other hand, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are identified molecules shown to silence genes via targeted mRNA degradation and are widely used in molecular and cellar research (Hannon GJ 2002 Nature 418, 244–251). Thus, knockdown of the expression of genes related to epigenetic modifications by siRNA may be used to alter epigenetic modifications in SCNT embryos. In the present study, we investigated the effects of knockdown of DNA methyltransferase 1 by siRNA on in vitro development, gene expression, and DNA methylation state of bovine SCNT embryos. In vitro matured oocytes were enucleated, fused with bovine fibroblasts and then activated, the resultant SCNT embryos were divided into three groups; control, non-treated group; sham-NT, H2O injected group; and siRNA-NT, siRNA injected group. The siRNA corresponding to DNA methyltransferases 1, which is the enzyme responsible for maintaining DNA methylation patterns, was designed and injected into the cytoplasm of SCNT embryos. All embryos were cultured in CR1aa + 5% FCS and assessed the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation on Days 2 and 8, respectively. All data were obtained from more than 5 replicates. Developmental percentage data were analyzed by chi-square tests (P < 0.05). Other data were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Fisher’s protected least significant difference (P < 0.05). The developmental rate to blastcysts in siRNA-NT group (38.7%; 111/287) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of control (28.8%; 121/420) and sham groups (30.5%; 92/302). To estimate the effect of siRNA injection on gene expression, we sampled embryos at 48 h after culture and measured the amount of DNA methyltransferase 1 mRNA expression by real-time PCR. The amount of DNA methyltransferase 1 mRNA was significantly less (P < 0.05) than those of control and sham-NT groups. Finally, the levels of DNA methylation at satellite I region were analyzed by COBRA method in blastosyst stage embryos. The level of DNA methylation of blastocysts in siRNA-NT groups was significantly less (P < 0.05) than those of control and sham-NT and also similar to that of IVF blastocysts. In the present study, we showed that gene silencing of DNA methyltransferase 1 by siRNA enhanced the in vitro development of SCNT embryos and decreased the level of DNA methylation which was equivalent to IVF embryos. These findings suggest that knockdown of specific genes related epigenetic modifications by RNA interference may alter abnormal epigenetic reprogramming with the resultant improvement for subsequent development of SCNT embryos.

[Clinical research on multi-drug resistant and extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis in Japan]

PURPOSE

To know the number of patients with MDR-TB and XDR-TB newly diagnosed annually and the number of those with continuously culture-positive in spite of continued treatment.

METHODS

To fill the questionnaire sent to all the TB hospitals in Japan and to investigate the number of beds for TB, MDR-TB cases newly admitted to each hospital in 2006 and chronic bacillary cases in spite of continued treatment.

RESULT

We sent the questionnaires to all the TB hospitals in Japan and 81% of 270 hospitals replied. As the result, 93 MDR-TB were newly hospitalized (12 cases were with XDR-TB). 76 cases of them were newly diagnosed MDR-TB. Almost after 1 year treatment, patients with XDR-TB showed lower negative conversion rate than other MDR-TB (42.9% vs 63.8%) and higher fatality rate (42.9% vs 7.2%). Excluding above 93 new MDR-TB cases, 103 cases with chronic MDR-TB including 44 cases with XDR-TB had been treated during the observation period, 84 case had been hospitalized and other 19 cases at OPD.

DISCUSSION

Since 2000, extensive multi-resistant (XDR) TB has been a global topic. In Japan, nation-wide survey on 2002 showed the ratio of MDR and XDR were 1.9% and 0.6% respectively out of 3122 TB stains investigated. XDR/MDR rate was higher than those in other countries. Our clinical based investigation showed total XDR/MDR rate was 28.6% (56/196) and it was similar to that of previous bacteriological survey in 2002.

CONCLUSION

We investigated the number of patients with MDR-TB and XDR-TB newly diagnosed in 2006 and the number of those who were continuously culture-positive. The survey showed that there were 196 patients with MDR-TB, and 56 patients of them (28.6%) were with XDR-TB. Many of them were in the districts of Kinki area and Kanto-Shinetsu area and 70% of them had been treated in the hospitals belonging to the National Hospital Organization.

[Evaluation of the discrepant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains between any ordinary susceptibility testing and rpoB gene analysis by the line probe assay]

PURPOSE

Evaluation of rifampicin-resistance by the line probe assay, for rifampicin-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains which were classified as rifampicin-resistant by the phenotypic drug susceptibility testings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 15 clinical isolates from NHO Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center consisting of 6 rifampicin-resistant strains by the line probe assay despite susceptible result by the drug susceptibility testings, and 9 clinical isolates which showed the fluctuating results on repeated drug susceptibility testings. After we conducted 3 drug susceptibility testings and the line probe assay, we have examined the sequence analysis for confirming mutations in the rpoB gene.

RESULTS

All strains were determined rifampicin-susceptible or intermediate by the drug susceptibility testings with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) which ranged from 0.25 to 4 microg/ml by BrothMIC MTB-1, whereas these isolates indicated rifampicin-resistance by the line probe assay and revealed mutations in the hot-spot region (69 bp) by the sequence analysis.

CONCLUSION

We verified that the line probe assay might be useful for the correct determination of drug susceptibility, especially about the low-level rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis strains.

[An adolescent case of pulmonary MAC infection, found 3 years later from bone marrow transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome]

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary infection is usually seen in elderly persons. We encountered a rare case of MAC pulmonary disease seen in a 19-year-old adolescent. The patient had received bone marrow transplantation at the age of 16 for myelodysplastic syndrome. Subsequently, he developed constrictive bronchiolitis and has been treated with corticosteroid and taclorimus. At age 19, small or fine nodules and a cavitary nodule in right lung were detected on the chest radiograph and computed tomography. Afterwards, Mycobacterium avium was detected by bronchoscopic examination and sputum examination and he was diagnosed as MAC pulmonary infection. MAC pulmonary infection in a young person at the age of 19 is an extremely rare case, in which constrictive bronchiolitis, immunosuppression by corticosteroid and tacrolimus, and diabetes mellitus were considered as critical predisposing factors.

[Comparison of BBL Mycoprep and 2%NaOH decontamination procedures for MGIT]

OBJECTIVES

We compared the BBL Mycoprep (Becton Dickinson Japan) and home-made 2%NaOH decontamination procedures by using an equal amount of expectorated sputum in the aerosol-free 30 ml KT centrifuge tube with the rugged inner surface.

METHOD

A total of 113 sputum specimens obtained in NHO Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center in November 2004 were subjected to two decontamination methods. All specimens were divided into two equal portions after concentrating the sediments processed by semi-kaline protease (SAP), then decontaminated, and inoculated into MGIT. The tubes were incubated at 37 degrees C and monitored for up to forty-second days.

RESULTS

Comparing these decontamination procedures, the time of the recovery of mycobacteria strains in the 2%NaOH (mean 8 days) was significantly faster than in the BBL Mycoprep (mean 11 days). Of these, 19 specimens (16.9%) processed by the BBL Mycoprep were positive for growth of mycobacteria, and similarly 18 specimens (16.0%) processed by the 2%NaOH (p>0.5) were positive. The 19 mycobacteria recovered by the BBL Mycoprep were identified as 14 M. tuberculosis strains and 5 NTM strains. The decontamination rate was 0.9% in 2%NaOH and 6.2% in Mycoprep, however the difference was statistically not significant (p>0.5).

DISCUSSION

We verified that the 2%NaOH was an alternative method suitable for the digestion and decontamination procedure, and 2%NaOH was useful for the isolation and detection of mycobacteria as well.

Computed tomography findings in acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

RATIONALE

The serial computed tomography findings and prognosis of the acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are not yet well defined in a larger number of cases.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the parenchymal abnormalities and prognosis using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in acute exacerbation of IPF.

METHODS

The study consisted of clinical, laboratory, and HRCT data before and at the time of acute exacerbation in 64 episodes of 58 patients with IPF. A semiquantitative analysis of overall extent of parenchymal abnormalities, extent of alveolar opacity (ground-glass attenuation and consolidation), and extent of fibrotic opacity (reticulation and honeycombing) on CT was performed by two chest radiologists. The newly appeared parenchymal abnormalities were also classified into three patterns: peripheral, multifocal, and diffuse.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In all patients, HRCT scans taken at the exacerbation showed typical signs of IPF and newly developing alveolar opacity. They included 34 patients of peripheral pattern, 8 of multifocal pattern, and 16 of diffuse pattern. Twenty-five patients died and 33 survived after the initial exacerbation. Worse survival was associated with patients with diffuse type compared with patients with multifocal and peripheral type. The CT patterns and overall CT extent were associated with an increased hazard of death after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, baseline diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, baseline FVC, and disease extent on CT. On multivariate analysis, the strongest correlations were observed between CT patterns (combined diffuse and multifocal versus peripheral) and survival (odds ratio, 4.629; 95% confidence interval, 1.900-11.278; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HRCT extent and patterns are predictive of survival in acute exacerbation of IPF.

Eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and architectural destruction are features of desquamative interstitial pneumonia

AIMS

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is a rare pattern of diffuse parenchymal lung disease known to overlap with respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD). The aim was to review biopsy-proven cases of DIP to investigate further the clinical, imaging and histological features of this disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty patients fulfilled the pathological criteria: 19 men and one woman with a mean age of 54 years. Clinical features, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) data, radiological findings, pathological findings other than criteria, effect of therapy and outcome were examined. The BAL data for 17 cases revealed marked eosinophilia (mean 18%) and moderate neutrophilia (mean 11%). Computed tomography in 17 patients showed peripheral involvement in all cases with a clear margin in 64% and thin-walled cysts in 35% of cases. Additional pathological features were a distinct lobular distribution (70%) and architectural destruction (70%) with cyst formation (55%). Eighteen of the 19 patients (95%) improved under steroid pulse and/or oral therapy. Sixteen subjects (80%) are alive, three died of other diseases and one died of DIP 74 months after the diagnosis. Percent vital capacity increased significantly and new thin-walled cysts appeared in one case.

CONCLUSIONS

BAL eosinophilia, lobular distribution and architectural destruction with cyst formation are characteristic features of DIP.

Characteristics of a large cohort of patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in Japan

RATIONALE

Acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a syndrome characterized by pulmonary surfactant accumulation occurring in association with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies (autoimmune PAP) or as a consequence of another disease (secondary PAP). Because PAP is rare, prior reports were based on limited patient numbers or a synthesis of historical data.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiologic, clinical, physiologic, and laboratory features of autoimmune PAP in a large, contemporaneous cohort of patients with PAP.

METHODS

Over 6 years, 248 patients with PAP were enrolled in a Japanese national registry, including 223 with autoimmune PAP.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Autoimmune PAP represented 89.9% of cases and had a minimum incidence and prevalence of 0.49 and 6.2 per million, respectively. The male to female ratio was 2.1:1, and the median age at diagnosis was 51 years. A history of smoking occurred in 56%, and dust exposure occurred in 23%; instances of familial onset did not occur. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom, occurring in 54.3%. Importantly, 31.8% of patients were asymptomatic and were identified by health screening. Intercurrent illnesses, including infections, were infrequent. A disease severity score reflecting the presence of symptoms and degree of hypoxemia correlated well with carbon monoxide diffusing capacity and serum biomarkers, less well with pulmonary function, and not with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibody levels or duration of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune PAP had an incidence and prevalence higher than previously reported and was not strongly linked to smoking, occupational exposure, or other illnesses. The disease severity score and biomarkers provide novel and potentially useful outcome measures in PAP.

[The QFT-test, a new tool for control of nosocomial infection of tuberculosis]

In Japan, nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis from patients to hospital workers is not rare yet. The morbidity rate of tuberculosis among workers in national hospitals is higher (45.7 in 2003-2005) than the Japanese average rate (24.8 in 2003). The rate is especially high among nurses, indicating 73.2 in 3 years from 2003 to 2005. Although the indivisuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are usually detected by tuberculin skin test in contact investigation, determination is not strict in BCG-vaccinated indivisuals. A novel diagnostic method (QFT-2G; QFT-test) can detect TB infection regardless past history of BCG vaccination. The tuberculin skin test and QFT-test were concurrently studied with 259 workers in National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center. It is conjectured from the study-results that the QFT-test is a more accurate tool for detecting LTBI. Similar studies as 3 contact investigations in Kobe-city also came to the same inference. Although QFT-test is still new, and some questions remain to be answered, that is a useful test in medical examination for hospital workers, providing a new tool for control of nosocomial infection of TB.

[A case of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia showing reversed halo sign on computed tomography of the chest]

A 56-year-old female non-smoker complained of general fatigue and pyrexia. Laboratory examination revealed elevation of white blood cells (WBC) 10200/microl and C-reactive protein (CRP) 13.3mg/dl. Chest radiograph showed bilateral patchy and ring-shaped consolidations in both lungs. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple round ground glass opacities fringed with consolidation, namely the "reversed halo sign". Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed polypoid granulation tissue in terminal air spaces, consistent with an organizing pneumonia pattern. Clinical findings suggesting collagen vascular diseases and drug induced lung diseases were not recognized, thus cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) was diagnosed. High dose methylprednisolone therapy improved her condition, and the ring-shaped opacities on chest CT resolved. She relapsed twice during approximately five years after the disease onset. Chest CT at the recurrences revealed subpleural patchy consolidations without formation of the "reversed halo sign". The sign was originally supposed to be specific for cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. However, other diseases like sarcoidosis and paracoccidioidomycosis have been reported to show this sign. The meaning of the "reversed halo sign" should be examined based on the accumulation of more cases.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex infection associated with the IVS8-T5 allele of the CFTR gene

BACKGROUND

The T5 allele in intron 8 (IVS8) on specific haplotype backgrounds (e.g., long TG repeats) causes abnormal splicing in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and is also known to be associated with chronic airway diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of CFTR variations for susceptibility to pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred patients with pulmonary MAC infection (72 males, 228 females; mean age at onset 61.6 + or - 12.4 years) took part in this study. Diagnosis of MAC infection was based on American Thoracic Society criteria. Clinical profiles were collected and blood samples were genotyped for TG repeats, poly-T and M470V polymorphisms.

RESULTS

We found significantly higher T5 frequency in MAC patients than in healthy controls from our own study (0.035 and 0.005, respectively, P = 0.023) and other reports. Homozygote for the T5 allele was found in two MAC patients. All T5 alleles were associated with longer TG repeats, the TG12 or TG13 allele. Seventeen of the 21 T5 alleles appeared to be associated with the V470 allele. Other polymorphisms did not show any significant differences in frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the IVS8 5T allele might be involved in susceptibility to pulmonary MAC infection.

[Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis--comparison between multidrug-resistant strains and susceptible strains]

PURPOSE

Comparing multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains with susceptible strains by molecular epidemiological methods.

METHODS

We examined 109 multidrug-resistant strains (MDR-TB) and 226 susceptible strains (S-TB) derived from National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with IS6110, and Spacer oligonucleotide typing (Spoligotyping).

RESULTS

In the case of MDR-TB, 47 strains (43.1%) belonged to 12 descriptions of clusters and the number of IS 6110 copies per isolate ranged from 9 to 25. Similarly, 99 strains (43.8%) belonged to 20 descriptions of clusters in S-TB and the distribution of IS 6110 copies were from 1 to 20. On the other hand, 84 strains of MDR-TB (77.1%) and 191 strains of S-TB (84.5%) belonged to Beijing family by Spoligotyping.

CONCLUSION

MDR and susceptible M. tuberculosis strains were characterized similarities in ratio of clusters by RFLP patterns and high proportion of Beijing family by Spoligotyping. These finding supported the possibility that infectiousness of MDR-TB might be similar to that of S-TB.

Novel vaccination (HVJ-liposome/HSP65 DNA+ IL-12 DNA against Tuberculosis) (47.15)

We have developed a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine; a combination of the DNA vaccines expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome (HSP65+IL-12/HVJ). This vaccine provided remarkable protective efficacy in BALB/C mouse and guinea pig models compared to the BCG vaccine, on the basis of an induction of the CTL activity and improvement of the histopathological tuberculosis lesions, respetively. This vaccine strongly induced CTL against HSP antigen and M.tuberculosis antigens

Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis. This novel vaccine provided a higher level of the protective efficacy than BCG based upon the assessment of mortality, the ESR and immune responses. The combination of HSP65 + IL-12/HVJ and BCG by the priming-booster method showed a synergistic effect in the TB-infected cynomolgus monkey (100% survival). In contrast, the survival of the BCG Tokyo group was 33%. These data indicate that our novel DNA vaccine might be useful against M.tuberculosis for human clinical trials. [H-17-Shinko-5] of Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Health Sciences Research grants from Japan.

Inhalational Talc Pneumoconiosis: Radiographic and CT Findings in 14 Patients

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and CT findings of inhalational talc pneumoconiosis.

CONCLUSION

Large opacities of talc pneumoconiosis progress more often than do small opacities. The CT findings of talc pneumoconiosis overlap those of silicosis and asbestosis.

[Molecular epidemiological analysis of Mycobacterium kansasii isolates]

PURPOSE

To make molecular epidemiological analysis of Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii) isolates.

METHODS

We examined 174 M. kansasii isolates from clinical samples of patients at National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center from June 1, 2002 to August 31, 2005 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -restriction analysis (PRA) of the heat shock protein (hsp) 65 gene (hsp65-PRA), sequencing (ITS, 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer, and hsp65 for discrepant case between hsp65-PRA and ITS sequence), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with the major polymorphic tandem repeat (MPTR) probe and the IS1652 probe of genomic DNA.

RESULTS

Of the 174 M. kansasii isolates, 170 strains were classified as M. kansasii type I using hsp65-PRA, while two isolates belonged to type II and one each isolate to type IIb and VI, respectively. Although the ITS sequence of these isolates also identified the same region of polymorphism by hsp 65-PRA, only type II b might be revealed atypical type II, a transitional type from typical type II to intermediate type I by hsp65 sequence. The polymorphic patterns by RFLPs with MPTR and IS1652 probe were shown specific for each homogeneous cluster by hsp 65-PRA. In addition, 159 isolates were recognized the same common pattern A by PFGE analysis. In contrast, the rest 15 isolates revealed significant polymorphism within 11 isolates of type I, and 4 isolates among type II, IIb, and VI.

DISCUSSION

We verified the M. kansasii genotype I was predominant, with the same pattern of major worldwide type regions, and reflected a very tight clonal structure. Type I was furthermore indicated recognition of subtypes by PFGE analysis.

Development of vaccines and passive immunotherapy against SARS corona virus using SCID-PBL/hu mouse models

We have investigated novel vaccine strategies against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV using cDNA constructs encoding the structural antigens: (S), (M), (E), or (N) protein, derived from SARS CoV. PBL from healthy human volunteers were administered i.p. into IL-2 receptor γ-chain disrupted SCID mice, and SCID-PBL/hu mice were constructed. These mice can be used to analyze the human immune response in vivo. SARS M DNA vaccine and N DNA vaccine induced human CTL specific for SARS CoV antigens. Alternatively, SARS M DNA vaccines inducing human neutralizing antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies against SARS CoV are now being developed. These results show that these vaccines can induce virus-specific immune responses and should provide a useful tool for development of protective and therapeutic vaccines.

Evaluation of a novel vaccine (HVJ-liposome/HSP65 DNA+IL-12 DNA) against tuberculosis using the cynomolgus monkey model of TB

We have developed a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine; a combination of the DNA vaccines expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome (HSP65+IL-12/HVJ). This vaccine provided remarkable protective efficacy in mouse and guinea pig models compared to the BCG vaccine, on the basis of an induction of the CTL activity and improvement of the histopathological tuberculosis lesions, respectively. Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis. This novel vaccine provided a higher level of the protective efficacy than BCG based upon the assessment of mortality, the ESR, body weight, chest X-ray findings and immune responses. Furthermore, the combination of HSP65+IL-12/HVJ and BCG by the priming-booster method showed a synergistic effect in the TB-infected cynomolgus monkey (100% survival). These data indicate that our novel DNA vaccine might be useful against Mycobacterium tuberculosis for human clinical trials.

311 EFFECT OF HEAT SHOCK DURING THE FERTILIZATION AND CULTURE PERIOD ON BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BROWN ALGAE PHLOROTANNINS

It is widely reported that heat stress adversely affects the reproductive function of cattle, such as ovarian functions, fertilization, and embryo development. In a previous study, we reported that heat shock decreases embryo development and increases intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also some antioxidants increase embryo development under conditions of heat shock by reducing the intracellular ROS. Phlorotannins extracted from brown alga are known as a strong antioxidant. However, heat shock and the antioxidative effect of phlorotannins on fertilization and embryo development has not been carefully studied. In the present study, we investigated the effect of heat shock on fertilization and early embryo development, and the protective effect of phlorotannins on embryo development under conditions of heat shock. In all experiments, bovine oocytes were collected from the local abattoir and matured with TCM-199 (Experiment 1). Bovine sperm drops prepared by BO solution were pretreated at 41�C for 4 h with or without 100 ng mL-1 of phlorotannins. After heat shock, oocytes were fertilized in drops at 38.5�C for 6 h. Putative zygotes were cultured with CR1 + 5% FCS at 38.5�C. The percentages of embryos cleaved and developed to blastocysts were evaluated on Days 2 and 8. The percentages of embryo division and development were compared with embryos fertilized with sperm pretreated at 38.5�C for 4 h (Experiment 2). Oocytes were fertilized at 41�C for 6 h with or without 100 ng mL-1 of phlorotannins. Putative zygotes were cultured with CR1 + 5% FCS at 38.5�C. On Days 2 and 8, the percentages of cleaved embryos and those developed to blastocysts were evaluated and compared with embryos fertilized at 38.5�C for 6 h (Experiment 3). Oocytes were fertilized at 38.5�C for 6 h. Putative zygotes were cultured with or without 10 ng mL-1 of phlorotannins in CR1 + 5% FCS. On Day 2, embryos were exposed to 41�C for 6 h as heat shock. After heat shock, embryos were cultured at 38.5�C to Day 8, and embryo development was evaluated. The percentages of embryo development were compared with those for embryos cultured at 38.5�C through to Day 8 without phlorotannins. Mean values were compared by Student&apos;s t-test. There were no significant differences in the percentages of embryo cleavage among all experiments. The percentages of embryo development were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased by heat shock in all experiments [Experiment 1: 45.0 vs. 29.2&percnt;; Experiment 2: 25.1 vs. 6.6&percnt;; Experiment 3: 28.6 vs. 15.3&percnt; (control vs. heat shock)]. In contrast, the addition of phlorotannins to the fertilization or culture media tended to improve the embryo development (Experiment 1: 41.9&percnt;; Experiment 2: 15.1&percnt;; Experiment 3: 22.2&percnt;). These results indicate that heat shock affects not only embryo development but also fertilization. And under conditions of heat shock, the addition of phlorotannins would be effective in improving embryo development from fertilization to development.

194 ANTIOXIDATIVE EFFECT OF BROWN ALGAE PHLOROTANNINS ON REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES GENERATION AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS UNDER OXIDATIVE AND HEAT-STRESSED CONDITIONS

We investigated the antioxidative effect of brown algae phlorotannins on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and embryo development of parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos under oxidative and heat-stressed conditions. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles on the surface of porcine ovaries collected from an abbattoir. COCs were matured in NCSU-23 containing 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid and hCG during the first 22 h, followed by an extra 22 h of culture in hormone-free NCSU-23. After 44 h of maturation, oocytes were denuded of cumulus cells and used for parthenogenetic activation. Oocytes were activated by single 100-�s pulse of 1.5 kV cm-1 DC in 1-mm electrodes. Activated oocytes were cultured for 5 h in NCSU-23 containing BSA, EGF, and 5 �g mL-1 cytochalasin B. Embryos were then cultured for 7 days in PZM-5 medium that was a slightly modified version of the PZM-4 medium reported by Yoshioka et al. (2002 Biol. Reprod. 60, 112–119). In Experiment 1, after parthenogenetic activation, embryos were cultured for 7 days at 38.5�C under 5% O2, 5% CO 2, and 90% N2 (defined as 5% O2) as a control. Embryos were also cultured under 5% CO2 in air (defined as 20% O2) with or without 100 ng mL-1 brown algae phlorotannins extracted from Ecklonia kurome. The number of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage was observed on Day 6. The total cell number of Day 7 blastocysts was counted by DAPI staining of nuclei. On Day 2, intracellular ROS levels of individual embryos were measured with fluorescent dyes (222,722-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate). In Experiment 2, on Day 1 or 2, embryos cultured in 5% O2 concentration at 38.5�C were exposed to 41.5�C for 6 h with or without 100 ng mL-1 phlorotannins and cultured at 38.5�C until Day 7. After 6 h of heat-shock on Day 1 or Day 2, intracellular ROS levels were measured as described in Experiment 1. Statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA. In Experiment 1, the rate of blastocyst formation and the total cell number were significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05) when embryos were cultured under 20% O2 compared to 5% O2. In contrast, addition of phlorotannins significantly increased the rate of blastocyst formation under high O2 concentration. ROS levels were also significantly increased by higher O2 concentration. In contrast, addition of phlorotannins significantly reduced the ROS levels. In Experiment 2, heat-shock to embryos on Days 1 and 2 significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased the rate of blastocyst formation compared to the control. In contrast, addition of phlorotannins significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased embryo development and decreased the intracellular ROS levels of heat-stressed embryos. These results indicate that oxidative and heat stress conditions decrease embryo development and increase the level of intracellular ROS. However, addition of phlorotannins promotes embryo development by decreasing the oxidative stress.

301 EFFECT OF CO-CULTURE WITH DIFFERENT STAGE EMBRYOS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ALGINATE-ENCAPSULATED SMALL NUMBER BOVINE EMBRYOS

Previous studies show that embryos cultured in large numbers have better developmental competence than those in small numbers in mice, sheep, and cattle. We have reported that co-culture of bovine embryos encapsulated in calcium-alginate gel (microcapsule) improves the development of embryos cultured in small numbers (Kobayashi et al. 2006 Reprod. Fertil. Devel. 18, 248). This method is beneficial for culture of small numbers of embryos such as OPU-derived embryos by recognizing the individual donor cows with abattoir-derived unidentified IVF embryos. In the previous study, we used the same stage embryos for co-culture of encapsulated embryos. However, in the case of unavailability of the same stage embryos, encapsulated embryos may be co-cultured with different stage embryos. Effect of different stage embryos on co-culture of encapsulated embryos is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-culture of different stage embryos on development of encapsulated small number embryos. In vitro-matured and fertilized zygotes from abattoir derived ovaries were used for the experiment. Small numbers of zygotes were encapsulated by alginate-gel microcapsule to distinguish from co-cultured embryos. Encapsulation was carried out by putting the 1% sodium alginate solution containing zygotes slowly into 0.1% calcium chloride solution (microcapsule). The embryos used for co-culture were produced by IVF 1-3 days before preparation of encapsulated zygotes (Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3). Five encapsulated zygotes were cultured with 15 embryos for co-culture in one droplet (100 �L) made by CR1aa + 5% CS, at 38.5�C, CO2 in air. Encapsulated zygotes co-cultured with the same stage of zygotes were assigned as a control (Day 0). The rates of cleavage on Day 2 and development to blastocyst stage on Day 9 were recorded. Data were analyzed by Student&apos;s t-test. No significant difference was observed in the rate of cleavage in all experimental groups compared with control (Day 1: 72.5&percnt; (n &equals; 80) vs. control: 75.7&percnt; (n &equals; 70); Day 2: 76.3&percnt; (n &equals; 80) vs. control: 82.5&percnt; (n &equals; 80); and Day 3: 78.7&percnt; (n &equals; 75) vs. control: 70.8&percnt; (n &equals; 65). There was not a significant difference in the rate of development to the blastocyst stage in all experimental groups compared with control (Day 1: 42.5&percnt; vs. control: 44.3&percnt;; Day 2: 43.8&percnt; vs. control: 38.8&percnt;; Day 3: 44.0&percnt; vs. control: 35.4&percnt;). These results indicate that co-culture of different stages of embryos can normally support the development of small numbers of encapsulated embryos. These methods are useful to improve the development of small numbers of embryos derived from OPU-IVF embryos without synchronization of the developmental stage of co-cultured embryos.

A case of alpha-thalassemia-2 associated with pulmonary infarction

Pulmonary infarction is an entity of medical significance that develops concurrently in beta-thalassemia but not in alpha-thalassemia. The reason for this difference is yet to be elucidated. We have evaluated a 21-year-old male alpha-thalassemia-2 patient who had profound microcytic anemia and pulmonary infarction. Analysis of the alpha-globin gene revealed -alpha3.7/alpha alpha genotype. His mother also had the same heterozygous gene deletion, though she had neither anemia nor pulmonary infarction. Since the patient had no other predisposition to pulmonary infarction, it is suggested that there is a close etiologic relationship between morphologic abnormality of the erythrocytes caused by alpha-thalassemia-2 and development of pulmonary infarction.

[Detection of rpoB mutations in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium kansasii]

PURPOSE

To detect rifampicin-resistant mutations in Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii).

METHODS

We examined the M. kansasii isolates from sputum of patients at National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center from January 1, 2001 to November 30, 2005 using drug-susceptibility testing, and analyzed 69-bp fragment of rpoB gene in rifampicin-resistant strains.

RESULTS

Three strains from 314 isolates were determined as rifampicin resistant using drug-susceptibility testing. Those strains showed a rise in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and had the mutations in rpoB gene. These point mutations in codons 513 and 516 were common mutations found in rifampicin-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis.

DISCUSSION

We verified the association between rpoB gene mutations and rifampicin resistance in M. kansasii.

Epidemiological and clinical features of idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in Japan

Idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (IPAP) is a rare disease characterized by excessive amounts of lipoproteinaceous material in the alveolus. This report presents an interim analysis of nationwide epidemiological data from Japanese patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and the roles of serum markers for IPAP. (i) The nationwide demographic data from 166 Japanese patients with IPAP are shown. The female to male ratio was 1:2, and the average age was 51 +/- 14 years old (age range: 15-79 years) at registration or diagnosis. A total of 30% of patients with IPAP have a poor clinical course. In total, 30% of patients were treated with whole lung lavage therapy (WLL). Under WLL, the patients significantly improved in the short term, but 40% of the patients who underwent WLL worsened again. A new strategy such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy for intractable PAP is required. (ii) The correlation of serum KL-6, carcinoembryonic antigen, surfactant proteins D and A, and LDH with disease severity suggests their potential as disease markers. In contrast, serum anti-GM-CSF antibody did not correlate with disease severity, but is a specific marker for the diagnosis of IPAP. The combined measurements of the serum markers may well prove very useful for both the diagnosis and the management of IPAP patients.

145 STAGE-SPECIFIC EFFECT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS ON DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE, ROS GENERATION AND DNA DAMAGE OF PORCINE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS

We investigated the effect of oxidative stress on stage specific developmental ability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage of parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles on the surface of ovaries. The COCs were matured in NCSU-23 containing 10% (vol/vol) porcine follicular fluid and 10 IU/mL hCG during the first 22 h followed by an extra 22 h of culture in the hormone free NCSU-23. After 44 h of maturation, oocytes were denuded of cumulus cells and used for activation. Oocytes were activated by a 100-�sec pulse of 1.5 kV/cm DC with 1-mm electrodes in 0.3 m mannitol, 0.1 mm MgSO4, and 0.05 mm CaCl2. Activated oocytes were then cultured for 5 h in NCSU-23 containing 5 mg/mL BSA, 10 �g/mL EGF and 7.5 �g/mL cytochalasin B. Embryos were then cultured for 6 days in PZM-5. In Experiment 1, after parthenogenetic activation, embryos were cultured at 38.5�C under 5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2 (defined as 5% O2) or 5% CO2 in air (20% O2). The oxygen concentration for embryo culture was changed from 5% to 20% on day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 post-activation, respectively. Embryos were also cultured throughout 6 days in 5 and 20% O2. About 100 embryos were used in each experiment. The number of embryos cleaved and developed to blastocyst stage was observed on day 2 and 6, respectively. In Experiment 2, 10 to 20 embryos cultured in 5 and 20% O2 were collected on Days 2, 4, and 6 for the detection of ROS, intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and DNA damage. Intracellular ROS and GSH levels, were measured with fluorescent dyes (22,72-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate for ROS and Cell Tracker" Blue for GSH). DNA damage of individual embryos was detected with a comet assay. DNA damage was quantified by measuring the length of the streak of DNA comet tail between the edge of the zona pellucida and the end of the visible comet tail by image analysis software. The rate of migrated DNA area per total DNA was also quantified. In Exp. 1, the rate of blastocyst formation was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) when embryos were cultured for 6 days under 20% O2 (17.8 � 4%) than 5% O2 (38.5 � 5%). The rates of blastocyst formation were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when O2 concentration was changed from 5 to 20% before Day 3. After Day 4, high O2 concentration did not affect the development. In Exp. 2, relative ROS levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) on Day 2 (1.5 � 0.03) and Day 4 (1.4 � 0.06) in embryos cultured under 20% O2 than in those cultured under 5% O2 (1.0). No difference was observed in GSH level. DNA damage was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in Day 2 embryos cultured under 20% O2 (161 � 54 �m) than 5% O2 (65 � 8.8 �m). These results indicate that the oxidative stress to embryo development by high O2 concentration is stage specific, that embryos are more sensitive in early stages, and that the oxidative stress has correlation with the increase of intracellular ROS and DNA damage.

177 ANTHOCYANIN ISOLATED FROM PURPLE SWEET POTATO IMPROVES DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS OF BOVINE PRE-IMPLANTATION EMBRYOS EXPOSED TO HEAT SHOCK

Development of cleavage-stage pre-implantation embryos is disrupted by exposure to heat shock. Heat shock also increases intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pre-implantation embryos. Therefore, reduction of intracellular ROS levels might improve the development of heat-shocked embryos. Recently the antioxidative activities of polyphenols have been widely reported to reduce the oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of purple sweet potato anthocyanin, a kind of polyphenol that is a strong ROS scavenger, on development and intracellular redox status of bovine pre-implantation embryos exposed to heat shock. Experiment 1: In vitro-produced 8-16-cell-stage embryos on Day 2 after fertilization were exposed to 41.5�C for 6 h in CR1aa containing 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 �g/mL anthocyanin at 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. After heat shock, embryos were cultured at 38.5�C at 5% CO2, 5% O2 until Day 8. On Day 8, the proportion of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was evaluated. Blastocyst total cell number and the ratio between inner cell mass and tropheoderm were evaluated by differential staining. The experiment was replicated five times with more than 70 embryos used in each treatment. Experiment 2: Heat shock treatment of in vitro-produced 8-16-cell-stage embryos was carried out as described in experiment 1. After heat shock, intracellular ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in individual 8-16 cell stage embryos with fluorescent probes (22,72-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate for ROS and CellTracker" Blue (Invitrogen Japan K. K., Tokyo, Japan) for GSH). The fluorescence emissions of each treatment were normalized to those of 8-16 cell stage embryos cultured at 38.5�C without anthocyanin to obtain the relative fluorescence emission. This experiment was replicated four times. Embryos treated with heat stress without anthocyanin (0 �g/mL) showed low development (14.6 � 3.6%) and blastocyst total cell number (88.2 � 9.4). However, embryos treated with 0.1 �g/mL anthocyanin improved development (31.7 � 4.5%, P < 0.05) and increased the total cell number (96.5 � 11.3). The higher concentrations of anthocyanin (1 and 10 �g/mL) did not affect development and cell number. The intracellular ROS levels in heat-shocked embryos were significantly reduced by all concentrations of anthocyanin (P < 0.05). In addition, anthocyanin increased GSH levels at all doses tested (P < 0.05). These results indicate that an appropriate concentration of anthocyanin improves development by regulating intracellular redox balance in bovine embryos exposed to heat shock.

281 ALGINATE-ENCAPSULATED BOVINE EMBRYOS SUPPORT IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL NUMBER OF EMBRYOS

Ova are genetic resources that can be obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries or live cows by ovum pickup (OPU). However, the number of oocytes recovered by OPU is low. Previous studies show that embryos cultured in large numbers have better developmental competence than those in small numbers in mice, sheep, and cattle. Therefore, to improve development of small numbers of embryos, co-culture with other types of embryos is an efficient way. However, it is necessary to distinguish the desired embryos from the co-cultured embryos. Recently, encapsulation of embryos using calcium-alginate was reported to be useful for handling and in vivo culture of porcine embryos (Iwamoto et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 261). In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-culture of embryos encapsulated with calcium-alginate on development of small numbers of embryos. In vitro-matured and fertilized zygotes from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were used for the experiment, and data were analyzed by Student t-test. Encapsulation was carried out by putting the 1% sodium alginate solution containing zygotes slowly into 0.1% calcium chloride solution (microcapsule). We used the microcapsule for the following experiments. In Experiment 1, twenty zygotes were cultured in CR1aa containing 5% FCS with a capsule containing 20 zygotes or without (control) a microcapsule. The rate of cleavage (capsule: 80.0% vs. control: 72.1%) and development to blastocyst stage (capsule: 31.7% vs. control: 33.7%) were not significantly different. This result indicates that the microcapsule is not toxic to embryo development. In Experiment 2, five zygotes were co-cultured with 15 zygotes (microcapsule), and culture of five zygotes without capsules served as a control. The rate of cleavage (co-culture: 81.4% vs. control: 80.0%) was not significantly different, but the rate of development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the co-culture (47.1%) than in the control (30.6%). This result indicates that co-culture with a microcapsule including zygotes enhances the development of small numbers of embryos. In Experiment 3, five zygotes derived from a single cow were encapsulated, and four microcapsules from different cows were cultured in the same droplet. The microcapsules could be distinguished by the inclusion of different numbers of glass beads with the zygotes. Culture of five zygotes without capsules was assigned as a control. The rate of cleavage (co-culture: 75.6% vs. control: 69.6%) was not significantly different, but the rate of development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the co-culture (30.6%) than for the control (17.8%). These results indicate that co-culture with bovine embryos encapsulated with calcium-alginate may improve development of small numbers of embryos.