Galectin-10 in serum extracellular vesicles reflects asthma pathophysiology

BACKGROUND

Novel biomarkers (BMs) are urgently needed for bronchial asthma (BA) with various phenotypes and endotypes.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify novel BMs reflecting tissue pathology from serum extracellular vesicles (EVs).

METHODS

We performed data-independent acquisition of serum EVs from 4 healthy controls, 4 noneosinophilic asthma (NEA) patients, and 4 eosinophilic asthma (EA) patients to identify novel BMs for BA. We confirmed EA-specific BMs via data-independent acquisition validation in 61 BA patients and 23 controls. To further validate these findings, we performed data-independent acquisition for 6 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and 7 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

RESULTS

We identified 3032 proteins, 23 of which exhibited differential expression in EA. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that protein signatures from each phenotype reflected disease characteristics. Validation revealed 5 EA-specific BMs, including galectin-10 (Gal10), eosinophil peroxidase, major basic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase. The potential of Gal10 in EVs was superior to that of eosinophils in terms of diagnostic capability and detection of airway obstruction. In rhinosinusitis patients, 1752 and 8413 proteins were identified from EVs and tissues, respectively. Among 11 BMs identified in EVs and tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, 5 (including Gal10 and eosinophil peroxidase) showed significant correlations between EVs and tissues. Gal10 release from EVs was implicated in eosinophil extracellular trapped cell death in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Novel BMs such as Gal10 from serum EVs reflect disease pathophysiology in BA and may represent a new target for liquid biopsy approaches.

Myocardial DNA Damage Predicts Heart Failure Outcome in Various Underlying Diseases

BACKGROUND

Reliable predictors of treatment efficacy in heart failure have been long awaited. DNA damage has been implicated as a cause of heart failure.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of DNA damage in myocardial tissue with treatment response and prognosis of heart failure.

METHODS

The authors performed immunostaining of DNA damage markers poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) and γ-H2A.X in endomyocardial biopsy specimens from 175 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) of various underlying etiologies. They calculated the percentage of nuclei positive for each DNA damage marker (%PAR and %γ-H2A.X). The primary outcome was left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) at 1 year, and the secondary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, heart transplantation, and ventricular assist device implantation.

RESULTS

Patients who did not achieve LVRR after the optimization of medical therapies presented with significantly higher %PAR and %γ-H2A.X. The ROC analysis demonstrated good performance of both %PAR and %γ-H2A.X for predicting LVRR (AUCs: 0.867 and 0.855, respectively). There was a negative correlation between the mean proportion of DNA damage marker-positive nuclei and the probability of LVRR across different underlying diseases. In addition, patients with higher %PAR or %γ-H2A.X had more long-term clinical events (PAR HR: 1.63 [95% CI: 1.31-2.01]; P < 0.001; γ-H2A.X HR: 1.48 [95% CI: 1.27-1.72]; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

DNA damage determines the consequences of human heart failure. Assessment of DNA damage is useful to predict treatment efficacy and prognosis of heart failure patients with various underlying etiologies.

DIRECTEUR: transcriptome-based prediction of small molecules that replace transcription factors for direct cell conversion

MOTIVATION

Direct reprogramming (DR) is a process that directly converts somatic cells to target cells. Although DR via small molecules is safer than using transcription factors (TFs) in terms of avoidance of tumorigenic risk, the determination of DR-inducing small molecules is challenging.

RESULTS

Here we present a novel in silico method, DIRECTEUR, to predict small molecules that replace TFs for DR. We extracted DR-characteristic genes using transcriptome profiles of cells in which DR was induced by TFs, and performed a variant of simulated annealing to explore small molecule combinations with similar gene expression patterns with DR-inducing TFs. We applied DIRECTEUR to predicting combinations of small molecules that convert fibroblasts into neurons or cardiomyocytes, and were able to reproduce experimentally verified and functionally related molecules inducing the corresponding conversions. The proposed method is expected to be useful for practical applications in regenerative medicine.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

The code and data are available at the following link: https://github.com/HamanoLaboratory/DIRECTEUR.git.

Network-based identification of diagnosis-specific trans-omic biomarkers via integration of multiple omics data

The integration of multiple omics data promises to reveal new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of complex human diseases, with the potential to identify avenues for the development of targeted therapies for disease subtypes. However, the extraction of diagnostic/disease-specific biomarkers from multiple omics data with biological pathway knowledge is a challenging issue in precision medicine. In this paper, we present a novel computational method to identify diagnosis-specific trans-omic biomarkers from multiple omics data. In the algorithm, we integrated multi-class sparse canonical correlation analysis (MSCCA) and molecular pathway analysis in order to derive discriminative molecular features that are correlated across different omics layers. We applied our proposed method to analyzing proteome and metabolome data of heart failure (HF), and extracted trans-omic biomarkers for HF subtypes; specifically, ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We were able to detect not only individual proteins that were previously reported from single-omics studies but also correlated protein-metabolite pairs characteristic of HF disease subtypes. For example, we identified hexokinase1(HK1)-d-fructose-6-phosphate as a paired trans-omic biomarker for DCM, which could significantly perturb amino-sugar metabolism. Our proposed method is expected to be useful for various applications in precision medicine.

Bioinformatics Analysis of the Molecular Networks Associated with the Amelioration of Aberrant Gene Expression by a Tyr-Trp Dipeptide in Brains Treated with the Amyloid-β Peptide

Short-chain peptides derived from various protein sources have been shown to exhibit diverse bio-modulatory and health-promoting effects in animal experiments and human trials. We recently reported that the oral administration of the Tyr-Trp (YW) dipeptide to mice markedly enhances noradrenaline metabolism in the brain and ameliorates the working-memory deficits induced by the β-amyloid 25-35 peptide (Aβ_25-35). In the current study, we performed multiple bioinformatics analyses of microarray data from Aβ_25-35/YW-treated brains to determine the mechanism underlying the action of YW in the brain and to infer the molecular mechanisms and networks involved in the protective effect of YW in the brain. We found that YW not only reversed inflammation-related responses but also activated various molecular networks involving a transcriptional regulatory system, which is mediated by the CREB binding protein (CBP), EGR-family proteins, ELK1, and PPAR, and the calcium-signaling pathway, oxidative stress tolerance, and an enzyme involved in de novo l-serine synthesis in brains treated with Aβ_25-35. This study revealed that YW has a neuroprotective effect against Aβ_25-35 neuropathy, suggesting that YW is a new functional-food-material peptide.

TEAD1 trapping by the Q353R-Lamin A/C causes dilated cardiomyopathy

Mutations in the LMNA gene encoding Lamin A and C (Lamin A/C), major components of the nuclear lamina, cause laminopathies including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, by leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), protein array, and electron microscopy analysis, we show that insufficient structural maturation of cardiomyocytes owing to trapping of transcription factor TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) by mutant Lamin A/C at the nuclear membrane underlies the pathogenesis of Q353R-LMNA-related DCM. Inhibition of the Hippo pathway rescued the dysregulation of cardiac developmental genes by TEAD1 in LMNA mutant cardiomyocytes. Single-cell RNA-seq of cardiac tissues from patients with DCM with the LMNA mutation confirmed the dysregulated expression of TEAD1 target genes. Our results propose an intervention for transcriptional dysregulation as a potential treatment of LMNA-related DCM.

Small compound-based direct cell conversion with combinatorial optimization of pathway regulations

MOTIVATION

Direct cell conversion, direct reprogramming (DR), is an innovative technology that directly converts source cells to target cells without bypassing induced pluripotent stem cells. The use of small compounds (e.g. drugs) for DR can help avoid carcinogenic risk induced by gene transfection; however, experimentally identifying small compounds remains challenging because of combinatorial explosion.

RESULTS

In this article, we present a new computational method, COMPRENDRE (combinatorial optimization of pathway regulations for direct reprograming), to elucidate the mechanism of small compound-based DR and predict new combinations of small compounds for DR. We estimated the potential target proteins of DR-inducing small compounds and identified a set of target pathways involving DR. We identified multiple DR-related pathways that have not previously been reported to induce neurons or cardiomyocytes from fibroblasts. To overcome the problem of combinatorial explosion, we developed a variant of a simulated annealing algorithm to identify the best set of compounds that can regulate DR-related pathways. Consequently, the proposed method enabled to predict new DR-inducing candidate combinations with fewer compounds and to successfully reproduce experimentally verified compounds inducing the direct conversion from fibroblasts to neurons or cardiomyocytes. The proposed method is expected to be useful for practical applications in regenerative medicine.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

The code supporting the current study is available at the http://labo.bio.kyutech.ac.jp/~yamani/comprendre.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

TRANSDIRE: data-driven direct reprogramming by a pioneer factor-guided trans-omics approach

MOTIVATION

Direct reprogramming involves the direct conversion of fully differentiated mature cell types into various other cell types while bypassing an intermediate pluripotent state (e.g. induced pluripotent stem cells). Cell differentiation by direct reprogramming is determined by two types of transcription factors (TFs): pioneer factors (PFs) and cooperative TFs. PFs have the distinct ability to open chromatin aggregations, assemble a collective of cooperative TFs and activate gene expression. The experimental determination of two types of TFs is extremely difficult and costly.

RESULTS

In this study, we developed a novel computational method, TRANSDIRE (TRANS-omics-based approach for DIrect REprogramming), to predict the TFs that induce direct reprogramming in various human cell types using multiple omics data. In the algorithm, potential PFs were predicted based on low signal chromatin regions, and the cooperative TFs were predicted through a trans-omics analysis of genomic data (e.g. enhancers), transcriptome data (e.g. gene expression profiles in human cells), epigenome data (e.g. chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data) and interactome data. We applied the proposed methods to the reconstruction of TFs that induce direct reprogramming from fibroblasts to six other cell types: hepatocytes, cartilaginous cells, neurons, cardiomyocytes, pancreatic cells and Paneth cells. We demonstrated that the methods successfully predicted TFs for most cell conversions with high accuracy. Thus, the proposed methods are expected to be useful for various practical applications in regenerative medicine.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

The source code and data are available at the following website: http://figshare.com/s/b653781a5b9e6639972b.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Hepatocyte-Specific Phgdh-Deficient Mice Culminate in Mild Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Enhanced Vulnerability to Protein Starvation

l-Serine (Ser) is synthesized de novo from 3-phosphoglycerate via the phosphorylated pathway committed by phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh). A previous study reported that feeding a protein-free diet increased the enzymatic activity of Phgdh in the liver and enhanced Ser synthesis in the rat liver. However, the nutritional and physiological functions of Ser synthesis in the liver remain unclear. To clarify the physiological significance of de novo Ser synthesis in the liver, we generated liver hepatocyte-specific Phgdh KO (LKO) mice using an albumin-Cre driver. The LKO mice exhibited a significant gain in body weight compared to Floxed controls at 23 weeks of age and impaired systemic glucose metabolism, which was accompanied by diminished insulin/IGF signaling. Although LKO mice had no apparent defects in steatosis, the molecular signatures of inflammation and stress responses were evident in the liver of LKO mice. Moreover, LKO mice were more vulnerable to protein starvation than the Floxed mice. These observations demonstrate that Phgdh-dependent de novo Ser synthesis in liver hepatocytes contributes to the maintenance of systemic glucose tolerance, suppression of inflammatory response, and resistance to protein starvation.

Prediction of single-cell mechanisms for disease progression in hypertrophic remodelling by a trans-omics approach

Heart failure is a heterogeneous disease with multiple risk factors and various pathophysiological types, which makes it difficult to understand the molecular mechanisms involved. In this study, we proposed a trans-omics approach for predicting molecular pathological mechanisms of heart failure and identifying marker genes to distinguish heterogeneous phenotypes, by integrating multiple omics data including single-cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and gene interactome data. We detected a significant increase in the expression level of natriuretic peptide A (Nppa), after stress loading with transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and showed that cardiomyocytes with high Nppa expression displayed specific gene expression patterns. Multiple NADH ubiquinone complex family, which are associated with the mitochondrial electron transport system, were negatively correlated with Nppa expression during the early stages of cardiac hypertrophy. Large-scale ChIP-seq data analysis showed that Nkx2-5 and Gtf2b were transcription factors characteristic of high-Nppa-expressing cardiomyocytes. Nppa expression levels may, therefore, represent a useful diagnostic marker for heart failure.

Transcriptional Activation of Chac1 and Other Atf4-Target Genes Induced by Extracellular l-Serine Depletion is negated with Glycine Consumption in Hepa1-6 Hepatocarcinoma Cells

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh), which catalyzes the first step of de novo synthesis of l-serine, are particularly sensitive to depletion of extracellular L-serine. In these cells, depletion of l-serine leads to a rapid reduction of intracellular L-serine, cell growth arrest, and altered expression of a wide variety of genes. However, it remains unclear whether reduced availability of extracellular l-serine elicits such responses in other cell types expressing Phgdh. Here, we show in the mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa1-6 that extracellular l-serine depletion transiently induced transcriptional activation of Atf4-target genes, including cation transport regulator-like protein 1 (Chac1). Expression levels of these genes returned to normal 24 h after l-serine depletion, and were suppressed by the addition of l-serine or glycine in the medium. Extracellular l-serine depletion caused a reduction of extracellular and intracellular glycine levels but maintained intracellular l-serine levels in the cells. Further, Phgdh and serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (Shmt2) were upregulated after l-serine depletion. These results led us to conclude that the Atf4-mediated gene expression program is activated by extracellular l-serine depletion in Hepa1-6 cells expressing Phgdh, but is antagonized by the subsequent upregulation of l-serine synthesis, mainly from autonomous glycine consumption.

Predicting drug-induced transcriptome responses of a wide range of human cell lines by a novel tensor-train decomposition algorithm

MOTIVATION

Genome-wide identification of the transcriptomic responses of human cell lines to drug treatments is a challenging issue in medical and pharmaceutical research. However, drug-induced gene expression profiles are largely unknown and unobserved for all combinations of drugs and human cell lines, which is a serious obstacle in practical applications.

RESULTS

Here, we developed a novel computational method to predict unknown parts of drug-induced gene expression profiles for various human cell lines and predict new drug therapeutic indications for a wide range of diseases. We proposed a tensor-train weighted optimization (TT-WOPT) algorithm to predict the potential values for unknown parts in tensor-structured gene expression data. Our results revealed that the proposed TT-WOPT algorithm can accurately reconstruct drug-induced gene expression data for a range of human cell lines in the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures. The results also revealed that in comparison with the use of original gene expression profiles, the use of imputed gene expression profiles improved the accuracy of drug repositioning. We also performed a comprehensive prediction of drug indications for diseases with gene expression profiles, which suggested many potential drug indications that were not predicted by previous approaches.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress and induction of inflammatory gene expression in 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase-deficient fibroblasts

l‐Serine (l‐Ser) is a necessary precursor for the synthesis of proteins, lipids, glycine, cysteine, d‐serine, and tetrahydrofolate metabolites. Low l‐Ser availability activates stress responses and cell death; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. l‐Ser is synthesized de novo from 3‐phosphoglycerate with 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh) catalyzing the first reaction step. Here, we show that l‐Ser depletion raises intracellular H₂O₂ levels and enhances vulnerability to oxidative stress in Phgdh‐deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These changes were associated with reduced total glutathione levels. Moreover, levels of the inflammatory markers thioredoxin‐interacting protein and prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase 2 were upregulated under l‐Ser‐depleted conditions; this was suppressed by the addition of N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Thus, intracellular l‐Ser deficiency triggers an inflammatory response via increased oxidative stress, and de novo l‐Ser synthesis suppresses oxidative stress damage and inflammation when the external l‐Ser supply is restricted.

Diabetic striatopathy manifesting as severe consciousness disturbance with no involuntary movements

BACKGROUND

Diabetic striatopathy, one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by involuntary movements, including hemichorea and hemiballismus, and the presence of hyperintense lesions on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the striatum.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of diabetic striatopathy manifesting as severe consciousness disturbance without chorea or ballismus. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in a state of unconsciousness. He was diagnosed with diabetic striatopathy as a result of extremely elevated blood glucose levels and typical magnetic resonance imaging findings in the left striatum, although involuntary movements were absent. He was treated with insulin, and his glucose levels were well maintained. His neuropsychiatric symptoms recovered, rather slowly but completely, after ~20 days.

CONCLUSION

This case indicates the diversity of striatal dysfunction induced by hyperglycaemia. For good prognosis of diabetic striatopathy, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatments are important. Physicians should be aware that this disease can cause various neurological and psychiatric symptoms other than chorea or ballismus.

Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein and remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been suggested to be involved in the process of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to be potential markers and/or predictors of CHD. Remnant-like lipoprotein particles (RLPs), which are regarded as atherogenic remnant lipoprotein, are reported to be increased in type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed the association of CHD with SAA, CRP and RLP-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-six diabetic patients without CHD and 41 patients with CHD were recruited from our hospital. Plasma SAA was measured by the latex agglutination nephelometric immunoassay. Plasma high-sensitivity CRP was measured by a latex immunoturbidity method. Plasma RLP-cholesterol was measured by an immunoabsorption enzyme method.

Results: The mean standard deviation values of RLP-cholesterol in patients with and without CHD were 0.22 (0.26) mmol/L and 0.15 (0.10) mmol/L, respectively ( P <0.05). Median (interquartile ranges) for SAA in patients with and without CHD were 7.4 (4.2-11.2) mg/L and 3.9 (2.2-5.9) mg/L, respectively ( P <0.001). Median (interquartile ranges) for CRP in patients with and without CHD was 1.14 (0.45-2.08) mg/L and 0.43 (0.19-1.25) mg/L, respectively ( P <0.001). For all patients, the Spearman rank correlation statistics for RLP-cholesterol compared with SAA and with CRP were 0.213 ( P <0.05) and 0.301 ( P <0.01), respectively.

Conclusion: These data suggest that SAA, CRP and RLP-cholesterol are increased in type 2 diabetic patients with CHD, and that the inflammatory proteins correlate with remnant lipoprotein.

Microarray data on altered transcriptional program of Phgdh-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts caused by ʟ-serine depletion

Inherent ʟ-Ser deficiency culminates in intrauterine growth retardation, severe malformation of multiple organs particularly the central nervous system, and perinatal or early postnatal death in human and mouse. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth-arrested phenotypes of l-Ser deficiency, we compared gene expression profiles of mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient in 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh), the first enzyme of de novo ʟ-Ser synthetic pathway, between ʟ-Ser-depleted and -supplemented conditions. The datasets (CEL and CHP files) from this study are publicly available on the Gene Expression Omnibus repository (accession number GEO: GSE55687).

Adaptive response to l-serine deficiency is mediated by p38 MAPK activation via 1-deoxysphinganine in normal fibroblasts

Reduced availability of l‐serine limits cell proliferation and leads to an adaptation to l‐serine‐deficient environment, the underlying molecular mechanism of which remain largely unexplored. Genetic ablation of 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh), which catalyzes the first step of de novo l‐serine synthesis, led to diminished cell proliferation and the activation of p38 MAPK and stress‐activated protein kinase/Jun amino‐terminal kinase in mouse embryonic fibroblasts under l‐serine depletion. The resultant l‐serine deficiency induced cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1a (Cdkn1a; p21) expression, which was mediated by p38 MAPK. Survival of the Phgdh‐deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts was markedly reduced by p38 MAPK inhibition under l‐serine depletion, whereas p38 MAPK could be activated by 1‐deoxysphinganine, an atypical alanine‐derived sphingoid base that was found to accumulate in l‐serine‐depleted mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These observations provide persuasive evidence that when the external l‐serine supply is limited, l‐serine synthesized de novo in proliferating cells serves as a metabolic gatekeeper to maintain cell survival and the functions necessary for executing cell cycle progression.

Database

Gene Expression Omnibus, accession number GSE55687.

Transcription factor Egr1 acts as an upstream regulator of beta-catenin signalling through up-regulation of TCF4 and p300 expression during trans-differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells

The beta-catenin/TCF4/p300 pathway is involved in early signalling for trans-differentiation towards the morular phenotype of endometrial carcinoma cells, but little is known about the upstream regulators. Here we show that transcription factor early growth response 1 (Egr1) acts as an initial mediator through up-regulating the expression of TCF4 and p300. In an endometrial carcinoma cell line with abundant oestrogen receptor alpha, Egr1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels was significantly increased by serum and 17beta-oestradiol stimuli. Serum-stimulated cells also showed increased expression of TCF4 and p300, while inhibition of Egr1 by specific siRNAs resulted in decreased expression. Transfection of Egr1 led to transactivation of TCF4 as well as p300 genes, through specific binding to a promoter region, and thus in turn resulted in nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin mediated by the up-regulating TCF4. The overexpression also caused inhibition of beta-catenin/TCF4/p300-mediated transcription, probably through sequestration of p300. Egr1 promoter activity was increased by serum but not 17beta-oestradiol, in contrast to the marked repression associated with TCF4, p300, and Egr1 itself, indicating that the regulation involves several feedback loops. In clinical samples, cells immunopositive for nuclear Egr1, as well as beta-catenin and TCF4, were found to be sporadically distributed in glandular components of endometrial carcinoma with morules. A significant positive correlation between nuclear beta-catenin and TCF4 was observed, but no such link was evident for Egr1, probably due to the existence of negative feedback regulation. Together, these data indicate that Egr1 may participate in modulation of the beta-catenin/TCF4/p300 signalling pathway as an initial event during trans-differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells, through its impact on several signalling networks.

Crosstalk between NF-kappaB/p65 and beta-catenin/TCF4/p300 signalling pathways through alterations in GSK-3beta expression during trans-differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells

Beta-catenin/TCF4/p300 signalling loops play an important role in trans-differentiation towards the morular phenotype of endometrial carcinomas. Crosstalk between NF-kappaB and beta-catenin pathways has been proposed and we focused here on associations between these two pathways during trans-differentiation. In normal endometrium, nuclear phosphorylated p65 (pp65), the active form NF-kappaB subunit, was found to be significantly increased in the secretory phase, correlating positively with vimentin and E-cadherin and inversely with Snail mRNA expression. On transfection of p65, vimentin, E-cadherin, and Snail were transcriptionally altered, indicating possible roles in establishment and maintenance of the secretory phenotype. In endometrial carcinomas with morules, levels of nuclear pp65, Snail mRNA, vimentin, and cytoplasmic TNF-alpha were reduced during trans-differentiation, correlating inversely with nuclear beta-catenin. Nuclear accumulation of GSK-3beta, along with beta-catenin, was observed in morules. In cell lines, overexpression of p65 inhibited beta-catenin/TCF4-mediated transcription, while transfection of GSK-3beta resulted in repression of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity. Moreover, nuclear GSK-3beta was increased by overexpression of beta-catenin, as well as induction of G1-cell cycle arrest. These findings provide evidence that a shift from NF-kappaB to beta-catenin signalling pathways through alterations in GSK-3beta expression may be essential for the induction of trans-differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells, leading to a shut-down of mesenchymal markers.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate stimulates cdk inhibitors, p21 and p27, in endometrial carcinoma cells transfected with progesterone receptor-B cDNA

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

Progestin is reported to suppress the growth of endometrial carcinomas, although its precise mechanism of action is not clear. This study aimed to transfect progesterone receptor-B (PRB) cDNA into endometrial carcinoma cells and investigate the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on cell growth, and p21 and p27 expression in the transfectant.

METHODS

Immunoblotting for p21 and p27 was performed at predetermined times after the administration of MPA.

RESULTS

PR expression was maximally induced in Ishikawa cells at 24 hrs after the transfection. At 1 x 10(-6) M, MPA suppressed the growth of the transfectant by 34% on day 6 and stimulated p21 accumulation at 48 to 72 hrs and p27 accumulation at 48 to 96 hrs after its administration. PRB cDNA was effectively transfected and in the transfectant MPA at 1 x 10(-6) M, the dosage suppressing growth, induced p21 and p27expression.

CONCLUSION

p21 and p27 may be related to progesterone-induced growth suppression in human endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Establishment and characterization of two cell lines (HEC-155, HEC-180) derived from uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma

Uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma (UPSC) is an uncommon histologic subtype of endometrial cancer that characteristically behaves aggressively with a poor prognosis. We established two novel cell lines derived from UPSC designated HEC-155 and HEC-180. Both cell lines have been growing steadily in monolayer cultures for over ten years. Overexpression of p53, Ki67 and p27 was detected in both cell lines by immunohistochemistry. Using a DNA sequencing technique, a point mutation of p53 was detected in exon 8, codon 286 in HEC-155 and in exon 6, codon 195 in HEC-180. These newly established cell lines should be useful for investigating the characteristics of UPSC.

Quantitative study on the correlation between p53 gene mutation and its expression in endometrial carcinoma cell lines

Mutant p53 protein is not degradated but accumulates in the nuclei. However, the relation between p53 gene mutation and quantity of p53 protein has not been clarified yet in endometrial carcinoma. We investigated the correlation between p53 gene mutation and its protein expression quantitatively using 11 cell lines of endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometrioid type and two serous-type cell lines. To examine p53 mutation, PCR-SSCP analysis in exon 5 to 8 and direct sequence were carried out. p53 expression was determined by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. The percentage of positive staining in the nuclei by immunocytochemistry was calculated as a labeling index (LI). The amount of p53 detected by immunoblotting was expressed as a comparative value of Ishikawa cells. Point mutation of p53 gene was detected in four of 11 (36.4%) cell lines of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and all two of serous adenocarcinoma. There was a significant positive correlation between p53 LI and p53 values. The LI and the values of p53 were significantly higher in the mutant group than the wild one, thus showing a quantitative correlation between p53 protein expression and p53 gene mutation in endometrial carcinoma cell lines. It is plausible that immunohistochemical analysis of p53 could be qualified to be a convenient indicator of p53 gene mutation on clinical materials, if p53 LI is more than 40 (M-SD in mutant p53).

Establishment and characterization of two different types of new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines (HEC-251 and HEC-265)

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial carcinomas are grouped into two types of carcinogenic entities. These two different types of cell lines designated as HEC-251 and HEC-265 were established from human endometrial adenocarcinoma. We report their characteristics.

MATERIALS

HEC-251 was derived from moderately differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma and HEC-265 from well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

These cell lines grow well and serial passages can be successively carried out more than 100 times. The monolayer cultured cells reveal neoplastic and pleomorphic features, and grow in multilayers. HEC-251 cells are immuno-cytochemically positive for p53 and HEC-265 cells for PgR. Both cell lines are transplantable to nude mice and reflect the original histopathologic characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The cell lines HEC-251 and HEC-265 will contribute to clarifying the characteristics of two different types of human endometrial carcinomas.

Effect of p53 gene transfection on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in endometrial cancer cells

It has been reported that tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but the relation between them in endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. We investigated VEGF expression in 11 endometrial carcinoma cell lines and the effect of p53 gene transfection on VEGF expression in the p53-mutated endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-50B. Immunoblotting for detecting VEGF, p53, and beta-actin was performed. Wild type p53 gene was transfected using the SuperFect method. The mean VEGF value of 0.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 6) in p53 wild-type group was significantly lower than the 1.6 +/- 0.8 (n = 5) that was found in the p53 mutant group (P < 0.05). Levels of VEGF in the culture medium were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). VEGF levels in the p53 gene-transfected HEC-50B cells and the conditioned medium were decreased at 48 h after p53 gene transfection. VEGF expression was downregulated by p53 in endometrial carcinoma cells.

VEGF expression and its reguration by p53 gene transfection in endometrial carcinoma cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that activates endothelial cell growth induces angiogenesis, which is indispensable to tumor igenesis and tumor progression. On the other hand, tumor suppressor gene p53 has been considered to regulate VEGF expression, but the detailed relationship between them remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study VEGF expression in endometrial carcinoma cells and the effect of p53 gene transfection on VEGF expression using p53-mutated endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-50B. Immunoblotting for detecting VEGF protein, p53 protein and beta-actin was performed using 11 endometrial carcinoma cell lines. Levels of VEGF in the cultured media were measured by Enzyme immunoassay(EIA). Transfection of wild p53 gene was carried out by SuperFect method in HEC-50B cells, which had mutant p53 gene and did not express p53 protein. The results of immunoblotting were analyzed by NIH image and expressed as values. The results of EIA were expressed as the relative value. The VEGF value was 0.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 6) in p53-wild group, whereas in p53-mutant group it was 1.6 +/- 0.8 (n = 5). VEGF expression was correlated significantly with p53 status (P < 0.05). VEGF levels in p53 gene-transfected cells and the conditioned medium were decreased in 48 hours after p53 gene transfection. VEGF expression was down-regulated by p53 in endometrial carcinoma cells.

The impact of a 4 cm. cutoff point for stratification of T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy

PURPOSE

The 1997 TNM classification defines T1 tumors as those smaller than 7 cm. Recently, a cutoff point of 4 cm. has been proposed to create a subclass of T1 tumors. We evaluated the validity of this cutoff point by assessing the pathological findings and prognoses of patients with T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma following radical nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the hospital charts of 333 patients with T1N0M0 tumors, followed as long as 282 months (median 63) after radical nephrectomy. The validity of tumor size cutoff point for predicting survival outcome was tested in relation to other prognostic factors, including patient age, tumor position, nuclear grade, tumor histopathology and degree of microscopic venous invasion.

RESULTS

During followup 32 patients (9.6%) had tumor recurrence and 21 (6.3%) died of renal cell carcinoma. A 5 cm. cutoff point maximized the differences in cancer specific survival rates and a 4 cm. cutoff point maximized the differences in disease-free survival rates. Tumor size was directly related to microscopic venous invasion and nuclear grade, which are significant prognostic factors, and a 4 cm. cutoff point enhanced these relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor size is an important prognostic factor for patients with T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma. A cutoff point of 4 cm. is practical for dividing the T1N0M0 classification into T1a and T1b subclasses.

Seroepidemiology of human group C rotavirus in Japan based on a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A novel blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BL-ELISA) was developed for detection of antibodies to human group C rotavirus (CHRV). The specificity of the BL-ELISA was confirmed by using animal sera hyperimmunized to group A and group C rotaviruses and paired sera from five patients with acute CHRV gastroenteritis. Furthermore, there was concordance between the BL-ELISA and a neutralization assay for CHRV in 226 (95%) of 238 samples. By using the BL-ELISA, we determined the seroprevalence of CHRV in 704 serum samples obtained from nine different age groups of inhabitants of Okayama Prefecture, Japan, in 1992, 1994, and 1996. As a result, 211 sera (30%) were found to be positive for CHRV antibodies. The seroprevalence gradually increased with age and reached 52.7% in the oldest individuals. A further analysis of the youngest age group suggested that CHRVs predominantly prevail in persons older than 3 years of age in Japan. When comparing the three sampling years, a larger percentage of antibody-positive sera was detected in 1994 than in either 1992 or 1996 in individuals between 6 and 15 years of age, reflecting the occurrence of a CHRV outbreak among children during the winter of 1992 to 1993 that was previously documented. These results indicate that CHRV infections may occur more frequently in spite of the relatively low detection rate of the virus.

Immunohistochemical detection of apolipoprotein E within prion-associated lesions in squirrel monkey brains

The interaction of various amyloid precursors and apolipoprotein E (apoE) is important for Congophilic amyloid formation. As for cerebral amyloidoses, although the correlation between amyloid beta protein (Abeta) and apoE in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been clarified, the interaction of prion protein isoform (PrPsc) and apoE in several types of prion diseases (PDs) has not been examined in detail. ApoE colocalization has been confirmed in Congophilic PrPsc plaques, but to clarify the participation of apoE in the early stage of PDs, apoE deposition in immature lesions without Congophilic amyloid in PDs needs to be examined. In the present study two squirrel monkeys were inoculated with mouse PrPsc derived from sheep scrapie, and showed signs of severe spongiform degeneration. These lesions were immunohistochemically characterized as patchy perivacuolar and diffuse synaptic lesions without Congophilic amyloid. The central portion of the assemblies involving a few patchy perivacuolar lesions was detected by methenamine silver staining and appeared as a plaque-like lesion. ApoE was colocalized in all the plaque-like lesions and in half of the patchy perivacuolar lesions, but not in any diffuse synaptic lesions. These immunohistochemical characteristics indicated that apoE colocalization occurred in moderate mature lesions in PDs, and apoE might play an important role in the aggregation of PrPsc after a conformational change from cellular PrP isoform to PrPsc.

Neutralization assay for human group C rotaviruses using a reverse passive hemagglutination test for endpoint determination

A novel neutralization assay for human group C rotavirus (CHRV) was developed by using a reverse passive hemagglutination (RPHA) test for endpoint determination. In this assay, the neutralization (N)-RPHA test, serial twofold dilutions of sera were mixed with a solution of CHRV that yielded an RPHA test titer of 8 at 3 days after infection. The mixtures were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h and were inoculated onto CaCo-2 cell monolayers in a 96-well microplate. Maintenance medium containing 100 microgram of pancreatin per ml was placed in each well. The plate was sealed with sticky plastic film and was incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 days under continuous rotation. Then, the RPHA test titer of each well was determined. The neutralization titer was expressed as the reciprocal of the maximum dilution of the serum that exhibited a fourfold (75%) or greater reduction in the RPHA test titer (8 to 2 or less). Seroconversion of neutralizing antibody was demonstrated by this method in four sets of paired serum specimens from patients with diarrheal disease caused by CHRV. The seroprevalence of CHRV in the general population in Okayama Prefecture was 26.8% by immunofluorescence and 25.5% by the N-RPHA test. The N-RPHA test described here is the first system used to assay for a neutralization antibody against CHRV and is applicable in both clinical and epidemiological settings.

[Case report of a long-term home parenteral nutrition patient]

We experienced a patient who received long-term home parenteral nutrition. A 55-year-old woman underwent left adrenalectomy in June, 1992. The histopathological diagnosis was aldosteronism. Abdominal pain and ileus appeared in July, 1993, and an adhesiotomy was conducted. Due to poor appetite and weight loss, fluid was sometimes injected peripherally. After abdominal pain in November, 1996 and April, 1997, the ileus reappeared in July, 1997. A Groshong catheter with a port was then inserted through the subclavian vein to the superior vena cava/right atrial junction. Using this catheter, home parenteral nutrition started. Some time later oral nutrition became possible, but now high calorie parenteral nutrition is continued. The only complications were pain and red skin at the port. A Groshong catheter with port is thus useful for home parenteral nutrition.

Phylogenic analysis of echovirus type 30 isolated from a large epidemic of aseptic meningitis in Japan during 1997-1998

During 1997 to 1998, a nationwide epidemic of aseptic meningitis occurred in Japan. More than 4,500 isolates from patients with aseptic meningitis were identified as echovirus type 30. To investigate the character of these isolates, we examined the nucleotide sequences of thirty-seven geographical representatives and compared them with 50 strains isolated during the past 20 years. The phylogenic analysis used partial sequences from either the VP1 or VP4-VP2 region of the viral capsid. This analysis revealed that the isolates were divided into six genomic groups. All isolates identified during 1997-1998 belonged to only two genomic groups; these two groups are thought to be the causative viral agents involved in the recent epidemic.

Egg-eating behaviour in laboratory squirrel monkeys (Saimiri scuireus)

The present study aimed to clarify an individual character of squirrel monkey by analysing a complicated behaviour, the egg-eating behaviour series (ES), of laboratory-reared squirrel monkeys. Eight types of unit movements were observed in the ES: the initial taking of the egg by hand; rolling it between the fingers; sniffing it in its shell; biting it in its shell; pressing or rubbing it against a surface of the cage; opening or peeling it; eating it; or putting it down without eating. In the first experiment, the behaviour of 72 monkeys was recorded by direct observation or by a video camera, following which the sequences of the movement from a total of 378 ES were analysed. Three statistically significant ES were detected (Ta-Bi-Op/Pe-Ea, Ta-Ro-Bi-Op/Pe-Ea and Ta-Pr/Ru-Bi-Op/Pe-Ea). In the second experiment, eight squirrel monkeys were selected at random from the same group and 31 to 36 ES for each monkey were observed and analysed. These monkeys were classified into a pressing/rubbing (Pr/Ru) group and a no-Pr/Ru group. Pr/Ru appeared to have no relationship to the monkey's age or sex. Furthermore, the Pr/Ru group monkeys contained individuals always exhibiting Pr/Ru in their ES and others sometimes lacking Pr/Pu in their ES. In short, the monkeys could be divided into two groups (i.e., Pr/Ru and no-Pr/Ru) and they displayed their own individual characteristic ES. We concluded that the ES observed in this experiment suggest that the squirrel monkeys acquired individual characteristics in their ES in the laboratory environment.

A prospective study on the effects of early surgery on vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

To test the hypothesis that early surgery prevents vasospasm, a prospective analysis used strictly selected cases of anterior communicating artery aneurysms with symmetric distribution of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS

Seven patients underwent early surgery (9-29 hours after ictus) through a standard pterional approach. Subarachnoid blood clots surrounding the ipsilateral major cerebral arteries were meticulously irrigated and suctioned. Comparison was made between the hemispheres with surgical intervention and those without, in terms of incidence of delayed ischemic neurologic deficits and cerebral infarction on computed tomographic scans, degree of angiographic vasospasm, and cerebral blood flow (CBF).

RESULT

The degree of angiographic vasospasm, quantified by measuring the alterations in the ratio of the diameters of the intracranial arteries (C1, M1) to the extracranial internal carotid artery (C5), did not differ significantly between the surgical and nonsurgical sides. The mean CBF was also comparable between both sides in the chronic spasm phase (Day 6-9) as well as in the early postoperative period (Day 1-3). A significant reduction of CBF was observed during the early postoperative period in the basal frontal lobe of the surgical side. This CBF reduction seems to correspond to brain retraction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the effect of clot removal may be offset by the negative aspect of early surgery, and early surgery per se seems to have little effect on the course of the chronic vasospasm.

[Combined chronic subdural and acute epidural hematoma secondary to metastatic hepatocellular cancer: case report]

We report a case of combined chronic subdural and acute epidural hematoma caused by metastatic hepatocellular cancer of the dura mater. A 44-year-old woman, who had been under treatment for hepatic cancer for one year, presented with right hemiparesis. MRI revealed a chronic subdural hematoma on the left fronto-parietal region with subgaleal and epidural metastasis. The patient was found comatose 7 days later. A huge epidural hematoma in the left parietal region was disclosed with CT scan. She died of hepatic failure despite the evacuation of the hematoma. This is the first reported case with a combined subdural and epidural hematoma secondary to metastatic brain tumor of the dura mater.

Role of estrogen and estrogen-related growth factor in the mechanism of hormone dependency of endometrial carcinoma cells

The role of estrogen and estrogen-related growth factors in the mechanism of hormone dependency of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. The proliferation of hormone-responsive human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa cells), which possess both estrogen and progesterone receptors, was optimally stimulated by 10 nM estradiol. Both transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF), added to the culture media, stimulated the proliferation of Ishikawa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-TGF-alpha antibody completely eliminated the stimulatory effects of TGF-alpha. Anti-EGF receptor antibody inhibited the proliferation of these cells. The production of TGF-alpha into culture media was 5-40 pg/10 cells/24 h in 9 human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells. Ten nanomoles of estradiol increased the TGF-alpha production of Ishikawa cells by approximately 2.5-fold of the control level. In contrast, the production of TGF-alpha in hormone-unresponsive HEC-50 cels was not influenced by estradiol. C-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, detected by both immunocytochemical staining and Western blot analysis, was associated with the tumor grade of the original tumor tissues. Ten nanomoles of estradiol clearly increased the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein levels at an optimal incubation period of 72 h, whereas estradiol did not affect the expression in HEC-50 cells.

Increasing frequency of occurrence of tuft cells in the main excretory duct during postnatal development of the rat submandibular gland

Tuft cells, a widespread cell type that is present in the mucosal epithelia of hollow organs, including the main excretory duct (MED) epithelia of the rat salivary gland, are well documented morphologically. However, studies of their development are few. The purpose of the present study was to examine the perinatal and postnatal development of tuft cells in the main excretory duct of the rat submandibular gland. Main excretory ducts of the submandibular gland were obtained from five male Wistar rats at the ages of 0, 1, 7, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, and 56 postnatal days and were prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The tuft cells, which are distinguished easily by their long microvilli protruding into the lumen, were recognizable first at 17 postnatal days. They showed a remarkable increase in number between 3 and 4 postnatal weeks. The percentages of tuft cells were 0.4% at 17 postnatal days and 0.8% at 3 postnatal weeks. The number of tuft cells represented approximately 5% of the total epithelial cells by 4 postnatal weeks. There was a significant difference between 3 and 4 postnatal weeks (P < 0.01). The microvilli of the tuft cells at the time of weaning had almost the same width as in the adult, but they were shorter. Microfilaments extending from the tips of the microvilli and microtubules and many electron-lucent vesicles in the supranuclear cytoplasm also were observed. These results indicate that tuft cells appeared in the MED of the submandibular gland during weaning and had abundant vesicles in their apical cytoplasm.

Presence of anti-ovalbumin IgE antibody in the sera of laboratory-reared squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) fed quail eggs

In this study, we examined serum anti-ovalbumin (OVA) IgE and IgG antibodies in laboratory-reared squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), that were fed a boiled quail egg everyday. We found that 36 of 95 monkeys (38%) possessed specific IgE and 44% (42/95) had specific IgG against OVA. These antibody titers seemed to increase with age. There was, however, no apparent correlation between the anti-OVA IgE and IgG antibody titers.

External hydrocephalus after aneurysm surgery: paradoxical response to ventricular shunting

OBJECT

The authors sought to investigate the mechanisms and pathophysiological effects of subdural fluid collection after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 76 patients who had undergone craniotomy. The patients included 55 with aneurysmal SAH (SAH group) and 21 with unruptured aneurysms (non-SAH group) who were used as controls. Subdural fluid collection was more common in the SAH than in the non-SAH group (38% compared with 14%, p < 0.05). Although older patients appeared to be at greater risk for subdural fluid collection in both groups (p < 0.05), this condition developed even in relatively young patients with SAH. In the SAH group most subdural fluid collection was associated with ventricular dilation (81%), and a significant correlation was seen between fluid collection and the need for subsequent shunt placement (48% compared with 21%, p < 0.05). These results point to an association between hydrodynamic dysfunction and subdural fluid collection. The course of patients with subdural fluid collection varied from spontaneous resolution to normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Seven patients with persistent subdural collections underwent shunt placement (ventriculoperitoneal [VP] shunt in six and lumboperitoneal in one), which resulted in resolution of fluid collection in all seven.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that for most patients in the SAH group, subdural fluid collection represented "external hydrocephalus" rather than simple "subdural hygroma." Decreased absorption of cerebrospinal fluid because of SAH and surgically created tears in the arachnoid membrane communicating with the subdural space were factors in the development of external hydrocephalus. The authors believe that differentiating external hydrocephalus from subdural hygroma is extremely important, because VP shunt placement can be used to treat the former but could worsen the latter.

Survey of human group C rotaviruses in Japan during the winter of 1992 to 1993

Fecal specimens from patients with acute diarrhea were collected from 10 prefectures in Japan over a 6-month period (November 1992 to April 1993), and the specimens that were negative for human group A rotaviruses were screened for the presence of human group C rotaviruses (CHRVs) by the reverse passive hemagglutination test. Of 784 specimens examined, 53 samples (6.8%) that were collected in 7 of 10 prefectures were positive for CHRV, indicating that CHRVs are widely distributed across Japan. Most of the CHRV isolates were detected in March and April, and CHRVs mainly prevailed in children ages 3 to 8 years. The genome electropherotypes of eight strains isolated in five individual prefectures were surprisingly similar to each other and were different from those of CHRV strains isolated to date. The outer capsid glycoprotein (VP7) gene homologies of the isolates retrieved in 1993 were subsequently analyzed by the dot blot hybridization method. As a result, the VP7 genes of the isolates revealed very high levels of homology not only with each other but also with the VP7 gene of the OK118 strain isolated in 1988. These results suggest that a large-scale outbreak of CHRV occurred during the winter of 1992 and 1993 in Japan.

[Work intensity during working hours and different types of care done by special nursing home workers]

This study was done to estimated work intensity during working hours and different types of care to obtain basic data for making a care program. The subjects were care workers in good health (n = 8, 24-45 years) who worked in a special nursing home. The estimated maximal oxygen intake level, which is the maximal aerobic capacity, of each subject was assessed as normal to very good. The energy expenditure was 1787 +/- 534kcal during working hours. The work intensity was 0.061 +/- 0.011kcal/kg/min, 2.7 +/- 0.7RMR, 98 +/- 6beats/min, and 30.3 +/- 2.0% VO2max. Among the duties assessed for work intensity, bathing had the highest intensity, followed by transferring, changing diapers, feeding, and dressing. The work intensity of bathing was 0.081 +/- 0.31kcal/kg/min, 3.9 +/- 1.0RMR, and 40.0 +/- 6.1 VO2 max, which was significantly higher than feeding, dressing, and transferring(p < 0.05). Care giving at the time of bathing was significantly longer than the other care types (p < 0.05). Feeding and transferring by inexperienced care workers were significantly low intensity (p < 0.05). Work intensity of care was at high levels within the maximal permissible level in which fatigue doesn't make an appearance during working hours and in five types of care. Furthermore, care work intensity increased according to a decrease in the ADL level among the elderly. It is concluded that when making a care program, it is important to consider the ADL level of the elderly, work intensity and the amount of care-giving time, not only to maintain the health of care workers, but, also, to give superior quality care to the elderly.

Detection of HeLa cell contamination--presence of human papillomavirus 18 DNA as HeLa marker in JTC-3, OG and OE cell lines

There are warnings of the contamination of cell cultures with HeLa cells in many laboratories in the world. The cell lines JTC-3, OG and OE that were established in Okayama in 1959, 1969 and 1971, respectively, were examined for human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 DNA by Southern blot hybridization. The HPV 18 DNA detected in these three cell lines showed hybridization patterns characteristic of the HPV 18 DNA in the HeLa cell line established in 1951. Southern hybridization patterns of HPV 18 DNA in the cellular DNA of the C4-II cervical cancer cell line that was established in the USA in 1962 was different from that of HeLa cells. These results suggest that the JTC-3, OG and OE cell lines have been contaminated by HeLa cells.

Recovery of pancreatic tissue perfusion and ATP tissue level after reperfusion in canine pancreas grafts preserved by the two-layer method

We examined whether pancreas grafts preserved by the two-layer method maintained adenine nucleotides pool as substrates for ATP synthesis before reperfusion and had the ability to recover pancreatic tissue perfusion and synthesize ATP promptly after reperfusion. After preservation by the two-layer cold storage method using EC for 48 h (group 1) or simple cold storage in EC for 48 h (group 2), canine pancreas grafts were autotransplanted. In controls (group 3), canine pancreas grafts were autotransplanted without preservation. Tissue adenine nucleotide concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, and pancreatic tissue perfusions were measured using the hydrogen gas clearance method. Graft survival rates were five of five, zero of five, and five of five in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Total adenine nucleotide levels before reperfusion in group 1 were almost the same as in group 2. Furthermore, ATP tissue levels in group 1 before reperfusion were also the same as in group 2. However, tissue ATP levels in group 1 after 2 h of reperfusion (6.71 +/- 1.19 mumol/g dry weight) were significantly higher than group 2 (4.51 +/- 0.51 mumol/g dry weight; p < 0.05). On the other hand, pancreatic tissue perfusions in grafts preserved by the two-layer method (group 1) after 2 h of reperfusion were significantly higher than in group 2. We conclude that oxygenation of pancreas grafts during preservation by the two-layer method allows for ATP synthesis and leads to maintenance of the grafts' ability to recover ATP levels and tissue perfusions after reperfusion.

Direct evidence of pancreatic tissue oxygenation during preservation by the two-layer method

The purpose of this study was to measure directly tissue oxygen tension (PO2) of the ischemically damaged pancreas graft during preservation by the two-layer (University of Wisconsin solution/perfluoro-chemical) method at 20 degrees C using Clark-type polarographic oxygen electrodes and to make clear the relationship of tissue PO2 and ATP levels during preservation and graft survival after transplantation in a canine model. During warm ischemia, tissue PO2 and ATP were dramatically decreased. Tissue PO2 continued to decrease, and tissue ATP levels were not elevated during simple storage in oxygenated University of Wisconsin solution at 20 degrees C. On the contrary, during preservation by the two-layer method at 20 degrees C, tissue PO2 promptly increased and reached about 50% of the preprocurement level at 30 min of preservation. Then, tissue PO2 was maintained this level throughout the preservation period. Tissue ATP levels were still low in the first 1 hr, but after that tissue ATP increased in a time-dependent manner. Consequently, the two-layer method at 20 degrees C could restore the viability of pancreas damaged by warm ischemia during 3- and 5-hr preservation. We conclude that the ischemically damaged pancreas grafts were oxygenated, and tissue ATP was increased during preservation by the two-layer (University of Wisconsin solution/pefluorochemical) method at 20 degrees C. Consequently, the graft was resuscitated and survived after transplantation.

[Establishment of a new human ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma cell line (IM), and influence on cell proliferations by cisplatin with or without hyperthermia]

A new cell line, designated IM has been established from operation material derived from a woman with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. The population doubling time of the 35th passage IM cell was 28.8 hours. And it was successively subcultured 165 times in over 7 years, moreover still kept CA125 production. The nuclear DNA and cell surface CA125 antigen were double stained by propidium iodide and anti CA125 monoclonal antibody-FITC. Then the two color cytogram obtained by flow cytometry was drawn up. For the most part of CA125 positive cell retained G0 + G1 of cell cycle, the lesser part was in G2 + M phase. The S phase rate of IM cell incubated with cisplatin at 37 degrees C or 41 degrees C for 1 hour that estimated by BrdU-propidium iodide double stain method of flow cytometry, it was suggested that the inhibition of DNA synthesis by cisplatin was increased with 41 degrees C low hyperthermia.