Effects of antioxidant capacity on micronucleus induction by cigarette smoke in mammalian cells

We have compared micronucleus (MN) induction by cigarette smoke in the L5178Y, TK6, and CHL/IU cell lines. The test sample was total particulate matter of 3R4F reference cigarette smoke, suspended in DMSO. After 3-h treatment, with or without a rat liver S9 metabolic activation system, followed by 24-h recovery, dose-dependent MN increases were seen in all cell lines. However, CHL/IU and TK6 cells were more resistant than L5178Y cells (comparison by Benchmark Doses with PROAST software). 3R4F smoke generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, we explored the relationship between the sensitivities to 3R4F smoke and the antioxidant capacities of the cell lines. While the total antioxidant capacities were not significantly different among the cell lines, cellular glutathione (GSH) was higher in CHL/IU cells than in L5178Y cells. Pretreatment of CHL/IU cells with a GSH precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reduced the genotoxicity/cytotoxicity of 3R4F, whereas an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), enhanced it. The effects of NAC and BSO were also seen after treatment with allyl isothiocyanate, a ROS-generating chemical, but not with mitomycin C, a ROS-independent genotoxicant. Pretreatment with NAC increased cellular thiol levels. From the present results, the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke differs among these cell lines in a manner that may be related to their antioxidant thiol levels.

Absence of exercise capacity improvement after in-hospital short-term cardiac rehabilitation is associated with long-term clinical outcome in heart failure patients

Background

Previous studies suggest Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improve exercise capacity and decline mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. However, some studies show there are HF patients who do not improve exercise capacity by CR and these patients have a higher risk of adverse events in long-term clinical outcome. We investigated whether absence of exercise capacity improvement after in-hospital short-term CR also has adverse effect in long-term clinical outcome.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 130 HF patients who underwent two weeks in-hospital CR after received standardized HF treatment between July 2014 and August 2020 were included. Improvement in exercise capacity was assessed by change in peak oxygen consumption (delta-Peak VO2) measured at 1st and 14th day of CR by cardiopulmonary test. The median delta-PeakVO2 was 1.3 ml·kg-1·min-1. Patients were classified as responder if they demonstrated delta-PeakVO2 ≥1.3 ml·kg-1·min-1 and as non-responder if they demonstrated delta-PeakVO2 <1.3ml·kg-1·min-1. MeanΩ follow-up was 1236 days. The primary outcome was all-cause death.

Result

63 patients (48.4%) were classified as non-responder. Non-responders were older (75.5±10.6 vs 70.8±11.0, P=0.01) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (49.7±19.4 vs 57.9±19.2) and lower albumin (3.5±0.5 vs 3.7±0.3 g/dL, P=0.04) than responders. Transtricuspid pressure gradient (TRPG) measured by transthoracic echocardiography was also higher in non-responders (28.5±10.9 vs 22.7±6.3). Predictor of non-responders were TRPG (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.02–1.26) and albumin (OR =0.04, 95% CI: 0.003–0.40). In multivariate analysis including delta-PeakVO2 <1.3 ml·kg-1·min-1 (non-responder), age >75, male gender, PeakVO2 at 1st day of CR, body mass index (BMI), left ventricular ejection fraction measured by transthoracic echocardiography, medication of β-blockers showed that delta-PeakVO2 <1.3 ml·kg-1·min-1 (HR =2.8, 95% CI 1.0–7.5), age>75 (HR11.2, 95% CI 2.1–60.1), BMI (HR =0.8, 95% CI 0.6–0.96) were associated with all-cause death.

Conclusion

The absence of exercise capacity improvement after in-hospital short-term CR was the risk of all-cause death. Especially, the HF patients with higher TRPG and lower albumin have a higher probability of becoming a non-responder.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A survey of aerosol exposure systems relative to the analysis of cytotoxicity: A Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) perspective

During a Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) meeting, the in vitro toxicity testing Sub-Group (IVT SG) met to discuss the evolving field of aerosol exposure research. Given the diversity of exposure parameters and biological endpoints being used, it was considered a high priority to investigate and contextualise the responses obtained. This is particularly driven by the inability to compare between studies on different exposure systems due to user preferences and protocol differences. Twelve global tobacco and contract research companies met to discuss this topic and formulate an aligned approach on how this diverging field of research could be appropriately compared. Something that is becoming increasingly important, especially in the light of more focused regulatory scrutiny. A detailed and comprehensive survey was conducted on over 40 parameters ranging from aerosol generation, dilution and data analysis across eight geographically independent laboratories. The survey results emphasise the diversity of in vitro exposure parameters and methodologies employed across the IVT SG and highlighted pockets of harmonisation. For example, many of the biological protocol parameters are consistent across the Sub-Group. However, variables such as cell type and exposure time remain largely inconsistent. The next steps for this work will be to map parameters and system data against biological findings and investigate whether the observed inconsistencies translate into increased biological variability. The results from the survey provide improved awareness of parameters and nuances, that may be of substantial benefit to scientists in intersecting fields and in the development of harmonised approaches.

Petroclival meningiomas: update of current treatment and consensus by the EANS skull base section

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) continues to be debated along with several controversies that persist.

METHODS

A task force was created by the EANS skull base section along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the management of these tumors. To achieve this, the task force reviewed in detail the literature in this field and had formal discussions within the group.

RESULTS

The constituted task force dealt with the existing definitions and classifications, pre-operative radiological investigations, management of small and asymptomatic PCMs, radiosurgery, optimal surgical strategies, multimodal treatment, decision-making, and patient's counselling.

CONCLUSION

This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the management of PCMs.

Evaluation of vascular anatomy for colon cancer located in the splenic flexure using the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with colonography

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to reveal the vascular branching variation in SFC (splenic flexure cancer) patients using the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with colonography (3D-CTAC).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with SFC who underwent preoperative 3D-CTAC between January 2014 and December 2019.

RESULTS

Among 1256 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, 96 (7.6%) manifested SFC. The arterial branching from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was classified into five patterns, as follows: (type 1A) the left branch of middle colic artery (LMCA) diverged from middle colic artery (MCA) (N = 47, 49.0%); (2A) the LMCA diverged from the MCA and the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) (N = 26, 27.1%); (3A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA (N = 16, 16.7%); (4A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA and AMCA (N = 3, 3.1%); (5A) only the AMCA and the LMCA was absent (N = 4, 4.1%). Venous drainage was classified into four patterns, as follows: (type 1V) the SFV flows into the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) then back to the splenic vein (N = 50, 52.1%); (2V) the SFV flows into the IMV then back to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (N = 19, 19.8%); (type 3V) the SFV independently flows into the splenic vein (N = 3, 3.1%); (type 4V) the SFV is absent (N = 24, 25.0%).

CONCLUSION

3D-CTAC could reveal accurate preoperative tumor localization and vascular branching. These classifications should be helpful in performing accurate complete mesocolic excision and central vessel ligation for SFC.

[Mediastinal Growing Teratoma Syndrome during Chemotherapy, Presenting as a Huge and Inoperable Tumor]

A 22-year-old male was diagnosed with a metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor in the mediastinum with an elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)concentration. Histopathological findings following percutaneous biopsy revealed the presence of a mature teratoma. Bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin(BEP)chemotherapy resulted decreased his serum AFP. However, the tumor became enlarged and was deemed inoperable due to size. Radiographic examination indicated diffuse calcification of the tumor mass. Growing teratoma syndrome in a patient with a primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor is extremely rare.

P3391Cholesterol crystals in culprit coronary artery with acute myocardial infarction and their relation to myocardial salvage

Methods

This study included 53 AMI patients (90% with STEMI) who underwent primary PCI within 24h of onset. 53 STEMI patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) of 5th days and 3 months after PCI. Infarct size was measured on delayed-enhancement imaging, and area at risk was quantified on T2-weighted imaging. MSI was calculated as [area at risk − infarct size] × 100/area at risk. 3 months CMR with contrast-enhanced imaging of late gadolinium enhancement-LGE. Patients were divided 2 groups according to the existence of CCs at the site of culprit coronary artery.

Results

CCs occurs in 26 of 53 (49%). Acute 5th days risk area (13.5±4.1 vs 12.6±4.9, P=0.48) and 3months infarct size (5.3±3.5 vs 7.0±3.2, P=0.066) were not significant between CCs and no CCs group. But salvage index were significantly lower in patients with CCs group (47.7±17.5% vs 60.1±20.2%, P=0.021)

Conclusion

Salvage index in patients that CCs were found by the OCT analysis, remain low after AMI. This study demonstrates the potential correlation between the myocardial salvage and vulnerable morphological features of culprit lesion to the presence of CCs with AMI patients.

Factors associated with possession of accurate knowledge regarding occupational health management among operations leaders of radiation decontamination workers in Fukushima, Japan: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

An operations leader (OL) takes an important role in occupational health management for radiation decontamination workers in Japan, and candidates for the position must participate in a training session to acquire the necessary knowledge as required by law. However, it has not been clarified whether the candidates for the OL position actually possess accurate knowledge regarding occupational health management for such work after the training session. We, therefore, aimed at examining the current occupational health management knowledge among the candidates and investigating factors related to the knowledge, with hypothesis that possession of accurate knowledge is associated with prior experience of having worked in radiation decontamination.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The training sessions held by Fukushima Prefecture Labor Standard Associations in Fukushima, Japan, in 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty male candidates participated in the training sessions.

OUTCOME

The number/proportion of correct answers to the questions regarding occupational health management, such as those on working environment management, control of operations and health management.

RESULTS

The proportion of those who possessed accurate knowledge regarding working environment management, control of operations and health management was 68.8%, 55.0% and 51.2%, respectively. Experience of radiation decontamination work was associated with the possession of inaccurate knowledge regarding working environment management (OR 0.140 (95% CI 0.042 to 0.464)), and the uncertainty of future radiation decontamination work schedules in difficult-to-return zones was associated with the possession of accurate knowledge regarding health management (OR 4.344 (95% CI 1.509 to 12.50)).

CONCLUSIONS

Previous experience in radiation decontamination work may hinder the ability to acquire accurate information regarding working environment management among candidates for an OL position. To promote adequate occupational health management for radiation decontamination workers, it is required to establish an effective instructional method for the OL candidate training sessions with consideration of previous relevant experience.

[Desensitization Therapy for Osimertinib in Patients Who Developed Toxic Erythema - Two Case Reports]

We encountered 2 cases of T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer in patients who developed toxic erythema within a week after initiation of osimertinib(80mg/day)therapy. Since osimertinib was regarded as the suspected drug, we adminis- tered desensitization therapy for osimertinib at an initial dose of 10mg/day. During the process of dose escalation, slight eruption and flare were observed, but we were able to provide appropriate treatment. Osimertinib therapy was continued and conferred tumor reduction in both cases. We report the clinical course and suggest that desensitization therapy is an alternative therapy for patients who present with drug-induced allergic reaction.

Catalytic enhancement on Ti–Zr complex oxide particles for electrochemical hydrogenation of oxalic acid to produce an alcoholic compound by controlling electronic states and oxide structures

Ti_0.9Zr_0.1O₂ complex oxide particles exhibit superior catalytic performances for the direct power storage into glycolic acid via electroreduction of oxalic acid due to favorable crystallinity.

Negative and positive control ranges in the bacterial reverse mutation test: JEMS/BMS collaborative study

A large-scale study was conducted by multiple laboratories affiliated with the Japanese Environmental Mutagen Society and the Bacterial Mutagenicity Study Group to investigate possible proficiency indicators for the bacterial reverse mutation test with a preincubation procedure. Approximately 30 laboratories generated negative and positive control count data and dose-response curves of the positive control articles for the bacterial reverse mutation test, with assays conducted annually from 2013 to 2016. Overall, the majority of the negative and positive control counts for Salmonella Typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA98, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA, with and without S9 mix, were within the range of the means ±2× standard deviation. The negative counts were normally distributed (strains TA100, TA98, and WP2uvrA) or followed Poisson distribution (strains TA1535 and TA1537), and the positive control counts for all strains were approximately normally distributed. In addition, the distribution of the negative and positive control counts was relatively constant over the 4 years. The number of revertant colonies increased in a dose-dependent linear or exponential fashion up to the recommended doses for the respective positive control articles in Japan. These data are valuable for determining the acceptance criteria and an estimation of the laboratory proficiency for the bacterial reverse mutation test.

Chemical analysis and in vitro toxicological evaluation of aerosol from a novel tobacco vapor product: A comparison with cigarette smoke

The recent rapid increase in the prevalence of emerging tobacco- and nicotine-containing products, such as e-cigarettes, is being driven in part by their reduced-risk potential compared to tobacco smoking. In this study, we examined emission levels for selected cigarette smoke constituents, so-called "Hoffmann analytes", and in vitro toxicity of aerosol from a novel tobacco vapor product (NTV). The NTV thermally vaporizes a nicotine-free carrier liquid to form an aerosol which then passes through tobacco, where it absorbs tobacco-derived flavors and nicotine. The NTV results were compared with those for 3R4F cigarette smoke. Chemical analysis of the NTV aerosol demonstrated that Hoffmann analyte levels were substantially lower than in 3R4F smoke and that the most were below quantifiable levels. Results from in vitro bacterial reverse mutation, micronucleus and neutral red uptake assays showed that, in contrast with 3R4F smoke, the NTV aerosol failed to demonstrate any measurable genotoxicity or cytotoxicity. The temperature of tobacco during NTV use was measured at approximately 30 °C, which may explain the lower Hoffmann analyte emission and in vitro toxicity levels. These results suggest that the aerosol from the NTV has a very different toxicological profile when compared with combustible cigarette smoke.

High expression of ABCG2 induced by EZH2 disruption has pivotal roles in MDS pathogenesis

Both proto-oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions have been reported for enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). To investigate the effects of its inactivation, a mutant EZH2 lacking its catalytic domain was prepared (EZH2-dSET). In a mouse bone marrow transplant model, EZH2-dSET expression in bone marrow cells induced a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like disease in transplanted mice. Analysis of these mice identified Abcg2 as a direct target of EZH2. Intriguingly, Abcg2 expression alone induced the same disease in the transplanted mice, where stemness genes were enriched. Interestingly, ABCG2 expression is specifically high in MDS patients. The present results indicate that ABCG2 de-repression induced by EZH2 mutations have crucial roles in MDS pathogenesis.

The Effect of Tertiary Amine Catalyst Systems for Lower Density Rigid Foam with HCFC-141b

The replacement of blowing agent from CFC-11 to HCFCs is proceeding in rigid polyurethane foam applications in order to meet the revised Montreal Protocol. The foams using HCFCs, however, have about 5 to 10% higher thermal conductivity than that using CFC, owing to the high thermal conductivity of HCFCs. Though improved HCFC blown foams have realized similar thermal conductivity to conventional CFC-11 blown foams, these foams have about 15 to 20% higher densities. This performance level can not be accepted as an insulation foam for refrigeration appliances.

Kao Corporation has developed new catalyst systems, which is Kaolizer KLP-200 series. The use of our new catalysts for HCFC-141b blown foams can realize low thermal conductivity, derived from formation of finer cell structure by acceleration of initial gelling reaction, and has performance to improve flowability in the foaming process at the same time. These characteristics give about 10 to 15% lower density foams than that using conventional catalysts in comparison with similar thermal conductivity. In addition, the formulation using Kaolizer KLP-200K can reduce the level of HCFC-141b compared with that using conventional catalysts to obtain the expected thermal conductivity of the foams, provided these foams have the same density.

This paper describes the effect of Kaolizer KLP-200K for HCFC-141b blown rigid foam. The system using Kaolizer KLP-200K results in lower density foam and reduced HCFC-141b compared to that using conventional catalysts. Moreover, Kaolizer KLP-200 is effective for cyclopentane blown rigid foam.

Digital Subtraction Angiography in Takayasu Arteritis

The usefulness and limitation of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in Takayasu arteritis were investigated in 32 patients. Intravenous DSA was particularly useful in the follow-up of patients with an established diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. Pulmonary arterial involvement could also be demonstrated with intravenous DSA as obstructive arterial changes and lack of accumulation of contrast medium in the pulmonary parenchyma. Detailed information concerning the site and extent of vascular involvement and development of collateral vessels were obtained with intraarterial DSA. Thickening of the thoracic aortic wall, however, could not be recognized with either intravenous or intraarterial DSA. Conventional angiography of the descending thoracic aorta is still required as an initial examination, particularly when there is no aortic arch involvement. However, there is no doubt that DSA has the potential to become the diagnostic procedure of choice in Takayasu arteritis.

Chapter Seven - When Phosphorylation Encounters Ubiquitination: A Balanced Perspective on IGF-1R Signaling

Cell-surface receptors govern the critical information passage from outside to inside the cell and hence control important cellular decisions such as survival, growth, and differentiation. These receptors, structurally grouped into different families, utilize common intracellular signaling-proteins and pathways, yet promote divergent biological consequences. In rapid processing of extracellular signals to biological outcomes, posttranslational modifications offer a repertoire of protein processing options. Protein ubiquitination was originally identified as a signal for protein degradation through the proteasome system. It is now becoming increasingly recognized that both ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins, all evolved from a common ubiquitin structural superfold, are used extensively by the cell and encompass signal tags for many different cellular fates. In this chapter we examine the current understanding of the ubiquitin regulation surrounding the insulin-like growth factor and insulin signaling systems, major members of the larger family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and key regulators of fundamental physiological and pathological states.

Successful treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis diagnosed early by polymerase chain reaction after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: two case reports and review of the literature

Toxoplasmic encephalitis represents a rare, but often fatal infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based preemptive therapy is considered promising for this disease, but is not routinely applied, especially in low seroprevalence countries including Japan. We encountered 2 cases of toxoplasmic encephalitis after transplantation that were successfully treated. The diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis in these cases was confirmed by PCR testing when neurological symptoms were observed. Both patients received pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine treatments within 2 weeks of the development of neurological symptoms, and remained free of recurrence for 32 and 12 months. These results emphasized the importance of the PCR test and immediate treatment after diagnosis for the management of toxoplasmic encephalitis.

First principles studies of GeTe based dilute magnetic semiconductors

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of GeTe-based dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS) are investigated by the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method and the projector augmented wave method. Our calculations for the formation energies of transition metal impurities (TM) in GeTe indicate that the solubilities of TM are quite high compared to typical III-V and II-VI based DMS and that the TM doped GeTe has a possibility of room temperature ferromagnetism with high impurity concentrations. The high solubilities originate from the fact that the top of the valence bands of GeTe consists of the Te-5p anti-bonding states which are favorable to acceptor doping. (Ge, Cr)Te system shows strong ferromagnetic interaction by the double exchange mechanism and is a good candidate for DMS with high Curie temperature. Additionally, in the case of (Ge, Mn)Te with the d(5) configuration, by introducing the Ge vacancies the p-d exchange interaction is activated and it dominates the antiferromagnetic superexchange, resulting in ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Mn. This explains recent experimental results reasonably. Based on the accurate estimation of the Curie temperatures by Monte Carlo simulation for the classical Heisenberg model with the calculated exchange coupling constants, we discuss the relevance of the TM doped GeTe for semiconductor spintronics.

Computational materials design of negative effective U system in hole-doped chalcopyrite CuFeS2

A general rule of negative effective U(U(eff)) system caused by (i) exchange correlation and (ii) charge excitation mechanisms is proposed. Based on the general rule, we perform ab initio electronic structure calculations by generalized gradient approximation (GGA) + U method for hole-doped chalcopyrite CuFeS2 [Cu(+)(d(10))Fe(3+)(d(5))S(2-)(s(2)p(6))2]. It is found from our calculations that the hole-doped CuFeS2 has the negative U(eff) = -0.44 eV, where U(eff) ≡ E(N + 1) + E(N - 1) - 2E(N) < 0 and E(N) is the total energy of the hole-doped CuFeS2. The negative U(eff) is caused by the charge-excitation in the hole-doped Cu(2+)(d(9)) and S(-)(s(2)p(5)), and also caused by the exchange-correlation in the hole-doped Fe(4+)(d(4)). The strong attractive electron-electron interaction (U(eff) = -0.44 eV ∼ -5000 K) originates from the purely electronic mechanism. The closed shell of the d(10) electronic configuration is more stable than the d(9) electronic configuration, since the first excited state with the d(9)s(1) electronic configuration and the ground state with the d(10) electronic configuration are very close, then these two states repel very strongly through the second order perturbation. Therefore, the spin-polarized total energy curve for the hole-doped CuFeS2 shows the strong upward convexity with N - 1, N and N + 1 electronic configurations leading to the negative U(eff). The hole-doped paramagnetic and metallic CuFeS2 with the negative U(eff) may cause a possible high-Tc superconductor (Tc ∼ 1000 K, if 2Δ/kBTc ≈ 10 by assuming a strong coupling regime) because of the strong attractive electron-electron interactions (superconducting gap Δ ≈ |U(eff|) ∼ 5000 K). Finally, we propose a new computational materials design methodology to design ultra high-Tc superconductors by using three steps starting from the atomic number only.

Hubbard U calculations for gap states in dilute magnetic semiconductors

On the basis of constrained density functional theory, we present ab initio calculations for the Hubbard U parameter of transition metal impurities in dilute magnetic semiconductors, choosing Mn in GaN as an example. The calculations are performed by two methods: (i) the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) Green function method for a single Mn impurity in GaN and (ii) the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FLAPW) method for a large supercell of GaN with a single Mn impurity in each cell. By changing the occupancy of the majority t2 gap state of Mn, we determine the U parameter either from the total energy differences E(N + 1) and E(N - 1) of the (N ± 1)-electron excited states with respect to the ground state energy E(N), or by using the single-particle energies for n(0) ± 1/2 occupancies around the charge-neutral occupancy n0 (Janak's transition state model). The two methods give nearly identical results. Moreover the values calculated by the supercell method agree quite well with the Green function values. We point out an important difference between the 'global' U parameter calculated using Janak's theorem and the 'local' U of the Hubbard model.

Expression of myeloperoxidase in acute myeloid leukemia blasts mirrors the distinct DNA methylation pattern involving the downregulation of DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been associated with both a myeloid lineage commitment and favorable prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (decitabine and zeburaline) induced MPO gene promoter demethylation and MPO gene transcription in AML cells with low MPO activity. Therefore, MPO gene transcription was directly and indirectly regulated by DNA methylation. A DNA methylation microarray subsequently revealed a distinct methylation pattern in 33 genes, including DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B), in CD34-positive cells obtained from AML patients with a high percentage of MPO-positive blasts. Based on the inverse relationship between the methylation status of DNMT3B and MPO, we found an inverse relationship between DNMT3B and MPO transcription levels in CD34-positive AML cells (P=0.0283). In addition, a distinct methylation pattern was observed in five genes related to myeloid differentiation or therapeutic sensitivity in CD34-positive cells from AML patients with a high percentage of MPO-positive blasts. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that MPO may serve as an informative marker for identifying a distinct and crucial DNA methylation profile in CD34-positive AML cells.

Late-onset rejection of a unilateral donor lung with vascular C4d deposition in bilateral living-donor lobar lung transplantation: an autopsy case report

A 37-year-old woman had undergone bilateral living-donor lobar lung transplantation 11 years previously for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Her father donated the right lobe and her brother donated the left lobe. She subsequently developed progressively worsening respiratory dysfunction due to pneumonia. CT showed left dominant pulmonary artery dilatation, bronchial wall thickening and airway stenosis, followed by sudden death. An autopsy showed marked pathologic left dominant rejection of the pulmonary artery, small airway and large airway. Notably, only the left lung showed C4d vascular deposition, thus suggesting that antibody-mediated lung rejection may have occurred.

Effects of green tea extract and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate on pharmacokinetics of nadolol in rats

Green tea catechins have been shown to affect the activities of drug transporters in vitro, including P-glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptides. However, it remains unclear whether catechins influence the in vivo disposition of substrate drugs for these transporters. In the present study, we investigated effects of green tea extract (GTE) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on pharmacokinetics of a non-selective hydrophilic β-blocker nadolol, which is reported to be a substrate for several drug transporters and is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received GTE (400 mg/kg), EGCG (150 mg/kg) or saline (control) by oral gavage, 30 min before a single intragastric administration of 10 mg/kg nadolol. Plasma and urinary concentrations of nadolol were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by a noncompartmental analysis. Pretreatment with GTE resulted in marked reductions in the maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the time-plasma concentration curve (AUC) of nadolol by 85% and 74%, respectively, as compared with control. In addition, EGCG alone significantly reduced Cmax and AUC of nadolol. Amounts of nadolol excreted into the urine were decreased by pretreatments with GTE and EGCG, while the terminal half-life of nadolol was not different among groups. These results suggest that the coadministration with green tea catechins, particularly EGCG, causes a significant alteration in the pharmacokinetics of nadolol, possibly through the inhibition of its intestinal absorption mediated by uptake transporters.

Development of a Direct Polycondensation Process for Poly (L-lactic acid)

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is quite promising for use as biodegradable and non-petroleum derived plastics. In this study we developed an innovative two-step polycondensation process so as to produce economically PLLA with high molecular weight. The process is composed of both melt polycondensation under the lactide-re ux and solid-phase polycondensation. First we studied a direct polycondensation of L-lactic acid with a small amount of solvent, using a mixture of L-lactic acid as raw material, diphenyl ether as solvent, Tin (II) chloride dihydrate as catalyst, and p-toluene sulfonic acid as a discoloration prevention agent. After the dehydrative oligomerization of L-lactic acid, the polycondensation of the oligocondensates and solid-phase post-polycondensation, PLLA of Mw = 266,000 could be obtained. Then, we carried out direct bulk polycondensation tests from L-lactic acid without any solvent added. After optimization of the reaction conditions, PLLA with Mw = 134,000 was successfully produced by the melt-poly-condensation of L-lactic acid accompanied by solid-phase post-poly-condensation. In both systems, the lactide-re ux was indispensable for promoting dehydration/water removal. The re uent lactide was taken into the polymer-chain by trans-esterification reaction during the melt-poly-condesation. Furthermore, the catalyst was allowed to deactivate and stabilize during the solid-phase polymerization to cause the Mw growth.