The adeno-associated virus rh10 vector is an effective gene transfer system for chronic spinal cord injury

Treatment options for chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) remain limited due to unfavourable changes in the microenvironment. Gene therapy can overcome these barriers through continuous delivery of therapeutic gene products to the target tissue. In particular, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are potential candidates for use in chronic SCI, considering their safety and stable gene expression in vivo. Given that different AAV serotypes display different cellular tropisms, it is extremely important to select an optimal serotype for establishing a gene transfer system during the chronic phase of SCI. Therefore, we generated multiple AAV serotypes expressing ffLuc-cp156, a fusion protein of firefly luciferase and Venus, a variant of yellow fluorescent protein with fast and efficient maturation, as a reporter, and we performed intraparenchymal injection in a chronic SCI mouse model. Among the various serotypes tested, AAVrh10 displayed the highest photon count on bioluminescence imaging. Immunohistological analysis revealed that AAVrh10 showed favourable tropism for neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Additionally, with AAVrh10, the area expressing Venus was larger in the injury epicentre and extended to the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity was significantly higher with AAVrh10 than with the other vectors. These results indicate that AAVrh10 may be an appropriate serotype for gene delivery to the chronically injured spinal cord. This promising tool may be applied for research and development related to the treatment of chronic SCI.

Overlapping and non-overlapping functions of condensins I and II in neural stem cell divisions

During development of the cerebral cortex, neural stem cells (NSCs) divide symmetrically to proliferate and asymmetrically to generate neurons. Although faithful segregation of mitotic chromosomes is critical for NSC divisions, its fundamental mechanism remains unclear. A class of evolutionarily conserved protein complexes, known as condensins, is thought to be central to chromosome assembly and segregation among eukaryotes. Here we report the first comprehensive genetic study of mammalian condensins, demonstrating that two different types of condensin complexes (condensins I and II) are both essential for NSC divisions and survival in mice. Simultaneous depletion of both condensins leads to severe defects in chromosome assembly and segregation, which in turn cause DNA damage and trigger p53-induced apoptosis. Individual depletions of condensins I and II lead to slower loss of NSCs compared to simultaneous depletion, but they display distinct mitotic defects: chromosome missegregation was observed more prominently in NSCs depleted of condensin II, whereas mitotic delays were detectable only in condensin I-depleted NSCs. Remarkably, NSCs depleted of condensin II display hyperclustering of pericentric heterochromatin and nucleoli, indicating that condensin II, but not condensin I, plays a critical role in establishing interphase nuclear architecture. Intriguingly, these defects are taken over to postmitotic neurons. Our results demonstrate that condensins I and II have overlapping and non-overlapping functions in NSCs, and also provide evolutionary insight into intricate balancing acts of the two condensin complexes.

Delta1 family members are involved in filopodial actin formation and neuronal cell migration independent of Notch signaling

Delta family proteins are transmembrane molecules that bind Notch receptors and activate downstream signaling events in neighboring cells. In addition to serving as Notch ligands, Notch-independent roles for Delta have been suggested but are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for Delta in filopodial actin formation. Delta1 and Delta4, but not Delta3, exhibit filopodial protrusive activity, and this activity is independent of Notch signaling. The filopodial activity of Delta1 does not depend on the PDZ-binding domain at the C-terminus; however, the intracellular membrane-proximal region that is anchored to the plasma membrane plays an important role in filopodial activity. We further identified a Notch-independent role of DeltaD in neuronal cell migration in zebrafish. These findings suggest a possible functional link between Notch-independent filopodial activity of Delta and the control of cell motility.

Glioblastoma formation from cell population depleted of Prominin1-expressing cells

Prominin1 (Prom1, also known as CD133 in human) has been widely used as a marker for cancer stem cells (CSCs), which self-renew and are tumorigenic, in malignant tumors including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, there is other evidence showing that Prom1-negative cancer cells also form tumors in vivo. Thus it remains controversial whether Prom1 is a bona fide marker for CSCs. To verify if Prom1-expressing cells are essential for tumorigenesis, we established a mouse line, whose Prom1-expressing cells can be eliminated conditionally by a Cre-inducible DTA gene on the Prom1 locus together with a tamoxifen-inducible CreER^TM, and generated glioma-initiating cells (GICs-LD) by overexpressing both the SV40 Large T antigen and an oncogenic H-Ras^L61 in neural stem cells of the mouse line. We show here that the tamoxifen-treated GICs-LD (GICs-DTA) form tumor-spheres in culture and transplantable GBM in vivo. Thus, our studies demonstrate that Prom1-expressing cells are dispensable for gliomagenesis in this mouse model.

Gli2 is a novel regulator of sox2 expression in telencephalic neuroepithelial cells

Multipotential neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system (CNS) proliferate indefinitely and give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. As NSCs hold promise for CNS regeneration, it is important to understand how their proliferation and differentiation are controlled. We show here that the expression of sox2 gene, which is essential for the maintenance of NSCs, is regulated by the Gli2 transcription factor, a downstream mediator of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling: Gli2 binds to an enhancer that is vital for sox2 expression in telencephalic neuroepithelial (NE) cells, which consist of NSCs and neural precursor cells. Overexpression of a truncated form of Gli2 (Gli2DeltaC) or Gli2-specific short hairpin RNA (Gli2 shRNA) in NE cells in vivo and in vitro inhibits cell proliferation and the expression of Sox2 and other NSC markers, including Hes1, Hes5, Notch1, CD133, and Bmi1. It also induces premature neuronal differentiation in the developing NE cells. In addition, we show evidence that Sox2 expression decreases significantly in the developing neuroepithelium of Gli2-deficient mice. Finally, we demonstrate that coexpression of Gli2DeltaC and Sox2 can rescue the expression of Hes5 and prevent premature neuronal differentiation in NE cells but cannot rescue its proliferation. Thus these data reveal a novel transcriptional cascade, involving Gli2 --> Sox2 --> Hes5, which maintains the undifferentiated state of telencephalic NE cells.

An efficient synthesis of (±)-narwedine and (±)-galanthamine by an improved phenolic oxidative coupling

Old problems, new ideas! The biomimetic phenol coupling of norbelladine derivatives such as 1 (Bn = benzyl) to form galanthamine (2), a drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, has been greatly improved by the use of the hypervalent-iodine oxidation reagent phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA).

A novel intramolecular through-space interaction between F and CN: a strategy for the conformational control of an acyclic system

X-Ray crystallographic analyses of fluorocyanides anti-1 and 2 revealed a novel intramolecular through-space interaction between F and CN in an acyclic system, which was applied to a stereoselective protonation of acyclic fluorocyanides 2 having flexible conformation.

Use of odorless thiols: formal asymmetric Michael addition of hydrogen sulfide to alpha-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

[reaction: see text] The Michael addition to alpha-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and amides using complex A containing a chiral odorless thiol proceeded diastereoselectively. The Michael adducts were converted to beta-mercapto esters and amides via a Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement with boron trifluoride etherate and a thiol exchange reaction using odorless 1-dodecanethiol. This conversion constitutes a formal asymmetric Michael addition of hydrogen sulfide to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using odorless thiols instead of the toxic hydrogen sulfide.

Metachronous carcinoma of the vulva and fallopian tube

BACKGROUND

Metachronous carcinoma of the vulva and fallopian tube is an unusual co-occurrence of gynecological malignancies. A report of such a case that developed and recurred over a 7-year period is presented.

CASE

A 53-year-old G3P3 female presented with a verrucous carcinoma of the vulva and a serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the left fallopian tube metachronously. To investigate a possible association between the co-occurrence of the rare neoplasms and factors associated with multiple gynecological malignancies, we analyzed the status of human papillomavirus infection and DNA mismatch repair deficiency as indicated by microsatellite instability. All samples analyzed were negative for these factors.

CONCLUSION

The present results support the possibility that metachronous carcinomas of the vulva and fallopian tube involve unknown etiological factors or arise independently.

[Phase I study of a combination chemotherapy of nedaplatin and cisplatin]

A new platinum complex, nedaplatin, has been reported to be effective for both ovarian and cervical cancers. We designated a phase I dose-escalation study of a combination chemotherapy of nedaplatin and cisplatin to investigate the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Six patients, including two with advanced cervical cancer, three with ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma and one with endometrial clear cell adenocarcinoma, were enrolled in this study. The doses of the two agents were escalated alternatively, i.e., a tandem method, from 40 to 80 mg/m2 by 20 mg/m2. Nedaplatin and cisplatin were administrated by intravenous drip infusion and repeated after an interval of at least 4 weeks, as a rule. The major toxicity observed was hematotoxicity. One of the 6 patients dropped out of this study because of severe hematotoxicity after 80 mg/m2 of nedaplatin and 60 mg/m2 of cisplatin were administered. With a dose of 80 mg/m2 nedaplatin and 80 mg/m2 cisplatin, severe neutropenia was found in all 6 patients, and thrombocytopenia and anemia were found in 1 patient, respectively. A slight hearing loss was detected by audiometry in 5 patients, but no one was inconvenienced in daily life. Mild nausea and vomiting were also observed in all 6 patients. In conclusion, the DLT of this combination therapy was hematotoxicity and the MTD was 80 mg/m2 for nedaplatin and 60 mg/m2 for cisplatin, respectively. Thus, 60 mg/m2 of nedaplatin and 60 mg/m2 of cisplatin may be recommended for combined administration.

Synthesis and anti-influenza virus activity of novel pyrimidine derivatives

Efficient synthetic routes of 2-amino-4-(omega-hydroxyalkylamino)pyrimidine derivatives were investigated in relation to the anti-influenza virus activity of these compounds. The derivatives in which cyclobutyl and cyclopentyl groups were introduced to the beta-position of the aminoalkyl group (especially the cyclobutyl group substituted by a phenylalkyl group at the 3'-position) resulted in improved antiviral potency: i.e. an average 50% effective concentration for inhibition of plaque formation (EC50, microM) of 0.1-0.01 microM for both types A and B influenza virus. The antiviral efficacies were in the order of amino group > hydroxyiminomethyl group > halogen substitution at the 5-position, and chlorine or methoxy group > hydrogen at the 6-position of the pyrimidine ring. The antiviral indices of these compounds were 2-6 with respect to the 50% inhibitory concentration for cell proliferation (IC50, microM) for growing cells, but > 500 to > 10(4) with respect to the IC50 for stationary cells, indicating that these compounds may be efficacious for the topical treatment of influenza virus infection.

[Incidence of synchronous or metachronous multiple primary cancers and aggregation of cancers in families of patients with endometrial cancer]

We evaluated the incidence of synchronous or metachronous multiple primary cancer, hereditary or familial cancer, and the familial aggregation of cancer in 142 patients who were treated for endometrial cancer at Tsukuba University Hospital in the period 1977 to 1995. Synchronous multiple primary cancers were identified in 6 of the 142 patients (4.2%). Eleven patients (7.7%) had a history of extraendometrial cancer. Patients with endometrial cancer had a significantly high incidence of a history of breast cancer. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in two patients who were screened before menopause. Four patients with endometrial cancer (2.8%) subsequently developed extraendometrial forms of cancer. One patient (0.7%) was considered to have a hereditary form of cancer, and 5 patients (3.5%) had familial forms of cancer. A total of 86 cases of cancer were found among 53 kindred (37.3%). More detailed studies are needed to elucidate the aggregation of cancers in the families of patients with endometrial cancer in Japan. Patients with a history of breast cancer should be screened for the presence of endometrial cancer.

[An immunohistological study on expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (form) in human endometrial carcinoma]

Ninety-five specimens from patients with endometrial carcinoma (82 of endometrial type, 6 of adenoacanthoma, 4 of adenosquamous carcinoma, 3 of atypical endometrial hyperplasia) and 13 with ovarian endometrioid carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically with a rabbit polyclonal antibody prepared against the placental form of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi). Histological studies showed that the degree of staining decreased as the tumor lost its differentiation in endometrial carcinoma, but the degree of staining was independent of the differentiation in the case of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma. A comparison between the grade of staining of GST-pi in 82 cases of the endometrial type of endometrial carcinoma and 13 cases of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma revealed a stronger stain for the endometrial carcinoma than for ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney's U test). Therefore, the GST-pi value for endometrial carcinoma was different from that for endometrioid carcinoma. In general, as compared with ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma is considered to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents. In conclusion, these results suggest that there is an apparent correlation between the GST-pi value and chemoresistance of the tumor.

[Adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and CDDP (CAP) for high risk endometrial cancer after complete surgery]

One hundred and six patients with endometrial cancer were treated at Tsukuba University Hospital between 1983 and 1992. Sixteen patients who underwent complete resection were at high risk for recurrence and were given adjuvant platinum-based, multiagent chemotherapy instead of adjuvant radiotherapy. Eligibility criteria included outer-third myometrial invasion (group 1; n = 5), pelvic lymph node metastasis (group 2; n = 3) or both myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis (group 3; n = 8). Of these three groups at high risk for recurrence, each patient in groups 1 and 2 developed recurrence and died. In group 3 two patients developed recurrence and one patient has died. There was one treatment death due to neutropenic sepsis in group 3. The recurrence sites in all four patients were local and no distant recurrence was noted. In other words, of 15 patients (excluding one treatment death) at high risk for recurrence, three of 12 patients (25%) with deep myometrial invasion and three of 10 patients (30%) with positive pelvic lymph nodes developed recurrence and died. The other 12 patients (include one patient with recurrence; 100 months) have survived for a long interval (range, 45-131 months). The survival rates for stage I, II, III, and IV are 92.6, 89.5, 60.0%, respectively. Patients with stage I in this study had a better survival than those with stage I in the 1984 annual report of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (p < 0.05). The findings of this prospective clinical trial supported those of the randomized trial comparing adjuvant CAP with radiation therapy.

[An immunohistological study on expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (form) in human ovarian carcinoma]

Specimens from 102 cases of ovarian cancer were stained immunohistochemically with a rabbit polyclonal antibody prepared against the placental form of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi). All 28 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 19 of clear cell carcinoma and 4 of malignant transformed dermoid cysts were stained positively with the GST-pi antibody. These tumors are considered to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents as compared with other epithelial tumors. With regard to the histological grade, the degree of staining was reduced according to the loss of differentiation. An investigation of the relationship between GST-pi stain and the prognosis of the 50 patients with stage 2,3 or 4, according to the Kaplan-Meier method, revealed that the prognosis improved as the staining decreased. In conclusion, results suggested that immunohistochemical staining of GST-pi is correlated with the chemoresistance of the tumor, and may predict the outcome in patients with ovarian cancer.

[Key points and problems concerning chemosensitivity tests, with special reference to MTT assay]

Recently, the semiautomated tetrazolium-based MTT colorimetric assay have been used to measure chemosensitivity. We also have been used this assay for 4 ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell lines to investigate the chemosensitivity of this tumor. In this study, several problems have been faced to be solved. In this paper, we pointed out these problems and indicated solutions.

Cytomorphologic, cytometric and histomorphologic observations after laser therapy for cervical lesions

To analyze the healing process after laser therapy for cervical lesions, the clinical, cytologic, histologic and colposcopic features in 109 cases were studied chronologically. The healing process of the cervical epithelium usually began from both the squamous and columnar epithelial borders, starting around the 10th day after laser therapy; the process covered the whole tissue defect with multilayered epithelium within seven weeks. Inflammatory changes also usually abated within that time. Cytomorphologically, laser therapy resulted in the occurrence of (mostly degenerated) "fiber-type" and orangeophilic cells in smears taken during the first two weeks after treatment. Tissue repair cells were seen in smears collected from the first posttherapy day through the fourth week after laser therapy. Using computer-assisted image cytometry, the reparative cells in samples taken shortly after treatment (roughly, the first to fifth days) exhibited more hyperchromatic (3-4N) nuclei than did those in later samples; however, the mean DNA content of the early reparative cells was generally concentrated around that of the 2N reference cells. These findings suggest that follow-up, including cytologic and colposcopic examination, for the early detection of residual or recurrent lesions should start in the eighth week and continue periodically for at least one year.

Age-related change in tissue-to-plasma partition coefficient of cefazolin for noneliminating organs in the rat

Age-related changes in tissue distribution characteristics of cefazolin, a cephalosporin antibiotic, were examined for noneliminating organs of rats. The in vivo tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients (Kp,vivo) varied markedly among different ages and organs. In particular, muscle and skin acted as reservoirs for cefazolin distribution. There were also marked differences in interstitial fluid space (IS), determined using [14C]inulin, among different ages and organs. For muscle and bone, the magnitude of the age-related changes in Kp,vivo of cefazolin and IS was in the order of 1-week-old greater than 7-week-old = 100-week-old greater than 50-week-old rats. This is well correlated with the age-related changes in the volume of distribution at the steady state of cefazolin per body weight (Vdss/BW) and the extracellular fluid volume per body weight (Vecw/BW) determined previously using [14C]inulin. The predicted Kp value (Kp,pred) was estimated by incorporating the serum protein binding parameters of cefazolin, the IS values, and an interstitial-to-plasma albumin concentration ratio (AR) into equations derived from an extracellular fluid model. The Kp,pred values exhibited a fairly good correspondence with the Kp,vivo values determined for various organs, except gut, in rats of all four ages. These results suggest that the determinant of the age-related change in Vdss/BW is the difference in the IS value of muscle and bone, while the age-related change in serum protein binding plays only a modest role.

Tracheobronchial rupture caused by blunt chest trauma: acute respiratory management

The clinical management of 12 patients with major intrathoracic tracheobronchial rupture (complete, 3; incomplete, 9) due to blunt trauma has been reviewed and compared with that of two groups of patients with chest injuries not involving the tracheobronchial tree, 17 patients with multiple rib fractures and 17 with chest injuries requiring thoracotomy for control of pneumothorax and hemothorax. The effect of injury on ventilatory function was significantly greater in the patients with tracheobronchial injury in whom an elevated PCO2 at the time of admission was associated with a poor prognosis. Conventional ventilatory management with endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation causing increased air leakage produced further deterioration of pulmonary function in four of the patients with tracheobronchial disruption. The use of a double-lumen endobronchial tube in two patients with tracheobronchial rupture facilitated ventilatory support and subsequent operative management.

A case of nontraumatic clostridial gas gangrene occurring in a patient with colon adenocarcinoma, liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus

An autopsy case of clostridial gas gangrene occurring in a 54-year-old man with colon adenocarcinoma, liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus is reported. The patient died 4 days after the onset of symptoms with episodes of vomiting and abdominal pain. Gangrene of both hips and perineum, hemolysis, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation were the dominant clinical features. Clostridium septicum was isolated from the subcutaneous tissue fluid. Adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon with ulceration found at autopsy was supposed to be an entry of the organism. Histologically, lesions of subcutaneous tissue and muscles were characterized by the absence of inflammatory infiltrates in spite of extensive necrosis. A summary of 35 cases of gas gangrene hospitalized to the Osaka University Hospital for the past 16 years indicates that clostridial gas gangrene patients with underlying diseases such as malignant neoplasm, diabetes, liver cirrhosis or immunodeficiency have a relatively poor prognosis.