Risk of premature birth in multifetal pregnancy

The risk of preterm delivery ( < 37 weeks of gestation) is approximately nine times higher in women with multifetal pregnancies than in women with singleton pregnancies. However, it is possible that the risk will vary according to gestational week. To assess the risk of premature birth within 1 week by gestational age among multifetal pregnancies and compare the estimated risk with that of singleton pregnancies, we analyzed 6 036 475 infants born in singleton pregnancies and 90 887 infants born in multifetal pregnancies in Japan ( ≥ 22 weeks) over the 5-year period 1989–1993. An estimate of the risk of birth within 1 week at gestational week n was obtained by dividing the number of infants delivered at gestational week n by the number of infants delivered at or beyond gestational week n. The risk at 22 weeks was 0.9 per 1000 fetuses for singleton pregnancies and 5.0 per 1000 for multifetal pregnancies. The risk remained relatively stable until 27 weeks of gestation, then sharply increased toward 36 weeks of gestation in both singleton and multifetal pregnancies. The odds ratio for birth within 1 week for fetuses of multifetal pregnancies compared with fetuses of singleton pregnancies was 5.9 (95% CI, 5.4–6.5) at 22 weeks of gestation, increasing gradually with increasing gestational age until 33 weeks of gestation (13.7; 95% CI, 13.1–14.2) but declining thereafter to 8.8 (95% CI, 8.6–8.9) at 36 weeks of gestation. Results of data analysis for each year of the 5-year period did not differ substantially. Twin Research (2000) 3, 2–6.

Placenta of discordant twins: lack of change in histochemically detectable enzyme activities

We localised three important enzymes histochemically in placental trophoblasts from women who gave birth to dichorionic discordant twins, in which the co-twin was affected by foetal growth restriction (FGR). The enzymes studied were adenosine diphosphate-degrading enzyme (ADPdegrading enzyme, plasma membrane enzyme), cytochrome c oxidase (mitochondrial enzyme), and glucose-6-phosphatase (endoplasmic reticular enzyme). We compared these enzyme activities and their distribution patterns among placentas of the smaller (FGR) co-twin, larger co-twin, preeclamptic singleton with FGR, and normal singletons with birth weight of appropriate for their gestational ages. In FGR co-twin placentas, the intensity and localisation pattern of these three enzymes did not differ from those seen in the larger co-twin and normal singleton placentas. Decreased ADP-degrading activity and cytochrome c oxidase negative mitochondria, which were characteristic features of pre-eclamptic trophoblasts, were not observed in FGR co-twin placentas. These observations indicated that, in the FGR co-twin, enzyme-histochemically detectable trophoblastic cell dysfunction may be absent, or if present, less prominent, compared with preeclamptic FGR. We previously reported that placental trophoblasts from singleton idiopathic FGR also showed no reduction in these enzyme activities. In mechanism and pathophysiology, FGR in dichorionic discordant twins may be quite different from pre-eclamptic FGR, but somewhat resembles idiopathic FGR, though all three disorders lead to placental insufficiency, resulting in limited foetal growth. Twin Research (2000) 3, 123–128.

Evaluation of a new fiber-grating vision sensor for assessing pulmonary functions in healthy and COPD subjects

Spirometry is practically the only tool to evaluate pulmonary functions. Other automatic systems comparable to spirometry are expected. A fiber-grating (FG) vision sensor is a non-contact respiratory monitoring system to detect changes in volumes by measuring the movement of laser spots on the body surface. We examined the contributions of the FG sensor to evaluating pulmonary functions. The FG sensor showed a linear correlation with spirometry in tidal volumes (TV) obtained from five controls (R = 0.98, P < 0.0001). We also showed agreement of TV between the two devices using Bland-Altman analysis. TV measured by the FG sensor were reproducible and applicable to distinct subjects. To detect airway obstruction, we performed forced expiration in controls (n = 16) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (n = 18) with the FG sensor and spirometry. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and FEV(1)/forced vital capacity in COPD patients were lower than those in controls by the FG sensor. In addition, prolonged expiration in natural breathing by the FG sensor was related to airflow limitation by spirometry. The FG sensor was helpful to measure volume changes and to evaluate pulmonary functions in controls and patients with COPD. Its upcoming clinical applications are promising for simplicity and feasibility.

Plasma membrane-associated sialidase (NEU3) regulates progression of prostate cancer to androgen-independent growth through modulation of androgen receptor signaling

Prostate cancers generally become androgen-independent and resistant to hormone therapy with progression. To understand the underlying mechanisms and facilitate the development of novel treatments for androgen-independent prostate cancer, we have investigated plasma membrane-associated sialidase (NEU3), the key enzyme for ganglioside hydrolysis participating in transmembrane signaling. We have discovered NEU3 to be upregulated in human prostate cancer compared with non-cancerous tissue, correlating with the Gleason score. NEU3 silencing with siRNA in prostate cancer PC-3 and LNCaP cells resulted in increased expression of differentiation markers and in cell apoptosis, but decrease in Bcl-2 as well as a progression-related transcription factor, early growth response gene (EGR-1). In androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, forced overexpression of NEU3 significantly induced expression of EGR-1, androgen receptor (AR) and PSA both with and without androgen, the cells becoming sensitive to androgen. The NEU3-mediated induction was abrogated by inhibitors for PI-3 kinase and MAP kinase and more specifically by their silencing in the absence of androgen, being confirmed by increased phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2 in NEU3 overexpressing cells. NEU3 siRNA introduction caused reduction of cell growth of an androgen-independent PC-3 cells in culture and of transplanted tumors in nude mice. These data suggest that NEU3 regulates tumor progression through AR signaling, and thus be a potential tool for diagnosis and therapy of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

The cytokine and chemokine profiles in rhabdomyolysis in a patient with Gaucher disease type II

This report describes a patient with Gaucher disease type II who developed severe rhabdomyolysis. We treated him successfully and measured various cytokine and chemokine levels sequentially to elucidate the pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis. The serum levels of interleukin-6, -8, -10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were markedly elevated in the early phase of rhabdomyolysis. These findings indicate that cytokines and chemokines are related to the massive myolysis and regenerating process. A viral infection may have triggered rhabdomyolysis through exaggerated activation of macrophages in our patient. The profiles of cytokines and chemokines should be examined in further cases to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis.

Efficacy of continuous acyclovir infusion in neonatal herpes virus encephalitis

We have successfully eliminated herpes simplex virus-2 from the central nervous system in a case of neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis with a continuous acyclovir infusion. A male infant delivered from a healthy 22-year-old woman without genital or systemic herpes symptoms around delivery began to develop fever and intractable seizures. He was started on intermittent intravenous acyclovir (20 mg/kg every 8 h) based on the diagnosis of herpes encephalitis. The virus was not eliminated with intermittent acyclovir and vidarabine, while continuous acyclovir was ultimately effective in eliminating herpes simplex virus from his central nervous system. This report demonstrates the efficacy of continuous acyclovir infusion in neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

Study of Association Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and the Human Coagulation Factor XI Gene

OBJECTIVE

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are among the most common and serious complications of pregnancy. Persuasive evidence implicaties genetic factors in the genesis of HDP. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human coagulation factor XI (F11) gene and HDP, by conducting a haplotype-based case-control study.

METHODS

We chose 3 SNPs (rs925453, rs925451, and rs12500151) in the human F11 gene as genetic markers. We then conducted an association study with 77 HDP patients and 154 age-matched non-HDP subjects.

RESULTS

The frequency of rs925453 genotypes significantly differed between the two groups. The frequency of the T-G-G haplotype was significantly higher in the HDP group than in the non-HDP group (p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The T allele of rs925453 and the T-G-G haplotype appear to be useful genetic markers of HDP.

Haplotype-based case-control study of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene and pregnancy-induced hypertension

Hypotheses about pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) have been proposed to explain the vascular damage that characterizes this disease. Reports indicate that estrogens and estrogen receptors play important physiological roles in cardiovascular diseases. There have been studies examining the association between coronary artery disease and the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene. The aim of the present work was to assess the association between PIH and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human ESR1 gene, by conducting a haplotype-based case-control study. Based on a database search at the web site of the National Center of Biotechnology Information, we chose five SNPs in the human ESR1 gene, and performed an association study using 95 PIH patients and 200 age-matched non-PIH subjects. The frequency of rs2881766 genotypes and alleles differed significantly between the two groups. There was no significant difference in overall distribution of genotypes or alleles of the other four SNPs. The T allele of rs2881766 was significantly more prevalent in the PIH group than in the non-PIH group. Haplotype-based case-control analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in overall distribution of the combinations rs2881766-rs1643821-rs988328 and rs2881766-rs1643821 between the PIH group and the non-PIH group (all or body mass index [BMI]-matched). One susceptibility haplotype for PIH and two resistance haplotypes for PIH were revealed by comparison between the PIH group and the non-PIH (BMI-matched) control group. In conclusion, the T allele of rs2881766 could be a useful genetic marker of PIH. The G-A-T haplotype of rs2881766-rs1643821-rs988328 and the G-A haplotype of rs2881766-rs1643821 appear to be resistance markers of PIH.

Association study of aromatase gene (CYP19A1) in essential hypertension

BACKGROUND

As aromatase-deficient mice, which are deficient in estrogens, reportedly have reduced blood pressure, the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is thought to be a susceptibility gene for essential hypertension (EH). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CYP19A1 and EH by examining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

METHODS

Five SNPs in the human CYP19A1 gene (rs1870049, rs936306, rs700518, rs10046 and rs4646) were selected, and an association study was performed in 218 Japanese EH patients and 225 age-matched normotensive (NT) individuals.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between these groups in the distribution of genotypes rs700518 and rs10046 in male subjects, and genotypes rs700518, rs10046 and rs4646 in female subjects. On multiple logistic regression analysis, a significant association between rs700518 (p=0.023) and rs10046 (p=0.036) in male subjects and rs700518 in female subjects (p=0.018) was noted. Interestingly, the risk genotypes of rs700518 and rs10046 showed a sex-dependent inverse relationship. Both SBP and DBP levels were higher in total (cases and controls) male subjects with the G/G genotype with rs700518 or the T/T genotype with rs10046 than in male subjects without the G/G genotype or T/T genotype. SBP levels were lower in female subjects with the G/G genotype with rs700518 than in female subjects without G/G. The A-T haplotype constructed with rs1870049 and rs10046 was a susceptibility marker for EH.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that rs700518 and rs10046, as well as a haplotype constructed with rs1870049 and rs10046, in the human CYP19A1 gene can be used as genetic markers for gender-specific EH.

Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in Japanese patients with essential hypertension: aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene as a risk factor independent of alcohol consumption

Essential hypertension (EH) is a multifactorial disorder determined by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. EH patients' responses to these factors may vary, depending on differences in their genes that determine the physiological systems that mediate the response. The purpose of this investigation was to clarify the contributions of genetic background and lifestyle to EH through an association study using some common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that should have functional effects on EH phenotypes. We studied the associations between common SNPs of some causal genes related to EH and lifestyle in a Japanese population. The variants of the causal genes were selected based on their functions, including: obesity (adrenergic, beta-3-, receptor: ADRB3), alcohol consumption (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2: ALDH2), water-electrolyte metabolism (guanine nucleotide binding protein [G protein], beta polypeptide 3: GNB3), glycometabolism (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma: PPARG), lipometabolism (cholesteryl ester transfer protein, plasma: CETP), atherosclerosis (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [NADPH]: MTHFR), and cellular behavior (gap junction protein, alpha 4, 37 kD: GJA4). Case-control association analysis showed a significant association between EH and both the ALDH2 (Lys487Glu) and GNB3 (C825T) variants. Logistic regression analysis indicated that body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for EH, and that the GG (Glu/Glu) genotype of ALDH2 was an independent risk factor for EH overall and especially for EH in males. There was no interaction between the ALDH2 genotype and alcohol consumption overall or in male subjects. Our results suggest that the ALDH2 genotype is associated with EH independently of alcohol consumption.

Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber and RYR1 mutation

BACKGROUND

Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber (CNMDU1) is a rare form of congenital myopathy, which is pathologically diagnosed by the presence of more than 99% of type 1 fiber, with no specific structural changes. Its pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. We recently reported that almost all patients with central core disease (CCD) with ryanodine receptor 1 gene (RYR1) mutations in the C-terminal domain had type 1 fibers, nearly exclusively, in addition to typical central cores.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether CNMDU1 is associated with RYR1 mutation.

METHODS

We studied 10 unrelated Japanese patients who were diagnosed to have CNMDU1 based on clinical features and muscle pathology showing more than 99% type 1 muscle fibers. We extracted genomic DNA from frozen muscles and directly sequenced all 106 exons and their flanking intron-exon boundaries of RYR1.

RESULTS

Four of 10 patients had a heterozygous mutation, three missense and one deletion, all in the C-terminal domain of RYR1. Two missense mutations were previously reported in CCD patients. Clinically, patients with mutations in RYR1 showed milder phenotype compared with those without mutations.

CONCLUSION

Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber (CNMDU1) in 40% of patients is associated with mutations in the C-terminal domain of RYR1, suggesting that CNMDU1 is allelic to central core disease at least in some patients.

Regulatory loop between redox sensing of the NADH/NAD(+) ratio by Rex (YdiH) and oxidation of NADH by NADH dehydrogenase Ndh in Bacillus subtilis

NADH dehydrogenase is a key component of the respiratory chain. It catalyzes the oxidation of NADH by transferring electrons to ubiquinone and establishes a proton motive force across the cell membrane. The yjlD (renamed ndh) gene of Bacillus subtilis is predicted to encode an enzyme similar to the NADH dehydrogenase II of Escherichia coli, encoded by the ndh gene. We have shown that the yjlC-ndh operon is negatively regulated by YdiH (renamed Rex), a homolog of Rex in Streptomyces coelicolor, and a redox-sensing transcriptional regulator that responds to the NADH/NAD(+) ratio. The ndh gene regulates expression of the yjlC-ndh operon, as indicated by the fact that mutation in ndh causes a higher NADH/NAD(+) ratio. An in vitro study showed that Rex binds to the downstream region of the yjlC-ndh promoter and that NAD(+) enhances the binding of Rex to the putative Rex-binding sites in the yjlC-ndh operon as well as in the cydABCD operon. These results indicated that Rex and Ndh together form a regulatory loop which functions to prevent a large fluctuation in the NADH/NAD(+) ratio in B. subtilis.

Effects of Photocatalytic Agent on DS-Nh Mice, Developing Atopic Dermatitis-Like Eruption with an Increase of Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) is thought to play a significant role in the exacerbation of atopic dermatitis (AD). DS-Nh mice, a non-hair-bearing mouse model of AD, spontaneously develop dermatitis under conventional conditions. A remarkable increase in S. aureus is considered to strongly relate to the induction and aggravation of this dermatitis. A topical use of anatase-type titanium dioxide (TiO2) followed by UV irradiation, acting as photocatalyst, is believed to have antibacterial activity. We investigated the bactericidal effect of TiO2 with UV irradiation on DS-Nh mice to prevent the aggravation of the dermatitis.

METHODS

Ten-week-old DS-Nh mice were treated with TiO2 in petrolatum on the back, followed by UVA irradiation, for 11 weeks. The severity of dermatitis was assessed by evaluating individual lesions using a 4-grade scale and expressed as the total skin score. S. aureus colonizing the mouse skin was counted after isolation and incubation with agar medium. The skin barrier dysfunction was evaluated by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

RESULTS

The mice treated with TiO2 and UV irradiation showed a significant increase in total skin scores, the number of S. aureus and TEWL values, compared with non-treated mice. In contrast, these parameters were significantly lower in the mice treated with petrolatum and UV irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in S. aureus was recognized on the skin together with the aggravation of AD-like dermatitis in our mice model. Skin barrier dysfunction induced by TiO2 and UV irradiation seems to facilitate the increase in S. aureus.

Haplotype Based Association Study between t-PA Gene and Essential Hypertension

Several previous studies have shown that essential hypertension (EH) is associated with fibrinolysis. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) plays a key role in fibrinolysis. Thus, it is possible that the t-PA gene is a susceptibility gene of EH. However, there have been no reported studies of association between EH and the t-PA gene using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The aim of the present haplotype-based case-control study was to investigate whether SNPs in the human t-PA gene are associated with EH. We performed a genetic association study using 3 SNPs (rs7007329, rs8178750, rs4471024). The subjects were 276 EH patients and 283 age-matched normotensive (NT) individuals. There were no significant differences in overall distribution of genotypes or alleles between EH patients and NT subjects. Also, there were no significant differences in the haplotype-based case-control study. The present results do not indicate an association between the t-PA gene and EH.

Relationship between the Thromboxane A2 Receptor Gene and Susceptibility to Cerebral Infarction

The risk of cerebral infarction (CI) in an individual is dependent on the interplay between genetic risk factors and environmental influences. Binding of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) to its receptor (TP) modulates thrombosis/hemostasis and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of CI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between human TP gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes and CI in a Japanese population. A genetic association study was performed in 194 CI patients and 365 non-CI subjects by specifically characterizing 6 SNPs in the human TP gene (rs2271875, rs768963, rs2238634, rs11085026, rs4523 and rs4806942). Analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences in the overall distribution of genotypes and dominant or recessive models of rs2271875 and rs768963 between the CI and the non-CI groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the C allele of rs768963 was significantly associated with CI (p = 0.029), even after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio: 2.41). Further, the C-T-C haplotype of rs768963-rs2238634-rs4806942 was significantly more frequent in the CI group (23.0%) than in the non-CI group (17.7%). These results suggest that specific SNPs and haplotypes may have utility as genetic markers for the risk of CI and that TP or a neighboring gene is associated with the increased susceptibility to CI.

High Level Activity of 2', 5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase in Dog Serum

Most animal cells that are exposed to interferon (IFN) experience an increase in the activity of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), which is an important effector of IFN's antiviral action. OAS activity has been widely used in clinical chemistry as an indicator of IFN activity. In this study, we found that OAS activity in canine serum is 46.0 +/- 40.4 nmol/dl/hr, which is 10- to 100-fold higher than in other animals such as the cat (1.9 +/- 2.1), rabbit (4.0 +/- 1.1), and guinea pig (0.3 +/- 0.6). The canine OAS protein was detected by Western blotting using a 68M-10 monoclonal anti-murine OAS antibody, and was found to be composed of at least three distinct molecular species of p40 class OAS. Among these, the 40 and 42 kDa components were determined to be the major species in serum and fibroblast cell lines, respectively.