Field test of quantum key distribution in the Tokyo QKD Network

A secure communication network with quantum key distribution in a metropolitan area is reported. Six different QKD systems are integrated into a mesh-type network. GHz-clocked QKD links enable us to demonstrate the world-first secure TV conferencing over a distance of 45km. The network includes a commercial QKD product for long-term stable operation, and application interface to secure mobile phones. Detection of an eavesdropper, rerouting into a secure path, and key relay via trusted nodes are demonstrated in this network.

Abstract P3-10-38: Histopathological Subclassification of Triple Negative Breast Carcinoma Using Prognostic Scoring System

Purpose: Triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) is currently being required to be classified pluralistically in order to provide the most appropriate therapy to the patients. We attempted to subclassify TNBC cases into subgroups based on clinical outcome or prognosis of the patients with TNBC using archival specimens. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 102 Japanese cases of invasive TNBC who underwent surgery between January 1998 and December 2007. The clinicopathological factors and clinical information of these patients were retrospectively retrieved from charts of the patients. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR1), CK5/6, Ki-67 and CD31 for microvessel density (MVD). Results: Median follow-up time of the patients was 68.5 months. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the pathologic node status was the most significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of the patients. Pathological tumor size, basal-like type, Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and MVD were also independently associated with RFS and BCSS. Based on these results, we devised the Risk Score system reflecting Hazard ratios (HRs) of these prognostic factors above.

Multivariate analysis and the Risk Score for TNBC patients.

With this system, TNBC patients in this study were classified into three subgroups; patients with score 0-3 are in low risk group, score 4-7 in intermediate risk group and score 8- in high risk group. These three groups had statistically significant differences for risk of relapse and breast cancer-specific death, respectively.

Conclusions: We propose the Risk Score system, which incorporated pathologic nodal status, size of the primary tumor, the presence or absence of basal-like features, Ki67 LI and MVD of the patients in order to predict postoperative clinical course of the Japanese patients with TNBC. Such a classification which can be performed in diagnostic pathology laboratory can be useful as a decision-making tool for triple negative patients.

Abstract P1-02-01: Vasohibin-1 in Human Breast Carcinoma: A Potential Negative Feedback Regulator of Angiogenesis

Background: Vasohibin-1 is a recently identified negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. This is the first study to evaluate immunoreactivity and mRNA expression of Vasohibin-1 in human breast disorders. Material and Methods: We examined 251 breast specimens including invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC: 148), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS:62), fibroadenoma (FA:16), inflammatory lesion (6), fibrocystic change(9) and non-pathological breast tissue(7). We immunolocalized vasohibin-1 and compared its immunoreactivity to that of VEGF-A, VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1), CD31 and Ki-67. The correlation of vasohibin-1 immunoreactibity with overall survival (OS), and disease free survival (DFS) of the breast carcinoma patients was also evaluated. In addition, we evaluated Ki-67 and CD31, and Ki-67 and vasohibin-1 double-immunostaining for further characterization of neovascularization. We also evaluated mRNA expression of Vasohibin-1 using a real-time quantitative RT-PCR with LightCycler system.

Results: Vasohibin-1 was detected in endothelial cells of human breast and its immunodensity was significantly higher in IDC and inflammatory lesion than the other types (P<0.001). As for DCIS, there was a significant positive correlation between vasohibin-1 expression level and nuclear grade or Van Nuys classification of carcinoma cells (P<0.001). In addition, a significant positive correlation was detected between vasohibin-1 and VEGF-A, Flk-1 or Ki-67 (P<0.001). There was also positive associations between vasohibin-1 and OS (P=0.004) and DFS (P<0.001). Results of double-immunostaining demonstrated the ratio of Ki-67-positive cells among vasohibin-1-positive endothelial cells (46.5%) was significantly higher than those among CD31-positive cells (23.5%). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between Vasohibin-1 mRNA level and Ki-67 or high nuclear grade(P<0.001).

Discussion: This is the first study demonstrating the status of vasohibin-1 in human breast lesions, which indicates that vasohibin-1 is associated with neovascularization and may especially play important roles in the regulation of intratumoral angiogenesis in human breast cancer. Vasohibin-1 is supposed to be induced in the downstream of VEGF-A/Flk-1 signaling pathway and considered an appropriate biomarker for intratumoral neovascularization. In addition, these results clearly indicated that vasohibin-1 expression may become one of the prognostic markers for metastasis and prognosis, and also become one of the appropriate biomarker of the potential of subsequent stromal invasion of carcinoma cells.

Figures available in online version.

Impact of smoking as a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of observational studies

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether smoking is a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

METHOD

DATA SOURCES

were observational studies that examined the association between smoking history and the risk of developing RA identified through Medline and EMBASE (from 1966 to December 2006), relevant books and a reference search. Two authors independently extracted the following: authors' names, publication year, sample size, participant characteristics, odds ratios (OR) or relative risks, adjustment factors, study design and area where the study was conducted. Data syntheses were based upon random effects model. Summarised syntheses effects were expressed by OR.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were selected from among 433 articles. For men, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.89 (95% CI 1.56 to 2.28), 1.87 (1.49 to 2.34) and 1.76 (1.33 to 2.31), respectively. For rheumatoid factor-positive (RF+) RA, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 3.02 (2.35 to 3.88), 3.91 (2.78 to 5.50) and 2.46 (1.74 to 3.47), respectively. Summary OR for 20 or more pack-years of smoking was 2.31 (1.55 to 3.41). For women, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.27 (1.12 to 1.44), 1.31 (1.12 to 1.54) and 1.22 (1.06 to 1.40), respectively. For RF+ RA, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.34 (0.99 to 1.80), 1.29 (0.94 to 1.77) and 1.21 (0.83 to 1.77). Summary OR for 20 or more pack-years of smoking was 1.75 (1.52 to 2.02).

CONCLUSION

Smoking is a risk factor for RA, especially RF+ RA men and heavy smokers.

Opposing effects of estradiol and progesterone on the oxidative stress-induced production of chemokine and proinflammatory cytokines in murine peritoneal macrophages

In inflammatory and oxidative liver injury, virus proteins and reactive oxygen species are involved in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. This study investigated the effects of estradiol (E2) and progesterone on the unstimulated and oxidative stress-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, and macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 by peritoneal macrophages isolated from male and female mice. E2 inhibited the cytokine production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, MIP-2, and MCP-1 by the unstimulated macrophages from males and females, which was then further stimulated by progesterone. The exposure to hydrogen peroxide in the macrophages from both sexes induced the production of cytokine. The hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cytokine production was suppressed by E2 and enhanced by progesterone. The sex hormone effects on the unstimulated and stimulated macrophages were blocked by their receptor antagonists and showed no significant difference between male and female subjects. These findings suggest that E2 may play a favorable role in the course of persistent liver injury, by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production, which, in addition, progesterone may counteract the favorable E2 effects through their receptors.

A case of acute radiation syndrome from the dermatological aspect

Accidental whole-body overexposure of radiation occurs very rarely. Radiation exposure causes DNA breaks in the cells and shows various clinical features, which are time dependent, dose dependent and tissue dependent. Neutron rays are more destructive than gamma rays but their actual effect on humans have been under-reported. We observed the time-dependent and the dose-dependent dermatological changes in a patient who was severely irradiated by neutron and gamma rays, with the aim of clarifying the clinicopathological features of severely irradiated skin. The detection of DNA breaks in keratinocytes was performed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling technique. The degenerative changes of the skin and the re-epithelialization varied in a time dependent and dose dependent manner. DNA breaks were significantly higher in irradiated keratinocytes. Neutron rays caused depth-dependent degeneration of the skin. Evaluation of DNA breaks in the skin cells might be a clue to estimate local dosimetry.

Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the proinflammatory cytokine production by mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To investigate the effects of estradiol (E2) and progesterone on the unstimulated and oxidative stress-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with chronic hepatitis C and healthy controls.

METHODS: The PBMCs were separated from age-matched 72 males and 71 females with and without chronic hepatitis C, who were divided into two groups based on a mean menopausal age of 50 years. Oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide in the cells incubated in serum-free media. Cytokines in the culture supernatant were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The highest levels of the spontaneous production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and MCP-1 by the unstimulated PBMCs were in the older male patients with chronic hepatitis C and the lowest levels were in the pre-menopausal female healthy controls. E2 inhibited the cytokine production by the unstimulated PBMCs from the older male and post-menopausal female patients, which was further stimulated by progesterone. The exposure to hydrogen peroxide in the PBMCs from the younger male and pre-menopausal female healthy subjects induced the production of cytokines. The change rates of the hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cytokine production were suppressed by E2 and enhanced by progesterone.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that E2 may play a favorable role in the course of persistent liver injury by preventing the accumulation of monocytes-macrophages and by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas progesterone may counteract the favorable E2 effects.

NAD(P)H oxidase p22phoxC242T polymorphism and ischemic stroke in Japan: the Fukuoka Stroke Registry and the Hisayama study

The C242T polymorphism of p22phox, a component of NAD(P)H oxidase, may have an impact on cardiovascular diseases; however, the association between this polymorphism and brain infarction is not fully understood. Here, we investigate the relationship between the C242T polymorphism and brain infarction in Japan. We recruited 1055 patients with brain infarction and 1055 control subjects. A chi-squared test revealed that the T-allele frequency was lower in patients with cardioembolic infarction (5.6%) than in control subjects (11.0%, P < 0.001); however, allele frequencies in patients with lacunar and atherothrombotic infarction (11.2%) were not significantly different from those in control subjects (11.0%). A multivariate-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis also revealed no association between CT + TT genotype, and lacunar and atherothrombotic infarction (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.32). To investigate the functional effects of the C242T polymorphism, we examined superoxide production in COS-7 cells cotransfected with Nox4 and p22phox of each genotype. The superoxide-producing activity in those cells expressing p22phox with the T allele was not significantly different from that in cells expressing p22phox with the C allele. The present results suggest that the p22phox C242T polymorphism may have a protective effect against cardioembolic infarction, but is not related to lacunar and atherothrombotic infarction in Japan.

Increased serum levels of circulating CD40 ligand in patients with bullous pemphigoid: preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune bullous diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against specific adhesion molecules of the skin and/or mucous membrane. While these autoantibodies are known to play a primary role in the disease manifestation, it remains unknown how disease-specific autoreactive B cells and autoantibodies are induced. Recent studies have indicated the importance of the CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) receptor-ligand pair in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. CD40L circulates in soluble form, and some reports suggest that serum soluble CD40L (sCD40L) levels are increased in various autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVES

To determine serum sCD40L levels in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP), and to determine their correlation with clinical findings and laboratory findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sera from 10 PV patients, 35 BP patients and 12 normal controls were subjected to ELISA assays to measure serum levels of sCD40L, anti-desmoglein-3 antibody and anti-BP180 antibody.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Circulating sCD40L levels were significantly elevated in BP patients, but not in PV patients. Serum sCD40L levels increased in the early stage of disease onset and recurrence in BP patients. In conclusion, circulating sCD40L levels may be a useful marker for early activation of autoimmune diathesis and, furthermore, an effective therapeutic target in patients with BP.

Serum chemokine profiles in patients with alopecia areata

BACKGROUND

Although chemokines play an important role in various inflammatory diseases, there have been few studies about the role of chemokines in alopecia areata (AA).

OBJECTIVES

To determine serum levels of chemokines in patients with AA and their clinical correlations.

METHODS

Serum samples from 85 patients with AA, 20 patients with atopic dermatitis, 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 28 normal controls were examined by the cytometric bead array assay assessing monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma (MIG), RANTES, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IFN-inducible protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta and eotaxin levels. Secreted chemokine levels from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with AA were also investigated.

RESULTS

Serum MIG, RANTES, IL-8 and eotaxin levels were selectively increased in patients with AA compared with normal controls. Levels of MIG, RANTES and IL-8 secreted from PBMC of patients with AA were also increased. Furthermore, elevated serum MIG and RANTES levels significantly correlated with the disease activity. RANTES levels were nonsignificantly associated with a predisposition to atopy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that MIG and RANTES play an important role in the development of AA and are useful as markers of disease activity and as therapeutic targets.