Radiological abnormalities and low back pain in gymnasts

Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of radiological abnormalities among gymnasts. However, the types of radiological abnormalities associated with low back pain (LBP) have not been clarified. The hypothesis was that significant relationships between radiological abnormalities and LBP may be revealed by discriminating between the types of MRI abnormalities while considering confounding factors. The subjects were 104 Japanese collegiate gymnasts (men, 70; women, 34). The presence of LBP was evaluated using the questionnaire developed by Osaka City University (OCU Test). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were evaluated using T1- and T2-weighted MRI. The prevalence of more than 1 MRI abnormality in gymnasts was 47.1% (49/104). The chi-square test showed that the incidence of lumbar disc degeneration (LDDG) and limbus vertebra was significantly greater in gymnasts with LBP than in gymnasts without LBP. By using logistic regression analysis to analyze the concomitant environmental variables, only LDDG (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-6.66) was selected as a statistically significant variable accounting for LBP. In conclusion, LDDG is a predictor for LBP in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.

COL11A1 gene is associated with limbus vertebra in gymnasts

Several studies have shown higher frequencies of radiological abnormalities among gymnasts. Recently, the gene encoding the α1 chain of type XI collagen, (COL11A1) (rs 1676486), was associated with lumbar disc herniation in the Japanese population. We hypothesized that there was a significant relationship between abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the lumbar spine and the COL11A1 4603C/T gene polymorphism in collegiate gymnasts. Our study participants included 103 Japanese collegiate gymnasts (70 men and 33 women). Radiological abnormalities were evaluated using T1- and T2-weighted MRI. Genotyping for COL11A1 was performed for all the participants. By using logistic regression analysis, we observed significant associations between limbus vertebra and age (adjusted odds ratio=0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.96), sporting experience (adjusted odds ratio=1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.94), and a TT genotype (adjusted odds ratio=7.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-46.03). We conclude that a TT genotype of COL11A1 polymorphism may be a significant risk factor for limbus vertebra in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.

Systematic analysis of swine leukocyte antigen-DRB1 nucleotide polymorphisms using genomic DNA-based high-resolution genotyping and identification of new alleles

In an attempt to enable comprehensive high-resolution genotyping of the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) gene, we performed a systemic analysis of nucleotide polymorphisms at introns 1 and 2 and exon 2 from diverse alleles of SLA-DRB1 and DRB1 pseudogenes. We amplified and cloned 16 partial sequences of SLA-DRB1 and DRB2 introns 1 and 2 from different alleles, and analyzed them together with sequences of four reported SLA-DRB pseudogenes, DRB2, 3, 4, and 5. The results showed the presence of extreme nucleotide variations within introns 1 and 2 of SLA-DRB-related genes including substitutions and deletions. On the basis of these results, we developed a comprehensive genotyping method for SLA-DRB1 by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent direct sequencing. A total of 415 animals were genotyped and 67 allelic combinations from 18 DRB1 alleles were identified. Among them, two alleles, SLA-DRB1*kn04 and *kn05, were previously unreported. SLA-DRB1 genotyping results from this study combined with those of SLA-DQB1 from our previous study presented 10 SLA class II haplotypes, three of which were previously unreported. Population analysis using seven different pig breeds showed differences in the allele frequency of SLA-DRB1 among breeds. Our results should benefit biological experiments requiring sequence-level genotyping results of SLA-DRB1 and further study of the complete genetic diversity of SLA-DRB1 using field samples.

Molecular characterization of the human ABO blood group orthologus system in pigs

The selection and use of animals with blood group 0 in the process of transplanting pig organs or tissues into humans can positively contribute to the control of acute immune rejection due to differences in blood groups. Exon-specific PCRs for the porcine blood group A transferase gene against genomic DNA from either blood group A or 0 animals resulted in the amplification failure of the A0 blood group gene exon 8 from blood group 0 animals. To characterize the genetic abnormality in the genome of blood group 0 animals, we screened bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones from a Korean native pig BAC library which had the blood group 0 allele, and carried out shotgun sequencing. The analysis showed that the 0 allele has a large deletion between exon 7 of the A0 blood group gene and the neighbouring SURF6. We also showed that the ABO blood group antigens in humans and the A0 blood group antigens in pigs are coded by mutations within the orthologous glycosyltransferase gene. In addition, we developed a multiplex genotyping method for the porcine A0 blood group gene.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors decrease proliferation potential and multilineage differentiation capability of human mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an important therapeutic target in cancer. Two of the main anticancer mechanisms of HDAC inhibitors are induction of terminal differentiation and inhibition of cell proliferation. To investigate the role of HDAC in maintenance of self-renewal and cell proliferation, we treated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that originated from adipose tissue or umbilical cord blood with valproic acid (VPA) and sodium butyrate (NaBu).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human MSCs were isolated from mammary fat tissue and cord blood. We performed MTT assay and flow cytometry-based cell cycle analysis to assess self-renewal of MSCs. In vitro differentiation assays into osteogenic, adipogenic, neurogenic and chondrogenic lineages were conducted to investigate MSC multipotency. Immunocytochemistry, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to interrogate molecular pathways.

RESULTS

VPA and NaBu flattened the morphology of MSCs and inhibited their growth. VPA and NaBu activated the transcription of p21(CIP1/WAF1) by increasing the acetylation of histone H3 and H4 and eventually blocked the cell cycle at G2/M phase. The expression level of p16(INK4A), a cdk inhibitor that is closely related to cellular senescence, was not changed by HDAC inhibitor treatment. We performed controlled differentiation into bone, fat, cartilage and nervous tissue to elucidate the role of HDAC in the pluripotency of MSC to differentiate into functional tissues. VPA and NaBu decreased the efficiency of adipogenic, chondrogenic, and neurogenic differentiation as visualized by specific staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In contrast, osteogenic differentiation was elevated by HDAC inhibitor treatment.

CONCLUSION

HDAC activity is essential for maintaining the self-renewal and pluripotency of MSCs.

Prospective phase II trial of a combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT as first-line treatment in patients with advanced, unresectable, non-small cell lung carcinoma

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Background: Most patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receive either single agents or doublet chemotherapy. For non-elderly patients in good performance status, platinum-based double combinations represent the standard treatment. And oral UFT had the survival advantage in adjuvant setting. Therefore we performed a phase II study using the combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT as a first line therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV NSCLC with good performance status and were chemotherapy-naive. This study was two-stage design and planned number of patients was forty-seven. Gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m2, 10 mg/kg/min on days 1 and 8) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on day 1) were injected intravenously and UFT (400 mg/day) was administered orally on day 1–14. Treatment repeated every 3 weeks. Primary end point was overall response rate and secondary end points were overall survival, time to progression and toxicity. Results: Thirty seven patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 60 years (range: 44 to 72). The performance status (WHO) was 0 in 4, 1 in 30 and 2 in 3 patients. Twenty three patients completed six cycles. Complete response was achieved in 1 (3%) patient, partial response in 22 (59%) patients, stable disease in 9 (24%) patients. Overall response rate was 62% on intent to treat basis. Among patients who response evaluation was possible (33 patients), response rate was 70%. The median survival time was 14.5 months (95% CI 6.9, 22.3) and the 1 year survival was 35% and then median time to progression was 3.4 months(95% CI 3, 3.9). Toxicities were moderate and mostly hematological adverse events. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 37%, 5 patients with febrile neutropenia. Grade 3/4 anemia and thrombocypenia was occurred in 37% and 5%. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. Conclusion: The combination therapy consisted of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT is active and well tolerable first line regimen for NSCLC patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Histochemical and Electron Microscopic Study on Motor Neurone Degeneration Following Transient Spinal Cord Ischaemia at Normothermic Conditions in Rabbits

This study was carried out to investigate the motor neurone degeneration in the ventral horn following transient spinal cord ischaemia at normothermic conditions in rabbits. Transient spinal cord ischaemia was induced by occlusion of the abdominal aorta underneath the left renal artery for 15 min at normothermia (38.7 degrees C). Sections at the level of L7 were examined using histochemical and electron microscopic methods. Cresyl violet-positive motor neurones began to reduce in number at 3 h after ischaemia reperfusion, and were not detectable at 48 h after ischaemia reperfusion. Acid fuchsin-positive motor neurones were detected at 1 h after ischaemia reperfusion, significantly increased up to 6 h after the ischaemia reperfusion, and eventually disappeared by 48 h after ischaemia reperfusion. In electron microscopic findings, the disintegration of cytoplasmic membranes, and the disruption of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were observed in motor neurones at 30 min after ischaemia reperfusion. Motor neurones showed necrotic findings with pyknotic degeneration at 1 h after ischaemia reperfusion. The necrotic degeneration became severer time dependently after ischaemia reperfusion. At 48 h after ischaemia reperfusion, cellular components were not detectable in motor neurones. In conclusion, we suggest that the degeneration pattern of motor neurones of the ischaemic spinal cord was necrotic after ischaemia reperfusion under normothermic conditions.

Comparative Study on Calretinin Immunoreactivity in Gerbil and Rat Retina

Expression of calretinin in retina has been ascribed to multiple biological and functional aspects in the visual system. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of calretinin immunoreactivity in gerbil and rat retina. In the gerbil, calretinin immunoreactivity was present in bipolar and amacrine cells of the inner nuclear layer and in neurones of the ganglion cell layer. In the rat, amacrine and ganglion cells showed calretinin immunoreactivity, but bipolar cells did not contain calretinin immunoreactivity. In both species, calretinin immunoreactivity was absent in cones, cone bipolars, and horizontal cells. In conclusion, gerbil as well as rat has a rod-dominant retina. The differences in calretinin expression between rat and gerbil require further investigations under various functional and developmental conditions.

Characteristics of a newly developed dentomaxillofacial X-ray cone beam CT scanner (CB MercuRay): system configuration and physical properties

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to present the system configuration and physical properties of a new dentomaxillofacial X-ray cone beam CT system (CB MercuRay) being developed.

METHODS

The system consists of an image intensifier and a cone beam X-ray source. There are two different models of this system, each with a different size image intensifier, 9" or 12". Each system has three field of view (FOV) modes. The 12" system has facial (F), panoramic (P) and implant (I) FOV modes. The 9" system has P, I and dental (D) modes. Images produced by these systems consist of 512 x 512 x 512 isotropic voxels. Physical properties such as resolution, noise and distortion of the images were evaluated in this study. Modulation transfer function (MTF) was measured using Boone's method. Image noise was measured as the standard deviation of the CT value in water. Circularity of the axial images yielded by the two models was measured using an 8 mm diameter acrylic pipe phantom.

RESULTS

The resolving power at a MTF of 0.1 in the D mode was over 2.0 lp mm(-1), suggesting that this system yields images of high resolution. The standard deviation of the CT value in water was approximately 80, which is thought to be greater than that of conventional CT. The circularity of images of the pipe phantom was 99% of the ideal value.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that our newly developed cone beam CT system produces high resolution three-dimensional volumetric images that will be useful for the examination of dentomaxillofacial disorders.

Development of dento-maxillofacial cone beam X-ray computed tomography system

We have developed a cone beam X-ray computed tomography (CT) system to make more accurate three-dimensional (3-D) images for diagnosis of dento-maxillofacial region. The developed system has sufficient spatial resolution, resolution of 3-D images and image distortion for diagnosis of dentomaxillofacial region.