Viral-like brain inflammation during development causes increased seizure susceptibility in adult rats

Viral infections of the CNS and their accompanying inflammation can cause long-term neurological effects, including increased risk for seizures. To examine the effects of CNS inflammation, we infused polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, intracerebroventricularly to mimic a viral CNS infection in 14 day-old rats. This caused fever and an increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1beta in the brain. As young adults, these animals were more susceptible to lithium-pilocarpine and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures and showed memory deficits in fear conditioning. Whereas there was no alteration in adult hippocampal cytokine levels, we found a marked increase in NMDA (NR2A and C) and AMPA (GluR1) glutamate receptor subunit mRNA expression. The increase in seizure susceptibility, glutamate receptor subunits, and hippocampal IL-1beta levels were suppressed by neonatal systemic minocycline. Thus, a novel model of viral CNS inflammation reveals pathophysiological relationships between brain cytokines, glutamate receptors, behaviour and seizures, which can be attenuated by anti-inflammatory agents like minocycline.

Unconventional ferroelectric transition in the multiferroic compound TbMnO3 revealed by the absence of an anomaly in c-polarized phonon dispersion

TbMnO(3) exhibits a spontaneous electric polarization along c concomitantly with a spiral spin ordering modulated along b below T_{C} = 28 K. We have performed inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on a single crystal of TbMnO(3) to clarify whether phonon anomalies related to the ferroelectricity exist. We measured transverse modes, especially the Mn-O-Mn bending mode polarized along c and propagating along b, which we expect is most relevant to the ferroelectricity. However, no anomaly was found in the phonon dispersion below 50 meV across T_{C}. The present result suggests that the mechanism of ferroelectricity in TbMnO(3) is different from that of a conventional displacive-type ferroelectric. The weak coupling between electric polarization and lattice in TbMnO(3) strongly suggests that the ferroelectricity is mainly derived from the spiral spin ordering.

Transverse acoustic excitations in liquid Ga

The transverse acoustic excitation modes were detected by inelastic x-ray scattering in liquid Ga in the Q range above 9 nm(-1) although liquid Ga is mostly described by a hard-sphere liquid. An ab initio molecular dynamics simulation clearly supports this finding. From the detailed analysis for the S(Q,omega) spectra with a good statistic quality, the lifetime of 0.5 ps and the propagating length of 0.4-0.5 nm can be estimated for the transverse acoustic phonon modes, which may correspond to the lifetime and size of cages formed instantaneously in liquid Ga.

LACK OF CELLULAR PRION PROTEIN UNMASKS NMDA NR2D SUBUNIT RECEPTOR FUNCTION WITH CONSEQUENCES TOWARD SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AND EXCITOTOXICITY

Background: The physiological functions of endogenous cellular prion protein (PrPC)is incompletely understood. Previously, it has been shown that PrP-null mice exhibit reduced long-term (synaptic) potentiation and greater susceptibility to seizure mortality in several in vivo models of epilepsy. In addition, PrP-null neurons in culture exhibit greater excito toxic cell death in response to kainic acid exposure, and in several models of oxidative stress. Although PrP seems toplay a protective role against various forms of cellular insults, the precise mechanism of such action is unknown. Methods: We investigated the synaptic properties of WT and PrP-null mice using cultured neurons and also brain slices from adult mice. Synaptic activity was assessed using whole-cell voltage clamp. We recorded spontaneous and evoked synaptic potentials. Extracellular field recordings of brain slices were also performed. Pharmacological agents were used to isolate all components of glutamatergic and GABA(A) mediated synaptic transmission. In addition, weassessed the effect of NMDA excitotoxicity in WT and PrP-null neurons using in vitro and in vivo experiments. We also used immunostaining, coimmunoprecipitation, and protein expression studies to quantify the relation between NMDA subtype expression and localization relative to native PrP. Results: Recordings in the CA1 layer of adult hippocampal slices showed thatPrP-null mice exhibit a reduced threshold to evoked responses, exhibited basal hyperexcitability, and in a model of zero-Mg2+ seizures also showed lower seizure threshold. No differences were observed in paired-pulse facilitation relative to WT animals. Recordings from mature hippocampal cultures showed slightly altered AMPA and GABAA miniature synaptic currents. NMDA mEPSCs were observed to be increased in amplitude and significantly prolonged in decaytime. NMDA-evoked currents also exhibited markedly prolonged deactivation kinetics. This effect on evoked NMDA currents was reproduced in WT neurons byindependent PrP-RNAi, NR2D-RNAi transfection, and eliminated by PrPCtransfection into PrP-null neurons. In addition, PrP coimmunoprecipitated with NR2D and not NR2B NMDA receptor subunits. In vitro and in vivo experiments utilizing transient exposure to NMDA showed greater cell death in PrP-nullneurons, which was significantly reduced by application of an NMDA receptor antagonist. Conclusions: These data suggest that enhanced NMDA activity is present in PrP-null neurons. Consistent with this finding, in vitro and in vivo excitotoxicity assays demonstrated increased neuronal cell death in PrP-null cultures and animals upon transient exposure to NMDA. This was confirmed at the level of synaptic currents showing prolonged receptor deactivation kinetics that were most consistent with functional activation of NR2D NMDA receptor subunits. Enhanced NMDA receptor function was paralleled by increased excitotoxicity in PrP-null mice. Our findings demonstrate a novel functional role for PrP as a modulator of synaptic NMDA currents and attributes a neuroprotective function to PrP.

Possible immune functions of congerin, a mucosal galectin, in the intestinal lumen of Japanese conger eel

Congerin, a mucosal galectin of the Japanese conger eel, provides chemical fortification through its agglutinating and opsonizing activity. Congerin is produced in the epidermis, and the epithelia of the oral cavity to the esophagus, but not in the stomach or intestine. We hypothesized that congerin secreted from the upper digestive tract can reach and function in the intestinal lumen. We found that congerin possessed marked resistance against digestion by gastric and enteric enzymes of conger eel. It was not degraded until 6h of incubation with stomach extract or intestinal digestion juice. Western blotting demonstrated that congerin essentially remained in the intestinal mucus. The mucus agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes, and the agglutination was hampered by anti-congerin antibody. Furthermore, congerin could bind to some enteric bacteria. These results support the above hypothesis.

Laparoscopy-assisted right hepatic lobectomy using a wall-lifting procedure

This article describes a new technique for performing a laparoscopy-assisted right hepatic lobectomy using a hanger wall-lifting procedure. The patient is placed in the left semi-lateral position. A cholecystectomy and hemi-hepatic vascular inflow control are then performed through a midline incision, through which the resected liver can be removed. Next, the right lower chest and right upper abdominal wall are lifted by two wires vertical to the abdominal wall. Two ports, a 5-mm port in right lateral abdomen for forceps and a 12-mm port just right of the umbilicus for the laparoscope, are inserted. The obtained view of the operative field in the right upper abdominal cavity is thus excellent. The laparoscopy-assisted mobilization of the right hepatic lobe is done with the assistance of a hand inserted through the midline incision, including a dissection of the hepato-renal ligament, the right triangular ligament, and the right coronary ligament. A parenchymal dissection is then performed using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) and the resected specimen is passed through the midline incision without any morcellation of the liver. This procedure can minimize the length of the wound, while avoiding the lethal complications associated with pneumoperitoneum.

A loss of c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage and poor prognosis in breast cancer

To evaluate the c-kit expression in breast cancer, 217 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast were immunohistochemically stained for c-kit protein. The c-kit expression was positive in 59 (27%) of 217 tumours, while the c-kit expression was negative in 158 (73%) of 217 tumours. There was a significant correlation between a negative expression of the c-kit protein and lymph node metastasis (P<0.0001), and the incidence of a negative expression of the c-kit protein increased as the number of the metastatic lymph nodes increased (P=0.0003). The c-kit expression did not significantly correlate with the tumour size, nuclear grade, oestrogen receptor status, MIB-1 counts and p53 protein expression. A univariate analysis indicated the patients with the negative c-kit expression to have a worse disease-free survival (DFS) than those with the positive c-kit expression (P=0.0041), while a multivariate analysis determined lymph node metastases and the MIB-1 counts to be independently significant factors for DFS. In conclusion, a loss of the c-kit expression was found in about three-fourth of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and was associated with lymph node metastases. The prognostic implications of the c-kit expression seem to be due to fact that a loss of the c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage of breast cancer.

Production of adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory protein, in mesenteric adipose tissue in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A characteristic feature of Crohn's disease (CD) is mesenteric adipose tissue hypertrophy. Mesenteric adipocytes or specific proteins secreted by them may play a role in the pathogenesis of CD. We recently identified adiponectin as an adipocyte specific protein with anti-inflammatory properties. Here we report on expression of adiponectin in mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mesenteric adipose tissue specimens were obtained from patients with CD (n = 22), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 8) and, for controls, colon carcinoma patients (n = 28) who underwent intestinal resection. Adiponectin concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and adiponectin mRNA levels were determined by real time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tissue concentrations and release of adiponectin were significantly increased in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients compared with normal mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.040, respectively), UC patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.003), and controls (p<0.0001, p<0.0001). Adiponectin mRNA levels were significantly higher in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients than in paired normal mesenteric adipose tissue from the same subjects (p = 0.024). Adiponectin concentrations in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients with an internal fistula were significantly lower than those of CD patients without an internal fistula (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adipocytes in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue produce and secrete significant amounts of adiponectin, which could be involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation associated with CD.

Fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition

The dynamic structure factor S(Q,omega) of expanded fluid Hg has been measured up to the metal-nonmetal transition region at 9.0 g cm(-3) (1723 K and 1940 bars) using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering, at momentum transfers, Q, from 0.2 to 4.8 A(-1). Analysis in the framework of generalized hydrodynamics reveals that the frequencies of the collective excitations increase faster with Q than estimated from the macroscopic speed of sound. The effective sound velocity at 9.0 g cm(-3) estimated from the dispersion relation is triple the ultrasonic sound velocity. The present result suggests the existence of fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition.

Softening of Cu-O bond stretching phonons in tetragonal HgBa2CuO4+delta

Phonons in nearly optimally doped HgBa(2)CuO(4+delta) were studied by inelastic x-ray scattering. The dispersion of the low-energy modes is well described by a shell model, while the Cu-O bond stretching mode at high energy shows strong softening towards the zone boundary, which deviates strongly from the model. This seems to be common in the hole-doped high-T(c) superconducting cuprates, and, based on this work, not related to a lattice distortion specific to each material.

Kohn anomaly in MgB2 by inelastic X-ray scattering

We study phonons in MgB2 using inelastic x-ray scattering (1.6 and 6 meV resolution). We clearly observe the softening and broadening of the crucial E(2g) mode through the Kohn anomaly along GammaM, in excellent agreement with ab initio calculations. Low temperature measurements (just above and below T(c)) show negligible changes for the momentum transfers investigated and no change in the E(2g) mode at A between room temperature and 16 K. We report the presence of a longitudinal mode along GammaA near in energy to the E(2g) mode that is not predicted by theory.

High frequency dynamics in a monatomic glass

The high frequency dynamics of glassy selenium has been studied by inelastic x-ray scattering at beam line BL35XU (SPring-8). The high quality of the data allows one to pinpoint the existence of a dispersing acoustic mode for wave vectors (Q) of 1.5<Q<12.5 nm(-1), helping to clarify a previ-ous contradiction between experimental and numerical results. The sound velocity shows a positive dispersion, exceeding the hydrodynamic value by approximately 10% at Q<3.5 nm(-1). The Q2 dependence of the sound attenuation Gamma(Q), reported for other glasses, is found to be the low-Q limit of a more general Gamma(Q) proportional, variant Omega(Q)(2) law, which applies also to the higher Q region, where Omega(Q) proportional, variant Q no longer holds.

EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein in the primary lesions and paired metastatic regional lymph nodes in breast cancer

AIMS

Various biological parameters are now being evaluated as predictors for the response of chemohormonal therapy for breast cancer. Few studies compare these parameters between the primary lesions and metastatic regional lymph nodes of breast cancer.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical analyses for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB2 and p53 protein were performed on the primary lesions and matching metastatic regional lymph nodes of 107 breast cancers. The intensity of the immunoreactivity was graded for heterogeneous or 10-50% staining, and diffuse or >50% staining.

RESULTS

EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein showed a concordance between the primary lesions and matching regional lymph nodes in terms of a negative or positive finding (+ and ++) in 98 (92%) of 106 cases, 76 (100%) of 76 cases and 79 (93%) of 85 cases respectively, while EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein also showed a concordance in the intensity of the immunoreactivity in 24 (89%) of 27 cases 14 (74%) of 19 cases and 30 (94%) of 32 cases respectively. In 21 of 24 cases which showed a disconcordance in the positivity or the intensity of the positivity of EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein, one of the primary lesions and matching regional lymph nodes showed heterogeneous or 10-50% immunostaining.

CONCLUSIONS

The immunoreactivity of EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein shows a concordance between the primary lesions and matching metastatic regional lymph nodes in a majority of breast cancers.

Nosocomial contamination by Mycobacterium gordonae in hospital water supply and super-oxidized water

We experienced contamination by Mycobacterium gordonae of the hospital water of our surgical ward. The contamination was discovered following detection of the organism in operative lung samples, washed with super-oxidized water. Repeated examination of water demonstrated contamination by M. gordonae occurred only in the surgical ward, related to the apparatus for making super-oxidized water. No patients were infected by M. gordonae. After changing the water supply equipment and cleaning the water tubes, M. gordonae in the water disappeared.

Prognostic value of p53 protein expression in breast cancer; an immunohistochemical analysis of frozen sections in 514 Japanese women

BACKGROUND

Although the prognostic value of p53 protein has been extensively studied in breast cancer, there have so far been few immunohistochemical studies of p53 protein using frozen sections in a large series of Japanese women with breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein was performed on frozen sections from 514 Japanese patients with breast cancer with a mean follow-up duration of 31 months.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eight (40.5%) of 514 cases showed nuclear accumulation of p53 protein. There was a significant inverse correlation between p53 protein and estrogen receptor (ER) status. The patients who were positive for p53 protein had a significantly worse outcome in terms of both disease free survival (DFS) (p<0.0001) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.0411) than those negative for p53 protein. The same effect on DFS was seen in subgroups divided either by nodal status or ER status. Multivariate analyses indicated that nodal status, ER and p53 protein were all independent prognostic factors for DFS. The nodal status, ER and tumor size were independent prognostic factors for OS, and p53 protein status was still an independent prognostic factor for DFS in subgroups divided either by nodal status or ER status.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated the prognostic value of p53 protein expression for the early recurrence of breast cancer, and the prognostic value of p53 protein expression was independent from that of both the nodal status and ER status in breast cancer.

Prognostic value of DNA ploidy in 653 Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of DNA ploidy has been extensively studied in breast cancer; however, the results remain controversial. Flow cytometry (FCM) studies of DNA ploidy on frozen sections have not yet been performed in a large series of Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer.

METHODS

An FCM analysis of DNA ploidy was performed on frozen sections of node-negative breast cancer from 653 Japanese women, with a mean follow-up duration of 46 months.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty-four (49.6%) patients showed a diploid tumor, while 329 (50.4%) showed an aneuploid tumor. There was a significant correlation between DNA ploidy and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Patients with an aneuploid tumor had a significantly worse outcome in terms of both disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.0116) and overall survival (OS: P = 0.0492) than those with a diploid tumor, while the same effect, in terms of DFS, was also seen in ER-positive breast cancer. Multivariate analyses indicated DNA ploidy to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS, while DNA ploidy and tumor size were found to be independent prognostic factors for OS. DNA ploidy was also shown to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS in ER-positive breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated DNA ploidy, based on FCM, to have an important prognostic value in Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer.

Nurses' comprehension and recall process of a patient's message with double-bind information

We examined nurses' comprehension and recall process of patients' passage with double-bind information. We focused on two modes of communication, tone of voice and content of speech. The experiment followed a 2 x 2 x 2 design with respect to listeners (nurse vs student), tone of voice (positive vs negative), and verbal content (positive vs negative). Subjects were 79 nurses who worked at the university hospital and 99 students who were studying at the Faculty of Nursing. Nurses and students were randomly divided into four subgroups; each was presented one of four professionally tape-recorded scripts representing one possible combination of tone of voice and verbal content on the part of a fictitious patient. Listeners then rated the passages on scales and were asked to recall the passages in detail. Listeners recalled and understood passages better when the modes of communication did not conflict. Accuracy in recall reflected comprehension of passages rather than the listener's feelings about the "patient," especially in double-bind situations. Listeners tended to judge the speaker's feelings by tone of voice rather than verbal content.

A double-blind comparative study of zolpidem versus zopiclone in the treatment of chronic primary insomnia

Zolpidem (10 mg/day) and zopiclone (7.5 mg/day), administered at night, were compared in a 14-day, double-blind, equivalence trial on 479 chronic primary insomniacs (zolpidem, 231; zopiclone, 248) throughout Japan, with a 1-week follow-up to assess rebound. The primary endpoint was the investigators' rating of global improvement of sleep disorders. A total of 32 patients in the zolpidem group (13.9%) and 45 patients in the zopiclone group (18.1%) withdrew from the study before the end of the treatment. In the zolpidem group, 67.9% (142/209) of patients were rated at least 'moderately improved' versus 61.6% (135/219) with zopiclone, zolpidem being at least as effective as zopiclone (90% confidence interval: -1.7, 14.3). With zolpidem, sleep onset latency improved in significantly more patients (85.8% versus 77.5%) and significantly fewer patients showed aggravated sleep onset latency relative to baseline at follow-up (4.5% versus 15.4%). Significantly fewer patients receiving zolpidem experienced drug-related adverse events (31.3% versus 45.3%), with bitter taste representing 5.8% (six of 104) of such complaints with zolpidem compared with 39.9% (69/173) with zopiclone. In conclusion, zolpidem was at least as effective as zopiclone, showed significantly less rebound on discontinuation and was better tolerated.

Glutathionyl hemoglobin in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

To assess the redox state in hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, we focused on the formation of glutathionyl hemoglobin (Hb) because the ratio of oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) is increased in uremia, and GSSG is a source of glutathionyl Hb.

METHODS

Glutathionyl Hb levels were measured in 30 HD patients, 10 CAPD patients, and 20 healthy subjects by using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS).

RESULTS

Hbbeta showed a peak at 15,868 D in a deconvoluted ESI mass spectrum. Glutathionyl Hbbeta was detected at 16,173 D (15,868 + 305). The peak at 16,173 D was identified as glutathionyl Hbbeta based on the following findings: (1) the peak disappeared by reducing the sample with dithiothreitol, and (2) the peak could be detected at a high level by incubating Hb in vitro with GSH in water at 37 degrees C for seven days. Glutathionyl Hb levels expressed as the peak height ratios of glutathionyl Hbbeta to intact Hbbeta were significantly elevated in HD patients (8.0 +/- 3.6%, mean +/- SD, N = 30, P < 0.0001) and CAPD patients (5.9 +/- 2.7%, N = 10, P < 0.05) as compared with normal subjects (3.0 +/- 1.6%, N = 20). However, there were no significant differences in the glutathionyl Hb levels before (8.7 +/- 3.2%, N = 12) and after HD (8.7 +/- 2.8%, N = 12).

CONCLUSION

Glutathionyl Hb levels were increased in HD and CAPD patients, probably because of enhanced oxidative stress. The measurement of glutathionyl Hb may be useful to assess oxidative stress in uremic patients.