IGFBP1 and Follistatin-like 3 genes are significantly up-regulated in expression profiles of the IUGR placenta

To date, the clinicopathological features of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are not clearly understood, and no effective therapy has been established for IUGR. This is the first study that uses microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in the IUGR placenta. The expression profiles of a total of 9121 genes were examined by cDNA microarray analysis, using mRNA from an appropriate gestational age (AGA) placenta and an IUGR placenta from discordant dichorionic twins. Up-regulation of the IGFBP1 and Follistatin-like 3 genes was detected in the IUGR placenta, with a balanced differential degree of 20.7+/-1.3 and 13.1+/-2.1, respectively, while the balanced differential degrees of other genes were 2.6 or less. The expressions of the IGFBP1 and Follistatin-like 3 genes in four single IUGR and four AGA placentas were also examined by RT-PCR. Consistent with our data in discordant chorionic twin placentas, three of four IUGR placentas showed up-regulation of the IGFBP1 and all four IUGR placentas showed upregulation of Follistatin-like 3 genes when compared to the AGA placentas. Our results suggest that IGFBP1 and Follistatin-like 3 are highly up-regulated in IUGR in the placenta. IGFBP1 and Follistatin-like 3 are known critical regulators of fetal growth and differentiation. Pathways associated with these genes might be important for the pathogenesis of IUGR.

Detection of acid diffusion through bovine dentine after adhesive application

AIM

Acidic diffusion through bovine dentine was investigated by measuring pH changes on dentine surfaces after applying three adhesive systems.

METHODOLOGY

Coronal incisor bovine dentine discs, 0.5 mm thick, were prepared from dentine close to the pulp chamber. A single-bottle adhesive system-Single Bond, a self-etching primer system-Clearfil SE Bond and an 'all-in-one' adhesive system-AQ Bond were used. The labial dentine surfaces were conditioned as follows: Single Bond groups: (SB-1) 35% phosphoric acid etchant was applied and left in place; (SB-2) the etchant was applied for 15 s and rinsed off for 10 s; (SB-3) application of adhesive agent and light curing following step SB-2; Clearfil SE Bond groups: (SE-1) SE primer was applied for 20 s and dried; (SE-2) application of adhesive agent and light curing following step SE-1; AQ Bond groups: (AQ-1) AQ Bond adhesive was applied for 20 s and dried, applied for additional 5 s and dried again; (AQ-2) light curing following step AQ-1. The pH change on the pulpal dentine surface was measured using a pH-imaging microscope.

RESULTS

All the Single Bond groups revealed a lower pH on the pulpal surface (pH 6.25, 6.59 and 6.64 for SB-1, SB-2 and SB-3, respectively) compared with intact dentine. Clearfil SE Bond and AQ Bond groups showed no significant deference in pH value from intact dentine.

CONCLUSIONS

Acid diffusion from phosphoric acid etching was observed when placed on 0.5 mm-thick dentine discs; however, there was only limited evidence of acid diffusion from SE primer and AQ Bond.

Squamous metaplasia of Paget's disease

A patient had triple extramammary Paget's disease of both axillary and genital regions. Right inguinal lymphadenopathy was found 1 year after excision of all the skin lesions. Excisional biopsy of the lymph node demonstrated a mixture of Paget cells and atypical squamoid cells with horn pearls suggestive of keratinization. The squamoid cells were positive for cytokeratin 10, a marker of suprabasal epidermis, and also positive for laminin gamma2 which is often expressed in invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The coexistence of these different cells within the same tumour island suggested that the squamoid cells derived from metaplasia of Paget cells.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia as a first manifestation of primary effusion lymphoma

A 55-year-old man developing transfusion-dependant anemia was diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Although he received prednisolone (PSL) (daily 60 mg), his hemoglobin level continued to decrease. After 3 weeks of treatment, he presented with a distension of the abdomen. Cytological examination of ascitic fluid revealed large, immunoblastic lymphocytes with plasmacytoid features and abundant IgM chains on the cellular surface; this was diagnosed as primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). Administration of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, vincristine, and PSL) chemotherapy elicited regression of ascites as well as recovery of hemoglobin level. We hypothesize that PEL cells generated antibodies against red blood cells, resulting in AIHA resistance to PSL.

Acidity of conventional luting cements and their diffusion through bovine dentine

AIM

To examine the changes in pH of luting cements and acid diffusion of luting cements through bovine dentine using a pH-imaging microscope (SCHEM-100; Horiba Ltd, Kyoto, Japan).

METHODOLOGY

The pH of the surface of three conventional luting cements, glass-ionomer, zinc phosphate and zinc polycarboxylate was measured with SCHEM-100 for 1 month. The acid diffusion from the three luting cements through bovine dentine was investigated by measuring pH changes during the application of each luting cement on the bovine dentine surface. Coronal bovine dentine disks were prepared to thicknesses of 0.50 and 0.25 mm. Each luting cement was placed on the labial dentine surface, and the pH change of the pulpal surface was observed every 3 min for 30 min with SCHEM-100.

RESULTS

Glass-ionomer showed the lowest pH values for longer times. Neutralization proceeded furthest in zinc polycarboxylate. The 0.5-mm-thick dentine disks showed no pH change on the pulpal side with all the three cements. The 0.25-mm-thick disks revealed evidence of acid diffusion on the pulpal side of the cemented dentine and significantly lower pH when cemented with glass-ionomer and zinc phosphate than with zinc polycarboxylates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that glass-ionomer exhibited a lower setting pH than zinc phosphate and zinc polycarboxylate, and acid diffusions from glass-ionomer and zinc phosphate cements were observed when placed on 0.25-mm-thick dentine disks.

Expression and activation of MAP kinases, ERK1/2, in the human villous trophoblasts

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) plays a central role in the signal transduction for diverse cellular responses, such as proliferation, differentiation, stress response and cell death, via activation after binding of growth factors to the respective receptors on the cell membrane. In the human placental tissues, however, little is known about the expression and activation of the classical MAP kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2). We therefore examined the expression of ERK1/2 in the human chorionic and placental tissues between 5 and 41 weeks of gestation, using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. To explore the activation of ERK1/2 protein, we used an antibody that reacts with both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ERK1/2 (total ERK1/2), as well as antibodies that react only with phosphorylated ERK1/2. The expression pattern of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in the trophoblasts was compared with that of various growth factor receptors, such as c-met, IGF-1R, flt-1, EGFR, PDGFR, Bek, and flg. Total ERK1/2 was immunolocalized in the villous cytotrophoblasts (CTs), but not in the syncytiotrophoblasts (STs), throughout pregnancy. In situ hybridization also showed the localization of ERK1 mRNA in the villous CTs. Interestingly, however, phosphorylated ERK1/2 was immunolocalized in the villous CTs only up to 12 weeks of gestation. Western blot also showed the stronger bands of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in the tissues of the first trimester. Among the growth factor receptors, c-met was strongly expressed in the villous CTs during the first trimester, and resembled the expression pattern of phosphorylated ERK1/2. These findings suggest that the MAP kinase pathway is activated in the villous CTs during the first trimester in the human placenta.

Methamphetamine-induced, suprachiasmatic nucleus-independent circadian rhythms of activity and mPer gene expression in the striatum of the mouse

While the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) coordinates the majority of daily rhythms, some circadian patterns of expression are controlled from outside of the SCN. These include responses to daily methamphetamine (MAP) injection, or daily restricted feeding. The mechanisms underlying these SCN-independent circadian rhythms are unknown. A circadian oscillation in the expression of mPer1 and/or mPer2, mouse period, in the SCN is considered necessary to generate an SCN-dependent circadian rhythm. Therefore, in this experiment, we examined the association between mPer gene expression and the MAP-induced, SCN-independent circadian rhythm. Acute injection of MAP caused an elevation of mPer1, mBmal1, and mNpas2 gene expression in the striatum and mPer1 in the liver. Daily MAP injection at a fixed time for 6 days shifted the rhythmic mPer1 and mPer2 expression in the striatum from a nocturnal to a diurnal rhythm, but failed to affect that in the SCN. Although lesion of the SCN 'flattened'mPer gene oscillation in the striatum and liver, daily MAP injection caused both behavioural and mPer gene expression rhythms. Daily MAP injection at variable injection intervals (12-36 h) for 6 days, however, failed to produce mPer gene rhythm in the striatum. Daily repeated MAP signals may strengthen the oscillatory force of SCN-independent circadian behavioural and molecular rhythms. The present results suggest that daily oscillation of mPer genes outside the SCN is closely associated with the regulation of SCN-independent rhythms. Thus, the present experiment highlights strongly the important role of clock gene expression, in the brain, that underlies the circadian behavioural rhythm.

In vitro surface analysis of active and arrested dentinal caries using a pH-imaging microscope

This in vitro study evaluated the pH value of active and arrested caries lesions in deep dentinal caries using a pH-imaging microscope (SCHEM-100, HORIBA Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Buccal-lingual cut sections of extracted human teeth that had either active or arrested dentinal caries lesions were placed on the pH-imaging sensor of the microscope. The pH values were compared statistically by one-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (p<0.05). In addition, both types of caries lesions were compared with a caries detector solution for this pH-imaging characterization. For both active and arrested lesions in dentin, the lowest pH values in the caries lesions (range from 5.3 to 6.6) were lower than that of intact dentin (range from 6.8 to 7.4). There were statistical differences between the lowest pH value within the active lesion (range from 5.3 to 5.8) and the arrested lesion (range from 6.3 to 6.6) (p<0.05). Although the arrested lesion was unstainable and impermeable to the dye, there was a close relationship between dye staining and pH-imaging characterization within the active lesion from visual inspection.

Evaluation of thermal cycling and mechanical loading on bond strength of a self-etching primer system to dentin

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro durability and fracture modes of the tooth-resin interface following thermal cycling, fatigue load cycling (FLC) and micro-tensile bond strength testing (MTBS).

METHODS

Twenty-four human molars were divided into two groups. In group A, coronal dentin was ground flat with #600-grit SiC paper, Clearfil Linerbond.2V (LB.2V) adhesive was applied and a crown fabricated with Clearfil AP-X resin composite. Samples were loaded in the FLC simulator and thermal cycle device. In group B, Class I cavities were prepared with a diamond bur and the cavity restored with LB.2V/AP-X. Samples were simultaneously subjected to FLC and thermal cycling. After storage of the specimens in water for 1 week, MTBS tests were performed, and fracture modes examined by SEM.

RESULTS

For group A, MTBS were approximately 40 MPa with cohesive failures in the bonding resin of all specimens. Neither thermal nor mechanical stressing altered bond strengths on flat dentin surfaces. In group B, MTBS in the unstressed control group was 21 MPa with cohesive failures in the resin. As both thermal and mechanical stresses increased, there was a significant decrease in bond strength (16 MPa, P<0.05) and the fractures were seen in the resin-dentin interface and hybrid layer.

SIGNIFICANCE

Surface preparation, C-factor, cavity depth, the dentin substrate and character of the smear layer strongly influence the bond strength values after thermal and fatigue loading. The FLC simulator in combination with MTBS testing provides meaningful in vitro evaluation of dentin bonding durability.

Long-term tensile bond durability of two different 4-META containing resin cements to dentin

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate the tensile bond durability of two different types of 4-META containing resin cements over a period of 3 years.

METHODS

Ten bovine dentin specimens were tested for tensile bond strengths with each of the following materials: Super Bond C&B: unfilled methyl methacrylate (MMA)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin cement, MASA Bond (experimental material): filled dimethacrylate resin cement at 1 day, 6 months, 1 and 3 years. The mean bond strengths were compared statistically by two-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (P<0.05). The mode of failure was classified by SEM observation. Results for the mode of fracture were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Although there was no statistical difference in mean bond strength between Super Bond C&B and MASA Bond (P>0.05) during the experimental periods, the 1-day bond strengths were significantly greater than those at the other experimental periods except for 6 months (P<0.05). Regarding the fracture modes, at 6 months and 1 year, statistical differences were observed between Super Bond C&B and MASA Bond (P<0.05).

SIGNIFICANCE

The bond strengths of both resin cements to dentin significantly decreased after 6 months, and the long-term failure patterns of the 4-META/TBB resin cements showed a marked change.

Expression of the cell cycle regulator p27(Kip1) in normal squamous epithelium, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Immunohistochemistry and functional aspects of p27(Kip1)

BACKGROUND

Abnormality of cell cycle regulators and tumor suppressors, such as cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (cdkIs), has been reported in malignant tumors. The current study was undertaken to examine the involvement of a cdkI, p27(Kip1) (p27), in the neoplastic process of the uterine cervical epithelium.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining of p27 was performed in samples of normal cervical tissue (30 samples), cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CINs; 17 samples), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 25 samples). The results were compared with the expression levels of Ki-67, cdk2, and cyclin E. The functional aspects of the p27 protein, such as its ability to bind to cdk2 and the phosphorylation activity of p27-bound cdk2, also were evaluated with an immunoprecipitation and histone H1 kinase assay.

RESULTS

In normal cervical epithelia, the expression of p27 was strong in the intermediate and superficial cells but very weak in the parabasal cells. In CIN samples, the expression of p27 was negligible. The expression of p27 in these tissues showed an inverse topologic correlation to that of Ki-67, cdk2, and cyclin E. However, it is noteworthy that the number of p27 positive cells increased in SCC samples that also showed increased expression of Ki-67, cdk2, and cyclin E. The p27 protein in SCC samples was bound to cdk2 and cyclin E. However, cdk2 that was bound to p27 still possessed histone H1 kinase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of p27 may be involved in the growth regulation of the normal squamous epithelium in the uterine cervix. However, aberrant function of p27 expression may occur in invasive SCC of the cervix.

Circadian profile of Per gene mRNA expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, and pineal body of aged rats

Aging alters circadian components such as the free-running period, the day-to-night activity ratio and photic entrainment in behavioral rhythms, and 2-deoxyglucose uptakes and neuronal firing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). A core clock mechanism in the mouse SCN appears to involve a transcriptional feedback loop in which Period (Per) and Cryptochrome (Cry) genes play a role in negative feedback. The circadian rhythm systems include photic entrainment, clock oscillation, and outputs of clock information such as melatonin production. In this experiment, we examined clock gene expression to determine whether circadian input, oscillation, and output are disrupted with aging. Circadian expression profiles of rPer1, rPer2, or rCry1 mRNA were very similar in the SCN, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), and the pineal body of young and aged (22-26 months) rats. On the other hand, the photic stimulation-induced rapid expression of Per1 and Per2 in the SCN was reduced with aging. The present results suggest that the molecular mechanism of clock oscillation in the SCN, PVN, and pineal body is preserved against aging, whereas the impairment of Per1 induction in the SCN after light stimulation may result in impaired behavioral photic entrainment in aged rats.

[Usefulness of immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool for tumors and pseudotumoral bone lesions]

Immunohistochemical study for the diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions has to be scheduled after an appropriate analysis of clinical data, radiological findings, and results of histology in H-E sections. The value of several markers for osteoblasts is discussed, chiefly for various forms of osteosarcomas. In the same way, the role of S-100 protein as well as anticollagen type II antibody is developed for cartilaginous tumors. The selection of markers in the fields of round cell tumors and spindle cell tumors of bone is also discussed. Some diagnostic problems with the support of immunohistochemistry are described, like chordomas versus chondrosarcomas or bone metastases. Lastly, immunohistochemical study of proliferating factors in the bone tumor field is quoted.

Triterpenoid saponins from Mollugo spergula

Two novel triterpenoid saponins belonging to a modified hopane group, spergulin A [3-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl 4-sulphate)-spergulagenin A] (1) and spergulin B [3-O-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-spergulatriol] (4) were isolated from the aerial part of Mollugo spergula along with spergulacin (2) and spergulacin A (3). Their structures and relative stereochemistry were determined by a combination of 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, HETCOR, NOESY and HMBC) and HR-FAB-MS analysis coupled with strategic chemical and enzymatic transformations.

Upregulation of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only peptide harakiri in spinal neurons of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-1, implicating involvement of apoptosis, have been reported in the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and transgenic mouse models of ALS. Because BH3-only members of the Bcl-2 family have pro-apoptotic activity, we examined the expression of the BH3-only peptide harakiri (Hrk) in the spinal cord of ALS patients. In situ expression of Hrk mRNA and immunoreactivity against the Hrk peptide were verified in the spinal neurons. In the immunoblot analysis, upregulated Hrk protein migrated at 16 kDa. Heterodimerization of Hrk with Bcl-2 was detected by immunoprecipitation, which suggests the competition of Hrk and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. These findings suggest that Hrk plays a role in apoptotic events in ALS pathogenesis.

Flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora hairy root cultures

Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora hairy roots were induced from axenic young plants by direct infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The chemical constituents were then investigated after mass culture. The isoflavone, licoagroisoflavone and the coumestan, licoagroside C, were isolated along with seven known flavonoids. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Up-regulation of p27Kip1 by progestins is involved in the growth suppression of the normal and malignant human endometrial glandular cells

Progestins are known to suppress the growth of normal human endometrial glands and endometrial carcinomas possessing PRs. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of progestin-induced growth inhibition, the expression and functional involvement of p27Kip1 (p27), a cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor, was investigated using cultured normal endometrial glandular cells and endometrial carcinoma cell lines (Ishikawa; PR-positive, KLE; PR-negative). Growth of the normal endometrial glandular cells and Ishikawa cells was suppressed by treatment with progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate, respectively, in association with an increase in p27 protein expression. Immunoprecipitation revealed that progestins accelerated the complex formation of p27 and cdk2 in both types of cells. However, treatment with progestins did not show any marked alterations in the mRNA expression of p27 in either normal glandular cells or Ishikawa cells. On the other hand, p27 protein degradation experiments indicated that treatment with progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate prolonged the degradation time of the normal endometrial glandular cells and Ishikawa cells, respectively. Forced expression of the p27 protein using a p27 expression plasmid reduced the growth activity of normal endometrial glandular cells. These findings suggest that p27 is functionally involved in progestin-induced growth suppression of normal and malignant endometrial epithelial cells and that up-regulation of the p27 protein by progestins possibly occurs via posttranslational mechanisms.

Bonding amalgam to enamel: shear bond strength and SEM morphology

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Most studies of amalgam bonding have used dentin as the substrate. There is little data on bonding to enamel.

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the shear bond strength of amalgam to enamel with the use of 3 resin cements, 1 resin-modified glass ionomer lining cement, and 2 dentin bonding agents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty bovine teeth were trimmed to expose a flat enamel surface and randomly assigned to 6 test groups of 10 specimens each. A single-plane lap shear test assembly was used. The enamel surfaces were treated with either Amalgambond Plus (group I, control), 2 coats of Amalgambond Plus (group II), light-polymerized Panavia F followed by an additional coat of autopolymerized Panavia F (group III), light-polymerized Fuji Lining LC followed by an additional coat of acid-base set Fuji Lining LC (group IV), Clearfil SE Bond followed by an additional coat of autopolymerized Panavia F (group V), or Single Bond followed by an additional coat of autopolymerized RelyX ARC (group VI). Freshly mixed amalgam was condensed against the treated enamel surfaces. Shear bond strengths for each group were compared with 1-way ANOVA and post hoc Duncan's test (P=.05). Fracture modes were examined visually. SEM observations of the fractured enamel surfaces, interfacial morphology, and conditioned enamel surfaces for each group were performed.

RESULTS

Low bond strengths of 1.2 and 1.6 MPa were obtained in groups VI and I, respectively. The dual application of materials in all remaining groups resulted in higher bond strengths that ranged from 14.2 to 15.7 MPa. SEM illustrations revealed various degrees of intermingling between the adhesive material and amalgam. The conditioned enamel surfaces were morphologically varied according to conditioning solution.

CONCLUSION

In this in vitro study, with the exception of group VI, the dual application of either adhesive resins or resin-modified glass ionomer resulted in satisfactory bond strengths of amalgam to enamel (up to 16 MPa).

Nematocidal activities of thiabendazole and ivermectin against the larvae of Strongyloides ratti and S. venezuelensis

With the aim of developing therapeutic agents for strongyloidosis, the disease caused by infection with Strongyloides stercoralis, we established a novel assay technique using S. ratti and S. venezuelensis as models for S. stercoralis. The newly developed assay technique was found to more accurately represent treatment-induced larval paralysis than existing assays. Our method uses paper disks impregnated with the test solution, which even allows materials that are sparingly soluble in water to be tested. An inverted microscope was used to observe the larval states, and these states were recorded using a digital camera. We observed the activities of ivermectin and thiabendazole against larvae and calculated larval motility and velocity. These two factors were then combined to determine the overall viability of larvae at selected concentrations. The activities of the anthelmintics were compared by calculating the concentrations at which 50% viability was demonstrated, or in other words, the concentration at which paralysis was caused in 50% of the individuals (50% paralysis concentration; PC(50)). Evaluations after 24h of exposure yielded the following reproducible PC(50) values for ivermectin and thiabendazole, respectively: S. ratti, 2.4 and 140 microM; and S. venezuelensis, 2.3 and 190 microM. After treatment with ivermectin, there was a tendency for larval motility to be greater than that of the controls at low concentrations, a result that might be associated with its mechanism of action.

Genetic alterations in microsatellite marker sites among tumor suppressor genes in endometriosis

Four endometriotic lesions were examined for the presence of genetic alterations in microsatellite marker sites among eight tumor suppressor genes. For this, a microdissection method was used on paraffin sections. Only one instance of loss of heterozygosity was detected at the PTCH locus. Heterozygosity was retained (indicating the absence of both loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability) at the other seven tumor suppressor gene loci in all the cases. Among the tumor suppressor genes examined, genetic defects in these microsatellite regions are certainly not ubiquitous in endometriosis and may be uncommon.

Expression of the novel transcription factor OASIS, which belongs to the CREB/ATF family, in mouse embryo with special reference to bone development

The OASIS gene, which encodes a novel CREB/ATF family member, was isolated from long-term cultured astrocytes that were employed as an in vitro gliosis model. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern of the OASIS gene in the developing mouse embryo by in situ hybridization histochemistry and compared it with the expression of osteogenesis markers. OASIS mRNA expression was most strongly detected in preosteoblasts of the outer bony cortex of the ribs. Alveolar bone also showed strong signals for OASIS gene expression. OASIS mRNA was also localized to the preodontoblast of tooth buds. Expression began at embryonic day 12 (D12.5), peaked around D14.5-16.5, and continued to D18.5. The pattern of expression was very similar to that of hXBP-1 mRNA, which encodes another CREB/ATF family member. Spatiotemporal patterns of OASIS partly overlapped that of osteopontin, osteonectin, and alpha1 type I procollagen genes. Among these, the time course of OASIS mRNA expression was most similar to that of osteopontin mRNA expression, suggesting that the OASIS protein is involved in the late phase of osteoblast differentiation, as compared to the Cbfa1 that regulates early phases of osteoblast differentiation.

Fargosides A-E, triterpenoid saponins from Holboellia fargesii

Five new triterpenoid saponins, fargosides A, B, C, D, and E, were isolated from the roots of Holboellia fargesii. The structures of fargosides A-E were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence and found to be 3beta,20alpha-dihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3beta,20alpha,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 23-O-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3beta,23-dihydroxy-30-norolean-2,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (3), 3beta,23-dihydroxy-30-norolean-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid 3-O-methyl beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (4), and 3beta,23-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-methyl beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (5), respectively.

Low asialoglycoprotein receptor expression as markers for highly proliferative potential hepatocytes

Development of a reliable method to isolate highly proliferative potential hepatocytes will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration, as well as proving crucial for the development of a biohybrid artificial liver. The aim of this study is to isolate highly proliferative, e.g., progenitor-like, hepatocytes. To this end, we fractionated hepatocytes expressing low and high levels of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) based on the difference in their adhesion to poly[N-p-vinylbenzyl-O-beta-d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-d-gluconamide] (PVLA), and examined the proliferative activity and gene expression of these fractionated hepatocytes. The results showed that approximately 0.5 to 1% of the total number of hepatocytes, which showed low adhesion to PVLA, expressed low levels of the ASGP-R, while the rest of hepatocyte population with high adhesion to PVLA expressed high levels of the ASGP-R. Interestingly hepatocytes with low ASGP-R expression levels had much higher DNA synthesizing activity (i.e., are much more proliferative) than those with high ASGP-R expression levels. Moreover, hepatocytes with low ASGP-R expression levels expressed higher levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), CD29 (beta1 integrin) and CD49f (alpha6 integrin) and lower levels of glutamine synthetase than those with high ASGP-R expression. These findings suggested that hepatocytes with low adhesion to PVLA due to their low ASGP-R expression could be potential candidates for progenitor-like hepatocytes due to their high proliferative capacity; hence, the low expression of the ASGP-R could be a unique marker for progenitor hepatocytes. The isolation of hepatocytes with different functional phenotypes using PVLA may provide a new research tool for a better understanding of the biology of hepatocytes and the mechanisms regulating their proliferation and differentiation in health and disease.

Demonstration of focal p53 expression without genetic alterations in endometriotic lesions

Their monoclonal origin (as indicated by recent investigations) indicates the neoplastic nature of most endometriotic lesions. p53, a representative tumor suppressor, regulates cell proliferation, and genetic alterations in p53 are involved in carcinogenesis in a wide variety of human cancers. The aim of this study was to examine endometriotic lesions for p53 expression and genetic alterations in p53. An immunohistochemical study revealed that 20% (13/64) of endometriotic lesions showed focal p53 expression in the epithelial cells. Using serial paraffin sections, we employed a microdissection method to extract DNA from the endometriotic tissues that showed p53 expression. No mutations were found in exons 5-8 in p53 by cleavase fragment length polymorphism scanning and polymerase chain reaction-DNA sequencing. Moreover, neither loss of heterozygosity nor microsatellite instability was detected at the microsatellite marker sites of p53. These results suggest that the focal p53 expression recognized in the endometriotic epithelia may be due to overproduction of wild-type p53 protein.

Constituents of compositae plants. 2. Triterpene diols, triols, and their 3-o-fatty acid esters from edible chrysanthemum flower extract and their anti-inflammatory effects

The n-hexane soluble and the nonsaponifiable lipid fractions of the edible flower extract of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) were investigated for triterpene diol and triol constituents. These triterpenes occur as the 3-O-fatty acid esters in the n-hexane soluble fraction from which 26 new and 6 known fatty acid esters were isolated and characterized. From the nonsaponifiable lipid fraction, 24 triterpene diols and triols were isolated, of which 3 were new compounds: (24S)-25-methoxycycloartane-3beta,24-diol (11), (24S)-25-methoxycycloartane-3beta,24,28-triol (22), and 22alpha-methoxyfaradiol (23). Faradiol (9) and heliantriol C (19), present in the nonsaponifiable lipid fraction and as the 3-O-palmitoyl esters in the n-hexane soluble fraction, were the most predominant triterpene diol and triol constituents. Fourteen triterpene diols and triols and 9 fatty acid esters were evaluated with respect to their anti-inflammatory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice. All of the triterpenes examined showed marked inhibitory activity, with a 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of 0.03-1.0 mg/ear, which was more inhibitive than quercetin (ID50 = 1.6 mg/ear), a known inhibitor of TPA-induced inflammation in mice.