CBL mutation-related patterns of phosphorylation and sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Recurrent homozygous CBL-inactivating mutations in myeloid malignancies decrease ubiquitin ligase activity that inactivates SRC family kinases (SFK) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). However, the most important SFK and RTK affected by these mutations, and hence, the most important therapeutic targets, have not been clearly characterized. We compared SFK and RTK pathway activity and inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines containing homozygous R420Q mutation (GDM-1), heterozygous deletion (MOLM13) and wild-type (WT) CBL (THP1, U937). As expected with CBL loss, GDM-1 displayed high KIT expression and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) hypersensitivity. Ectopic expression of WT CBL decreased GDM-1 proliferation but not cell lines with WT CBL. GDM-1, but not the other cell lines, was highly sensitive to growth inhibition by dasatinib (dual SFK and RTK inhibitor, LD50 50 nM); there was less or no selective inhibition of GDM-1 growth by sunitinib (RTK inhibitor), imatinib (ABL, KIT inhibitor), or PP2 (SFK inhibitor). Phosphoprotein analysis identified phosphorylation targets uniquely inhibited by dasatinib treatment of GDM-1, including a number of proteins in the KIT and GM-CSF receptor pathways (for example, KIT Tyr721, STAT3 Tyr705). In conclusion, the promiscuous effects of CBL loss on SFK and RTK signaling appear to be best targeted by dual SFK and RTK inhibition.

Cavity formation on an optical nanofiber using focused ion beam milling technique

We present the experimental realization of nanofiber Bragg grating (NFBG) by drilling periodic nano-grooves on a subwavelength-diameter silica fiber using focused ion beam milling technique. Using such NFBG structures we have realized nanofiber cavity systems. The typical finesse of such nanofiber cavity is F ∼ 20 - 120 and the on-resonance transmission is ∼ 30 - 80%. Moreover the structural symmetry of such NFBGs results in polarization-selective modes in the nanofiber cavity. Due to the strong confinement of the field in the guided mode, such a nanofiber cavity can become a promising workbench for cavity QED.

Enhanced clinical mastitis resistance in Holsteins with a FEZL p.Gly105(12_13) polymorphism

Mastitis is a common infectious disease of the mammary gland and a major problem in the dairy industry. We previously reported that forebrain embryonic zinc finger-like (FEZL) encoding a stretch of 12 glycines (p.Gly105[12]) instead of 13 glycines (p.Gly105[13]) is associated with a lower somatic cell score (SCS) in a family derived from Walkway Chief Mark. Here we report that the p.Gly105[12] allele is associated with a significantly decreased incidence of clinical mastitis in a large Holstein population. We genotyped the FEZL polymorphism in 918 randomly collected Holstein sires, and investigated the effect of the polymorphism on the estimated breeding value (EBV) for SCS and milk, fat, solids-not-fat, and protein yield, and on the number of cattle with clinical mastitis among daughters derived from these sires. The average EBV for SCS among sires carrying the heterozygous p.Gly105[12] was significantly lower than that among sires carrying the homozygous p.Gly105[13], whereas we found no unfavorable effects of this polymorphism on EBV for milk, fat, solids-not-fat, and protein yield. The proportion of cows with clinical mastitis derived from sires carrying heterozygous p.Gly105[12] was significantly lower than that of daughters derived from sires carrying the homozygous p.Gly105[13]. Thus, selection of sires carrying p.Gly105[12] could be beneficial in the dairy industry by reducing the incidence of mastitis.

Identification of an FBN1 mutation in bovine Marfan syndrome-like disease

Mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin-1 (FBN1), a component of the extracellular microfibril, cause Marfan syndrome (MFS). Frequent observation of cattle with a normal withers height, but lower body weight than age-matched normal cattle, was recently reported among cattle sired by phenotypically normal Bull A, in Japanese Black cattle. These cattle also showed other characteristic features similar to the clinical phenotype of human MFS, such as a long phalanx proximalis, oval face and crystalline lens cloudiness. We first screened a paternal half-sib family comprising 36 affected and 10 normal offspring of Bull A using the BovineSNP50 BeadChip (illumina). Twenty-two microsatellite markers mapped to a significant region on BTA10 were subsequently genotyped on the family. The bovine Marfan syndrome-like disease (MFSL) was mapped onto BTA10. As FBN1 is located in the significant region, FBN1 was sequenced in Bull A, and three affected and one normal cattle. A G>A mutation at the intron64 splicing accepter site (c.8227-1G>A) was detected in 31 of 36 affected animals (84.7%). The c.8227-1G>A polymorphism was not found in 20 normal offspring of Bull A or in 93 normal cattle unrelated to Bull A. The mutation caused a 1-base shift of the intron64 splicing accepter site to the 3' direction, and a 1-base deletion in processed mRNA. This 1-base deletion creates a premature termination codon, and a 125-amino acid shorter Fibrillin-1 protein is produced from the mutant mRNA. We therefore conclude that the c.8227-1G>A mutation is causative for MFSL. Furthermore, it was suggested that Bull A exhibited germline mosaicism for the mutation, and that the frequency of the mutant sperm was 14.9%.

The SNP c.1326T>G in the non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit G (NCAPG) gene encoding a p.Ile442Met variant is associated with an increase in body frame size at puberty in cattle

Recently, we had located a bovine carcass weight QTL, CW-2, to a 591-kb interval on BTA6 and have identified the SNP c.1326T>G in the NCAPG (non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit G) gene that leads to the amino acid change p.Ile442Met in the NCAPG protein, which is a candidate causative variation. Here, we examined the association of the NCAPG:c.1326T>G locus with linear skeletal measurements of growth-associated traits during adolescence, which is a period of intensive growth, using two historically and geographically distant cattle populations: 792 Japanese Black steers and 161 F(2) bulls of an experimental cross from Charolais and German Holstein. In both populations, the SNP NCAPG:c.1326T>G was associated with each component of body frame size: height, length and width at puberty. The associations of CW-2 with height- and length-associated traits were observed at an earlier growth period compared to the associations with thickness- and width-associated traits, indicating that the primary effect of the CW-2 QTL may possibly be exerted on skeletal growth. The significant associations of the NCAPG:c.1326T>G locus with growth-associated skeletal measurements are similar to the effects of the syntenic region on human chromosome 4 that are associated with adult height in humans, supporting the hypothesis that CW-2 is analogous to the human locus and pointing to a conserved growth-associated locus or chromosomal region present in both species.

Small-amplitude dynamic force microscopy using a quartz cantilever with an optical interferometer

We propose dynamic force microscopy (DFM) that employs a quartz cantilever in combination with an interferometric deflection sensor. The high stiffness of the quartz cantilever allows DFM to be performed at oscillation amplitudes as small as 1 A. DFM topographic images can be obtained for a Si(111)-(7 x 7) surface even when a blunt tip is used at room temperature. The low-noise interferometer with a deflection noise floor of n = 15 fm Hz(-1/2) exhibits a high force sensitivity in force spectroscopy. By subtracting the huge van der Waals force contribution, we obtain a short-range force curve that is in good agreement with the theoretical curve of the covalent bonding force. Simultaneous measurement of the tunneling current during DFM imaging is also demonstrated.

A novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist (CH5036249) exhibits efficacy in a spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia beagle model

To date, there have been no reports showing the efficacy of nonsecosteroidal vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists in a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) animal model. To examine the efficacy of CH5036249, a novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist, we orally administered the compound at 0.03 microg/kg to a beagle model with spontaneous BPH. Prostate volume was checked by rectal ultrasonic probe periodically during 11 months of administration and the prostate tissues histologically examined. CH5036249 inhibited prostate growth in two out of three dogs compared with vehicle-treated dogs. In the prostate specimens, substantial atrophy of the epithelium was observed in all dogs administered CH5036249. At the dose given, serum calcium levels slightly increased in the CH5036249-treated dogs but stayed within a normal range. We next examined the cell growth inhibition of CH5036249 using human prostate stromal cells and found the cell growth inhibitory activity of CH5036249 to be comparable to that of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. The bioavailability from oral administration in rats was 95.1% with a t1/2 of 17.6 h. Both micro-AMES and micronucleus tests were negative. Although the results are still preliminary, we consider the novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist CH5036249 to be a possible new drug candidate for the treatment of BPH in humans.

Percutaneous screw fixation for traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis using iso-C3D fluoroscopy-assisted navigation (case report)

INTRODUCTION

Stable hangman's fractures are usually treated with a Halo vest fixation; however, this is not always effective in patients with polytrauma. These patients benefit from minimally invasive surgery because it allows for early rehabilitation and reduced nursing care. This is the case report on percutaneous screw fixation using three dimensional fluoroscopy-assisted navigation in a patient with polytrauma and a hangman's fracture.

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 69-year-old woman involved in a traffic accident. Radiographs and CT showed bilateral fractures through the neural arch at the base of the C2 pedicles. External immobilization was difficult due to her polytrauma.

INTERVENTION

A dynamic reference arc was attached to the spinous process of the axis through a small incision. After image acquisition, the fluoroscope workstation generated 3-dimensional reconstructions of the imaged anatomy. We made two small, lateral incisions for percutaneous screw insertion, and used an image-guided awl to create screw holes. A guide-wire was inserted through this screw pilot hole, and a cancellous lag screw was inserted over the guide-wire. At her final follow-up, the patient had no neurological deficits and bony union was achieved.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous screws fixation using three-dimensional fluoroscopy proved to be a useful technique for the treatment of hangman's fracture.

NC-AFM imaging of the TiO(2)(110)-(1 x 1) surface at low temperature

The TiO(2)(110)-(1 x 1) surface is investigated using non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) at 80 K. We successfully obtained a distinct type of image contrast mode which does not exhibit hydroxyl (OH) impurity defects that mostly appear in common nc-AFM images. We named the obtained distinct type of image contrast as the 'hidden mode'. The assignments of surface atomic rows in this contrast mode are not easy in the absence of defects. By recording different contrast modes in the same region of the surface, we identified the atomic rows obtained in the 'hidden mode' image contrast as bridging oxygen atoms (O(b)). The mechanism of contrast formation was attributed to tip-induced displacement of H atoms over oxygen atoms in the OH groups on the O(b) rows. This interpretation was supported by dissipation measurements. A possible candidate for the tip-generating hidden-mode image contrast was interpreted to be a positively terminated tip apex with a dimer-like structure, revealing an attractive interaction with oxygen and a repulsive force on H atom sites. In addition, with a different tip state at close tip-sample distances, we were able to successfully resolve a high resolution image of the in-plane oxygen atoms.

Differentially expressed genes during bovine intramuscular adipocyte differentiation profiled by serial analysis of gene expression

Beef marbling or intramuscular fat deposition is an economically important carcass trait in Japanese Black cattle. To investigate genes involved in intramuscular adipogenesis, differential gene expression during adipogenesis in a clonal bovine intramuscular preadipocyte (BIP) cell line was profiled with serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). We sequenced 75 283 tags for the proliferation phase (day 0) and 81 878 tags for the differentiation phase (4 days after adipogenic stimulation: day 4). A comparison of the unique SAGE tag frequencies between the day 0- and day 4-libraries revealed that 878 (2.8%) of the 30 989 unique putative transcripts were expressed at significantly different levels (P < 0.05); 401 tags (1.4%) were up-regulated and 477 tags (1.2%) were down-regulated in the day 4-library relative to the day 0-library. We confirmed up-regulation of 10 tags of the genes that were up-regulated in the previous subtraction cloning studies in BIP cells [Animal Science Journal, 76 (2005) 479]. Of the 878 differentially expressed tags, 377 were identified in the bovine RefSeq library and 356 were assigned a bovine draft genomic sequence. Fifteen tags were mapped in previously detected beef marbling quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions [Mammalian Genome, 18 (2007) 125]. These genes may be involved in the adipogenic processes of beef marbling.

Identification of a 3.7-Mb region for a marbling QTL on bovine chromosome 4 by identical-by-descent and association analysis

QTL mapping for growth and carcass traits was performed using a paternal half-sib family composed of 325 Japanese Black cattle offspring. Nine QTL were detected at the 1% chromosome-wise significance level at a false discovery rate of less than 0.1. These included two QTL for marbling on BTA 4 and 18, two QTL for carcass weight on BTA 14 and 24, two QTL for longissimus muscle area on BTA 1 and 4, two QTL for subcutaneous fat thickness on BTA 1 and 15 and one QTL for rib thickness on BTA 6. Although the marbling QTL on BTA 4 has been replicated with significant linkages in two Japanese Black cattle sires, the three Q (more marbling) haplotypes, each inherited maternally, were apparently different. To compare the three Q haplotypes in more detail, high-density microsatellite markers for the overlapping regions were developed within the 95% CIs (65 markers in 44-78 cM). A detailed haplotype comparison indicated that a small region (<3.7 Mb) around 46 cM was shared between the Qs of the two sires, whose dams were related. An association of this region with marbling was shown by a regression analysis using the local population, in which the two sires were produced and this was confirmed by an association study using a population collected throughout Japan. These results strongly suggest that the marbling QTL on BTA 4 is located in the 3.7-Mb region at around 46 cM.

Residual of 17beta-estradiol in digestion liquid generated from a biogas plant using livestock waste

A biogas plant using livestock waste in which a methane fermentation process is applied is a useful facility for generating energy. The digestion liquid generated from the biogas plant as a residue has high potential for use as a crop fertilizer. However, high-density estrogens such as 17beta-estradiol (E2) are included in livestock waste, and there is little information on the behavior of E2 in the digestion liquid. In this study, a survey of E2 concentration at each process in a biogas plant using livestock waste was carried out. In addition, the efficiencies of E2 removal from the digestion liquid by activated carbon adsorption and soil infiltration were examined. The total concentration of E2 in raw livestock waste was reduced to 2 microg/l after treatment, and the removal efficiency of E2 was about 80% for the plant. The methane fermentation process is important not only for the generation of methane but also for the removal of E2. The proportion of E2 conjugates comprising the total E2 concentration was 10% or less in all treated samples. In the plant, there is no likelihood of an increase in estrogen activity by the cleaving of E2 conjugates. By carrying out activated carbon adsorption to remove E2 from the digestion liquid, a large portion of E2 was removed from the digestion liquid, but an E2 concentration of 0.5 microg/l still remained in the treated digestion liquid. In contrast, it was possible to purify the digestion liquid to an E2 concentration of less than 0.002-0.011 microg/l by soil infiltration. It is thus possible to utilize the digestion liquid as a fertilizer without causing aquatic environmental pollution, but factors such as application rate, soil characteristics, and the E2 concentration of digestion liquid should be considered first.

Prolactin-releasing peptide regulates the cardiovascular system via corticotrophin-releasing hormone

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP)-producing neurones are known to be localised mainly in the medulla oblongata and to act as a stress mediator in the central nervous system. In addition, central administration of PrRP elevates the arterial pressure and heart rate. However, the neuronal pathway of the cardiovascular effects of PrRP has not been revealed. In the present study, we demonstrate that PrRP-immunoreactive neurones projected to the locus coeruleus (LC) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. The c-fos positive neurones among the noradrenaline cells in the LC, and the parvo- and magnocellular neurones in the PVN, were increased after central administration of PrRP. The arterial pressure and heart rate were both elevated after i.c.v. administration of PrRP. Previous studies have demonstrated that PrRP stimulated the neurones in the PVN [i.e. oxytocin-, vasopressin- and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)-producing neurones], which suggests that PrRP may induce its cardiovascular effect via arginine vasopressin (AVP) or CRH. Although the elevation of blood pressure and heart rate elicited by PrRP administration were not inhibited by an AVP antagonist, they were completely suppressed by treatment with a CRH antagonist. Thus, we conclude that PrRP stimulated CRH neurones in the PVN and that CRH might regulate the cardiovascular system via the sympathetic nervous system.

Colocalization of prostaglandin F(2alpha) receptor FP and prostaglandin F synthase-I in the spinal cord

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) is synthesized by prostaglandin F synthase, which exists in two types, prostaglandin F synthase I (PGFS I) and prostaglandin F synthase II (PGFS II). Prostaglandin F(2alpha) binds to its specific receptor, FP. Our previous immunohistochemical study showed the distinct localization of prostaglandin F synthases in rat spinal cord. PGFS I exists in neuronal somata and dendrites in the gray substance, and PGFS II exists in ependymal cells and tanycytes surrounding the central canal. Both enzymes are also present in endothelial cells of blood vessels in the white and gray substances of the spinal cord. In this study, we found that FP localizes in neuronal somata and dendrites but not in ependymal cells, tanycytes, or endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of serial sections showed the colocalization of FP and PGFS I. FP immunoreactivity was intense in spinal laminae I and II of the dorsal horn, a connection site of pain transmission, and was similar to that of PGFS I in neuronal elements. These findings suggest that prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthesized in the neuronal somata and dendrites exert an autocrine action there.

CMC-544 (inotuzumab ozogamicin), an anti-CD22 immuno-conjugate of calicheamicin, alters the levels of target molecules of malignant B-cells

We studied the effect of CMC-544, the calicheamicin-conjugated anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody, used alone and in combination with rituximab, analyzing the quantitative alteration of target molecules, that is, CD20, CD22, CD55 and CD59, in Daudi and Raji cells as well as in cells obtained from patients with B-cell malignancies (BCM). Antibody inducing direct antiproliferative and apoptotic effect, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were tested separately. In Daudi and Raji cells, the CDC effect of rituximab significantly increased within 12 h following incubation with CMC-544. The levels of CD22 and CD55 were significantly reduced (P<0.001 in both cells) after incubation with CMC-544, but CD20 level remained constant or increased for 12 h. Similar results were obtained in cells from 12 patients with BCM. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of CMC-544 were greater than that of rituximab. The ADCC of rituximab was not enhanced by CMC-544. Thus, the combination of CMC-544 and rituximab increased the in vitro cytotoxic effect in BCM cells, and sequential administration for 12 h proceeded by CMC-544 was more effective. The reduction of CD55 and the preservation of CD20 after incubation with CMC-544 support the rationale for the combined use of CMC-544 and rituximab.

Latitudinal variation in egg size and number in anadromous masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

Latitudinal variation in egg size and number in anadromous masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou was examined. Relatively greater variation in egg size occurred among rivers than among females within rivers or within females. Egg size was generally greater and egg number generally lower at more northerly latitudes.