296 EFFECT OF GnRH AND ESTRADIOL BENZOATE INJECTION ON SUPEROVULATORY RESPONSE IN EARLY POSTPARTUM SUCKLING JAPANESE BLACK COWS

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of GnRH and EB injection on the SOV response in early postpartum suckling Japanese Black cows. Forty-eight cows were included in this study. All cows received a controlled internal-drug-releasing device containing 1.9 g progesterone (CIDR; Easi-Breed; InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) at 40 days postpartum, and were subsequently superstimulated with a total dose of 20 armour units FSH (Antrin 40; Kawasaki-Mitaka, Kanagawa, Japan) twice daily, with gradually decreasing doses from day 45 till day 47. CIDR was withdrawn with 0.75 mg of cloprostenol (Estrumate; Nagase Medicals, Itami, Japan) injection at day 47. After FSH treatment, the cows were assigned to 3 groups: (1) 100 μg GnRH (Conceral; Nagase Medicals) injection at day 49 (GnRH, n = 19), (2) 2 mg EB (Kawasaki-Mitaka) injection at day 48 (EB, n = 15), and (3) control (n = 14). AI was carried out twice based on the estrous behavior of the cows, which was examined several times daily. Embryos were nonsurgically collected 7 to 8 days after estrus. The ovaries were examined by ultrasonography, and the number of CL and unovulated follicles (UF) were counted. After uterine flushing, the cows were re-employed for reproductive purposes. The intervals to first estrus after flushing and days open were examined. Blood samples were collected temporally, and concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) were measured. The ovaries were examined by ultrasonography and the number of CL, small follicles (<5 mm in diameter), medium follicles (between 5 and 10 mm in diameter), and large follicles (>10 mm in diameter) were counted temporally. Data were analyzed by GLM and Dunnett’s T3 test. There were no significant differences between both treatment groups and the control group in the number of CL (15.2 ± 6.8, 18.9 ± 9.4, and 14.9 ± 8.9 in the GnRH, EB, and control groups, respectively; mean ± SD), UF (5.3 ± 3.2, 4.7 ± 3.2, and 7.2 ± 9.5, respectively), recovered ova or embryos (11.4 ± 8.1, 11.1 ± 8.9, and 11.1 ± 9.1, respectively), transferable embryos (6.8 ± 5.3, 7.5 ± 7.6, 7.2 ± 6.7, respectively), and freezable embryos (6.3 ± 5.6, 6.6 ± 7.9, and 5.7 ± 6.1, respectively). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the intervals to first estrus after flushing and days open (12.7 ± 13.6 and 90.0 ± 23.1 in the GnRH, 8.6 ± 5.3 and 79.1 ± 20.1 in the EB, and 9.4 ± 6.0 and 88.5 ± 33.8 in the control groups, respectively). Changes in the P4 level were similar among the 3 groups. The E2 level of the EB group at 15 h after EB injection was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in the other groups (19.0 ± 15.7, 49.4 ± 22.8, and 8.0 ± 5.7 pg mL–1 in the GnRH, EB, and control groups, respectively). The number of small follicles in the control group (17.0 ± 12.2) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the GnRH group (7.4 ± 7.2) at the first AI. These results suggest that EB and GnRH injection after SOV treatment in early postpartum Japanese Black cows does not affect the SOV response or embryo quality.

Cloning and characterization of the antigenic membrane protein (Amp) gene and in situ detection of Amp from malformed flowers infected with Japanese hydrangea phyllody phytoplasma

A Japanese hydrangea phyllody (JHP) disease found throughout Japan causes economic damage to the horticultural industry. JHP phytoplasma-infected Japanese hydrangea plants show several disease symptoms involved in floral malformations, such as virescence, phyllody and proliferation. Here, we cloned and characterized the antigenic membrane protein (Amp) gene homolog from the JHP phytoplasma (JHP-amp), expressed the JHP-Amp protein in Escherichia coli cells, and then obtained an antibody against JHP-Amp. The antibody against JHP-Amp had no cross-reactions with the antibody against the Amp protein from a closely related onion yellows phytoplasma. This serologic specificity is probably due to the high diversity of the hydrophilic domains in the Amp proteins. The in situ detection of the JHP-Amp protein revealed that the JHP phytoplasma was localized to the phloem tissues in the malformed flower. This study shows that the JHP-Amp protein is indeed a membrane protein, which is expressed at detectable level in the JHP phytoplasma-infected hydrangea.

Biochip array-based analysis of plasma cytokines in HIV patients with immunological and virological discordance

Assessment of cytokines in body fluids or cells provides important information in understanding the disease process and designing treatment strategies. Recent introduction of antibody-based protein arrays have provided investigators simultaneous and specific detection of multiple analytes in a single sample using minimum volumes. In this study, we used a biochip array system capable of measuring 12 cytokines and growth factors (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)) in HIV patients with immunological and virological discordance (discordant) to find out differences if any, in their plasma cytokine profiles when compared with concordant HIV-infected individuals. A sandwich chemiluminescent assay was performed with plasma specimens of 110 HIV patients (55 discordant, 55 concordant) and 22 normal healthy individuals followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the confirm levels of cytokines and growth factors that showed significant differences in the two groups. The discordant HIV patients showed significantly higher levels of plasma VEGF (P = 0.001) and EGF (P = 0.034) levels when compared with concordant patients. Overall, the patients showed significantly higher levels of TNF-alpha, MCP-1 and VEGF when compared with the normal healthy controls (P < 0.05). ELISA for VEGF (P < 0.001) and EGF (P = 0.004) confirmed the comparison obtained with biochip array, between the discordant and concordant patients. The results of cytokine quantitation by biochip array and ELISA confirmed that this technology is not only comparable but also has a good potential in the future applications involving measurement of multiple cytokines with limiting specimens.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of high grade T-cell lymphomas in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 carriers

We studied the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of high grade peripheral T-cell lymphomas from eight human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) positive patients. FNA smears from seven lymphomas showed a distinctive cytologic pattern with a dominance of rounded cells with irregular nuclei and a moderately basophilic cytoplasm. Irregular cells with a pale abundant cytoplasm were present in varying amounts. Some smears contained a few giant cells with cerebriform nuclei. In addition, plasma cells and eosinophils were found. Epithelioid cells were an inconstant finding. On histology these seven lymphomas were assigned to the pleomorphic medium-large cell subtype and all but one were of T-helper phenotype with rearrangements of the T-cell receptor. FNA smears from a lymph node in a patient with a previous histological diagnosis of lymphomatoid papulosis of the gingiva showed a monotonous pattern of large immunoblastic cells with some binucleated variants consistent with a diagnosis of high grade immunoblastic lymphoma, which was confirmed histologically. Our results show that peripheral T-cell lymphomas from HTLV-1 positive patients have cytological patterns which are distinctive enough to allow a conclusive diagnosis of high grade T-cell lymphoma. However, we do not think that the cytology of HTLV-1 positive lymphomas can be differentiated from that of virus-unrelated high grade T-cell lymphomas.

Should all patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma be considered for aggressive surgical resection?

BACKGROUND

Long-term survival for duodenal adenocarcinoma is inconsistent in the literature, and the biology of duodenal adenocarcinoma is poorly understood.

METHODS

One institution's experience with duodenal adenocarcinoma from 1984 to 2005 is reviewed. Clinicopathologic data were analyzed, and overall survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank test.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients, 35 (67%) underwent potentially curative surgery; 31 survived the postoperative period and were included in the analysis. Of these, the median survival was 34 months (range 6 to 186 months) compared with 13 months (range 1 to 24 months) for those not undergoing curative surgery (P < or = .001). Clinicopathologic factors favoring long-term survival were tumor size >3.5 cm (P < or = .001) and T-stage < or =4 (P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicopathologic factors important to survival in duodenal cancer are T4 tumor status and tumor size. Interestingly, larger tumors were less likely to be invasive, and patients with these tumors had improved survival. The biology of this cancer is poorly understood; therefore, aggressive resection for all duodenal adenocarcinomas is recommended for all patients medically fit to undergo resection.

A high incidence of late-onset neutropenia following rituximab-containing chemotherapy as a primary treatment of CD20-positive B-cell lymphoma: a single-institution study

BACKGROUND

Late-onset neutropenia (LON) has been reported following rituximab-containing chemotherapy. Its incidence and risk factors, however, have not been extensively studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 107 patients treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapy as a primary treatment of CD20-positive B-cell lymphomas and identified cases with LON as defined by the neutrophil count of <or=1.0 x 10(9)/l without an apparent cause after the recovery of neutrophil count following completion of the intended chemotherapy.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 411 days, 23 patients developed LON out of the 107 at a median of 106 days after the last chemotherapy. Cumulative incidence of LON among the total patients was 24.9%. The median neutrophil count nadir was 0.61 x 10(9)/l. The LON episodes were generally self-limited, and filgrastim was administered in one patient. Including this patient, there were no serious infectious episodes in the cases with LON. In multivariate analysis, intensive chemotherapy regimens including high-dose therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and high-dose methotrexate-containing regimens without ASCT were a risk factor for LON.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that LON is a frequent complication of rituximab-containing intensive chemotherapy.

274 LOCALIZATION OF MACROPHAGE COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR (M-CSF) GENE IN THE ENDOMETRIUM OF JAPANESE BLACK COW

Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), a member of the group of hemopoietic cytokines, plays an important role in placental physiology of humans and mice. The objective of this study was to investigate the localization of M-CSF gene in bovine endometrial tissues during pregnancy using in situ hybridization (ISH). Twelve Japanese Black cows aged between 1.4 and 14.5 years, with normal estrous cycles, were used in this study. They were observed daily for estrous behavior, and the day of estrus was considered as Day 0. Cows were artificially inseminated, and pregnancy was confirmed by presence of conceptus and/or corpus luteum using ultrasonography. They were euthanized and their uteri were collected on Days 20 to 21 (n = 2), 36 to 42 (n = 3), 59 to 64 (n = 3), 127 to 137 (n = 2), and 225 to 226 (n = 2) of pregnancy. Pregnancy was confirmed finally by the presence of a conceptus in the uterus, and the uterus was isolated by dissection, avoiding damage of the uterine artery. The uterus was perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution using catheters inserted into the uterine artery, and placental tissues were isolated by dissection. Each tissue was cut into small pieces (5 mm thick) and fixed in 4% PFA solution. After being fixed in 4% PFA solution for 20 to 24 h, tissue pieces were embedded in paraffin using routine procedures. Several tissue pieces were collected from each individual cow. Sections (6 mm thick) were cut and placed on MAS-coated glass slides (Matsunami Glass, Kishiwada, Japan). The sections were dried in an oven for 3 days at 40�C. Antisense and sense biotin-labeled oligonucleotide probes for bovine M-CSF were designed from the sequence information (GenBank accession number D87917). Sense probe was used as the negative control. ISH was carried out using the GenPoint System (DakoCytomation, Glostrup, Denmark) according to the manufacturer&apos;s instructions. The sections were observed under an Eclipse 800 microscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), and the positive signal for M-CSF gene was detected. Density analysis was performed by using Scion Image (Scion Corporation, Frederick, MD, USA). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer&apos;s HSD, using 0.05 as a significant level. The M-CSF gene was expressed in the stromal and luminal epithelial cells of endometrium, stromal cells of the fetal cotyledonary villus and caruncular crypt, and mono- and multi-nuclear epithelium cells of the fetal cotyledonary villus and caruncular crypt. Intensities of M-CSF gene-positive signals in all positive cells at Days 225 to 226 of pregnancy were stronger than those at other periods (P &lt; 0.05). These results suggest that M-CSF is produced in several cell types in the endometrium and placental tissues and may play important roles in bovine pregnancy.

Preservation of ovarian function by ovarian shielding when undergoing total body irradiation for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a report of two successful cases

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of preserving ovarian function by ovarian shielding to reduce the irradiation dose in total body irradiation (TBI). The subjects in the study were females aged less than 40 years, who were undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a TBI-based regimen and who desired to have children after transplantation. For ovarian shielding, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and skin marking were performed in both the supine and prone positions, prior to the TBI. A pair of columnar blocks was placed just above the patient's body. Thus far three patients have been treated. The serum estradiol level decreased to an undetectable level (<8.5 pg/ml) after transplantation and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level increased above 90 mIU/ml in all patients and they became amenorrheic. However, regular menstruation recovered in patients no. 1 and 2 about 800 and 370 days after transplantation, respectively, with a decrease in the serum FSH level. Menstruation did not recover in patient no. 3, and serum estradiol was transiently detected above 20 pg/ml. The preservation of ovarian function was made possible by ovarian shielding. However, a longer follow-up is needed to know if normal pregnancy and delivery can occur.

High-grade cytomegalovirus antigenemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Clinical impact of high-grade (HG) cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has not been clarified. Therefore, in order to investigate the risk factors and outcome for HG-CMV antigenemia, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 154 Japanese adult patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the first time from 1995 to 2002 at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among 107 patients who developed positive CMV antigenemia at any level, 74 received risk-adapted preemptive therapy with ganciclovir (GCV), and 17 of these developed HG-antigenemia defined as > or = 50 positive cells per two slides. The use of systemic corticosteroids at > or = 0.5 mg/kg/day at the initiation of GCV was identified as an independent significant risk factor for HG-antigenemia. Seven of the 17 HG-antigenemia patients developed CMV disease, with a cumulative incidence of 49.5%, which was significantly higher than that in the low-grade antigenemia patients (4%, P<0.001). However, overall survival was almost equivalent in the two groups. In conclusion, the development of HG-antigenemia appeared to depend on the profound immune suppression of the recipient. Although CMV disease frequently developed in HG-antigenemia patients, antiviral therapy could prevent a fatal outcome.

259 LOCALIZATION OF LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR (LIF) GENE IN BOVINE PLACENTA

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a member of the group of hemopoietic cytokines, plays a primary role in the control of embryo development and implantation and in the growth of the placenta in humans and mice. The objective of this study was to investigate the localization of LIF gene in bovine placenta tissues during pregnancy using in situ hybridization (ISH). Eleven Japanese Black cows aged between 1.8 and 14.5 years, with normal estrous cycles, were used in this study. They were observed daily for estrous behavior, and the day of estrus was considered as Day 0. They were artificially inseminated, and their uteri were collected on Days 61 to 63 (n = 3), 127 to 142 (n = 4), and 225 to 232 (n = 4) of pregnancy. Pregnancy was confirmed by the presence of a conceptus in the uterus, and the uterus was isolated by dissection, avoiding damage of the uterine artery. The uterus was perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution using catheters inserted into the uterine artery, and placental tissues were isolated by dissection. Each tissue was cut into small pieces (5 mm thick) and fixed in 4% PFA solution for 20-24 h, after which they were embedded in paraffin using routine procedures. Several tissue pieces were collected from each individual cow. Six micrometer-thick sections were cut and placed on MAS coated glass slides (Matsunami Glass, Kishiwada, Japan). The sections were dried in an oven for three days at 40�C. Anti-sense and sense biotin-labeled oligonucleotide probes for bovine LIF were designed from the sequence information (GenBank accession number D50337). The sense probe was used as the negative control. ISH was carried out using GenPoint System (DakoCytomation, Glostrup, Denmark) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The sections were observed under an Eclipse 800 microscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) to detect the positive signal for LIF gene. Density analysis was performed with Scion Image (Scion Corporation, Frederick, MD, USA). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer's HSD, using 0.05 as a significant level. Leukemia inhibitory factor gene was expressed in stromal cells of the fetal cotyledonary villus and caruncular crypt and in mono- and multi-nuclear epithelium cells of the fetal cotyledonary villus and caruncular crypt. Intensities of LIF gene positive signals in all positive cells at Days 127 to 142 tended to be weak compared with those at other periods. Furthermore, intensities of LIF gene positive signals of multinuclear cells of the villus and crypt demonstrated a tendency to be strong compared with those of other cells. These results suggest that LIF is produced in several cell types in the placenta and may play important roles in pregnancy.

Cardiac complications after haploidentical HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using in vivo alemtuzumab

Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against human CD52 with a strong lympholytic effect. We have performed unmanipulated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from 2- or 3-locus-mismatched family donors in 14 patients using in vivo alemtuzumab. All achieved complete donor cell engraftment and grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was observed in only one patient. However, eight of the 14 patients developed grade II-IV cardiac complications according to Bearman's criteria. Next, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 142 adult patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 1995 to 2004 to evaluate whether the use of alemtuzumab was an independent risk factor for cardiac complications. Among several factors that increased the incidence of grade II-IV cardiac complications with at least borderline significance, a multivariate analysis identified the cumulative dose of anthracyclines (P=0.0016) and the use of alemtuzumab (P=0.0001) as independent significant risk factors. All of the cardiac complications in the alemtuzumab group were successfully treated with diuretics and/or catecholamines. Patient selection and close monitoring of cardiac function may be important in HLA-mismatched HSCT using in vivo alemtuzumab.

Impairment of thrombospondin-1 expression during epithelial wound healing in corneas of vitamin A-deficient mice

The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein, during re-epithelialization in wounded corneas of vitamin A-deficient mice. Epithelial defects were created in the corneas of normal and Vitamin A-deficient mice with a microgrinder. Wounded corneas were stained with fluorescein and photographed for evaluation of re-epithelialization. Histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis of TSP-1 expression were also performed on the specimens from wounded corneas. In vitamin A-deficient mice, re-epithelialization of the wounded corneal epithelium was significantly delayed compared with that in normal mice. TSP-1 was detectable neither in the unwounded corneal epithelium of normal mice nor in that of vitamin A-deficient mice. In normal mice, linear staining of TSP-1 was observed on the wounded corneal surface and stroma at 30 min and 8 h to 16 h, respectively, after abrasion, and this TSP-1 expression disappeared at 36 to 48 h, when re-epithelialization was completed. In contrast, no TSP-1 staining was observed in the wounded corneas of vitamin A-deficient mice, except for the endothelial cells, throughout the wound healing process. Histological examination revealed a progressive increase in polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration in the stroma of the corneas of vitamin A-deficient mice during the healing process. These findings suggest that vitamin A may modulate the expression of TSP-1 in the corneas to accelerate the re-epithelialization of wounded corneas.

125 CHANGES OF PLASMA MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR LEVELS AND ITS GENE EXPRESSION IN PERIPHERAL WHITE BLOOD CELLS DURING PREGNANCY IN JAPANESE BLACK CATTLE

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a hemopoietic cytokine that plays a primary role in placental physiology. Gene expression of M-CSF in bovine intercaruncular endometrium shows an upward trend in mid-pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine the plasma M-CSF levels and the M-CSF gene expression levels in maternal peripheral white blood cells (PWBCs) during pregnancy using ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR. In Experiment 1, the plasma M-CSF levels in 112 Japanese Black heifers or cows were determined. Animals were divided into four groups according to pregnancy stage: first- (n = 29), second- (n = 33), third- (n = 26) trimester, and non-pregnant (n = 24). ELISA for bovine M-CSF established by Yoshihara et al. (2003 Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 95, 103–111) was used according to their instructions. The absorbance was measured at 405 nm in the Biomek Plate Reader (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA, USA). In Experiment 2, the plasma M-CSF levels and M-CSF gene expression levels in PWBCs during pregnancy were determined. The plasma samples for ELISA were obtained from 8 heifers and 3 cows every 1 and/or 2 weeks. The PWBCs samples for quantitative RT-PCR were obtained from 4 heifers every 1 and/or 4 weeks. All quantitative RT-PCR protocols were carried out according to the previous report (Oshima et al. 2003 Theriogenology 60, 1217–1226). The quantitative PCR assay used an ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). Signals were detected according to the manufacturer's instructions. The relative level of M-CSF expression was calculated on the basis of glyceraldehyde-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) quantity (in the method of calculation, the relative level = M-CSF quantity/GAPDH quantity). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. In Experiment 1, the plasma M-CSF level in second-trimester cows was significantly higher than those in other stages (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, the plasma M-CSF levels were significantly higher in gestational age from −4 to 1 weeks compared with the last stage of pregnancy (P < 0.05). The levels decreased until 6 weeks, appeared to temporarily increase, and were relatively constant until 35 weeks. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor genes were expressed in all samples examined; the levels were relatively constant in early pregnancy, and then were widely varied until parturition. These results suggest that plasma M-CSF levels may be related to the maternal condition of pregnancy and to a slight extent to M-CSF gene expression in PWBCs. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-aid from the Recombinant Cytokine Project (RCP2002-2110), provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Japan.

Treatment with buserelin, an agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, suppresses ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome induced in rabbits

Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG, 75 IU/body/day) and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist buserelin (1, 10, 100 microg/kg/day) were simultaneously administered to female rabbits by the subcutaneous route for 7 days, and the effects on organ weights, plasma hormones and weight of ascitic fluid were examined. Treatment with hMG increased the ovarian weight, plasma estradiol and weight of ascites, thus indicating that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome had been induced. Simultaneous treatment with buserelin decreased the changes induced by hMG. GnRH agonists can thus be surmised to reduce the severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the rabbit. However, caution is needed when extrapolating the results of this rabbit model to humans.

247GENE EXPRESSION OF MAMMALIAN RELATIVE OF DNAJ IN BOVINE ENDOMETRIUM DURING EARLY PREGNANCY

The mammalian relative of DNAJ (MRJ), a member of the molecular chaperones that are known as heat shock proteins, plays an important role in the process of murine chorioallantoic fusion. The objective of this study was to determine the expression pattern of MRJ in the bovine endometrium during early and mid-pregnancy using quantitative RT-PCR. Twenty-eight Japanese Black cows, aged between 1.2 and 15.2 years, with normal estrous cycles, were used in this study. Twenty-one cows were used for study of the level of MRJ during pregnancy. They were artificially inseminated, and their endometrial tissues were collected on Days 16 to 21 (n=7), 30 to 36 (n=6), 48 to 49 (n=4) and 74 to 140 (n=4) of pregnancy. Seven cows were used as controls for the study of cyclic level of MRJ, and their endometrial tissues were collected on Days 13 to 14 (n=4) and 17 to 20 (n=3) of the estrous cycle. The caruncles and the intercaruncles were isolated from the endometrial tissues. All tissues were frozen immediately using liquid nitrogen. Total RNA from these samples was extracted from the tissue using Trizol (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA). The first strand of cDNA was synthesized from the total RNA by oligo (dT)12–18 and SuperScript™ II RNase H- Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen Corp.) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Primers and the TaqMan probe for MRJ and glyceraldehyde-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were designed using the primer design software Primer Express™ (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). Bovine GAPDH was used as an internal standard. All PCR reactions were performed using a TaqMan™ PCR Reagent Kit and a MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate and Cap (Applied Biosystems). The assay used an ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems). Signals were detected according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The relative level of MRJ expression was calculated on the basis of GAPDH quantity (the method of calculation: relative level=MRJ quantity/GAPDH quantity). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and means were conpared by Tukey-Kramer’s HSD test. Mammalian relative of DNAJ genes were expressed in all samples examined;; the levels in intercaruncle tended to be greater than those in caruncle. Although MRJ expression level at Days 16 to 21 of pregnancy was greater than at other days during pregnancy, there were no significant differences between the levels at Days 16 to 21 of pregnancy and those of the estrous cycle. These results suggest that MRJ is produced in the endometrium and may play a role in early and mid-pregnancy and the estrous cycle.

Frizzled 4 gene (FZD4) mutations in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy with variable expressivity

AIMS

To search for mutations in the frizzled 4 (FZD4) gene in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and to delineate the defective gene associated clinical features.

METHODS

Direct sequencing following polymerase chain reaction of exons of FZD4 was performed for 24 probands with FEVR (18 familial and six sporadic), and some of their families. Clinical symptoms among individuals with mutations were assessed.

RESULTS

Four novel mutations were identified in four patients with familial and one with sporadic FEVR. Three of these mutations were missense (M105V, R417Q, and G488D) and one was a nonsense change (W319X). M105V, R417Q, and G488D co-segregated with the disease. None of these sequence changes was found among 300 chromosomes from 150 healthy volunteers. The severity of vitreoretinopathy in the individuals involved in this study varied, but no patient with mutations in FZD4 exhibited rhegmatogenous retinal detachment although this pathology is thought to be the most common type of retinal detachment in FEVR.

CONCLUSION

FZD4 gene mutations were found in some cases of autosomal dominant and sporadic FEVR. FZD4 mutations were responsible for FEVR with variable clinical manifestations.

Atypical late-onset dementia characterized by limbic degeneration with coiled bodies and argyrophilic threads

This report concerns an autopsy case of late-onset dementia with atypical neuropathological features. The patient was a Japanese man who was 83 years old at the age of death. At 73 years, he developed behavioral disorders, including emotional changes, and dementia. He died at the age of 83. A neuropathological study revealed largely confined involvement of the limbic regions, characterized by degeneration consisting of neuronal loss with a spongy state and gliosis. Massive tau-positive oligodendroglial coiled bodies and argyrophilic threads were also observed mainly in these regions. Although the clinicopathological findings of the present case showed some similarities to those of a unique subtype of frontotemporal dementia, including mesolimbocortical dementia, argyrophilic grain disease, corticobasal degeneration and dementia with tangles, there seems to be no suitable category of neurodegenerative disease into which our case can be classified. Further study is needed to determine whether the present case could be classified as an atypical case of these diseases or represents a new entity.