Presence of halophilic and alkaliphilic lactic acid bacteria in various cheeses

AIM

We sought to confirm the presence of halophilic and alkaliphilic lactic acid bacteria (HALAB) of marine origin in cheeses and thus contribute to the understanding of the roles of LAB flora in cheese ripening.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used 7% NaCl glucose-yeast extract-peptone-fish extract broth and agar media (pH 9.5) for pour-plating and enrichment culture for 16 cheese samples produced in six European countries. HALAB were present in 9 of the 16 samples at < 20 --> 10(7) CFU g(-1). In three mould-ripened soft cheeses, HALAB counts ranged from 10(6) to 10(7) CFU g(-1) and were one order (two samples) and six orders (one sample) of magnitude greater than that of nonhaloalkaliphilic, common LAB, as enumerated on lactobacilli MRS agar. The 16S rRNA gene sequences (500 bp) of 51 of the 55 isolates examined were identical or similar to that of Marinilactibacillus psychrotolerans or Alkalibacterium olivapovliticus and related species, all of which are HALAB.

CONCLUSIONS

HALAB of possible marine origin were present in various soft, semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses and were highly predominant in some mould-ripened cheeses.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

HALAB of possible marine origin are members of the microflora of various cheeses and, when dominant, may play a role in the ripening of cheeses. Microbial analysis of LAB flora in cheeses should take into consideration the presence of HALAB.

Gemcitabine chemoresistance and molecular markers associated with gemcitabine transport and metabolism in human pancreatic cancer cells

To identify predictive molecular markers for gemcitabine resistance, we investigated changes in the expression of four genes associated with gemcitabine transport and metabolism during the development of acquired gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cell lines. The expression levels of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hENT1), deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), RRM1, and RRM2 mRNA were analysed by real-time light cycler-PCR in various subclones during the development of acquired resistance to gemcitabine. Real-time light cycler-PCR demonstrated that the expression levels of either RRM1 or RRM2 progressively increased during the development of gemcitabine resistance. Expression of dCK was slightly increased in cells resistant to lower concentrations of gemcitabine, but was decreased below the undetectable level in higher concentration-resistant subclones. Expression of hENT1 was increased in the development of gemcitabine resistance. As acquired resistance to gemcitabine seems to correlate with the balance of these four factors, we calculated the ratio of hENT1 × dCK/RRM1 × RRM2 gene expression in gemcitabine-resistant subclones. The ratio of gene expression decreased progressively with development of acquired resistance in gemcitabine-resistant subclones. Furthermore, the expression ratio significantly correlated with gemcitabine sensitivity in eight pancreatic cancer cell lines, whereas no single gene expression level correlated with the sensitivity. These results suggest that the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine is determined by the ratio of four factors involved in gemcitabine transport and metabolism. The ratio of the four gene expression levels correlates with acquired gemcitabine-resistance in pancreatic cancer cells, and may be useful as a predictive marker for the efficacy of gemcitabine therapy in pancreatic cancer patients.

Effects of amino acid on morphological development and nucleus formation of arachidonic acid-producing filamentous micro-organism, Mortierella alpina

AIMS

Effects of amino acid on morphological development and nucleus formation of arachidonic acid-producing filamentous micro-organism, Mortierella alpina were investigated using flow-through chamber.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mortierella alpina CBS 754.68 was cultivated in flow through chamber using nutrient-rich, minimal and specific amino acid-containing minimal media. To investigate the effect of amino acid on morphological parameters either 0.28 g l(-1) alanine, 0.53 g l(-1) sodium glutamate one hydrate or 0.42 g l(-1) valine was added to the minimal medium. In a flow-through chamber, the growth of hyphal elements and nucleus formation of arachidonic acid-producing fungus M. alpina were studied on-line, using image analysis techniques. When the Ala- and Val-containing media were used, the hyphal growth units (HGUs) were 90.2 and 86.7 microm per tip, respectively, which were 2.4-fold higher than that in the nutrient-rich medium, indicating that Ala and Val stimulate the elongation of hyphae. The specific nucleus formation rates were Glu->Val-containing media>minimal and nutrient-rich media>Ala-containing medium. The nucleus doubling times in Glu- and Val-containing media were 1.9 and 2 h, respectively, which were not significant different.

CONCLUSIONS

Ala and Val stimulate the elongation of M. alpina hyphae, and nucleus formation rates were Glu->Val->Ala-containing media.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Formation of fungal morphology and nucleus were shown using the flow-through chamber coupled with image analysis, which making possible to discuss the relationship between mycelial morphology and nucleus formation of M. alpina.

[Concomitant off-pump coronary artery bypass and left lower lobectomy for lung cancer with pneumoconiosis]

Surgical strategy for patients for lung cancer with coronary disease remains controversial. We performed concomitant off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (off-pump CABG: OPCAB) and left lower lobectomy with ND 2a lymph nodes dissection for lung cancer with pneumoconiosis. After CABG, due to fixed adhesion of peribronchial lymph node, left lower lobectomy was hard to carry out. Postoperative management was done with much difficulty for massive sputum and pneumonia caused by chronic inflammatory lung disease. As a result, postoperative course has been uneventful for 2 years after operation. In the concomitant OPCAB and lung resection with chronic inflammatory lung disease, whether the synchronous or 2 periods operation was appropriate was still unknown. We think that careful pre- and intraoperative assessment for this disease is important.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding the major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA) in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator (CIITA) is a master switch of antigen presentation and activates expression of the MHC II gene. Insufficient up regulation of MHC class II molecules is reported to be one of the major immunological mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human CIITA gene (MHC2TA) and SLE.

METHODS

Promoters and coding regions of MHC2TA were evaluated for polymorphisms in 100 patients with SLE and 100 healthy donors. Eight oligonucleotide primer sets that covered the coding region and each promoter region were used for genomic analysis of SNPs.

RESULTS

Allele frequencies of previously reported SNPs did not differ between healthy donors and patients with SLE. Additionally, a new polymorphism in an intronic region at nt 485 (A-->A/G) was identified, which is close to the polymorphism at nt 474 that has been associated with one of the disease causing CIITA cDNA mutations in bare lymphocyte syndrome. This SNP was found in 11% of patients with SLE and in 3% of healthy donors, suggesting it may have a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

CONCLUSIONS

A newly identified polymorphism in an intronic region at nt 485 (A-->A/G) may have an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Endothelial function evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation in pediatric vascular disease

The endothelial function of children with and without vascular disease, consisting of 41 controls, 24 with Kawasaki disease (KD), and 46 with diabetes mellitus (DM), was examined. Age at examination ranged from 3 to 23 years (mean, 12.0 +/- 4.7). The flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and intima-media complex in the common carotid artery were measured. In controls age at examination was not associated with FMD or intima-media complex. FMD significantly decreased in children with KD and DM compared with the control group (control vs KD or DM: 11.7 +/- 14.7 vs 3.0 +/- 11.0 or 6.4 +/- 8.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference for intima-media complex among the groups. Furthermore, FMD in KD patients with coronary arterial aneurysm was lower than that in KD patients without aneurysm (-0.5 +/- 9.2 vs 8.3 +/- 9.1%, p < 0.05). In DM patients, FMD in the high HbA1c group (HbA1c = 7%) was lower than that in the normal HbA1c group (HbA1c < 7%) (4.8 +/- 8.1 vs 11.4 +/- 7.8%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, FMD detected endothelial impairment in children with KD or type 1 DM regardless of overt vascular complications, and FMD impairment occurs prior to intima-media complex thickening. By measuring both FMD and intima-media complex, useful information for predicting vascular complications may be obtained.

Selective inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and metastatic activities by gefitinib

We have reported that the selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib (‘Iressa’, ZD1839), suppressed intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma CBO140C12 cells. In this study, we focused on the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signalling pathways. Real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed that TNF-α mRNA was expressed in large quantities in the implanted tumour. Gefitinib inhibited EGF- but not hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, suggesting selectivity of the inhibitor. However, gefitinib inhibited the TNF-α-induced activation of MAPKs and Akt. In addition, TNF-α-induced metastatic properties including adhesion to fibronectin, mRNA expression of integrin αv, production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and invasion were inhibited by gefitinib without affecting cell proliferation. Furthermore, the TNF-α-induced responses except for NF-κB activation were blocked by metalloprotease inhibitors, suggesting that gefitinib inhibited the transactivation of EGFR induced by TNF-α. These results suggest that the TNF-α signalling pathway is a possible target of gefitinib in suppressing the intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Effective in vivo purging with rituximab and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in a woman with CD5 positive primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Generalized subcutaneous tumors developed without any other sites of the disease in a Japanese woman. Skin biopsy revealed CD5(+) and CD20(+) atypical diffuse large cells infiltrating subcutaneous tissues. The diagnosis was CD5(+) primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Tumor-specific PCR showed the existence of malignant cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. After three cycles of chemotherapy, she was remained in partial remission. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were harvested after the fourth cycles of chemotherapy combined with rituximab for in vivo purging. The contamination of tumor cells in PBSC was negative with PCR. She then underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation using purged PBSC and has remained in complete remission for the past 24 month.

Morphological imaging in the localization of neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors found by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the necessity of morphological images (MI) in reading somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) in patients with suspected neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A Japanese multicenter clinical trial of SRS was conducted in 40 patients with suspected GEP tumors. Three experienced radiologists interpreted the images in three separate sessions in a blinded manner (1: SRS images alone, 2: MI alone, 3: SRS and MI analyzed simultaneously), and the reading results of each session were compared. In addition, the diagnostic abilities of SRS, MI and SRS alone and simultaneous SRS and MI readings were compared for patients where final diagnosis was obtained.

RESULTS

SRS detected more suspected lesions (positive or inconclusive uptake) than morphological images did (51 vs 27 lesions), but included many physiological uptakes detected as positive or inconclusive uptakes. Combined reading of SRS and morphological images helped to correctly recognize these physiological uptakes, and also helped in determining the anatomical localization of the abnormal uptakes. Combined reading of SRS and morphological images gave the highest diagnostic impact.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of SRS with regard to GEP is high. However the specificity is very low. Morphologic imaging is necessary for the exclusion of physiological uptake and correct anatomic location of an abnormal tracer uptake. The combined reading of SRS and morphologic imaging studies gives the highest diagnostic impact.

A preliminary analysis of the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells after CD34+ cell-selected autologous PBSC transplantation

BACKGROUND

CD34+ cell-selected autologous PBSC transplantation (CD34+ APBSCT) is a procedure used for the treatment of patients with malignant disease that is intended to eliminate residual tumor cells from autologous grafts. However, frequent infectious complications after CD34+ APBSCT can occur. A delay of recovery of the absolute number of CD4+ T cells after transplantation was reported to be one disadvantageous factor. As data on T-cell function after CD34+ APBSCT are scanty, we analyzed changes in T-helper cell 1 (Th1) and T-helper cell 2 (Th2) after CD34+ APBSCT to evaluate immune reconstitution.

METHODS

Twelve patients underwent APBSCT (CD34+APBSCT group, n=4, and unselected APBSCT, n=8). Peripheral blood (PB) samples were obtained at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the transplantation. The dynamics of the Th1 and Th2 were analyzed at a single-cell level, using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In the CD34+ APBSCT group, not only the absolute count of CD4+ T cells but also the proportion of Th1 cells in CD4+ T cells and the ratio of Th1 to Th2 after transplantation were significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation compared with findings in the unselected APBSCT group.

DISCUSSION

We suggest that higher rates of infectious complications after CD34+ APBSCT may be due to the inability of residual T cells from the CD34+ cell selection to generate mature T cells that function adequately against infection. Although further study would be required, our preliminary data provide some information on the immune reconstitution after CD34+ APBSCT and differentiation of T lymphocytes into Th1 and Th2 in vivo.

Localized relapse in bone marrow of extremities after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We report a patient with a relapsed in bone marrow of extremities after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The patient complained of pain in the right upper arm and left leg 15 months after transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed abnormal findings in bone marrow of upper and lower extremities. There were no findings of relapse in aspirates from the sternum and iliac bone marrow. Biopsy specimen from the iliac bone marrow showed normocellular marrow without leukemic cells. Biopsy specimen from the right humerus revealed marked leukemic cell infiltration in the bone marrow. This is apparently the first case of localized relapse of ALL in bone marrow of extremities. Physicians should be aware of unusual relapse sites of leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. MRI and FDG-PET may be of value in detecting this type of relapse.

Peripheral blood stem cell mobilization following CHOP plus rituximab therapy combined with G-CSF in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) following CHOP plus rituximab (CHOP-R) therapy, and compared with the findings following CHOP therapy without rituximab. All patients were given G-CSF starting from day 11 after CHOP therapy. Patients in the CHOP-R group (n=8) were given rituximab on day 12. Target CD34(+) cells number was collected in a single leukapheresis on day 14, from all the eight patients in the CHOP-R group. PBSC mobilization kinetics, CD34(+) cells yield and colony-forming ability in the graft collection, toxicity during mobilization, and engraftment after transplantation of CHOP-R group were not significantly different from those in the CHOP group (n=8). In all patients given CHOP-R therapy, CD20(+) cells and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) rearrangement in the graft collection were undetectable by flow-cytometric analysis and Southern blot analysis, respectively, but with PCR analysis two of eight grafts were positive for IgH rearrangement. While further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of purging and the outcome of patients undergoing autologous transplantation, CHOP-R therapy can be safely and effectively used in the mobilization phase of PBSC collection, without excess clinical toxicity or deleterious effect on PBSC mobilization kinetics or engraftment time.

Somatic mutation of the Caspase-5 gene in human lung cancer

Using cDNA array-based gene expression profiling, we previously found reduced expression of the Caspase-5 gene in highly metastatic subpopulations of a lung cancer cell line. The Caspase-5 gene contained poly(A) repeats in its coding region, an area that has been reported to be mutated in both endometrial and gastrointestinal tumors displaying evidence of microsatellite instability. In order to determine the contribution of Caspase-5 gene inactivation to lung cancer development and progression, the mutational status of the Caspase-5 poly(A) tract in 30 primary lung cancers with distant metastasis and 30 lung cancer cell lines was determined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and direct sequencing. Three somatic mutations of the Caspase-5 gene were found in two out of 30 lung cancer tissues, although no mutations were found in other genes that also contain small nucleotide repeats, such as hMSH3, hMSH6 and BAX. The results of the present study, combined with our prior cDNA array-based gene expression profiling data, suggest that Caspase-5 might be a suppressor gene of highly metastatic potential in lung cancer.

[The evaluation of the complications and its management in 800 patients who underwent the thoracoscopic surgery]

Thoracoscopy has been applied to almost all thoracic surgery as shown (table 1). Besides an opportunity to follow and encounter a trouble during surgery using thoracoscopy, so that it is necessary to become skilled in the prediction and management of complication. Nowadays, there are two options on surgery using thoracoscopy, thoracoscopic surgery (TS) is performed only on in a port and on a mini-thoracotomy with a few ports (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: VATS). When changing into emergency or converting into open thoracotomy, a muscle sparing thoracotomy could be available. The symptoms which occurred in the thorax are fundamentally similar during both TS and VATS procedure. However, peculiar dangerous factor existed according to the difference in internal organs, procedures, and diseases. Critical complications during surgery were as follows, i.e., injury of pulmonary vessels and bronchus, tension pneumothorax of the opposite lung and tumor implantation of the chest wall. Basically, standard practice is the most important to avoid an accident and determine whether converting to open thoracotomy should be employed. In the present commentary, we would like to present our experiences and propose regarding management.

Successful treatment with rituximab for autoimmune hemolytic anemia concomitant with proliferation of Epstein-Barr virus and monoclonal gammopathy in a post-nonmyeloablative stem cell transplant patient

A 30-year-old Japanese woman who underwent nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation from her HLA-matched sister developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). There was proliferation of EBV-DNA in her peripheral blood and monoclonal gammopathy, both predictive factors of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). As conventional immunosuppressive therapy for AIHA could lead to overt PTLD, we decided to give her rituximab 375 mg/m(2) once weekly for a total of four doses. After this therapy, both her AIHA and monoclonal gammopathy were resolved and EBV-DNA became undetectable. Rituximab therapy deserves consideration for treatment of post-allogeneic stem cell transplant patients with AIHA, especially for patients who cannot be given immunosuppressive therapy.