Distribution of 16 EPA-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludges collected from nine Tunisian wastewater treatment plants

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds which may be present as contaminants in wastewater sewage sludge. Due to their toxicity and persistence in the solid phase, information should be gathered relating to their presence in sewage sludge in order to determine their contamination risks after land application. In this study, sewage sludge samples from nine Tunisian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were characterized for the total content in 16 EPA-priority PAHs using an optimized extraction protocol. These WWTPs differ in the type of applied treatment and the wastewater source. Through this first assessment of PAHs in Tunisian sludges, their total concentration varied from 96 to the highest level of 7718 ng g(-1). Regardless of the source of wastewater, the highest PAH content was found in sludges deriving from untreated wastewater (natural lagooning). In addition, some correlation was found between the distribution patterns of each PAH, the type of applied treatment on one hand and the wastewater source on other hand.

One-dimensional Wolter optics with a sub-50 nm spatial resolution

We studied an imaging system consisting of an elliptical mirror and a hyperbolic mirror [i.e., one-dimensional (1D) Wolter optics] to realize an achromatic full-field hard x-ray microscopy with a resolution better than 50 nm. We report the performance of this 1D Wolter optical system when the mirrors were ultraprecisely figured by elastic emission machining. Experiments to form a demagnified image (demagnification factor of 385) of a 10 μm slit were conducted at an x-ray energy of 11.5 keV at BL29XUL of SPring-8. The system could form a demagnified image with a resolution better than 50 nm over a 12.1 μm field.

High-efficiency production of subculturable vascular endothelial cells from feeder-free human embryonic stem cells without cell-sorting technique

We previously reported a feeder-free culture method for pure production of subculturable vascular endothelial cells (VECs) from cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cells (cmESCs) without as using cell-sorting technique. By this method, canonical vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM1)-positive VECs (c-VECs) and atypical VE-cadherin/PECAM1-negative VECs (a-VECs) were generated without a contamination by pericytes, lymphatic endothelial cells, or immature ES cells. More recently, we established a unique culture technique to maintain human ESCs (hESCs) under a feeder-free and recombinant cytokine-free condition. Combining these two systems, we have successfully generated pure VECs from two lines of hESCs, khES-1 and khES-3, under a completely feeder-free condition. Our method is very simple: spheres generated from hESCs by floating culture using differentiation media supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein 4, stem cell factor, FMS-related tyrosine kinase-3 ligand, and interleukin 3 (IL3) and IL6 were cultured on gelatin-coated plates. Cell passage was performed by an ordinary enzymatic treatment. The hESC-derived differentiated cells demosntrated cord-forming activities and acetylated low-density lipoprotein-uptaking capacities. Moreover, they exclusively expressed von Willebrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Flow cytometric analyses indicate that khES-3 generated both c-VECs and a-VECs as in the case of cmESCs. By contrast, khES-1 produced only a-VECs, which nonetheless demonstrated effective recruitment into neovascularity in vivo. Interestingly, a-VECs turned to express PECAM1 after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. The hESC-derived VECs were subculturable at least up to 10 passages without functional depression. Our method does not require a presorting processes to enrich progenitor fractions such as CD34-positive or kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)-positive cells, providing the most efficient and easiest technique for VEC production from hESCs.

Malignant T cells in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma lesions contain decreased levels of the antiapoptotic protein Ku70

BACKGROUND

Malignant T cells in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) are genetically unstable and exhibit prolonged lifespans potentially explained by dysregulation of apoptosis, yet are responsive to apoptosis-inducing therapies. The heterodimeric protein Ku70/80 is known to play a role in DNA repair (Ku70 and Ku80) and inhibition of apoptosis (Ku70 only).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the expression of Ku70/80 in CD3+ T cells derived from skin and blood in patients with CTCL and normal samples, as well as benign dermatoses.

METHODS

Normal (n=10), CTCL (n=9) and benign dermatoses (n=13) skin samples were stained for confocal imaging of Ku70/80 and CD3 and analysed using imaging software. Circulating CD4+ T cells in normal and CTCL peripheral blood were analysed by flow cytometry and Western blot for Ku70/80 expression (n=6).

RESULTS

Ku70 and Ku80 were significantly diminished in T cells of CTCL lesions relative to T cells of control skin. Decreased T-cell Ku70 expression was not a feature of the benign dermatoses psoriasis and contact dermatitis, suggesting that loss of Ku70/80 in CTCL is not simply the result of cutaneous inflammation. Reduced Ku70 was also noted in circulating CD4+ T cells in patients with CTCL with peripheral blood involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Deficient expression or lack of Ku70/80 may result in genomic instability and play a role in tumorigenesis, as well as account for the increased susceptibility of malignant T cells to apoptosis-inducing treatment modalities in the setting of intrinsic resistance to apoptosis.

Spontaneous complete regression of a rectal cancer

We report a unique case of a biopsy-proven rectal cancer exhibiting spontaneous complete regression in an extremely short period of 3 months. An 80-year-old man visited our hospital because of a positive fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy showed a sessile polyp, about 25 mm in diameter, in the middle part of the rectum. Instead of endoscopic resection, two endoscopic biopsies were taken for histological evaluation, as an invasive cancer was endoscopically suspected.Well-differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma was revealed, and thus surgical resection was planned. At the second colonoscopy for endoscopic tattooing before surgery, the polyp was found to have unexpectedly developed into a flat lesion. Furthermore, the surgically removed specimen showed that the flat lesion had transformed to a depressed lesion, and surprisingly, no cancerous tissue was detected histologically.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the hypothalamus of the goat

Pulsatile release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is indispensable to maintain normal gonadotrophin secretion. The pulsatile secretion of GnRH is associated with synchronised electrical activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus (i.e. multiple unit activity; MUA), which is considered to reflect the rhythmic oscillations in the activity of the neuronal network that drives pulsatile GnRH secretion. However, the cellular source of this ultradian rhythm in GnRH activity is unknown. Direct input from kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to GnRH cell bodies in the medial preoptic area or their terminals in the median eminence could be the intrinsic source for driving the GnRH pulse generator. To determine whether kisspeptin signalling could be responsible for producing pulsatile GnRH secretion, we studied goats, measured plasma levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and recorded MUA in the posterior ARC, where the majority of kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies are located. Rhythmic volleys of MUA were found to be accompanied by LH pulses with regular intervals in the ARC, where kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies were found. Exogenous administration of kisspeptin stimulated a sustained increase in LH secretion, without influencing MUA, suggesting that the GnRH pulse generator, as reflected by MUA, originated from outside of the network of GnRH neurones, and could plausibly reflect the pacemaker activity of kisspeptin neurones, whose projections reach the median eminence where GnRH fibres project. These observations suggest that the kisspeptin neurones in the ARC may be the intrinsic source of the GnRH pulse generator.

A feeder-free and efficient production of functional neutrophils from human embryonic stem cells

A novel, feeder-free hematopoietic differentiation protocol was established for highly efficient production of neutrophils from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). For the induction of differentiation, spheres were generated in the presence of serum and cytokine cocktail and subjected to attachment culture on gelatin-coated plates. After approximately 2 weeks, a sac-like structure filled with abundant round cells emerged at the center of flattened spheres. After cutting off this sac-like structure, round cells actively proliferated, either floating in the supernatant or associated weakly with the adherent cells. Almost all of these round cells were CD45-positive hematopoietic cells with myeloid phagocytic markers (CD33 and CD11b), and approximately 30%-50% of the round cells were mature neutrophils, as judged from morphology, cytochemical characteristics (myeloperoxidase and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase), and neutrophil-specific cell surface markers (CD66b, CD16b, and GPI-80). In addition, hESC-derived neutrophils had chemotactic capacity in response to the bacterial chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and neutrophil-specific chemokine interleukin (IL)-8. Using "semipurified" neutrophils migrated to IL-8, both phagocytic and respiratory burst activities were demonstrated. Finally, it was shown that hESC-derived neutrophils had chemotactic activity in vivo in a murine air-pouch inflammatory model. The present results indicate successful induction of functional mature neutrophils from hESCs via highly efficient feeder-free differentiation culture system of human hematopoietic cells.

Highly efficient and feeder-free production of subculturable vascular endothelial cells from primate embryonic stem cells

The vascular endothelial cell (VEC) differentiation from primate embryonic stem (ES) cells has critical problems: low differentiation efficiencies (<2%) and/or subculture incapability. We report a novel feeder-free culture method for high efficiency production of subculturable VECs from cynomolgus monkey ES cells. Spheres, which were generated from ES cells in the presence of cytokine cocktail, were cultured on gelatin-coated plates. Cobblestone-shaped cells spread out after a few days, which were followed by an emergence of a sac-like structure containing hematopoietic cells. All adherent cells including sac walls cells and surrounding cobblestone cells expressed vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) at intercellular junctions. Subculture of these cells resulted in a generation of homogeneous spindle-shaped population bearing cord-forming activities and a uniform acetylated low density lipoprotein-uptaking capacity with von Willbrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthetase expressions. They were freeze-thaw-tolerable and subculturable up to eight passages. Co-existence of pericytes or immature ES cells was ruled out. When introduced in a collagen sponge plug implanted intraperitoneally in mice, ES-derived cells recruited into neovascularity. Although percentages of surface VE-cadherin-positive population varied from 20% to 80% as assessed by flow cytometry, the surface VE-cadherin-negative population showed intracellular VE-cadherin expression and mature functions, as we call it as atypical VECs. When sorted, the surface VE-cadherin-positive population expanded as almost pure (>90%) VE-cadherin/PECAM-1-positive VECs by 160-fold after five passages. Thus, our system provides pure production of functional, subculturable and freeze-thaw-tolerable VECs, including atypical VECs, from primate ES cells.

Nickel-63 production in copper samples exposed to the Hiroshima atomic bomb: estimation based on an excitation function obtained by neutron irradiation experiments

The upper and lower limits of the excitation function of the (63)Cu(n,p)(63)Ni reaction were experimentally determined, and the number of (63)Ni nuclei produced in copper samples exposed to atomic bomb neutrons in Hiroshima was estimated by using the experimental excitation functions and the neutron fluences given in the DS02 dosimetry system. The estimated number of (63)Ni nuclei was compared with that measured and with that calculated using the DS02 dosimetry system and the corresponding ENDF/B-VI cross section. In comparison with DS02, there is about a 60% maximum difference in (63)Ni production at the hypocenter when the experimental upper cross section values are used. The difference becomes smaller at greater distances from the hypocenter and decreases, for example, to less than 30 and 5% when using the upper and lower experimental cross sections at 1,000 m, respectively.

[Three-dimensional demonstration of the spinal cord artery with 64-row computed tomography]

This is a report of 2 cases, in which preoperative 3-dimentional demonstration of the spinal cord artery with 64-row computed tomography was feasible, less invasive, less time-consuming, and helpful in making an interventional strategy for complex aortic disease, resulting in no postoperative paraplegia One was a 63-year-old man, who underwent total arch replacement and a long elephant trunk method for arch and descending aortic aneurysms. The length of the long elephant trunk was so determined that it ended between the descending aortic aneurysm and the origin of the spinal cord artery. The second case was a 59-year-old man, who underwent descending thoracic aorta replacement for type B aortic dissection. During the distal anastomosis, the dissection septa were trimmed in order to perfuse the blood into the true and 2 false channels, one of which was connected to the spinal cord artery. In this report, we are not suggesting that preservation of the demonstrated spinal cord artery is enough for spinal cord protection, because it is still controversial. Further study is needed to confirm the reliability and reproducibility of our methods.

Excitation function for 63Cu(n,p)63Ni reaction in neutron energy range up to 15 MeV

The excitation function for the (63)Cu(n,p)(63)Ni reaction has been measured by activation method using the 4.5 MV Dynamitron accelerator of the Fast Neutron Laboratory of Tohoku University. Copper plates and hollow spherical copper shells were irradiated by neutrons of various energy up to 14.9 MeV produced by the T(p,n), D(d,n), and T(d,n) reactions. The (63)Ni produced in the irradiated copper target was chemically separated. The beta-rays emitted from the extracted (63)Ni were measured by a liquid scintillation method. The cross sections obtained were compared with the evaluated data files of JENDL-3.3, ENDF/B-VI and FENDL/A-2.0. Consequently, it is found that FENDL/A-2.0 is consistent with our experimental data in the energy range studied in this work. The effect of proton shell appeared in the excitation function obtained is also discussed.

Prognostic role of immunosuppressive acidic protein in patients with esophageal cancer

Immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) suppresses several immune responses in vivo and in vitro , and high preoperative IAP levels could predict the impairment of the host's immunity. In this study prognostic significance of preoperative IAP levels was investigated in 68 esophageal cancer patients with curative resection and eight with non-curative resection. The curative group had significantly lower levels than the non-curative group (432 +/- 183 mg/mL vs. 739 +/- 235 mg/mL, P < 0.0001). The IAP levels were associated with T-status (P < 0.0001), lymphatic invasion (P < 0.05), and p-stages (P < 0.0001). When 5-year survival rate of patients with curative resection was compared by setting various cutoff values of IAP between high and low IAP groups, several cutoff points (400-580 mg/mL) were revealed to be significantly associated with survival. Setting cutoff value of IAP to 560 mg/mL resulted in a most significant difference of 5-year survival rate of patients between the high and low IAP groups (13.9% and 61.5%, P < 0.0001). These data indicate that pre-operative IAP level is a useful parameter to predict the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients after curative resection.

[Aortic arch replacement placing priority on cardiac and cerebral reperfusion]

In this report, aortic arch replacement was performed successfully in 2 cases with our modified method placing priority on the cardiac and cerebral reperfusion, resulting in no postoperative cardiac or neurological complication. One was a 63-year-old man with old cerebral infarction and ischemic heart disease, and the other was a 72-year-old man with severe stenosis of the left common carotid arteries. Our method is similar to so-called "arch first technique". First, the ascending aorta is clamped and proximal anastomosis is accomplished during core cooling, followed by reconstruction of the brachiocephalic arteries under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Then perfusion of the heart and brain is restarted, while distal anastomosis is performed. It was proved that the method had several possible advantages such as minimized duration of brain ischemia and deep hypothermia, and elimination of direct cannulation to the branches of the aortic arch and a separate perfusion circuit for the brain.

Bax-inhibiting peptides derived from Ku70 and cell-penetrating pentapeptides

We found that Ku70, a known DNA repair factor, has a novel function to bind and inhibit Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein), a key mediator of apoptosis. Pentapeptides derived from the Bax-binding domain of Ku70 were cell-permeable and protected cells from Bax-mediated apoptosis. These pentapeptides were called BIPs (Bax-inhibiting peptides). BIPs may become a useful therapeutic tool to reduce cellular damage. We also generated BIP mutant pentapeptides that do not inhibit Bax, but retain their cell-penetrating activity. Since both BIPs and BIP mutants are cell-permeable, these peptides were designated CPP5s (cell-penetrating pentapeptides). Among the CPP5s discovered, VPTLK (BIP) and KLPVM (BIP mutant) were confirmed to possess protein transduction activity by examination of the delivery of GFP (green fluorescent protein) into cells by these peptides. The mechanism of cell penetration by CPP5s is not known. CPP5s enter the cell at 0 and 4 degrees C. In preliminary studies, various inhibitors of endocytosis and pinocytosis did not show any significant suppression of CPP5 cell entry. CPP5s have very low toxicity in vitro and in vivo and so may be useful tools in order to develop non-toxic drug-delivery technologies.

Bax-inhibiting peptide protects cells from polyglutamine toxicity caused by Ku70 acetylation

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, such as Huntington's disease and Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), are caused by gain of toxic function of abnormally expanded polyQ tracts. Here, we show that expanded polyQ of ataxin-3 (Q79C), a gene that causes MJD, stimulates Ku70 acetylation, which in turn dissociates the proapoptotic protein Bax from Ku70, thereby promoting Bax activation and subsequent cell death. The Q79C-induced cell death was significantly blocked by Ku70 or Bax-inhibiting peptides (BIPs) designed from Ku70. Furthermore, expression of SIRT1 deacetylase and the addition of a SIRT1 agonist, resveratrol, reduced Q79C toxicity. In contrast, mimicking acetylation of Ku70 abolished the ability of Ku70 to suppress Q79C toxicity. These results indicate that Bax and Ku70 acetylation play important roles in Q79C-induced cell death, and that BIP may be useful in the development of therapeutics for polyQ diseases.

[Minimally invasive technique for harvesting a saphenous vein via one small incision]

We report a minimally invasive technique for harvesting a saphenous vein graft (SVG) via 1 small skin incision. The expected advantages of this technique are better cosmetic results and fewer wound complications than the conventional open technique or the bridging technique. The SVG, 10-15 cm in length, can be harvested by about 3 cm-long single small skin incision. SaphLITE Retractor System (Genzyme Srugical Products, Cambridge), SLS Hematostatic Clip System (Vitalitec International, Plymouth), and curved scissors were necessary instruments for this technique. It is feasible for cases that require a shorter length of SVG.

Promotion of axonal maturation and prevention of memory loss in mice by extracts of Astragalus mongholicus

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neurons with atrophic neurites may remain alive and therefore may have the potential to regenerate even when neuronal death has occurred in some parts of the brain. This study aimed to explore effects of drugs that can facilitate the regeneration of neurites and the reconstruction of synapses even in severely damaged neurons.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We investigated the effects of extracts of Astragalus mongholicus on the cognitive defect in mice caused by injection with the amyloid peptide Abeta(25-35). We also examined the effect of the extract on the regeneration of neurites and the reconstruction of synapses in cultured neurons damaged by Abeta(25-35).

KEY RESULTS

A. mongholicus extract (1 g kg(-1) day(-1) for 15 days, p.o.) reversed Abeta(25-35)-induced memory loss and prevented the loss of axons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in mice. Treatment with Abeta(25-35) (10 microM) induced axonal atrophy and synaptic loss in cultured rat cortical neurons. Subsequent treatment with A. mongholicus extract (100 microg/ml) resulted in significant axonal regeneration, reconstruction of neuronal synapses, and prevention of Abeta(25-35)-induced neuronal death. Similar extracts of A. membranaceus had no effect on axonal atrophy, synaptic loss, or neuronal death. The major known components of the extracts (astragalosides I, II, and IV) reduced neurodegeneration, but the activity of the extracts did not correlate with their content of these three astragalosides.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

A. mongholicus is an important candidate for the treatment of memory disorders and the main active constituents may not be the known astragalosides.

[Stanford type A aortic dissection with occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery; report of a case]

A 73-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of pain in the right upper extremity, left hemiparesis and syncope. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed no active lesion, but chest CT showed Stanford type A aortic dissection with occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery. Carotid ultrasonography showed occlusion of the right common carotid artery. Emergent graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch was performed. The right common carotid artery was opened but no thrombus was found. In order to restore and maintain the cerebral circulation, the right carotid artery was cannulated. Postoperative head CT showed a small cerebral infarction of the right parietal lobe. Syncope did not recur and her hemiparesis was treated by rehabilitation. Cannulation of the carotid artery is useful for cases with occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery.

Detection of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor mRNA and immunohistochemical localization of the corresponding proteins in the canine uterus during the estrous cycle

Uterine expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors has not been studied in the dog. The present study looks at the presence of mRNA transcripts and immunohistochemical localization for transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), which is the potent EGF family member, and for EGF receptor (EGF-R) in the canine uterus during the estrous cycle. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction together with sequencing of the products confirmed the presence of their mRNA transcripts in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemical analysis found clear positive staining for TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the luminal and glandular epithelia at proestrus and estrus. Immunoreactivity decreased at the early stage of diestrus. In the mid stage of diestrus, clear staining for TGF-alpha was again found in the glands of the luminal region, and staining for EGF-R was observed in all glands. Very little staining was seen at anestrus for either TGF-alpha or EGF-R. These results suggest that TGF-alpha expressed in the uterus may be involved in regulating growth, differentiation and regression in the endometrial epithelial cells during the estrous cycle in the dog.