Reduced CaM Kinase II and CaM Kinase IV Activities Underlie Cognitive Deficits in NCKX2 Heterozygous Mice

Among five members of the K⁺-dependent Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCKX) family (NCKX1-5), only NCKX2 is highly expressed in mouse brain. NCKX2 in plasma membranes mediates cytosolic calcium excretion through electrogenic exchange of 4 Na⁺ for 1 Ca²⁺ and 1 K⁺. Here, we observed significantly decreased levels of NCKX2 protein and mRNA in the CA1 region of APP23 mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease. We also found that, like APP23 mice, heterozygous NCKX2-mutant mice exhibit mildly impaired hippocampal LTP and memory acquisition, the latter based on novel object recognition and passive avoidance tasks. When we addressed underlying mechanisms, we found that both CaMKII autophosphorylation and CaMKIV phosphorylation significantly decreased in CA1 regions of NCKX2+/- relative to control mice. Likewise, phosphorylation of GluA1 (Ser-831) and CREB (Ser-133), respective downstream targets of CaMKII and CaMKIV, also significantly decreased in the CA1 region. BDNF protein and mRNA levels significantly decreased in CA1 of NCKX2+/- relative to control mice. Finally, CaN activity increased in CA1 of NCKX2+/- mice. Our findings suggest that like APP23 mice, NCKX2+/- mice may exhibit impaired learning and hippocampal LTP due to decreased CaM kinase II and CaM kinase IV activities.

Effects of testosterone replacement therapy on metabolic syndrome among Japanese hypogonadal men: A subanalysis of a prospective randomised controlled trial (EARTH study)

We investigated the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on metabolic factors among hypogonadal men with a metabolic syndrome. From the study population of the EARTH study, which was a randomised controlled study in Japan, 65 hypogonadal patients with a metabolic syndrome, comprising the TRT group (n = 32) and controls (n = 33), were included in this study analysis. The TRT group was administered 250 mg of testosterone enanthate as an intramuscular injection every 4 weeks for 12 months. Waist circumference, body mass index, body fat volume and blood pressure were measured in all patients at baseline and at 12 months. In addition, blood biochemical data, including total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, were also evaluated. Changes in these categories from baseline to 12 months were compared between the TRT and control groups, with significant differences observed in waist circumference, body fat percentage, FPG, TG and HbA1c levels. No significant differences were observed in other parameters. TRT for 1 year was associated with improvements in some metabolic factors among Japanese men with hypogonadism and metabolic syndrome.

Medium- to long-term outcomes of anatomical reconstruction of the radioulnar ligament to the ulnar fovea

We examined the medium- to long-term outcome of the original reconstruction technique of the radioulnar ligament using a half-slip of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon for chronic foveal avulsion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. We treated 37 wrists in 36 patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Of 36 patients, 12 had more than 10 years follow-up. At final follow-up, 30 patients (31 wrists) reported no pain, five patients (five wrists) reported mild occasional pain and one patient reported severe persistent pain. Two patients had lost 30° of supination. Complete stability of the distal radio-ulnar joint was achieved in 31 wrists, moderate instability was noted in five and severe distal radio-ulnar joint instability remained in one. The size of the bone tunnel was assessed radiologically: in two it had enlarged; in 23 it was unchanged; and in 12 it appeared to have closed over the tendon graft. The overall clinical outcomes were 28 excellent, four good, four fair and one poor. The 12 wrists with more than 10 years follow-up had seven excellent, three good and two fair clinical results. This reattachment technique appears to work and last over the medium- to long-term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Abstract P2-04-13: Difference of immune microenvironment between primary and recurrent tumours in breast cancer patients

Background

Immune checkpoint therapy only benefits a fraction of patients, thus huge efforts have been made to develop predictive biomarkers to identify those patients. Immune biomarkers like PD-L1 expression are extremely dynamic and the timing of evaluation, on primary or metastatic disease, may be critical. We have already shown that tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) decrease during metastatic progression in triple-negative (TN) and human epidermal growth factor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancers (Ogiya R, ASCO 2015), suggesting that mechanisms of immune escape contribute and favour the metastatic progression. In this work we aimed to characterize the modulation and changes of specific immune markers during the metastatic spread comparing paired samples from primary and recurrent breast cancers.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 25 patients with HER2+ (n = 14) and TN (n = 11) early breast cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 2009 at Tokai University Hospital, and who subsequently experienced a first regional or distant recurrence confirmed by tumour biopsy/resection. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of these paired samples were evaluated for stromal TILs. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using primary antibodies against CD4, CD8, Foxp3, PD-L1, PD-L2, and HLA-class I.

Results

The sites of first recurrence was the skin (n = 7), brain (n = 6), lymph node (n = 4), lung (n = 3), bone (n = 2), and one of each of bone marrow, liver and muscle. Immunohistochemical evaluations could not be performed in 5 primary tumours and 2 recurrent tumours because of the small quantity of the specimens. The percentage of CD8+ T cells staining in the primary tumours was significantly higher (median 16%) than that in recurrent tumours (median 10%) (paired t-test, p = 0.008) Similarly, the percentage of CD4+ T cells staining in the primary tumours was significantly higher (median 40%) than that in recurrent tumours (median 25%) (p = 0.026). The percentage of Foxp3+ T cells was low (<10%) and similar in both primary and recurrent tumours (p = 0.16). PD-L1, PD-L2, and HLA class I antibody expression was not statistically different between primary and recurrent tumours, but conversions from positive to negative and vice versa were observed. PD-L1+ staining (≥1%) was 90% and 85% in primary and metastatic tumours, respectively.

Comparison of positivity rate between primary and recurrent tumours for each antibody Primary tumourRecurrent tumourPTotal breast tumours (N)2023 TILs positivity rate, median (%)   CD440%25%.03CD816%10%.01Foxp3<10%<10%.16Expression in tumour cells (N)   PD-L1   Strong85.46Weak1015 Negative23 PD-L2   Strong69.78Weak1011 Negative43 HLA   Strong46.89Weak1415 Negative22 

Conclusions

Tumours at first metastatic recurrence in HER2+ and TN breast cancers have a lower percentage of both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells compared to primary tumours, confirming a potential role of immune escape in tumour progression. Other immune markers, including PD-L1, were not found to change significantly, but negative/positive conversions were observed. This suggest that an evaluation of disease at the time of immunotherapy administration might be more informative. These findings warrant larger confirmation studies.

Citation Format: Ogiya R, Niikura N, Kumaki N, Bianchini G, Kitano S, Iwamoto T, Hayashi N, Yokoyama K, Oshitanai R, Terao M, Morioka T, Tsuda B, Okamura T, Saito Y, Suzuki Y, Tokuda Y. Difference of immune microenvironment between primary and recurrent tumours in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-04-13.

Abstract OT3-07-02: Influence of exercise or educational programs on long-term physical activity by patients after surgery for primary breast cancer: A randomized trial

[Background]

Past studies revealed that a moderate to high level of physical activity after diagnosis of breast cancer reduces both the risk of breast cancer-related death and death from all causes. Furthermore, some randomized studies suggested that exercise programs improve the percentage of patients who complete the chemotherapy and quality of life, and decrease fatigue, and adverse events. The issues to be determined include defining an established uniform exercise program and the efficacy of a long-term exercise program after breast cancer surgery.

[Object] To elucidate the efficacy of a long-term exercise program and to verify the safety and feasibility of a uniform exercise program using an ‘existing social resource’ after primary therapy of breast cancer.

[Design] A multi-center, randomized trial.

[Method] Subjects: The subjects included patients who had completed treatment for primary breast cancer, including surgery and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with metastatic breast cancer were excluded.

Randomization & intervention: The patients were randomly assigned to three groups.

The first group followed an exercise program at Curves® that involved 30 minutes of exercise, including aerobics, weight training, and stretching 3 times a week for 4 months. The second group was given life-style guidance at least once that patients participate in a lecture program about recommended exercise at this point and the importance of weight control after diagnosis of breast cancer using a brochure. The third group served as controls that the patients receive a brochure used same one in the second group. The variables included age and weight.

Outcome: The primary endpoint is level of physical activity at 1 year after randomization, and the secondary endpoints are the percentage of those completing the exercise program, patient reported outcomes (QOL, cancer or treatment associated symptoms, fatigue, depression, and anxiety), body mass index, bone density, and level of lymphedema.

Period of research: The study will last 2 years beginning March 2016.

Sample size: We plan to enroll 400 patients to detect 20% difference with 90% power.

Additional study: Some biochemical markers in the blood will be evaluated to determine the mechanism of the effect of exercise on the human body.

Citation Format: Kawada K, Taira N, Hatono M, Takahashi Y, Miyoshi Y, Nogami T, Iwamoto T, Motoki T, Sien T, Matsuoka J, Doihara H, Ikeda M, Ogasawara Y, Takabatake D, Yoshitomi S, Kiyoto S, Yamamoto S, Mizota Y, Oka K. Influence of exercise or educational programs on long-term physical activity by patients after surgery for primary breast cancer: A randomized trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-07-02.

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger contributes to stool transport in mice with experimental diarrhea

The Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) is a bidirectional transporter that is controlled by membrane potential and transmembrane gradients of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺. To reveal the functional role of NCX on gastrointestinal motility, we have previously used NCX1 and NCX2 heterozygote knockout mice (HET). We found that NCX1 and NCX2 play important roles in the motility of the gastric fundus, ileum and distal colon. Therefore, we believed that NCX1 and NCX2 play an important role in transport of intestinal contents. Here, we investigated the role of NCX in a mouse model of drug-induced diarrhea. The fecal consistencies in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET were assessed using a diarrhea induced by magnesium sulfate, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). NCX2 HET, but not NCX1 HET, exacerbated magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea by increasing watery fecals. Likewise, 5-HT-induced diarrheas were exacerbated in NCX2 HET, but not NCX1 HET. However, NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET demonstrated PGE₂ induced diarrhea similar to those of wild-type mice (WT). As well as the result of the distal colon shown previously, in the proximal and transverse colons of WT, the myenteric plexus layers and the longitudinal and circular muscle layers were strongly immunoreactive to NCX1 and NCX2. In this study, we demonstrate that NCX2 has important roles in development of diarrhea.

Overexpression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 display enhanced relaxation in the gastric fundus

In gastric smooth muscles, the released Ca²⁺ activates the contractile proteins and Ca²⁺ taken up from the cytosol cause relaxation. The Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) is an antiporter membrane protein that controls Ca²⁺ influx and efflux across the membrane. However, the possible relation of NCX in gastric fundus motility is largely unknown. Here, we investigated electric field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxations in the circular muscles of the gastric fundus in smooth muscle-specific NCX1 transgenic mice (Tg). EFS caused a bi-phasic response, transient and sustained relaxation. The sustained relaxation prolonged for an extended period after the end of the stimulus. EFS-induced transient relaxation and sustained relaxation were greater in Tg than in wild-type mice (WT). Disruption of nitric oxide component by N-nitro-l-arginine, EFS-induced transient and sustained relaxations caused still marked in Tg compared to WT. Inhibition of PACAP by antagonist, EFS-induced sustained relaxation in Tg was not seen, similar to WT. Nevertheless, transient relaxation remained more pronounced in Tg than in WT. Next, we examined responses to NO and PACAP in smooth muscles. The magnitudes of NOR-1, which generates NO, and PACAP-induced relaxations were greater in Tg than in WT. In this study, we demonstrate that NCX1 regulates gastric fundus motility.

Inhibitory effect of YM-244769, a novel Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor on Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in guinea pig cardiac ventricular myocytes

Recently, YM-244769 (N-(3-aminobenzyl)-6-{4-[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]phenoxy} nicotinamide) has been reported as a new potent and selective Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange (NCX) inhibitor by using various cells transfected with NCX using the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ fluorescent technique. However, the electrophysiological study of YM-244769 on NCX had not been performed in the mammalian heart. We examined the effects of YM-244769 on NCX current (I_NCX) in single cardiac ventricular myocytes of guinea pigs by using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. YM-244769 suppressed the bidirectional I_NCX in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of YM-244769 for the bidirectional outward and inward I_NCX were both about 0.1 μM. YM-244769 suppressed the unidirectional outward I_NCX (Ca²⁺ entry mode) with an IC₅₀ value of 0.05 μM. The effect on the unidirectional inward I_NCX (Ca²⁺ exit mode) was less potent, with 10 μM of YM-244769 resulting in the inhibition of only about 50 %. At 5 mM intracellular Na⁺ concentration, YM-244769 suppressed I_NCX more potently than it did at 0 mM [Na⁺]_i. Intracellular application of trypsin via the pipette solution did not change the blocking effect of YM-244769. In conclusion, YM-244769 inhibits the Ca²⁺ entry mode of NCX more potently than the Ca²⁺ exit mode, and inhibition by YM-244769 is [Na⁺]_i-dependent and trypsin-insensitive. These characteristics are similar to those of other benzyloxyphenyl derivative NCX inhibitors such as KB-R7943, SEA0400, and SN-6. The potency of YM-244769 as an NCX1 inhibitor is higher than those of KB-R7943 and SN-6 and is similar to that of SEA0400.

Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger-heterozygote knockout mice display increased relaxation in gastric fundus and accelerated gastric transit in vivo

BACKGROUND

For the contraction and relaxation of gastric smooth muscles to occur, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration must be increased and decreased, respectively. The Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) is a plasma membrane transporter that is involved in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations.

METHODS

To determine the role of NCX in gastrointestinal tissues, we examined electric field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxations in the circular muscles of the gastric fundus in NCX1 and NCX2 heterozygote knockout mice (HET).

KEY RESULTS

The myenteric plexus layers and the longitudinal and circular muscle layers in the gastric fundus of wild-type mice (WT) were strongly immunoreactive to NCX1 and NCX2. EFS induced a transient relaxation that was apparent during the stimulus and a sustained relaxation that persisted after the end of the stimulus. The amplitudes of EFS-induced transient relaxation and sustained relaxation were greater in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET than in WT. When an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase was added following the EFS, neither NCX1 HET nor NCX2 HET exhibited transient relaxation, similar to WT. Furthermore, when a PACAP antagonist was added following the EFS, sustained relaxation in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET was not observed, similar to WT. Next, we examined the effect of NCX heterozygous deficiency on relaxation in response to NO and PACAP in smooth muscles. The magnitude of NOR-1- and PACAP-induced relaxations in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET was similar to that of WT.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

In this study, we demonstrate that NCX1 and NCX2 expressed in neurons regulate the motility in the gastric fundus.

Contactless electrical conductivity measurement of metallic submicron-grain material: Application to the study of aluminum with severe plastic deformation

We measured the electrical conductivity σ of aluminum specimen consisting of submicron-grains by observing the AC magnetic susceptibility resulting from the eddy current. By using a commercial platform for magnetic measurement, contactless measurement of the relative electrical conductivity σn of a nonmagnetic metal is possible over a wide temperature (T) range. By referring to σ at room temperature, obtained by the four-terminal method, σn(T) was transformed into σ(T). This approach is useful for cylinder specimens, in which the estimation of the radius and/or volume is difficult. An experiment in which aluminum underwent accumulative roll bonding, which is a severe plastic deformation process, validated this method of evaluating σ as a function of the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries.

Abstract P5-08-14: Tumor Infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) related genomic signature associated with chemotherapy response and prognosis in subtypes of breast cancer

Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in subtypes of breast cancer may provide clinically important information on chemotherapy response and prognosis. However, the standardized methodology for immunohistochemical (IHC)-TIL has not yet been established, reproducible and objective method of evaluation of TIL such as gene expression profiles is warranted. We evaluated whether IHC-TIL level was associated with gene expression profiles and whether such profiles could be used to predict chemotherapy response and prognosis according to subtypes of breast cancers.

Methods: To select TIL associated genes, we used 40 samples with both IHC-TIL information and gene expression profiling data. The degree of TIL at the edges of the tumor mass, in the tumor mass, or in the stroma surrounding the expanding mammary ducts packed by carcinoma cells was evaluated as score 0, 1, and 2, when TIL was not unrecognizable (0%), sparse (0 << 50%) and dense (50% ≤), respectively. We selected 22 genes as the TIL-gene signature (GS), by comparing expression profiles between TIL score 2 and 0 tumors. We showed the associations between the TIL-GS levels and subtypes of breast cancers (Estrogen receptor: ER / Human Epidermal growth factor 2: HER2). The chemotherapy sensitivity analysis was performed on cohorts of 625 patients with stage I–III breast cancer who received neo adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) based on Anthracycline and Taxane containing regimen. Data from 1,586 tumors were used to evaluate the association between distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and the TIL-GS in a Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results: The TIL-GS for ER negative (-)/HER2- and HER2 positive (+) cases were significantly higher expression level than luminal types (p-value <0.001). All breast cancer subtypes except luminal-low proliferation had significantly higher differential TIL-GS level in cases with pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC than residual disease (luminal-high: p-value = 0.013, HER2+: 0.005, and ER-/HER2-: 0.016). With no adjuvant chemo or only tamoxifen treated breast cancer data set, the TIL-GS had no prognostic power in luminal cases regardless of proliferative level. In HER2+ breast cancers, cases with the high TIL-GS had significantly better prognosis than low cases (p-value =0.001), but no significance in ER-/HER2- cases (p-value = 0.621).

Conclusions: Higher TIL-gene signature of 22 genes appeared to be associated with aggressive subtypes and pCR rate (except luminal-low) of breast cancers. This approach may improve the reproducibility of assessment on tumor TIL level and thus serve the clinical applications for breast cancers.

Citation Format: Kochi M, Niikura N, Iwamoto T, Bianchini G, Mizoo T, Nogami T, Shien T, Motoki T, Taira N, Masuda S, Doihara H, Fujiwara T, Tokuda Y, Matsuoka J. Tumor Infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) related genomic signature associated with chemotherapy response and prognosis in subtypes of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-08-14.

Abstract P4-04-04: Triple-negative (TN) and HER2+ breast cancers (BC) have different immune milieu in primary and metastatic tumors

Background: In TN and HER2+ early BCs, a high immune infiltration is linked to good prognosis and improved treatment benefit. Little is known about the characteristics of the immune milieu of BCs in metastatic disease. We aimed to investigate differences of the immune microenvironment between cohorts of primary early breast cancer (EBC) and metastatic (MBC) tumors according to molecular subtypes.

Methods: We identified publicly available gene expression profiles (GEPs) of MBCs profiled either on Agilent (n=12, cohort I) or AffymetrixU133A (n=36, cohort II). These included 21 ER-/HER2- (TN), 10 HER2+ and 17 ER+/HER2- (Luminal). From GEPs of EBC profiled on the same platforms, we randomly selected two cohorts with the same molecular subtype composition (n=65 and n=230) and compared them with MBCs. We assessed differential expression of 40 pre-selected immune genes belonging to six immune-related metagenes [CD8, IGG and MHC2, related to T cells, plasma cells and antigen presenting cells respectively; MHC1, STAT1 and IF.I related to HLA class I genes; and genes modulated by interferon (Gianni L SABCS 2012)]. We also evaluated β2-microglobulin (B2M), for its role in the MHC1 complex, and an immune signature associated with benefit from pembrolizumab in melanoma (Ribas A ASCO 2015).

Results: In cohort I (Agilent), only 33 genes were annotated. Overall, 16/33 (48.4%) genes had a significantly lower expression in MBC (p<0.05). In TN and HER2+ MBCs 18 and 11 genes were significantly lower than in EBC, respectively (p<0.05) (6 in both), while only one was lower in luminal MBCs (IGHM). In cohort II (Affymetrix), 26/40 genes (65%) had lower expression in MBC (p<0.05). Considering molecular subtypes, 25 and 19 genes were lower in TN and HER2+, respectively (17 in both), and only one in ER+/HER2- (IL7R). In ER+/HER2- one gene was higher in MBC (IFIT2). In TN and HER2+ the genes with lower expression in MBC belong to all immune functional categories, in particular MHC1 (HLA-A, B and C), STAT1 (STAT1, CXCL10, CXCL11, GBP1), MHC2 (HLA-DQB1 and DRB4) and T cells (CD52, IL7R and TRBC1). B2M was significantly lower in all MBC patients, and in HER2+ and TN groups both in cohort I (p=0.0002; p=0.006 and p=0.0005, respectively) and in cohort II (p<1E10-6; p=0.0008 and p=0.00004, respectively), while it was modestly lower in ER+/HER2- in cohort II only (p=0.027). The signature associated with benefit from pembrolizumab in melanoma was significantly lower in TN and HER2+ MBC in both cohort I (p=0.003) and cohort II (p=0.001), but not in luminal cases.

Conclusions: TN and HER2+ MBCs have a "colder" immune microenvironment than primary tumors, with significantly lower expression of genes related to immune response and to antigen presentation (B2M and MHC1). This is consistent with the lower TILs we have described in a small series of paired EBC-MBC (Ogiya R ASCO 2015), suggesting the engagement of mechanisms of immune escape during the metastatic process. However, the "cold" immune milieu observed in MBC could also result from selection of low immunogenic tumors more likely to relapse. Our findings suggest that use of immune-checkpoints inhibitors in MBCs may require the combination with agents able to turn on an immunogenic response.

Citation Format: Bianchini G, Riba M, Zambelli S, Safonov A, Ogiya R, Jiang T, Hatzis C, Niikura N, Zambetti M, Iwamoto T, Pusztai L, Gianni L. Triple-negative (TN) and HER2+ breast cancers (BC) have different immune milieu in primary and metastatic tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-04.

ONO-pincer ruthenium complex-bound norvaline for efficient catalytic oxidation of methoxybenzenes with hydrogen peroxide

A Ru-bound norvaline shows enhanced catalytic activity for the oxidation of methoxybenzenes with unique chemoselectivity.

Ruthenium-Porphyrin-Catalyzed [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of α,β-Unsaturated Imines and Aldehydes

A new efficient synthetic route to unsymmetrically substituted dihydropyridine scaffolds via dehydrative [4 + 2] cycloaddition of N-tosylated α,β-unsaturated imines with aldehydes has been developed. This transformation is enabled by (i) the remarkable catalytic ability of the cationic Ru(IV) porphyrin complex to activate both the imino and carbonyl groups and (ii) the hydrophobic nature of the porphyrin ligand, which helps realize robust Lewis acidity in the dehydrative cycloaddition.

Upregulation of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor Expression by the Heat-Inactivated Potential Probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 in a Mouse Intestinal Explant Model

We determined whether a potential probiotic bacterium, Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 (BB6378), exerts beneficial effects on the mucosal immune system in a mouse intestinal explant model. The addition of heat-inactivated BB6378 to intestinal explants prepared from embryonic day 18 BALB/c mice increased the expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) mRNA by two- to fivefold. These effects were observed on ileal and colonic explants but not on jejunal explants, suggesting that the BB6378-induced pIgR upregulation is site-specific within the mouse intestine. The upregulation of pIgR protein expression in colonic explants was also detected after 24 h of culture. The results of DNA microarray analysis of ileal and colonic samples indicated that BB6378 increased the gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1β, and IL-1α content in colonic explants was significantly increased after 20 h of culture with BB6378. We then examined the involvement of endogenously induced IL-1α in pIgR mRNA upregulation by using IL-1α knockout (KO) mice. Contrary to our expectations, pIgR mRNA expression was equally upregulated by BB6378 in colonic explants from BALB/c and IL-1α KO mice. Conversely, we examined the involvement of Toll-like receptors in pIgR mRNA upregulation by using MyD88 KO mice. The upregulation of pIgR was completely suppressed in the explants derived from MyD88 KO mice. Taken together, we conclude that in a mouse intestinal explant model, the heat-inactivated potential probiotic BB6378 increases intestinal pIgR expression in a site-specific manner and that the upregulation of pIgR could be explained by a direct microbial effect on the epithelium via Toll-like receptors.

Formation of Pt decorated Ni-Pt nanocubes through low temperature atomic diffusion--time-resolved elemental analysis of nanoparticle formation

The formation process of Pt decorated Ni-Pt nanocubes was investigated by analysing the elemental distribution of Ni and Pt in the particles obtained from time-resolved in situ sampling during the synthesis in the oleylamine-1-heptanol system. The analysis confirmed the formation of Pt(core)-Ni(shell) nanoparticles at the initial stages of the reaction. However, as the reaction time progressed, the Pt atoms at the centre diffused outward and reached the corners and edges of the particle, whose shape changed from nearly spherical at the initial stages of the reaction to a perfect cube at the end of the reaction, forming a Ni rich cube (core)-Pt(cage). The cage obtained by dissolving the Ni rich cube was composed mainly of Pt and the Ni content in the frame was a mere 12%. The catalytic activity of the Pt cage was measured using cyclic voltammetry. The initial measurements suggested that the activity was comparable to some of the commercially available Pt catalysts.

Y chromosome haplogroup D2a1 is significantly associated with high levels of luteinizing hormone in Japanese men

The association between the Y chromosome haplogroup D2 and risk of azoospermia and low sperm motility has been previously studied, and it was indicated that haplogroups DE (YAP lineage) are associated with prostate cancer risk in Japanese males. Our assumption had been that Y chromosome haplogroups may be associated with sex hormone levels, because sex hormones have been deemed responsible for spermatogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this study, we assessed the association between Y chromosome haplogroups and sex hormone levels, including those of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin-B, and calculated free testosterone (cFT), in 901 young men from the general Japanese population (cohort 1) and 786 Japanese men of proven fertility (cohort 2). We found that the haplogroup D2a1 was significantly associated with high LH levels in a combined analysis involving two cohorts (β = 0.068, SE = 0.025, p = 0.0075), following correction for multiple testing. To date, this result is the first evidence that implicates Y chromosome haplogroups in an association with sex hormone levels.

Development of mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome in a patient with trisomy X

Increased risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Here, we describe a 16-year-old Japanese patient with trisomy X (47,XXX) who developed mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and Sjögren's syndrome. She had polyarthritis, edematous fingers with Raynaud's phenomenon, sicca syndrome, interstitial lung disease, possible myositis, and was positive for anti-nuclear antibody, anti-nRNP antibody and rheumatoid factor. This is the first report in the literature of a case of MCTD with female polysomy X, which further supports the link between the presence of extra X chromosome(s) and the development of autoimmune diseases.