Compact Er:Yb:glass-laser-based supercontinuum source for high-resolution optical coherence tomography

We present a low coherence light source by direct super-continuum generation from a diode-pumped, passively modelocked Er:Yb:glass-laser, which generates 198 fs transform-limited pulses with an average power of 100 mW at a repetition rate of 75 MHz. The pulse train is launched into a dispersion optimized highly nonlinear fiber for spectral broadening. The optical bandwidth spans from 1150 nm to 2400 nm, which is more than one octave. The potential for ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is demonstrated by coherence measurements supporting an axial resolution of 3.5 microm in air.

Phosphorylation and interaction of the movement and coat proteins of brome mosaic virus in infected barley protoplasts

The 3a movement protein (B3a) of brome mosaic virus (BMV) plays essential roles in the cell-to-cell movement of BMV. B3a is known to bind nucleic acids, to transport RNA to neighbouring cells, and to form tubular structures. Here, we tested the assumption that phosphorylation may be a mechanism that regulates B3a functions and showed that not only B3a but also the coat protein, BCP, was phosphorylated in BMV-infected barley protoplasts. Both BCP and B3a were detected in a complex immunoprecipitated from BMV-infected protoplasts with anti-B3a antiserum, implying an interaction between BCP and B3a.

Appropriate schedule of oral tegafur / uracil (UFT) in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11) and bolus 5-FU / l-leucovorin (LV) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC): A phase I study

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Background: FOLFIRI is one of the standard regimens for MCRC. Considering the burden of continuous 5-FU administration, oral fluoropyrimidine-based therapy has been proposed in several clinical trials; however, gastrointestinal toxicity makes it difficult to perform successive oral chemotherapy. Therefore, no previous study could confirm whether to replace FOLFIRI with oral regimen. In order to find an appropriate schedule of oral fluoropyrimidine with safety and efficacy instead of continuous infusion of 5-FU, clinical trial using CPT-11, bolus 5-FU / l-LV and oral UFT / LV was conducted in pts with MCRC. Methods: Pts with MCRC, age > 18 years, ECOG PS 0–2, adequate organ function, and no or 1 prior chemotherapy were eligible. Pts received CPT-11 (100mg/m2) / 5-FU (500mg/m2) / l-LV (15mg/m2) i.v. on day 1 and UFT (300mg/m2) / LV (75mg/body) p.o. on days 1–5 (level 1), days 1–7 (level 2), or days 1–10 (level 3). Each course was repeated every 14 days. After determining feasible UFT / LV schedule, CPT-11 was dose-escalated (level 4: 125 mg/m2; level 5: 150mg/m2). Results: Nineteen pts were enrolled. A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade 4 neutropenia lasting for > 4 days was observed in 1 pt at level 2. Additional 3 pts at this level showed no toxicity of grade 3 or 4. A DLT of treatment delay (>8 days) was observed in 1 pt at level 3 because of prolonged neutropenia. Other 2 pts at level 3 refused to continue treatment within 4 cycles because of prolonged grade 2 anorexia. Obvious difference in toxicity was observed between level 2 and level 3. Therefore, 7-day-administration of UFT / LV was recommended. No DLT was observed at level 4 and 5, and the recommended dose of CPT-11 was 150mg/m2. The overall response rate was 66.7%. The median time to disease progression was 8.0 months. Conclusions: This oral fluoropyrimidine-based regimen is considered feasible and effective. The treatment schedule of UFT might be a key to prevent an early dropout due to gastrointestinal toxicity. Further study will be needed to confirm toxicity and efficacy of this regimen compared to FOLFIRI profile.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Favorable genetic polymorphisms predictive of clinical outcome of chemoradiotherapy for stage II/III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Japanese

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Background: A 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was proposed for esophageal cancer patients. Currently, there is an urgent need to establish a methodology to decide which is preferable for a patient, i.e., surgical treatment or CRT, especially for Stage II to III tumors defined as resectable. This study was performed to find the genetic factors predictive of clinical outcome to a 5-FU/ CDDP-based CRT in Japanese patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Thirty-one patients with Stage I-IVa ESCC (I/II/III/IVa = 7/7/14/3) were enrolled in this study. One course of treatment consisted of protracted venous infusions of 5-FU (400 mg/m2/24 h for day 1–5 and 8–12), CDDP (40 mg/m2/3 h on day 1 and 8) and radiation (2 Gy/day on day 1–5, 8–12 and 15–19), and a 2nd course was successively repeated after a 2-week interval. A total of 8 measurements of the plasma concentration of 5-FU were made using high performance liquid chromatography. Genetic polymorphisms examined herein included those in the genes coding thymidylate synthase (TS), glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and multi-drug resistant transporter MDR1/P-glycoprotein. Results: The complete response rate depended on Stage (p = 0.001), but the analysis was not sufficiently powered to reach a level of statistical significance for the 2-year survival rate (p = 0.061). For Stage II/III patients, to have 2 or 3 polymorphisms of 3R/3R of 5’-TSER, a 6bp of 3’-TSUTR, and GSTP1-Leu105Val resulted in an extensively longer survival (p =0.0197), although no difference was found between 2 groups, with respect to the plasma concentrations of 5-FU and clinical or pathological characteristics. Conclusions: The genetic prognostic index may allow predictions of the clinical outcome of a 5- FU/CDDP-based CRT in Stage II/III ESCC patients. Now, we are analyzing the contribution of genetic polymorphisms of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor a.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Evidence of immunostimulating lipoprotein existing in the natural lipoteichoic acid fraction

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a cell surface glycoconjugate of gram-positive bacteria and is reported to activate the innate immune system. We previously reported that purified LTA obtained from Enterococcus hirae has no immunostimulating activity, but a subfraction (Eh-AF) in an LTA fraction possesses activity. In this study, we established a mouse monoclonal antibody neutralizing the activity of Eh-AF and investigated its inhibitory effects. Monoclonal antibody (MAbEh1) was established by the immunization of BALB/c mice with Eh-AF, followed by hybridoma screening based on its inhibitory effect for the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced by Eh-AF. MAbEh1 neutralized the production of IL-6 by LTA fraction from not only E. hirae but also Staphylococcus aureus, while it failed to block that of lipopolysaccharide, suggesting that the antibody recognized a common active structure(s) in LTA fractions. Synthetic glycolipids in these LTAs did not induce cytokine production, at least in our system. Interestingly, the antibody was found to inhibit the activity of immunostimulating synthetic lipopeptides, Pam(3)CSK(4) and FSL-1. These results suggest that MAbEh1 neutralizes the activity of lipoprotein-like compounds which is responsible for the activity of the LTA fraction of E. hirae and S. aureus.

An unusual renal vascular anomaly: common origin of arteries to the lower poles demonstrated by a computed tomography angiography using 16-slice multidetector computed tomography

Arterial connection between the left and right kidneys is extremely rare. Only eight cases of such anomalous conditions have been reported in the world literature and all were confirmed by invasive angiography or dissection. We report a patient with this vascular anomaly clearly demonstrated by 16-slice multidetector computed tomography.

Ocular blood flow changes after dynamic exercise in humans

PURPOSE

To investigate control mechanisms for ocular blood flow changes after dynamic exercise using two different methods.

METHODS

Changes over time in the tissue blood flow in the retina and choroid-retina of healthy volunteers were determined after dynamic exercise (Master's double two-step test), using scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) and laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, plasma CO(2) gas concentration (pCO(2)), and levels of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were examined.

RESULTS

Retinal blood flow measured by SLDF increased significantly only at 15 min after exercise. In contrast, normalized blur (NB) values in the choroid-retina, obtained by LSFG, increased significantly up to 60 min after exercise. Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), calculated from IOP and blood pressure, increased significantly immediately and 15 min after exercise. The plasma NO metabolite levels increased significantly, although pCO(2) levels were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic exercise changes OPP and produces increased tissue blood flow in the retina in the immediate postexercise period, while blood flow increases more persistently in the choroid-retina. Difference in control of blood flow in these two regions may be related to stronger autoregulatory mechanism of blood flow in the retina. Nitric oxide may play a role in the regulation of blood flow.

Synthesis of infectious in vitro transcripts from Cassia yellow blotch bromovirus cDNA clones and a reassortment analysis with other bromoviruses in protoplasts

Cassia yellow blotch virus (CYBV), genus Bromovirus, was isolated from the Australian native legume, Cassia pleurocarpa, in western Queensland, and its host range was found to be distinct from other bromoviruses. In this study, CYBV was shown to infect systemically and efficiently a model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, as we recently reported for another bromovirus, Spring beauty latent virus (SBLV). We constructed full-length cDNA clones of CYBV genomic RNAs from which infectious in vitro transcripts can be transcribed, and determined their complete nucleotide sequences. CYBV RNA3 contains the box B motif in the intercistronic region, but lacks the subgenomic promoter-like sequence in the 5' noncoding region, as does Brome mosaic virus (BMV). To understand relationships among bromoviruses, we generated reassortants between CYBV and three other bromoviruses, BMV, SBLV and Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus. We found that all reassortants between BMV and CYBV accumulated viral RNAs to detectable levels in protoplasts of Nicotiana benthamiana, even when RNAs 1 and 2, which encode the replication proteins 1a and 2a, respectively, were heterologous. Sequence comparison and reassortment experiments of CYBV and other bromoviruses demonstrated that CYBV is closely related to BMV.

Coat protein-independent cell-to-cell movement of bromoviruses expressing brome mosaic virus movement protein with an adaptation-related amino acid change in the central region

The movement protein (MP) of Brome mosaic virus (BMV) depends on the coat protein (CP) to mediate the cell-to-cell movement of BMV and CCMV(B3a), a recombinant Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) expressing BMV MP. Previous studies identified gain-of-function mutations in the central region of BMV MP that enable CCMV(B3a) to adapt to a resistant host. This study demonstrates that all adaptation-related MPs can partially or almost fully mediate the cell-to-cell movement of CCMV(B3a) and BMV without CP. Based on these results, we discuss adaptation mechanisms of CCMV(B3a) and the role of the central region of MP in the determination of virus movement mode.

Chromoendoscopy using indigo carmine dye spraying with magnifying observation is the most reliable method for differential diagnosis between non-neoplastic and neoplastic colorectal lesions: a prospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Differential diagnosis between non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions is very important at colonoscopy, since removal or biopsy of non-neoplastic polyps wastes time and resources. We therefore conducted a prospective study to examine whether indigo carmine dye spraying with and without magnification is more reliable than the conventional method for differential diagnosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

122 patients with 206 lesions of 10 mm or smaller were recruited into this study. All lesions detected on colonoscopy were first diagnosed using the conventional view, then at chromoendoscopy using 0.2 % indigo carmine, and finally at chromoendoscopy with magnification. The diagnosis at each step were recorded consecutively. All lesions were finally categorized as neoplastic or non-neoplastic according to pit pattern; non-neoplastic lesions were biopsied for histological evaluation, and all the neoplastic ones were removed endoscopically. The accuracy rate of each type of endoscopic diagnosis was evaluated, using histological findings as reference.

RESULTS

Histologically, 46 lesions (22 %) were non-neoplastic and 160 (78 %) were neoplastic. The overall diagnostic accuracies by conventional view, chromoendoscopy, and chromoendoscopy with magnification were 84.0 % (173/206), 89.3 % (184/206) and 95.6 % (197/206), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Chromoendoscopy with magnification is the most reliable method for determining whether a colorectal lesion is non-neoplastic or neoplastic.

A posttranscriptional regulator of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus interacts with RNA-binding protein PCBP1 and controls gene expression through the IRES

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8, HHV-8) belongs to the gamma-herpesvirus subfamily. The KSHV ORF57 gene is thought to be a homolog of posttranscriptional regulators that are conserved in the herpesvirus family and are essential for replication. We generated specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the ORF57 protein that detected the 51-kDa protein expressed in the nucleus of KSHV-infected cells. We also found that the ORF57 protein interacted with poly(rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1), a cellular RNA-binding, posttranscriptional regulator. ORF57's interaction with PCBP1 enhanced the activity of not only poliovirus internal ribosome-entry site (IRES)-dependent translation but also X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and KSHV vFLIP IRES. Actually, when ORF57 expression was induced by the expression of replication and transcription activator (RTA) in KSHV-infected cells, the expression of XIAP was enhanced. These results suggest that ORF57 binds to PCBP1 as a functional partner for posttranscriptional regulation and is involved in the regulation of the expression of both cellular and viral genes through IRESs.

Accumulation of heterochromatin components on the terminal repeat sequence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus mediated by the latency-associated nuclear antigen

In the latent infection of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), its 160-kb circularized episomal DNA is replicated and maintained in the host nucleus. KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) is a key factor for maintaining viral latency. LANA binds to the terminal repeat (TR) DNA of the viral genome, leading to its localization to specific dot structures in the nucleus. In such an infected cell, the expression of the viral genes is restricted by a mechanism that is still unclear. Here, we found that LANA interacts with SUV39H1 histone methyltransferase, a key component of heterochromatin formation, as determined by use of a DNA pull-down assay with a biotinylated DNA fragment that contained a LANA-specific binding sequence and a maltose-binding protein pull-down assay. The diffuse localization of LANA on the chromosomes of uninfected cells changed to a punctate one with the introduction of a bacterial artificial chromosome containing most of the TR region, and SUV39H1 clearly colocalized with the LANA-associated dots. Thus, the LANA foci in KSHV-infected cells seemed to include SUV39H1 as well as heterochromatin protein 1. Furthermore, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that the TR and the open reading frame (ORF) K1 and ORF50/RTA genes, but not the ORF73/LANA gene, lay within the heterochromatin during KSHV latency. Taken together, these observations indicate that LANA recruits heterochromatin components to the viral genome, which may lead to the establishment of viral latency and govern the transcription program.

Malignant transformation in a mature testicular teratoma left untreated for more than 50 years since childhood

Although testicular teratoma in childhood is regarded as a benign tumor, little is known about the consequences of pediatric teratoma being left untreated. We report herein a case of malignant transformation observed in a mature testicular teratoma that was presumed to have remained benign for >50 years.

Diurnal variation in microcirculation of ocular fundus and visual field change in normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE

Diurnal variations in microcirculation of the ocular fundus in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) were examined to compare with the normal control eyes. The correlation between progression of visual field impairment and diurnal variations in ocular circulation was also studied.

METHODS

The subjects were 12 patients with NTG and 12 normal controls. Blood pressure (BP), intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and square blur rate (SBR), an index of microcirculation acquired by the laser speckle method, were measured at 9 a.m. (morning), 3 p.m. (afternoon), and 9 p.m. (night). Diurnal variations in SBR were tested using the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. On the other hand, diurnal variations in BP, IOP, and OPP were tested by the analysis of variance. The visual field was evaluated at the same time as determining diurnal variation and again about 9 months later to calculate the change. The correlation between variation ratio in SBR and the change in visual field was examined by simple regression.

RESULTS

A significant decrease (P=0.04) was found in SBR at night, as compared with the morning value, in the optic nerve head (ONH) of NTG, although no significant diurnal variations were found in SBR either in the choroid-retina or in normal control eyes. Other parameters showed no significant diurnal variations. The larger diurnal variation was in SBR of the ONH, and the more exacerbated visual field impairment was (r=0.59, P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that diurnal variations in the microcirculation of the ONH may play a role in the progression of NTG.

A viral transcriptional activator of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) induces apoptosis, which is blocked in KSHV-infected cells

Replication and transcription activator (RTA), mostly encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) open reading frame 50, is expressed in the immediate-early phase of reactivation and plays a critical role in inducing the viral lytic cycle in KSHV-infected cells. We established cell clones from BJAB cells and replication-deficient BCBL-1 cells in which KSHV RTA expression was controlled by an inducible promoter of the tetracycline-based Tet-Off expression system. In RTA-inducible BJAB cells, tetracycline removal induced the synthesis of RTA, resulting in cell death. DNA fragmentation, structural changes in the cell membrane, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage were observed in the RTA-induced BJAB cells, indicating that RTA expression induced caspase activation and cell death by apoptosis. However, expression of RTA in RTA-inducible BCBL-1 cells did not undergo apoptosis and cell death. These results suggested that KSHV RTA is an apoptosis inducer that is opposed by an antiapoptotic pathway in infected cells.

[Surgically treated mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 6-year-old boy; report of a case]

A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with a history of recurrent obstructive pneumonia and hemoptysis. A chest computed tomography (CT) showed atelectasis in the left lower lobe. Angiograpy, which was performed for the suspicion of pulmonary sequestration, showed no feeding artery and revealed bleeding from the bronchial artery in the left lower lobe. As hemoptysis would not stop, an emergency left lower lobectomy was performed. Macroscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed a mass measuring 20 x 15 x 17 mm in the S8 proximal lung parenchyma, bronchiectasis, and an abscess in the distal lung parenchyma. Histopathologic examination determined the tumor was a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed some tumor cells were positive for CA 19-9. The child has not had a recurrence 3 years postoperatively.

The movement protein gene is involved in the virus-specific requirement of the coat protein in cell-to-cell movement of bromoviruses

Brome mosaic virus (BMV) requires the coat protein (CP) for cell-to-cell movement whereas Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), from the same genus, does not. Chimeric viruses created by exchanging the movement protein (MP) gene between the viruses can move from cell to cell. We show that interference in CP expression impaired the movement of the chimeric CCMV with the BMV MP gene but not of the chimeric BMV with the CCMV MP gene. We thus conclude that the MP gene plays a crucial role in determination of the virus-specific CP requirement in bromovirus cell-to-cell movement.