Copper-catalyzed α-selective hydrostannylation of alkynes for the synthesis of branched alkenylstannanes

A universal system for highly α-selective hydrostannylation of terminal alkynes has been developed by use of a distannane or a silylstannane as a stannylating reagent under copper catalysis.

Enhanced miR-210 expression promotes the pathogenesis of endometriosis through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

STUDY QUESTION

What are the roles of the microRNA miR-210-an miRNA that is up-regulated in endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs)-in the pathogenesis of endometriosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in their proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and angiogenesis through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In the pathogenesis of endometriosis, a number of roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) are becoming apparent.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

ECSCs and normal endometrial stromal cells (NESCs) were isolated from ovarian endometriotic tissues (patients aged 24-40 years undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy or evisceration for the treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts, n = 10) and the eutopic endometrial tissues without endometriosis (premenopausal patients aged 35-45 years undergoing hysterectomies for subserousal leiomyoma, n = 13), respectively.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We used a global gene expression microarray technique to identify downstream targets of miR-210, and we assessed the functions of miR-210 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by using the miR-210-transfected NESCs.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Gene expression microarray analysis revealed that one of the key target molecules of miR-210 is STAT3. In the NESCs, in comparison to the control, miR-210 transfection resulted in the induction of cell proliferation (P < 0.0005), the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) (P < 0.0005) and the inhibition of apoptosis (P < 0.05) through STAT3 activation [increased levels of mRNA (P < 0.0005), and protein (P < 0.005)]. In the ECSCs, inhibitors of STAT3 inhibited the cell proliferation and VEGF production (P < 0.05), and induced the apoptosis of these cells (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The roles of aberrant miR-210 expression were investigated only in the stromal component of ectopic and eutopic endometrium. Control endometrial tissues were obtained from premenopausal patients who had subserosal leiomyoma and NESC gene expression patterns may be altered in these women. Furthermore, the effects of STAT3 inhibitors were evaluated only in ECSCs and not in NESCs.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The present findings indicate that miR-210 induces NESCs to differentiate into the endometriotic phenotype and we speculate that up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in the creation of the endometriosis-specific cellular dysfunctions through epigenetic mechanisms. The data indicate that STAT3 inhibitors may be promising candidates for the treatment of endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (no. 13237327 to K.N., no. 25861500 to Y.K. and no. 23592407 to H.N.). There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Note: Magnification of a polarization angle with a Littrow layout brazed grating

A new method to magnify a small polarization angle with brazed gratings has been developed. In the method, difference in diffraction efficiency for S and P polarization components is used. The magnification dependence on the incident angle can be small by arranging the grating in Littrow layout. A magnification with a factor ~2.7 has been demonstrated for a 10.6 μm CO2 laser beam as expected from a calculation. The method is applicable in many polarimetry fields.

Case report of FLT3-ITD-positive AML patient 11 years after living donor liver transplantation

With the increasing number of long-term survivors of living donor liver transplantation, the occurrence of secondary cancer is sometimes reported. Solid tumors such as lymphomas are mainly observed. However, only 8 cases of leukemia have been reported so far. For patients younger than 15 years old, leukemia developed in 4 within 3 years after the liver transplantation, whereas acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed in only 1 patient. This is the first case report of a patient in whom FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) developed more than 10 years after living donor liver transplantation for congenital biliary atresia. AML developed in a 14-year-old boy 11 years after living donor liver transplantation from his father. The patient received the transplant at the age of 3 years and was treated with tacrolimus and methylprednisolone for transplant rejection. Eleven years posttransplantation, he visited the hospital with general malaise and anemia. Blood tests revealed an elevated white blood cell count of 60,100/μL, and the patient was diagnosed with AML. Chromosome analysis revealed a t(6; 9) (p23 q34) translocation; moreover, genetic testing revealed a FLT3-ITD-positive mutation. We started treatment in accordance with the Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group AML99 protocol. With chemotherapy treatment, the patient achieved complete remission. After chemotherapy, we performed stem cell transplantation from his father. Other patients were reported in relatively early stages after liver transplantation, but our case was more than 10 years posttransplantation. The association with the onset of congenital bile duct atresia and leukemia is still not clear, but we consider the possibility that long-term immunosuppressive drugs contribute to developing leukemia.

Genetic and infectious profiles influence cerebrospinal fluid IgG abnormality in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Abnormal intrathecal synthesis of IgG, reflected by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal IgG bands (OBs) and increased IgG index, is much less frequently observed in Japanese multiple sclerosis (MS) cohorts compared with Western cohorts. We aimed to clarify whether genetic and common infectious backgrounds influence CSF IgG abnormality in Japanese MS patients.

METHODOLOGY

We analyzed HLA-DRB1 alleles, and IgG antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 94 patients with MS and 367 unrelated healthy controls (HCs). We defined CSF IgG abnormality as the presence of CSF OBs and/or increased IgG index (>0.658).

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

CSF IgG abnormality was found in 59 of 94 (62.8%) MS patients. CSF IgG abnormality-positive patients had a significantly higher frequency of brain MRI lesions meeting the Barkhof criteria compared with abnormality-negative patients. Compared with HCs, CSF IgG abnormality-positive MS patients showed a significantly higher frequency of DRB1 1501, whereas CSF IgG abnormality-negative patients had a significantly higher frequency of DRB1 0405. CSF IgG abnormality-positive MS patients had a significantly higher frequency of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG antibodies compared with CSF IgG abnormality-negative MS patients, although there was no difference in the frequency of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG antibodies between HCs and total MS patients. Compared with HCs, anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were detected significantly less frequently in the total MS patients, especially in CSF IgG abnormality-negative MS patients. The frequencies of antibodies against EBNA and VZV did not differ significantly among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

CSF IgG abnormality is associated with Western MS-like brain MRI features. DRB1 1501 and C. pneumoniae infection confer CSF IgG abnormality, while DRB1 0405 and H. pylori infection are positively and negatively associated with CSF IgG abnormality-negative MS, respectively, suggesting that genetic and environmental factors differentially contribute to MS susceptibility according to the CSF IgG abnormality status.

Effect of the antineoplastic agent busulfan on rat molar root development

OBJECTIVE

The antineoplastic bifunctional-alkylating agent busulfan (Bu) induces developmental anomalies. We examined histopathological changes in the molar roots of rats that received Bu at different stages of root formation.

DESIGN

At different developmental stages, i.e., on postnatal days (P) 13, 15, and 19, rats were administered 7.5 mg/kg of Bu dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then killed on P 30. After micro-computed tomography analysis, the maxillary first molars underwent immunohistochemical analysis for cytokeratin 14 (CK14), nestin, and dentin sialoprotein (Dsp). This was followed by histomorphometric analysis.

RESULTS

The rats receiving Bu at an early stage (i.e., P 13 and P 15) showed osteodentin formation and complete destruction of the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS). Cells around osteodentin showed nestin and Dsp immunoreactivity. The root lengths in rats treated with Bu at P 13 (1228.44 ± 62.17 μm) and P 15 (1536.08 ± 109.71 μm) were lower than that in the control rats (1674.10 ± 40 μm). A narrowed apical foramen and an increased amount of osteodentin were also present, depending on the rat's age at the time of treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Busulfan treatment in juvenile rats resulted in abnormal root development, depending on the stage at which Bu was administered. This abnormal development may result from the destruction of the HERS. The administration of Bu caused a shortage of HERS cells, which are required for normal root development. This disturbs root formation, resulting in osteodentin formation and a narrowed apex foramen.

[A case of systemic amyloidosis with cholangiectasis diagnosed by liver biopsy]

A 60-year-old man presented with fever and fatigue in a medical clinic and was given a diagnosis of cholangitis with mild cholangiectasis. The cholangiectasis remained even after treatment with an appropriate antibiotic agent. When the patient was transferred to our hospital for further examination, he was newly suffering from orthostatic hypotension and peripheral facial nerve palsy. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple low-density areas in the liver and intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. We performed percutaneous liver biopsy, and histopathological findings showed amyloid deposition around the portal vein. We diagnosed his condition as AL amyloidosis. Oral administration of melphalan and dexamethasone improved his clinical features and CT findings. We consider this case as rare in that the deposition of amyloid protein caused cholangiectasis.

Distinct genetic and infectious profiles in Japanese neuromyelitis optica patients according to anti-aquaporin 4 antibody status

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether genetic and common infectious backgrounds are distinct, according to anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody status in Japanese patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

METHODS

We analysed human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 alleles, and IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae, varicella zoster virus and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) in 116 patients with NMO, including 39 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), 145 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 367 unrelated healthy controls. 77 NMO/NMOSD patients were seropositive for AQP4 antibody while 39 were seronegative.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, NMO/NMOSD patients showed a significantly lower frequency of DRB1*0901 and significantly higher frequencies of DRB1*1602 and DPB1*0501, which conferred susceptibility to anti-AQP4 antibody positive NMO/NMOSD, but not antibody negative NMO/NMOSD. DRB1*0901 was a common protective allele, irrespective of the presence or absence of anti-AQP4 antibody. Anti-H pylori and anti-C pneumoniae antibodies were more commonly detected in anti-AQP4 antibody positive NMO/NMOSD patients than healthy controls. Antibody negative NMO/NMOSD patients did not differ from healthy controls regarding the presence of these antibodies. The presence or absence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus and EBNA did not vary among the groups. The frequencies of antibodies against these four pathogens were not significantly different between MS patients and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that HLA-DRB1*1602 and DPB1*0501 alleles and H pylori and Chlamydia pneumonia infection are risk factors only for anti-AQP4 antibody positive NMO/NMOSD but not for anti-AQP4 antibody negative NMO/NMOSD.