Epitope analysis of Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j1 with the human monoclonal antibody 4701-1

We obtained a stable human-mouse hybridoma clone 4701-1 secreting IgM class human monoclonal antibody to Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j1. A pin-peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with synthesized pentadeca peptides showed a peptide with an amino acid sequence of LYTVT NSDDD PVNPA was found to be positive. Detailed analysis with deca to tetra peptides indicated that an amino acid sequence of TVTN was an essential sequence for antibody binding. When N (Asn) was substituted with A (Ala) of the TVTN epitope, the resulting peptide did not have antibody binding ability. We concluded that the TVTN sequence might have a very important role in early recognition of Cry j1 allergen by Cry j1-specific B cells, which act as antigen presenting cells.

Stimulation of cell growth in the U-937 human myeloid cell line by honey royal jelly protein

Royal jelly was fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography and a protein (DIII protein) that had growth stimulating activity to the U-937 human myeloid cell line was obtained. The molecular weight of the DIII protein was 58 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The growth stimulating activity of the DIII protein was shown to be relatively heat and pH stable.

The neurite-initiating effect of microbial extracellular glycolipids in PC12 cells

The effects of several kinds of microbial extracellular glycolipids on neurite initiation in PC12 cells were examined. Addition of mannosylerythritol lipid-A (MEL-A), MEL-B, and sophorose lipid (SL) to PC12 cells caused significant neurite outgrowth. Other glycolipids, such as polyol lipid (PL), rhamnose lipid (RL), succinoyl trehalose lipid-A (STL-A) and STL-B caused no neurite-initiation. MEL-A increased acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity to an extent similar to nerve growth factor (NGF). However, MEL-A induced one or two long neurites from the cell body, while NGF induced many neurites. In addition, MEL-A-induced differentiation was transient, and after 48 h, percentage of cells with neurites started to decrease in contrast to neurons induced by NGF, which occurred in a time-dependent manner. MEL-A could induce neurite outgrowth after treatment of PC12 cells with an anti-NGF receptor antibody that obstructed NGF action. These results indicate that MEL-A and NGF induce differentiation of PC12 cells through different mechanisms.

Right-sided retrocaval approach using guidance via the lesser sac for Spieghel lobe resection

BACKGROUND

Few reports describe technical problems encountered in resections of the Spieghel lobe of the liver.

METHODS

The relationship of the caudate lobe with the inferior vena cava (IVC) was analyzed using computed tomography in 51 patients without hepatobiliary diseases. Using reconstructed 1 mm axial images, the angles of the most dorsal part of the Spieghel lobe (angle A) and the right hepatic lobe (angle B) around the IVC were measured clockwise from the ventral midpoint of the IVC.

RESULTS

In 11 (22%) patients, angle A was 180 ° or more, thus the retrocaval part of the Spieghel lobe projected rightward beyond the dorsal midline, but in 1 patient (2%) the right dorsal part of the liver extended leftward beyond the dorsal midline. In 20 (39%) patients, angle A was less than 135 degrees. The Spieghel lobe surrounded the IVC most dorsally at 22% of the distance from the top of the retrohepatic IVC. In 9 patients (18%), the retrocaval process of the Spieghel lobe appeared to be connected to the dorsal part of the right lobe.

CONCLUSION

The Spieghel lobe sometimes extends to the right, dorsal aspect of the IVC, such that a right-sided approach facilitates securing the retrohepatic IVC through the lesser sac and allows a safe dissection of the protruding portion of this lobe.

[Segmental infarction of the testis diagnosed by MRI: a case report]

A 42 year-old male presented with right scrotal pain. Ultrasonography and color Doppler sonography revealed a segmental hypoechoic lesion with absent blood flow in the upper part of the right testis. MRI showed a well-defined avascular lesion with rim enhancement suggesting segmental infarction of the right testis. Scrotal pain was improved with conservative treatment, after which MRI revealed a reduction. Segmental infarction of the testis is extremely rare and is difficult to distinguish from testicular torsion and testicular tumor. MRI of the acute scrotum is considered to be important for avoiding unnecessary surgical treatment.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney with polypoid component extending into renal pelvis and ureter

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor (MEST) of the kidney is an unusual benign neoplasm that predominantly occurs in middle-aged females. It typically appears as a well-circumscribed multiseptate mass with solid components on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance image (MRI), reflecting its characteristics of an admixture of stromal proliferation and epithelial cells consisting of multiple cysts. We present a rare case of 61-year-old woman with MEST, which manifested as a multilocular cystic mass with a polypoid component protruding into the renal pelvis and ureter. To our best knowledge, this is the first case of MEST extending into the ureter.

Pneumonia induced by swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) infection: chest computed tomography findings in children

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the features of chest computed tomography (CT) in children with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 16 children with laboratory-confirmed S-OIV infection (12 boys, 4 girls), with an age range of 5-10 years (mean 6.3 years). Pneumonia was suspected in these patients based on clinical features or confirmed by radiography. All subjects underwent CT for close evaluation of pneumonia, including characteristics, distribution, extent, and other findings such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum.

RESULTS

The predominant CT finding was consolidation plus ground-grass opacity (GGO) (11/16, 69%). The consolidation-dominant pattern was found in 10 of 16 (66%) patients, and 1 (6%) was GGO-dominant. One (6%) had only GGO. In all, 7 of the 16 patients had segmental or lobar consolidation. Abnormal opacities were primarily distributed in the central lung zone (8/16, 50%) and were multifocal (15/16, 94%). Four showed atelectasis (4/16, 25%). Pneumomediastinum was observed in 4 of 16 (25%). One patient had negative radiographic findings but was positive on CT.

CONCLUSION

Multifocal consolidation with central distribution is a common CT finding in children with S-OIV, but there are few GGO-dominant cases. Widespread consolidation (segmental or lobar) is also common.

Epitope analysis of peanut allergen Ara h1 with human monoclonal IgM antibody clone #86

A human-mouse hybridoma clone #86 secreting IgM-class human monoclonal antibody to peanut allergen protein Ara h1 was newly established. To detect an antibody-binding sequence (epitope) on Ara h1, the monoclonal antibody #86 was reacted with multi-pin apparatus with a series of peptides synthesized from the amino acid sequence of Ara h1. The antibody #86 was found to bind to a peptide with amino acid sequence of 481EEEEDEDEEEEGSNREVRRY500. Further analysis with shorter pin-peptides with ten amino acid-long showed that the peptides reacted with the antibody #86 contained a sequence of 485DEDEEEE491. This might be an essential linear sequence of this epitope. When the 485DED487 part of the peptide was replaced by alanine, decreased binding of antibody #86 was observed.

Production of IgE antibody to Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j1 by short term culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from a patient allergic to Japanese cedar pollens, were stimulated with IL-4, IL-13, CD40-Ligand and/or hydrocortisone in the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in 96-well round bottomed culture plates, and the secretion of IgE-class antibody against a Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j1 in the supernatants were examined. PBL cultured with IL-4, and IL-4 + CD40-Ligand showed the highest IgE secretion and the cultures were maintained for 30 days. However, we failed to expand the culture with high IgE secretion. It was suggested that patient's PBL stimulated with IL-4 were useful for short term IgE production to Cry j1.

Semiquantitative assessment of MR imaging in prediction of efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for volume reduction of uterine leiomyoma: initial experience

PURPOSE

To prospectively determine if semiquantitative assessment of R2* images and T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of leiomyomas correlates with the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment for volume reduction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Internal review board approval and informed consent were obtained for this study. Twenty women (mean age, 36.3 years) with intramyometrial leiomyomas were enrolled in this study. Single-section double-echo dynamic MR imaging was performed before GnRH agonist administration. T2-weighted images were obtained before and after two or three GnRH agonist injections (1.88 mg leuprorelin acetate). The steepest signal intensity (SI) upslope on T1-weighted images and the area under the curve (AUC) on R2* images were determined by using a 16 x 16-voxel matrix that was placed in the center of a leiomyoma. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to compare the percentage of volume reduction with SI upslope and AUC. Unpaired t test was performed to evaluate the difference between leiomyomas with AUC and SI upslope values that were less than or greater than the mean.

RESULTS

Percentage of volume reduction ranged from 6.2% to 51.1%. The mean AUC and mean SI upslope were 39.2 and 9.83% per second, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the AUC and the percentage of volume reduction (r = 0.81, P < .001), although no significant correlation was observed between the SI upslope and the percentage of volume reduction. A significant difference in percentage of volume reduction was observed in leiomyomas by using mean AUC as a cutoff value (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

AUC on R2* images correlates with the efficacy of GnRH agonist before initiation of treatment for volume reduction of leiomyoma.

Biexponential apparent diffusion coefficients in prostate cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the need for biexponential signal decay modeling for prostate cancer diffusion signal decays with b-factor over an extended b-factor range.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten healthy volunteers and 12 patients with a bulky prostate cancer underwent line scan diffusion-weighted MR imaging in which b-factors from 0 to 3000 s/mm(2) in 16 steps were sampled. The acquired signal decay curves were fit with both monoexponential and biexponential signal decay functions and a statistical comparison between the two fits was performed.

RESULTS

The biexponential model provided a statistically better fit over the monoexponential model on the peripheral zone (PZ), transitional zone (TZ) and prostate cancer. The fast and slow apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in the PZ, TZ and cancer were 2.9+/-0.2, 0.7+/-0.2 x 10(-3) mm(2)/ms (PZ); 2.9+/-0.4, 0.7+/-0.2 x 10(-3) mm(2)/ms (TZ); and 1.7+/-0.4, 0.3+/-0.1 x 10(-3) mm(2)/ms (cancer), respectively. The apparent fractions of the fast diffusion component in the PZ, TZ and cancer were 70+/-10%, 60+/-10% and 50+/-10%, respectively. The fast and slow ADCs of cancer were significantly lower than those of TZ and PZ, and the apparent fraction of the fast diffusion component was significantly smaller in cancer than in PZ.

CONCLUSIONS

Biexponential diffusion decay functions are required for prostate cancer diffusion signal decay curves when sampled over an extended b-factor range, providing additional, unique tissue characterization parameters for prostate cancer.

18F-FDG-PET/CT as an indicator for resection of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

A 60-year-old man with a 7-year history of multiple pulmonary nodules presented to our hospital because the nodules were seen to have increased in size on review of films on a regular medical checkup 1 week earlier. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple pulmonary nodules with calcification in the lungs. The largest nodule measuring 2.5 cm in the maximum dimension was lobulated and ill-defined. The patient underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG-PET/CT) to evaluate the multiple nodules and to search for a primary lesion. 18F-FDG-PET/CT revealed increased uptake in only two nodules with a standardized uptake value of 4.61 and 2.10, respectively. The two foci with increased 18F-FDG uptake were resected and pathologically proven to be pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH). PEH can transform into malignancy with metastasis. An 18F-FDG-PET/CT finding may be an indicator to decide on PEH resection.

[Chronological change in the national health insurance reimbursement based on the DPC package payment system regarding 131I internal therapy]

The national health reimbursement in 131I internal therapy for thyroid cancer and Graves' disease has increased by introducing the DPC package payment system. The thyroid cancer administration fee for shield room should be increased because of the strict regulation for 131I internal therapy, expensive equipments, confinement of radiopharmaceutical supply, and low efficiency in admission to shield rooms. In addition, the Graves' disease administration fee for shield room should be introduced since the inpatients undergo the same administration and care as the thyroid cancer inpatients.

Epitope analysis of peanut allergen Ara h1 with oligoclonal IgM antibody from human B-lymphoblastoid cells

To analyze epitopes of peanut allergen Ara h1, Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human peripheral oligoclonal B-cells were cultured to obtain antibodies to Ara h1. The combined reaction pattern with six oligoclonal antibodies showed there were six antibody binding areas named a to f in Ara h1. We found the novel antibody binding area named "area c" (171-230aa).

Antimelanogenesis effect of Tunisian herb Thymelaea hirsuta extract on B16 murine melanoma cells

Skin pigmentation is the result of melanogenesis that occurs in melanocytes and/or melanoma cells. Although melanogenesis is necessary for the prevention of DNA damage and cancer caused by UV irradiation, excessive accumulation of melanin can also cause melanoma. Thus, we focused on the antimelanogenesis effect of an extract from Thymelaea hirsuta, a Tunisian herb. Murine melanoma B16 cells were treated with T. hirsuta extract, and then cell viability and synthesized melanin content were measured. We found that the T. hirsuta extract decreased the synthesized melanin content in B16 cells without cytotoxicity. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme of melanogenesis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 phosphorylation is known to be related to melanogenesis inhibition. To clarify its mechanism, we also determined ERK1/2 phosphorylation and tyrosinase expression level. ERK1/2 was immediately phosphorylated in cells just after treatment with the extract. The tyrosinase expression was inhibited after 24 h of stimulation with the extract. The T. hirsuta extract was fractionated, and we found that one fraction considerably decreased the melanin synthesis in B16 cells and that this fraction contains daphnanes as the main component. This indicates that our findings might be attributable to daphnanes.

[Statistical study on the self-selection bias in FDG-PET cancer screening by a questionnaire survey]

A questionnaire survey was performed to investigate the possible presence of self-selection bias in 18F-FDG PET cancer screening (PET cancer screening). Responders to the questionnaires survey consisted of 80 healthy persons, who answered whether they undergo PET cancer screening, health consciousness, age, sex, and smoking history. The univariate and multivariate analyses on the four parameters were performed between the responders who were to undergo PET cancer screening and the responders who were not. Statistically significant difference was found in health consciousness between the above-mentioned two groups by both univariate and multivariate analysis with the odds ratio of 2.088. The study indicated that self-selection bias should exist in PET cancer screening.

Detection of bladder tumors with dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT

OBJECTIVE

In a small pilot study, we assessed whether early-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT can be used to detect bladder tumors and whether thin reconstruction improves the detection rate.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients (30 with 59 cystoscopy-proven bladder cancers and six with normal bladders) underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT of the pelvis and abdomen. Images were obtained from the symphysis pubis to the diaphragm 70 seconds after injection of 100 mL of contrast medium. McNemar test was used to compare sensitivity per patient, segment, and tumor and specificity per patient and segment for each of three reconstruction methods: 5-mm sections with no overlap (i.e., 5-mm axial images), 2.5-mm sections with 1.25-mm overlap (i.e., thin-section axial images), and 2.5-mm sections with 1.25-mm overlap and multiplanar reformation (MPR) (i.e., thin-section axial images with MPR).

RESULTS

MDCT with a combination of thin, overlapped sections and MPR depicted all but one of 47 bladder tumors larger than 5 mm but only five of 12 tumors 5 mm or smaller. There were no false-positive findings. Per-tumor sensitivity was significantly better with thin-section images with MPR (90%) and thin-section images alone (86%) than with 5-mm axial images (80%) (p < 0.05). Per-segment sensitivity was significantly better with thin-section images with MPR (95%) and thin-section axial images alone (87%) than with 5-mm axial images (79%) (p < 0.05). Per-patient sensitivity and per-patient and per-segment specificity did not differ with the three methods.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT of the pelvis shows promise for the detection of bladder tumors. Use of thin-section images with MPR and thin-section axial images alone had a significantly better rate of detection of bladder tumors than use of 5-mm axial images.

Prostate cancer screening: the clinical value of diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic MR imaging in combination with T2-weighted imaging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic MRI in combination with T2-weighted imaging (T2W) for the detection of prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 83 patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (>4.0 ng/mL) were evaluated by T2W, DWI, and dynamic MRI at 1.5 T prior to needle biopsy. The data from the results of the T2W alone (protocol A), combination of T2W and DWI (protocol B), and the combination of T2W+DWI and dynamic MRI (protocol C) were entered into a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, under results of systemic biopsy as the standard of reference.

RESULTS

Prostate cancer was pathologically detected in 44 of the 83 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the ROC curve (Az) for the detection of prostate cancer were as follows: 73%, 54%, 64%, and 0.711, respectively, in protocol A; 84%, 85%, 84%, and 0.905, respectively, in protocol B; and 95%, 74%, 86%, and 0.966, respectively, in protocol C. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were significantly different between the three protocols (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In patients with elevated serum PSA levels, the combination of T2W, DWI, and dynamic MRI may be a valuable tool for detecting prostate cancer and avoiding an unnecessary biopsy without missing prostate cancer.

Antiproliferative effect on human cancer cell lines after treatment with nimbolide extracted from an edible part of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica)

Nimbolide, a triterpenoid extracted from the flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), was found to have antiproliferative activity against some cancer cell lines. Treatment of cells with 0.5-5.0 microm concentrations of nimbolide resulted in moderate to very strong growth inhibition in U937, HL-60, THP1 and B16 cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis of U937 cells showed that nimbolide treatment (1-2.5 microm) resulted in cell cycle disruption by decreasing the number of cells in G0/G1 phase, with initial increases in S and G2/M phases. Cells exposed to a higher dose of nimbolide for a longer period displayed a severely damaged DNA profile, resulting in a remarkable increase in the number of cells in the sub-G1 fraction, with a reciprocal decrease of cells in all phases. Quantification of the expression of phosphatidylserine in the outer cell membrane showed that doses of nimbolide higher than 0.4 microm exerted remarkable lethality, with over 60% of cells exhibiting apoptotic features after exposure to 1.2 microm nimbolide. The antiproliferative effect of nimbolide and its apoptosis-inducing property raise hope for its use in anticancer therapy by enhancing the effectiveness of cell cycle disruption.

Ergosterol peroxide from an edible mushroom suppresses inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages and growth of HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

5alpha,8alpha-Epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (ergosterol peroxide) is a major antitumour sterol produced by edible or medicinal mushrooms. However, its molecular mechanism of action has yet to be determined. Here, we examine the anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects of ergosterol peroxide.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

After treating RAW264.7 macrophages with LPS and purified ergosterol peroxide or ergosterol, we determined LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines, nuclear DNA binding activity of transcription factors and phosphorylation of MAP kinases (MAPKs). HT29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were treated with ergosterol peroxide for 5 days. To investigate the antitumour properties of ergosterol peroxide, we performed DNA microarray and RT-PCR analyses and determined the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HT29 cells.

KEY RESULTS

Ergosterol peroxide suppressed LPS-induced TNF-alpha secretion and IL-1alpha/beta expression in RAW264.7 cells. Ergosterol peroxide and ergosterol suppressed LPS-induced DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta, and inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, JNK and ERK MAPKs. Ergosterol peroxide down-regulated the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulated by C/EBP, and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, ergosterol peroxide showed cytostatic effects on HT29 cells and increased intracellular ROS. Furthermore, ergosterol peroxide induced the expression of oxidative stress-inducible genes, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A, and suppressed STAT1 and interferon-inducible genes.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION

Our results suggest that ergosterol peroxide and ergosterol suppress LPS-induced inflammatory responses through inhibition of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta transcriptional activity, and phosphorylation of MAPKs. Moreover, ergosterol peroxide appears to suppress cell growth and STAT1 mediated inflammatory responses by altering the redox state in HT29 cells.

Inhibition of colon cancer (HT-29) cell proliferation by a triterpenoid isolated from Azadirachta indica is accompanied by cell cycle arrest and up-regulation of p21

Nimbolide, a natural triterpenoid present in the edible parts of the neem tree ( Azadirachta indica), was found to be growth-inhibitory in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells. Nimbolide treatment of cells at 2.5 - 10 microM resulted in moderate to very strong growth inhibition. Flow cytometric analysis of HT-29 cells showed that nimbolide treatment (2.5 microM, 12 h) caused a 6.5-fold increase in the number of cells (55.6 %) in the G2/M phase compared with the control cells (8.8 %). At 48 h, the cell population in the G2/M phase decreased to 18 %, while that in the G0/G1 phase increased to 52.3 %. Western blot analysis revealed that nimbolide-mediated G2/M arrest was accompanied by the up-regulation of p21, cyclin D2, Chk2; and down-regulation of cyclin A, cyclin E, Cdk2, Rad17. At G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, modulation in the expression of the cell cycle regulatory molecules was also observed. We found that nimbolide-induced growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest were not associated with cellular differentiation. Quantification of cells with respect to the expression of phosphatidylserine in the outer cell membrane showed an increase in apoptotic cells by about 13 % after 48 h of nimbolide treatment.

5alpha,8alpha-Epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3beta-ol from an edible mushroom suppresses growth of HL60 leukemia and HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells

We purified a sterol with antitumor activity from the edible mushroom Sarcodon aspratus (BERK.) S. ITO and identified it as 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3beta-ol (9,11-dehydroergosterol peroxide (9(11)-DHEP)). Purified 9(11)-DHEP was a more effective inhibitor of HL60 leukemia cell growth and stronger apoptosis-inducer than 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (ergosterol peroxide (EP)) that we had previously identified as an apoptosis inducer. Moreover, 9(11)-DHEP selectively suppressed the growth of HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells but not WI38 normal human fibroblasts. After 5 d incubation of HT29 with 7 microM 9(11)-DHEP, the number of S phase cells decreased from 23 to 15% of total diploid cells and 17% became hypodiploid. Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21, WAF1, Cip1) (CDKN1A), which has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HT29 cells, was induced by 9(11)-DHEP. These results suggest that 9(11)-DHEP inhibits HT29 cell growth by inducing CDKN1A expression, thus causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.