[Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma from uterine myoma; report of a case]

A 46-year-old female with benign metastasizing leiomyoma was reported. The patient had undergone a lobectomy of thyroid for adenomatous goiter at the age of 30, and a myomectomy for uterine myoma and a modified radical masmectomy for breast cancer at the age of 32. The chest X-ray on health screening revealed multiple nodules in the bilateral lung. Computed tomography (CT) revealed 6 nodules in the right side and 3 nodules in the left side of the lung. The tumors of the right lung were resected under thoracoscopic surgery. Pathologically these lesions were diagnosed as benign metastasizing leiomyoma. Left lung nodules have been followed-up.

Folate intakes and folate biomarker profiles of pregnant Japanese women in the first trimester

OBJECTIVE

To assess the status of dietary folate intake, serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate, and related nutritional biomarkers in healthy Japanese women in early pregnancy.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, observational study.

SUBJECTS

Pregnant women in the first trimester, at 7-15 weeks gestation (n=70), who were not consuming any folate supplements or folate fortified foods.

METHODS

Three-day dietary records were obtained from each subject to assess dietary folate intake. Blood samples were collected for measurement of biomarkers. Biomarkers and nutrient intake were analyzed in two groups defined by their serum folate concentrations: the low folate group (serum folate < 9 ng/ml) and the high folate group (serum folate > or = 9 ng/ml).

RESULT

Mean serum and RBC folate concentrations in all subjects were 10.3 and 519 ng/ml, respectively. These levels were remarkably higher than the reported values from many other countries despite our subjects receiving no folic acids supplements. However, mean folate intake by our subjects from natural foods was 289 microg/day, which is thought to be low according to the Japanese dietary recommendation specified for pregnant women. The intake of spinach and fruits was significantly greater in the high folate group than in the low folate group.

CONCLUSION

Folate intake was thought to be adequate to maintain a desirable level of serum folate concentration in Japanese pregnant women in the first trimester, although the intake of folate from natural food was not high enough to meet the recommended daily intake.

Association between lipid peroxidation and inflammation in obstructive sleep apnoea

In the present study, the authors examined the relationship between lipid peroxidation and inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). A total of 40 obese patients with OSA were studied, along with 18 obese and 12 lean subjects without OSA. Overnight excretion of 8-isoprostane in urine and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. In addition, the effects of 3 months' treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) were studied in 20 obese patients with moderate-to-severe OSA. Overnight urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane and serum levels of hsCRP were significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA compared with patients with mild OSA and obese or lean subjects without OSA. Overnight urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane significantly correlated with apnoea-hypopnoea index, duration of hypoxia during sleep, body mass index, and serum levels of hsCRP in patients with OSA. The severity of OSA was an independent factor predicting the urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane. nCPAP significantly decreased urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane and serum levels of hsCRP. In conclusion, these results suggest that both obstructive sleep apnoea severity and obesity can independently contribute to elevations in urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane. Therefore, obstructive sleep apnoea may increase the risks of cardiovascular morbidity in obese patients.

17-AAG, an Hsp90 inhibitor, causes kinetochore defects: a novel mechanism by which 17-AAG inhibits cell proliferation

The Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylaminogeldanamycin (17-AAG), which is currently in clinical trials, is thought to exert antitumor activity by simultaneously targeting several oncogenic signaling pathways. Here we report a novel mechanism by which 17-AAG inhibits cell proliferation, and we provide the first evidence that HSP90 is required for the assembly of kinetochore protein complexes in humans. 17-AAG caused delocalization of several kinetochore proteins including CENP-I and CENP-H but excluding CENP-B and CENP-C. Consistently, 17-AAG induced a mitotic arrest that depends on the spindle checkpoint and induced misalignment of chromosomes and aneuploidy. We found that HSP90 associates with SGT1 (suppressor of G2 allele of skp1; SUGT1) in human cells and that depletion of SGT1 sensitizes HeLa cells to 17-AAG. Overexpression of SGT1 restored the localization of specific kinetochore proteins and chromosome alignment in cells treated with 17-AAG. Biochemical and genetic results suggest that HSP90, through its interaction with SGT1 (SUGT1), is required for kinetochore assembly. Furthermore, time-course experiments revealed that transient treatment with 17-AAG between late S and G2/M phases causes substantial delocalization of CENP-H and CENP-I, a finding that strongly suggests that HSP90 participates in kinetochore assembly in a cell cycle-dependent manner.

39 DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF RECONSTRUCTED EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY NUCLEAR TRANSFER BETWEEN CYNOMOLGUS MONKEY FIBROBLAST CELLS AND RABBIT OOCYTES

Interspecies nuclear transfer has been used as an invaluable tool for studying nucleus-cytoplasm interactions and it may also be used for rescuing endangered species whose oocytes are difficult to obtain. In this study, we investigated interaction of the cynomolgus monkey cell as a nuclear donor with the rabbit oocyte as a host cytoplasm. Whole cynomolgus fibroblast cells were injected into the rabbit enucleated oocytes (cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos) and cultured in TCM-199 and RPMI 1640 culture media. Rabbit-rabbit cloned embryos we used as control in this study. Karyotype analyses confirmed that genetic material of blastocysts was derived from the cynomolgus donor cells at blastocyst stage. Mitochondrial constitution analysis of the cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos indicated that mitochondria from both donor cells and enucleated oocytes coexisted. After culture for 168 h post-nuclear transfer, all cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos in TCM-199 were arrested at the 8-cell stage, but some of them developed to the blastocyst stage in RPMI 1640 (11/59, 18.6%). In this experiment, the nutrition requirement in vitro and the cleavage rate at each 24 h were examined. When TCM-199 was supplemented with lactate, some of these embryos developed to the blastocyst stage (15.3%, 2/13). This means that cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos might be controlled by the donor nucleus even in these early developmental stages. However, the timing of cleavage of cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos is very similar to that of the rabbit-rabbit cloned embryos. Time of cleavage may depend on the protein accumulated in the cytoplasm. In the prolonged culture of reconstructed embryos on feeder cells, adhesion cells were observed. These cells are also very similar to the cells derived from cynomolgus embryos by the same method. Our results suggest that: (1) a cynomolgus nucleus can co-ordinate with rabbit oocyte cytoplasm in early embryo development, (2) the 8- to 16-cell stage block in the cynomolgus-rabbit cloned embryos may due to the same reason as that in the cynomolgus embryos, and (3) ooplasmic factors that control time of cleavage are highly conservative between the species.

Zonal necrosis prevented by transduction of the artificial anti-death FNK protein

Protection of cells from necrosis would be important for many medical applications. Here, we show protein transduction domain (PTD)-FNK therapeutics based on protein transduction to prevent necrosis and acute hepatic injury with zonal death induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). PTD-FNK is a fusion protein comprising the HIV/Tat PTD and FNK, a gain-of-function mutant of anti-apoptotic Bcl-x(L). PTD-FNK protected hepatoma HepG2 from necrotic death induced by CCl4, and additionally, increased the apoptotic population among cells treated with CCl4. A concomitant treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone), which alone could not prevent the necrosis, protected these cells from the apoptosis. When pre-injected intraperitoneally, PTD-FNK markedly reduced zonal liver necrosis caused by CCl4. Moreover, injection of PTD-FNK accompanied by Z-VAD-FMK suppressed necrotic injury even after CCl4 administration. These results suggest that PTD-FNK has great potential for clinical applications to prevent cell death, whether from apoptosis or necrosis, and organ failure.

The role of edaravone on the impairment of endothelial barrier function induced by acute oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer

BACKGROUND

The aim was to determine the effects of a novel free radical scavenger, edaravone, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one (ED), against endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by acute oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

To estimate the integrity of the HUVEC monolayer, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured for 3 hours. We investigated the permeability change of the monolayer by measuring the concentration of fluorescence in isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FITC-Dx), and estimated the degree of oxidative stress in terms of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the apical chambers.

RESULTS

The TEER changes in both xanthine oxidase (XO)+xanthine (X) and X/XO+ED group were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). The amount of 4 FITC-Dx in the XO+X group was significantly higher than the control group at 3 hours (p < 0.001). In the XO+X group, the concentration of H2O2 was significantly higher than control and the X/XO+ED group (p < 0.001 each). Thus, edaravone improved the disturbed endothelial barrier function induced by acute oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The permeability increase induced by acute oxidative stress was prevented by free radical scavenger edaravone significantly in vitro. This radical scavenger may have clinical applications to protect against endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Survey of human exposure to PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs using hair as an indicator

Our environment is polluted with toxic compounds including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs). We investigated the suitability of hair analysis for testing human exposure to toxic compounds. Hair analysis revealed that municipal solid-waste (MSW) incineration workers were exposed to PCDDs, PCDFs, and Co-PCBs at high levels. The total 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent concentration in MSW incineration workers was 2.5 times higher than in the general population, thus indicating that the indoor environment of the incineration facility was more polluted than the general environment. There were also characteristic patterns of occurrence of these dioxin-like compounds in the hair of smokers from the general population. We confirmed that hair analysis is useful for evaluating human exposure to PCDDs, PCDFs, and Co-PCBs in the atmosphere.

Oxidation and rearrangements of flavanones by mammalian cytochrome P450

To clarify the metabolic pathways of flavanones in mammals, the metabolism of (+/-)-flavanone and (+/-)-4'-methoxyflavanone by rat liver microsomes and recombinant human P450s in which structural changes are readily identifiable were examined. The beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent formation of flavone plus (+/-)-2,3-trans-flavanonol and of 4'-methoxyflavone plus (+/-)-2,3-trans-4'-methoxyflavanonol, respectively, by rat liver microsomes was observed. The same metabolites were generated by recombinant human P450s in addition to the formation of isoflavone from (+/-)-flavanone. The kinetic isotope effects in these reactions were examined using deuterated (+/-)-flavanone and (+/-)-4'-methoxyflavanone. There was a strong isotope effect in the production of flavanonols, but the isotope effect in the production of flavones was small. The results indicated that the P450-mediated conversion of (+/-)-flavanone and of (+/-)-4'-methoxyflavanone to the corresponding metabolites proceeded via abstraction of a hydrogen radical from the C-2- or C-3-position of the flavanone skeleton. The antioxidant properties of flavanone and its metabolites were examined by measuring superoxide-scavenging activity in a xanthine-xanthine oxidase-cytochrome c system. (+/-)-2,3-trans-Flavanonol had higher activity than that of other flavonoids. Flavanones are metabolized by mammalian P450s, providing important information relevant to the metabolism and pharmacological action of dietary flavanones.

Alcohol dehydrogenase 2 variant is associated with cerebral infarction and lacunae

The authors examined the association of the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) genotype with vascular events in community-dwelling Japanese (1,102 men/1,093 women). The allele ADH2*2 encodes an isozyme with a higher level of activity than ADH2*1. Here, the authors show that the ADH2*1 carriage is associated with high prevalence of cerebral infarction and lacunae in men. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that the risk of lacunae and cerebral infarction was increased by the ADH2*1 allele.

Differential expression of natural killer cell receptors (CD94/NKG2A) on T cells by the stimulation of G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and cytokines: A study in stem cell donors

We investigated the expression of the inhibitory NKR (CD94/NKG2A) of the G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (G-PBMC) on T cells after stimulation for 7 days by immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) with or without cytokines. We demonstrated increased expression of CD94/NKG2A on CD3+/CD8+ T cells. Also, addition of IL-12 induced significantly more CD94/NKG2A expression than addition of IL-15: CD94+CD3+/NKG2A+CD3+; 43.8 +/- 11.6%/33.7 +/- 11.4% by IL-12 versus 32.8 +/- 13.2%/21.3 +/- 9.6% by IL-15, respectively (n = 9, P < .05). However, >90% purified CD94+ cells CD94+ obtained from IL-15-treated G-PBMC by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) exhibited higher cytolytic (CTL) activity against K562 cells than that from IL-12-treated G-PBMC: E:T = 20:1, 40.7 +/- 18.4% vs 15.1 +/- 5.2% (n = 5, P < .05). Therefore, the cytokine effects on inhibitory NKR expression on T cells and CTL activity are differently regulated. Based on these findings, it may be possible to establish the effective strategy to expand inhibitory NKR-expressing T cells with CTL activity for cell therapy.

[Liposarcoma originating in the neck and the mediastinum after removal of mediastinal lipoma]

A 47-year-old man, who had undergone removal of an upper mediastinal lipoma 9 years previously, was referred to our hospital for swelling of the right neck and wheezing. The chest X-ray showed enlargement of the upper mediastinum. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a tumor with fatty density extended from the upper mediastinim to the right side of the neck. Two-stage tumor resection was carried out. On gross pathological examination the tumor was soft and fatty. Microscopic examination revealed well differentiated liposarcoma. Postoperative radiation therapy (50 Gy) was carried out. The patient remains free of disease 3 years after radiation therapy.

[Schwannoma of the recurrent laryngeal nerve; report of a case]

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on her chest X-ray film and a palpable left neck mass. She had a mild cough. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest demonstrated a well-circumscribed, huge mass (approximately 14 cm in diameter) in the left anterior mediastinum. On June 12th, 2000, the mass was resected. During surgery, the tumor seemed to arise from the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. The pathological examination revealed the tumor as a schwannoma. Recurrent laryngeal nerve schwannoma is extremely rare.

[Anterior cervical approach for resection of brachial plexus schwannoma expanding into the thoracic apex]

Primary tumors of the brachial plexus are unusual. We describe 2 patients with schwannomas of the brachial plexus that had the radiologic appearance of apical lung masses. We used anterior cervical approach for both of the patients. Our technique permitted safe and complete resection of the tumors of this complex area. Both tumors were arising from the Th1 component of brachial plexus. Histopathological findings revealed that both of the tumors were benign schwannomas. This approach is quick and safe, allowing much better control of the important vascular and neural structures of the thoracic apex. Tumors at the area are inaccessible by using posterolateral thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery. We suggest that the anterior cervical approach would be applied for the resection of other kind of tumors in the thoracic apex.

Lipoma and opthalmoplegia in mitochondrial diabetes associated with small heteroplasmy level of 3243 tRNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation

We report a patient with mitochondrial diabetes mellitus associated with the A3243G mutation (MDM3243). The patient is a 77-year man with diabetes. At age 68, he noticed diplopia, due to superior rectus muscle palsy of the right eye. At age 70, he noticed lipoma on the right arm. The pathology of his muscle revealed some ragged-red fibers, and focal cytochrome c oxidase deficiency. Hence, he may have a pathogenetic mechanism in common with CPEO (chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia) or mitochondria-related autoimmune disorder associated with mononeuropathy. He had the rate of 0.102% for heteroplasmy of 3243 mitochondrial DNA mutation in leukocytes. This case's heteroplasmy level is the smallest among the reported cases of MDM3243 in the literature. 3243 mitochondrial DNA mutation is known to induce a lack of uridine-modification in tRNA(Leu(UUR)) at the first letter of the anticodon, with which the third letter of the codon pairs, and decline of the pairing of the anticodon of tRNA with the codon of mRNA, suggesting the termination of polypeptide-elongation to generate premature proteins. Therefore, we speculate that these premature proteins may accumulate overtime, thereby affecting cells in target organs.

MPP+ analogs acting on mitochondria and inducing neuro-degeneration

This review focuses on the mechanisms of action and the injurious effect of complex I inhibitors, of which 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)) is a well studied example. These compounds can be divided into two groups, i.e. competitive inhibitors with respect to ubiquinone, such as piericidine A, and non-competitive inhibitors such as rotenone. Complex I inhibitors such as MPP(+) have been reported to induce anatomical, behavioral, and biochemical changes similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuro-degeneration. Spectroscopic analyses and structure-activity relationship studies have indicated that the V-shaped structure of the rotenone molecule is critical for binding to the rotenone binding site on complex I. Many isoquinoline derivatives, some of them endogenous, are also complex I inhibitors. Many lines of evidence show that complex I inhibitors elicit neuronal cell death. Recently, it was reported that chronic and systemic exposure to low-dose rotenone reproduces the features of Parkinson's disease. This work further focused attention on compounds acting on mitochondria, such as MPP(+). In Guadeloupe, the French West Indies, patients with atypical parkinsonism or progressive supranuclear palsy are frequently encountered. These diseases seem to be associated with ingestion of tropical herbal teas or tropical fruits of the Annonaceae family, which contain complex I inhibitors such as benzylisoquinoline derivatives and acetogenins. Complex I inhibitors may not simply result in reactive oxygen species generation or ATP exhaustion, but may influence complex downstream signal transduction processes. An understanding of these changes would throw light on the ways in which complex I inhibitors induce a wide range of abnormalities.

339CORRELATION BETWEEN FOLLICLE SIZE AND QUALITY OF OOCYTES FROM THE SUPEROVULATED CYNOMOLGUS MONKEY

Variability in the superovulatory response continues to be one of the most frustrating problems with the application of assisted reproductive technologies in non-human primates. Superstimulation of donor animals with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is widely used, but individual responses to these hormones vary widely. In human in vitro fertilization, follicle size is commonly used as a marker to determine the timing of hCG treatment in order to acquire oocytes matured in vivo. Incorporation of techniques designed to control follicular size in humans may improve superstimulatory response in non-human primates. In this study, we measured follicle size and examined oocyte quality in Cynomologus Monkeys superstimulated as described below. On the first day of spontaneous menses, monkeys were treated with long-acting GnRH (Luprin: Takeda Pharm, Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan;; Day 0). A dose of 25IU/kg/day eCG (Serotoropin;; Teikokuzoki Pharm, Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was administered i.m. from Day 1 to Day 9, followed by 200IUkg−1 hCG (Puberogen;; Sankyo Pharm, Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) i.m. on Day 10. Dominant follicle sizes were measured on Days 7 and 9 by ultrasonography. Oocytes were collected by laparoscopy in anesthetized monkeys 40h after the hCG injection. Oocytes were classified by nuclear status. Immature oocytes at the stages of germinal vesicles (GV) and metaphase (MI) were cultured until reaching the stage of Metaphase II (MII). Matured oocytes (MII) were fertilized by ICSI and cultured for 7 days. At the end of culture, the developmental stage of oocytes was examined. The ovaries with different-sized follicles on Day 7 were divided into two groups;; ovaries with large follicles (&gt;4.5mm) were in the first group and ovaries with small follicles (&lt;4.0mm) were in the second group. On Day 9, follicles in first group grew to more than 5.0mm and follicles in second group remained less than 5.0mm. Sixty-two percent of oocytes from follicles in first group were at MI or MII stage, while only 15% of oocytes in second group reached the MI or MII stage. After ICSI, 42% of MII oocytes from first group developed to the blastocyst stage, while no blastocyts were observed in second group. These results suggest that the size of dominant follicle was a limiting factor for the developmental ability of oocytes in vitro. For production of Cynomolgus monkey blastocysts derived from ICSI, the diameter of dominant follicle was required to be at least 5mm before hCG in order to collect MI and MII oocytes. Incorporation of hormonal treatments designed to optimize follicular size probably reduced the variability in quality of oocytes. Therefore, we expect that an adjustment of dose and duration of eCG and hCG treatment may improve developmental ability of oocytes from follicles that had not reached 5mm.

E-Cell 2: Multi-platform E-Cell simulation system

A new version of the E-Cell simulation system,which runs on Windows as well as Linux, has been released as free software under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Association of polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene with body fat distribution

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor (ER) alpha gene are associated with body fat distribution.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, epidemiological study of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, a T --> C (PvuII) and an A --> G (XbaI), in the first intron of the ERalpha gene.

SUBJECTS

A total of 2238 community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese population (age: 40-79 y).

MEASUREMENTS

The ERalpha genotypes (by automated fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system), anthropometric variables, fat mass (FM) and percentage FM (%FM) (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry).

RESULTS

FM and waist were inversely associated with age (r=-0.630 and -0.504, respectively) in women with the GG genotype. On the other hand, waist circumference of the AA genotype was positively correlated with age (r=0.231). Thus, for middle-aged women (40-59 y) with the AG or GG genotype body mass index (BMI), %FM, FM, waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were larger than those with the AA genotype. In particular, FM and waist were greater by 20% and 9%, respectively, for the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. Alternatively, FM and waist were smaller by 18% and 6%, respectively, in older women with the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. No effect was found among the A --> G polymorphisms for men. For both genders, no difference was found in any variables among the TT, TC and CC genotypes with the exception of BMI of older men (60-79 y).

CONCLUSION

No association was found between the ERalpha gene polymorphisms and body fat distribution in men. For women, the A --> G polymorphism, in particular the GG genotype, may contribute to the development of upper-body obesity in middle-aged individuals, but may serve to decrease the whole-body and abdominal fat tissue of older individuals.

A neonatal form of glycogen storage disease type IV

We report of an infant with neonatal glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV) who was examined for severe hypotonia and cardiomyopathy. On the muscle biopsy there were many fibers with diastase-resistant polyglucosan bodies. Glycogen branching enzyme (GBE1) activity in the muscle was markedly reduced. The infant had a homozygous single nucleotide deletion in the open reading frame of GBE1 gene.