Faecal freezing preservation period influences colonization ability for faecal microbiota transplantation

AIMS

There has been growing interest in faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as treatment. Although, frozen donor faeces preserved at -20°C has been widely used for practical advantages, freezing at -20°C can affect bacterial viability. Adequacy evaluation of fresh and frozen faeces as the transplant is necessary for the methodological improvement of FMT.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The viable bacterial compositions of faecal specimens under fresh and freezing conditions were compared by a microbiome analysis using propidium monoazide (PMA microbiome). In addition, recovery abilities from bacterial reduction by antibiotics were compared between fresh and frozen FMT using a murine model. PMA microbiome results suggested that freezing and freeze-thawing did not significantly affect in vitro faecal bacterial viability. However, the recovery effect from antimicrobial cleansing in frozen FMT was reduced in a freezing time-dependent manner, especially prominent in Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term freezing preservation of faeces exhibited maintenance of enteric colonization ability in frozen FMT in comparison to 1 month -20°C-preservation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Long-term -20°C-preservation of transplanted faeces can result in instability of the clinical outcome in FMT therapy. The standardization of practical procedures of FMT therapy according to disease types is desirable.

AtALMT3 is Involved in Malate Efflux Induced by Phosphorus Deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana Root Hairs

Under phosphorus (P)-deficient conditions, organic acid secretion from roots plays an important role in P mobilization from insoluble P in the soil. In this study, we characterized AtALMT3, a homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana aluminum-activated malate transporter family gene. Among the 14 AtALMT family genes, only AtALMT3 was significantly up-regulated in P-deficient roots. AtALMT3 promoter::β-glucuronidase is expressed in the epidermis in roots, especially in root hair cells. AtALMT3 protein was localized in the plasma membrane and in small vesicles. Fluorescence of AtALMT3::GFP was not observed on the vacuole membrane of protoplast after lysis, indicating that AtALMT3 localizes mainly in the plasma membrane. Compared with the wild-type (WT) line, malate exudation in the AtALMT3-knockdown line (atalmt3-1) and overexpression line (atalmt3-2) under P deficiency were, respectively, 37% and 126%. In contrast, no significant difference was found in citrate exudation among these lines. The complementation of the atalmt3-1 line with AtALMT3 recovered the malate exudation to the level of the WT. Taken together, these results suggest that AtALMT3 localized in root hair membranes is involved in malate efflux in response to P deficiency.

Solubilities and solubility products of thorium hydroxide under moderate temperature conditions

The Th solubilities of the sample solutions that initially contained Th(OH)4(am) prepared by undersaturation and oversaturation methods in the pHcrange of 2.0–8.0 in a 0.5 M ionic strength solution of NaClO4and HClO4and stored at aging temperatures (Ta) of 298, 313 and 333 K were investigated in this study. After a certain period of time up to 40 weeks depending onTa, supernatants of the sample solutions were ultrafiltrated through 3 kDa membranes under the measurement temperature (Tm) of 298, 313 and 333 K. Size distributions of the colloidal species were investigated by ultrafiltration using membranes with different pore sizes ranging from 3 to 100 kDa, and the solid phases were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The solubility of the sample solutions obtained after aging atTa=298 K using undersaturation method with continuous shaking was similar to those of dried precipitate of Th hydroxide. The solubilities obtained after aging atTa=313 and 333 K were lower than those atTa=298 K. The XRD spectra suggested that the crystallization of the solid phase proceeded under these elevated temperatures. The solubility of the sample solutions obtained after aging atTa=333 K using the oversaturation technique were similar to those prepared by undersaturation method and aged at the sameTa. A slight temperature dependence of the apparent solubilities on theTmwas observed in the sample solutions prepared by both methods. The solubility products$({K_{{\text{sp,}}{T_{\text{a}}}}}({T_{\text{m}}}))$after differentTaandTmwere determined from the solubility analysis. The observed increase in the formation constant$({K_{{\text{s,}}{T_{\text{a}}}}}({T_{\text{m}}}))$of Th4++(4+x)H2O(1)⇌Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta)+4H+with increasingTmindicated that the reaction was endothermic. The enthalpy change$(\Delta_{r}H_{m\_ T_{\text{a}} \to {\text{cr}}}^{\circ} )$between the solid phases of Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta) and ThO2(cr) suggested that the solid phase transformation from Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta) to ThO2(cr) contains an endothermic process.

Role of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Predictor of Tumor Progression in Patients with Chordoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Diffusion-weighted imaging may aid in distinguishing aggressive chordoma from nonaggressive chordoma. This study explores the prognostic role of the apparent diffusion coefficient in chordomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients with residual or recurrent chordoma were divided postoperatively into those with an aggressive tumor, defined as a growing tumor having a doubling time of <1 year, and those with a nonaggressive tumor on follow-up MR images. The ability of the ADC to predict an aggressive tumor phenotype was investigated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The prognostic role of ADC was assessed using a Kaplan-Meier curve with a log-rank test.

RESULTS

Seven patients died during a median follow-up of 48 months (range, 4-126 months). Five of these 7 patients were in the aggressive tumor group, and 2 were in the nonaggressive tumor group. The mean ADC was significantly lower in the aggressive tumor group than in the nonaggressive tumor group (P = .002). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a cutoff ADC value of 1.494 × 10^-3 × mm²/s could be used to diagnose aggressive tumors with an area under the curve of 0.983 (95% CI, 0.911-1.000), a sensitivity of 1.000 (95% CI, 0.541-1.000), and a specificity of 0.900 (95% CI, 0.555-0.998). Furthermore, a cutoff ADC of ≤1.494 × 10^-3 × mm²/s was associated with a significantly worse prognosis (P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower ADC values could predict tumor progression in postoperative chordomas.

The effect of femoral bone tunnel configuration on tendon-bone healing in an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An animal study

Objectives

To compare the effect of femoral bone tunnel configuration on tendon-bone healing in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction animal model.

Methods

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the plantaris tendon as graft material was performed on both knees of 24 rabbits (48 knees) to mimic ACL reconstruction by two different suspensory fixation devices for graft fixation. For the adjustable fixation device model (Socket group; group S), a 5 mm deep socket was created in the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) of the right knee. For the fixed-loop model (Tunnel group; group T), a femoral tunnel penetrating the LFC was created in the left knee. Animals were sacrificed at four and eight weeks after surgery for histological evaluation and biomechanical testing.

Results

Histologically, both groups showed a mixture of direct and indirect healing patterns at four weeks, whereas only indirect healing patterns were observed in both groups at eight weeks. No significant histological differences were seen between the two groups at four and eight weeks in the roof zone (four weeks, S: mean 4.8 sd 1.7, T: mean 4.5 sd 0.5, p = 0.14; eight weeks, S: mean 5.8 sd 0.8, T: mean 4.8 sd 1.8, p = 0.88, Mann-Whitney U test) or side zone (four weeks, S: mean 5.0 sd 1.2, T: mean 4.8 sd 0.4, p = 0.43; eight weeks, S: mean 5.3 sd 0.8,T: mean 5.5 sd 0.8, p = 0.61, Mann-Whitney U test) . Similarly, no significant difference was seen in the maximum failure load between group S and group T at four (15.6 sd 9.0N and 13.1 sd 5.6N) or eight weeks (12.6 sd 3.6N and 17.1 sd 6.4N, respectively).

Conclusion

Regardless of bone tunnel configuration, tendon-bone healing after ACL reconstruction primarily occurred through indirect healing. No significant histological or mechanical differences were observed between adjustable and fixed-loop femoral cortical suspension methods.

Cite this article: Y. Sato, R. Akagi, Y. Akatsu, Y. Matsuura, S. Takahashi, S. Yamaguchi, T. Enomoto, R. Nakagawa, H. Hoshi, T. Sasaki, S. Kimura, Y. Ogawa, A. Sadamasu, S. Ohtori, T. Sasho. The effect of femoral bone tunnel configuration on tendon-bone healing in an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An animal study. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:327–335. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.75.BJR-2017-0238.R2.

Comparison of human papillomavirus genotyping and cytology triage, COMPACT Study: Design, methods and baseline results in 14 642 women

Although cytology‐based screening programs have significantly reduced mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer, the global consensus is that primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervical screening increases detection of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cancer. However, the optimal triage strategy for HPV‐positive women to avoid over‐referral to colposcopy may be setting specific. As Japan requires data that have been generated domestically to modify screening guidelines, we conducted a 3‐year prospective study, COMparison of HPV genotyping And Cytology Triage (COMPACT), to evaluate the potential role of HPV16/18 partial genotyping and cytology for primary HPV screening. In total, 14 642 women aged 20 to 69 years undergoing routine screening at 3 centers in Hokkaido were enrolled. Conventional cytology and HPV testing were carried out. Women with abnormal cytology or HPV16/18 positivity underwent colposcopy. Those with 12 other high‐risk (hr) HPV types underwent repeat cytology after 6 months. Primary study endpoints were detection of high‐grade cervical disease defined as CIN2/CIN3 or greater as determined by consensus pathology. Prevalence of cytological abnormalities was 2.4%. hrHPV, HPV 16, and HPV 18 were detected in 4.6%, 0.9%, and 0.3% of women, respectively. HPV16/18 were detected in all (8/8) invasive cervical cancers and in all (2/2) adenocarcinomas in situ. Both cytological abnormalities and hrHPV positivity declined with increasing age. This is the first Japanese study to investigate the role of partial genotyping and cytology in an HPV‐based screening program. Results should help policy‐makers develop guidelines for future cervical screening programs and management of cervical abnormalities based on HPV genotype.

Functional characterization of recombinant snake venom rhodocytin: rhodocytin mutant blocks CLEC-2/podoplanin-dependent platelet aggregation and lung metastasis

Essentials We generated recombinant rhodocytin that could aggregate platelets via CLEC-2. Recombinant wild-type rhodocytin formed heterooctamer with four α- and β-subunits. Asp 4 in α-subunit of rhodocytin was required for binding to CLEC-2. Inhibitory mutant of rhodocytin blocked podoplanin-dependent hematogenous metastasis.

SUMMARY

Background Rhodocytin, a disulfide-linked heterodimeric C-type lectin from Calloselasma rhodostoma consisting of α-subunits and β-subunits, induces platelet aggregation through C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). CLEC-2 is a physiological binding partner of podoplanin (PDPN), which is expressed on some tumor cell types, and is involved in tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation and tumor metastasis. Thus, modified rhodocytin may be a possible source of anti-CLEC-2 drugs for both antiplatelet and antimetastasis therapy. However, its molecular function has not been well characterized, because of the lack of recombinant rhodocytin that induces platelet aggregation. Objective To produce recombinant rhodocytin, in order to verify its function with mutagenesis, and to develop an anti-CLEC-2 drug based on the findings. Methods We used Chinese hamster ovary cells to express recombinant rhodocytin (wild-type [WT] and mutant), which was analyzed for induction/inhibition of platelet aggregation with light transmission aggregometry, the formation of multimers with blue native PAGE, and binding to CLEC-2 with flow cytometry. Finally, we investigated whether mutant rhodocytin could suppress PDPN-induced metastasis in an experimental lung metastasis mouse model. Results Functional WT] rhodocytin (αWTβWT) was obtained by coexpression of both subunits. Asp4 in α-subunits of rhodocytin was required for CLEC-2 binding. αWTβWT formed a heterooctamer similarly to native rhodocytin. Moreover, an inhibitory mutant of rhodocytin (αWTβK53A/R56A), forming a heterotetramer, bound to CLEC-2 without inducing platelet aggregation, and blocked CLEC-2-PDPN interaction-dependent platelet aggregation and experimental lung metastasis. Conclusion These findings provide molecular characterization information on rhodocytin, and suggest that mutant rhodocytin could be used as a therapeutic agent to target CLEC-2.

Identification and initial characterization of novel neural immediate early genes possibly differentially contributing to foraging-related learning and memory processes in the honeybee

Despite possessing a limited number of neurones compared to vertebrates, honeybees show remarkable learning and memory performance, an example being 'dance communication'. In this phenomenon, foraging honeybees learn the location of a newly discovered food source and transmit the information to nestmates by symbolic abdomen vibrating behaviour, leading to navigation of nestmates to the new food source. As an initial step toward understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the sophisticated learning and memory performance of the honeybee, we focused on the neural immediate early genes (IEGs), which are specific genes quickly transcribed after neural activity without de novo protein synthesis. Although these have been reported to play an essential role in learning and memory processes in vertebrates, far fewer studies have been performed in insects in this regard. From RNA-sequencing analysis and subsequent assays, we identified three genes, Src homology 3 (SH3) domain binding kinase, family with sequence similarity 46 and GB47136, as novel neural IEGs in the honeybee. Foragers and/or orientating bees, which fly around their hives to memorize the positional information, showed induced expression of these IEGs in the mushroom body, a higher-order centre essential for learning and memory, indicating a possible role for the novel IEGs in foraging-related learning and memory processes in the honeybee.