Proteome analysis of human placentae: pre-eclampsia versus normal pregnancy

Although placental proteins play multiple roles in fetal and placental development and in the maintenance of pregnancy, many remain inadequately characterized. In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed these proteins by using a proteomic approach. Samples were denatured with guanidine hydrochloride, which was found to be superior to the commonly used urea for the present purpose, and subjected to 2-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis (2-DE) to obtain placental proteome maps. The identified protein spots (ca. 60% of the total) on the proteome maps included several pregnancy-related proteins (PRPs). Furthermore, a novel 2D immunoblotting (2-DI) analysis of molecules related to pre-eclampsia revealed three immunopositive spots that appeared to correspond to dynactin p-50, a protein related to cell turn-over. The rate of positivity for dynactin p-50-reactive antibodies was significantly (P=0.0024) higher in 26 pre-eclamptic women than in 58 normally pregnant women. These results indicate that dynactin p-50 may be involved in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia.

Abnormal pontine activation in pathological laughing as shown by functional magnetic resonance imaging

To explore the aetiology of pathological laughing, a 65-year-old woman with pathological laughing was examined by 3-T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after treatment with drugs. Here, we report that the patient consistently showed exaggerated pontine activation during the performance of three tasks before treatment, whereas abnormal pontine activation was no longer found after successful treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine. Our findings in this first fMRI study of pathological laughing suggest that serotonergic replacement decreases the aberrant activity in a circuit that involves the pons.

Canine distemper virus induces apoptosis through caspase-3 and -8 activation in vero cells

We investigated the signal-transduction pathway of canine distemper virus-Onderstepoort (CDV-Ond) vaccine strain-mediated apoptosis in Vero cells. Canine distemper virus-Onderstepoort at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 induced DNA fragmentation 48 h after infection. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that 57% +/- 4% of the CDV-N-protein-positive cells were terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive, and all TUNEL-positive cells were CDV-N-protein-positive, indicating that CDV-Ond induced apoptosis only in the infected cells. We also found that CDV-Ond infection induced activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8. In the semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for apoptosis-related genes, the expression of mRNA of the death receptor, Fas, was also increased in CDV-Ond-infected cells. In contrast, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax, regulators for intrinsic apoptotic signaling through the mitochondria, did not change. These results suggest that CDV-Ond induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, possibly through caspase-8 signaling rather than through p53/Bax-mediated, mitochondrial signaling in the infected cells.

Successful delivery after the transfer of twice-vitrified embryos derived from in vitro matured oocytes: a case report

We report here the first case of successful pregnancy and delivery after the blastocyst transfer of twice-vitrified embryos produced following in vitro maturation (IVM) and ICSI. The patient received 5000 IU hCG on day 12 of the treatment cycle, and oocyte retrieval was carried out 36 h after hCG injection. A total of 22 immature oocytes were obtained. Following incubation for 26 h in IVM medium, 15 oocytes (68.2%) reached metaphase II stage. In total, 13 oocytes (86.7%) were fertilized after ICSI with the husband's sperm, and 11 embryos at the pronuclear stage and two cleaved embryos on day 2 were vitrified because of thin endometrial thickness. Eight cryopreserved embryos at the pronuclear stage were warmed and cultured until the day 3 stage. Three embryos were transferred, and three embryos were twice vitrified. Unfortunately, these transferred embryos did not implant. Three twice-vitrified embryos were rewarmed and cultured until the day 5 stage, and two embryos were transferred. The second transfer attempt of twice-vitrified embryos resulted in the full-term delivery of a healthy infant. This case report demonstrates that twice-vitrified embryos, developed using an IVM protocol, retain the developmental competence for full-term, healthy infants.

Region-specific induction of hypoxic tolerance by expression of stress proteins and antioxidant enzymes

We examined the induction of hypoxic tolerance after hypoxic preconditioning in the frontal cortex, caudate putamen and thalamus using the dynamic positron autoradiography technique and [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose with rat brain slices. Hypoxic tolerance induction was confirmed in the frontal cortex, but not in the caudate putamen and thalamus. Next, we compared the gene expression in the frontal cortex and caudate putamen using the ATLAS Rat Stress Array, and found that the expression of 150-kDa oxygen-regulated protein and mitochondrial heat shock protein 70 as stress proteins, and copper-zinc-containing superoxide dismutase and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase as antioxidant enzymes was elevated only in the frontal cortex. These results suggest that the induction of hypoxic tolerance after hypoxic preconditioning is region-specific, and stress proteins and antioxidant enzymes participate in this phenomenon.

Comparison between valsartan and valsartan plus cilnidipine in type II diabetics with normo- and microalbuminuria

Cilnidipine, an L-/N-type calcium channel blocker, dilates the efferent glomerular arterioles in an experimental model and shows a renoprotective effect, but its clinical benefits and safety have not yet been assessed in type II diabetics with albuminuria. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of reducing albuminuria in type II diabetic patients with a combination therapy consisting of valsartan plus cilnidipine versus monotherapy with valsartan. An open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted from April 2002 to October 2003 in 87 Japanese patients aged 31-90 years with type II diabetes showing albuminuria (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio: 10-300 mg/g). The patients were randomized to receive either valsartan (n=41) or valsartan plus cilnidipine (n=46) once daily for 1 year. The primary end point was the percent change in the albumin/creatinine ratio. The secondary end points were the progression/regression of albuminuria, blood pressure (BP), renal function, and safety. After 1 year, the albumin/creatinine ratio was found to have decreased more markedly in the valsartan plus cilnidipine group than in the valsartan group (reduction rate -44+/-11% (s.e.) versus -9+/-7% (s.e.); P=0.014 by analysis of covariance). Although a significant reduction was observed in the systolic and diastolic BP of both groups from baseline to 1 year (P<0.0001, respectively), there was no significant difference in the change in the BP between the two groups (systolic BP, P=0.066; diastolic BP, P=0.391). There were also no significant differences in the side effects between the two groups. Cilnidipine was thus found to show an additive effect with valsartan and thereby caused a reduction in albuminuria in type II diabetics.

Induction of apoptosis by carbazole alkaloids isolated from Murraya koenigii

In the current study, we isolated 10 carbazole alkaloids from the plant species Murraya koenigii (Rutaceae), and examined their effects on the growth of the human leukemia cell line HL-60. Three carbazole alkaloids, mahanine (6), pyrayafoline-D (7) and murrafoline-I (9), showed significant cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells. Fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells with fragmented nuclei and condensed chromatin was increased in a time-dependent manner after treatment with each alkaloid. Interestingly, each carbazole alkaloid induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, both caspase-9 and caspase-3 were also time-dependently activated upon treatment with the alkaloids. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 inhibitors suppressed apoptosis induced by these alkaloids. The results suggest that these three alkaloids induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells through activation of the caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway, through mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cabergoline scavenges peroxynitrite enhanced by l-DOPA therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease

Long-term or high-dose L-DOPA therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may accelerate degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, possibly by increasing oxidative stress. To investigate the effects of cabergoline on peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative damage caused by L-DOPA, the concentration of 3-nitrotyrosine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 18 PD patients was compared with that in 20 normal controls. The concentration of 3-nitrotyrosine in patients following L-DOPA therapy was significantly higher than in untreated PD patients and controls. On the other hand, the concentration in PD patients after cabergoline therapy was significantly lower than in PD patients after L-DOPA therapy alone. These data suggest that cabergoline scavenges peroxynitrite induced by L-DOPA in patients with PD.

Requirement of STAT3 activation for maximal collagenase-1 (MMP-1) induction by epidermal growth factor and malignant characteristics in T24 bladder cancer cells

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are latent transcription factors that mediate cytokine- and growth factor-induced transcription. Constitutive activation of STAT3 has been shown in human cancers and transformed cell lines. We report that STAT3, but not STAT1 and STAT5, becomes phosphorylated in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and achieves maximal induction of collagenase-1 (MMP-1) transcription by interacting with c-JUN. Phosphorylation of STAT3 protein is biphasic: the first peak within 30 min and the second peak between 4 and 8 h. Association of STAT3 with c-JUN is detected and its constituting STAT3 is increasingly phosphorylated. The STAT and AP-1 elements are necessary for effective induction of MMP-1 promoter by EGF. Mutation of AP-1 element closely located at the STAT site abolishes the binding not only of c-JUN but also of STAT3 to MMP-1 promoter, resulting in the loss of the responsiveness to EGF. By blocking STAT3 activity with the dominant-negative form, we show the requirement of STAT3 for EGF induction of MMP-1 and MMP-10 (stromelysin-2). Furthermore, expression of the dominant-negative STAT3 is sufficient to inhibit the constitutive and EGF-inducible cell migration and invasion and the tumor formation in nude mice. These results demonstrate that STAT3 phosphorylation and its possible interaction with c-JUN are required for the strong responsiveness of MMP-1 to EGF, and STAT3 activation is crucial for exhibition of malignant characteristics in T24 bladder cancer cells.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the left lower lobe invading the upper lobe ahead of fissure]

We described a case of pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor that was resected video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with safety surgical margin. The legion masqueraded primary lung cancer showing invasion to neighboring lobe. Positron emission tomography (PET) was not helpful in diagnosing whether it was malignant or not. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor was called as inflammatory pseudotumor, formerly. Several reports, however, suggested that so called inflammatory pseudotumor was a true neoplasm rather than a proliferating tissue due to inflammatory response. It is not rare that inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor invades neighboring organ or shows relapsing after coarse margin resection. Our case would remind pulmonary physicians of its correct treatment, i.e. surgical resection with adequate safety margin.

Frequent importation of enterovirus 71 from surrounding countries into the local community of Yamagata, Japan, between 1998 and 2003

Phylogenetic analysis of 45 enterovirus 71 (EV71) isolates for 6 years in Yamagata, Japan, clarified that the annual outbreak of hand-foot-and-mouth disease was due to four genetically distinct subgenogroups, including a novel "B5." Our results suggest that the importation of EV71 from surrounding countries has had a major epidemiological impact on the local community used in our study.

Epitope analysis of myeloperoxidase-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (MPO-ANCA) in childhood onset Graves’ disease treated with propylthiouracil

AIM

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between epitope profiles and clinical manifestations of patients with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies-(MPO-ANCA) positive childhood onset Graves' disease treated with propylthiouracil (PTU).

METHODS

Sixteen patients were studied. The patients were grouped into ten without clinical vasculitis and nephritis (non-vasculitis group) and six with biopsy-proven pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (vasculitis group). Epitope analysis was performed on serum samples by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a panel of recombinant deletion mutants of MPO.

RESULTS

The high frequency sites were region upstream of Met341 (Ha region) near the N-terminus of the heavy chain, and regions downstream of Gly598 (Hf and Hg regions) near the C-terminus. Most patients in the non-vasculitis group had polyclonal MPO-ANCA recognizing both the above linear sites and other epitope sites of the heavy chain of MPO. Only one of ten patients in the non-vasculitis group, and four of six patients in the vasculitis group had MPO-ANCA recognizing only the linear sites of the heavy chain of the MPO molecule (Ha, Hf and/or Hg). Of the four patients in the vasculitis group, two had nephritis, like rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and one had alveolar hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that most patients with childhood onset Graves' disease treated with PTU who manifest no vasculitis have polyclonal MPO-ANCA recognizing both the linear and other epitope sites of the heavy chain of MPO. However, some patients who develop nephritis have MPO-ANCA recognizing only the linear sites of the heavy chain of MPO. This clonality of MPO-ANCA may be a risk factor that induces clinical vasculitis and nephritis in patients treated with PTU. Therefore, patients exposed to PTU should be monitored for MPO-ANCA level and epitopes.

Control of oro-facio-lingual movements by the substantia nigra pars reticulata: High-frequency electrical microstimulation and GABA microinjection findings in rats

To provide direct evidence for substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) control of oro-facio-lingual muscle activity, high-frequency electrical microstimulation (mainly trains of 20, 333-Hz cathodal pulses at 40-60 microA) and GABA microinjection (1-5 microl of 10 mM GABA in saline) were carried out using a three-barreled microelectrode at the same SNr site in lightly anesthetized, chronically decorticated rats (n=39). Decortication eliminated the possibility that SNr microstimulation might activate corticofugal fibers descending in the adjoining cerebral peduncle. When the most ventral layer of the SNr was approached, high-amplitude electromyographic (EMG) activity of up to 6 mV with a distinctive waveform appeared synchronously with electrical stimuli in the anterior digastric, masseter, genioglossus, and levator labii superioris muscles. This EMG activity was evoked bilaterally, with an ipsilateral predominance. Eye movements, mostly rotation of the eyeball vertically down in the orbit, were noted. Infrequent blinking was also noted. Histologic examination localized the effector site to the middle third of the mediolateral extent of the caudal SNr corresponding to between 5.8 mm (level of the oculomotor nerve) and 6.5mm (caudal end of the SNr) caudal to bregma; and to the ventralmost peripeduncular region of the SNr corresponding to 7.7 mm to 8.0 mm beneath the cortical surface. We referred to this site as the substantia nigra pars reticulata oro-facio-lingual (SNr-ofl) region. GABA injection produced tonic EMG discharge with consistent amplitude in all of the four muscles studied. The GABA effect was negated by a preceding microinjection of the GABA-A receptor antagonist bicuculline, whereas saline control injection had no effect. Changes in amplitude of evoked EMG activity according to location of the stimulating microelectrode reflected somatotopic organization of the SNr-ofl region. This extremely localized electrical and receptor microstimulation in the SNr produced synchronized powerful contraction of jaw, tongue, and facial muscles with different neural innervation. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms of the SNr concerning oro-facio-lingual movements.

Heparanase expression correlates with malignant potential in human colon cancer

PURPOSE

Heparanase cleaves carbohydrate chains of heparan sulphate proteoglycans and is an important component of the extracellular matrix. This study was designed to determine the relation between heparanase expression and prognosis of patients with colon cancer.

METHODS

The study included 54 patients (35 males and 19 females) who underwent colorectal resection for colorectal cancer between January 1992 and December 1994. Expression of heparanase protein and mRNA were determined and correlated with various clinicopathological parameters. In vitro studies were also performed to examine tumor invasion and to test the effects of heparanase inhibition, and in vivo studies were performed to examine tumor metastasis and prognosis.

RESULTS

Heparanase expression was detected in the invasion front of the tumor in 37 of 54 (69%) colon cancer samples, whereas 17 of 54 (31%) tumors were negative. Expression of heparanase was significantly more frequent in tumors of higher TNM stage (P=0.0481), higher Dukes stage (P=0.0411), higher vascular infiltration (P=0.0146), and higher lymph vessel infiltration (P=0.0010). Heparanase expression in colon cancers correlated significantly with poor survival (P=0.0361). Heparanase-transfected colon cancer cells exhibited significant invasion compared with control-transfected colon cancer cells (P=0.001), and the peritoneal dissemination model also showed the malignant potential of heparanase-transfected cells, as assayed by number of nodules (P=0.017) and survival (P=0.0062). Inhibition of heparanase significantly reduced the invasive capacity of cancer cells (P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Heparanase is a marker for poor prognosis of patients with colon cancer and could be a suitable target for antitumor therapy in colon cancer.

The relative contributions of each subset of ocular infiltrated cells in experimental choroidal neovascularisation

AIM

Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) is a major cause of blindness in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of infiltrating cells in the development of experimental CNV.

METHODS

CNV was induced in C57BL/6 (B6) mice by laser photocoagulation (PC). After PC, the numbers of each subset of infiltrated cells were analysed by flow cytometry at multiple time points. Each subset (except for macrophages) was depleted by the specific antibodies in vivo. Thereafter, the area of CNV was compared between the control B6 mice and the specific antibody treated mice 7 days after PC. The CNV formation in neutrophil depleted CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) knockout mice was also examined to minimise the effects of macrophages.

RESULTS

In the early phase of CNV formation, a large number of neutrophils and macrophages infiltrated to the eyes. Natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes were barely detected while no B lymphocytes were detected. The CNV areas did not significantly change compared between the control B6 mice and the specific antibody treated mice. However, the neutrophil depleted CCR2KO mice resulted in a reduction of CNV.

CONCLUSION

Although lymphocytes and NK cells had little effect on CNV formation, neutrophils partially contributed to CNV in the absence of macrophages.

Individual trait anxiety levels characterizing the properties of zen meditation

Meditation is a specific consciousness state in which deep relaxation and increased internalized attention coexist. There have been various neurophysiological studies on meditation. However, the personal predispositions/traits that characterize the properties of meditation have not been adequately studied. We analyzed changes in neurophysiological parameters [EEG coherence and autonomic nervous activity using heart rate variability (HRV) as an index] during Zen meditation, and evaluated the results in association with trait anxiety (assessed by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) in 22 healthy adults who had not previously practiced any form of meditation. During meditation, in terms of mean values in all subjects, an increase in slow alpha interhemispheric EEG coherence in the frontal region, an increase in high-frequency (HF) power (as a parasympathetic index of HRV), and a decrease in the ratio of low-frequency to HF power (as a sympathetic index of HRV) were observed. Further evaluation of these changes in individuals showed a negative correlation between the percent change (with the control condition as the baseline) in slow alpha interhemispheric coherence reflecting internalized attention and the percent change in HF reflecting relaxation. The trait anxiety score was negatively correlated with the percent change in slow alpha interhemispheric coherence in the frontal region and was positively correlated with the percent change in HF. These results suggest that lower trait anxiety more readily induces meditation with a predominance of internalized attention, while higher trait anxiety more readily induces meditation with a predominance of relaxation.

Epidemics of two Victoria and Yamagata influenza B lineages in Yamagata, Japan

We attempted to predict epidemics of influenza B, focusing on B/Victoria/2/87-like (V) and B/Yamagata/16/88-like (Y) lineages, in Yamagata, Japan. We collected 9624 nasopharyngeal swabs for virus isolation from patients with respiratory infections between 1996 and 2003 and 237 sera for seroepidemiological analysis by haemagglutination-inhibition test in 2001. We isolated 424 V-lineage and 246 Y-lineage viruses during the study period. Three herald viruses in the 2000--2001 season enabled us to predict a V-lineage epidemic in the following season. However, another V-lineage epidemic occurred in the 2002--2003 season, although we caught four herald Y-lineage viruses, whose antigenic drift was suggested by seroepidemiological study, at the end of the previous season. Since the epidemiology of the two influenza B lineages remains unclear, a careful watch should be kept on these lineages in order to provide effective public-health strategies against future epidemics.

Neural substrates participating in acquisition of facial familiarity: an fMRI study

The amygdala is related to recognition of faces and emotions, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have reported that the amygdala is habituated over time with repetition of facial stimuli. When subjects are presented repeatedly with unfamiliar faces, they come to gradually recognize the unfamiliar faces as familiar. To investigate the brain areas participating in the acquisition of familiarity to repeatedly presented unfamiliar faces, we conducted an fMRI study in 16 healthy subjects. During the task periods, the subjects were instructed to see presented unfamiliar faces repeatedly and to judge whether the face was male or female or whether the face had emotional valences. The experiment consisted of nine sessions. To clarify the brain areas that showed increasing or decreasing activation as the experimental session proceeded, we analyzed the fMRI data using specified linear covariates in the face recognition task from the first session to the ninth session. Imaging data were investigated on a voxel-by-voxel basis for single-group analysis according to the random effect model using Statistical Parametric Mapping. The bilateral posterior cingulate cortices showed significant increases in activity as the experimental sessions proceeded, while the activation in the right amygdala and the left medial fusiform gyrus decreased. Thus, the posterior cingulate cortex may play an important role in the acquisition of facial familiarity.

Central and peripheral immunoreactivity of melanin-concentrating hormone in hypothalamic obese and lactating rats

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is believed to be an important orexigenic peptide mainly localized in the lateral hypothalamic area. Its involvement in the hyperphagia induced by hypothalamic lesions and lactation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated MCH immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry and MCH concentration in the peripheral circulation using an enzyme immunoassay in rats with a lesion in the ventromedial hypothalamus or the paraventricular nucleus, and in lactating rats. Bilateral lesions of the ventromedial or paraventricular nuclei were performed using an electrolytic method. Quantification of immunoreactivity by image analysis revealed that the number and mean staining intensity of MCH-immunoreactive neurones in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta were significantly decreased by both types of lesions compared to sham controls, whereas circulating MCH concentration was not significantly different on day 7 postlesion. By contrast, in lactating rats on days 11-12 postpartum, the expression of MCH in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta was significantly increased compared to nonlactating controls. Circulating MCH concentration was not changed in lactating rats. These results suggest that hyperphagia induced by lactation, but not hypothalamic lesion, might be induced by excessive expression of MCH in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta.

Endovascular treatment of posterior cerebral aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease

PURPOSE

A patient with moyamoya disease associated with a ruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm treated by endovascular embolization is presented.

CASE REPORT

A 47-year-old woman was admitted with severe headache to our hospital. Computed tomography demonstrated subarachnoid haemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed evidence of moyamoya disease and a saccular aneurysm at the P1 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular embolization was performed using Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC), and the aneurysm was completely occluded with preservation of the parent artery. Endovascular treatment using GDC seems comparatively safe and effective for the treatment of cerebral saccular aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease.

Breath malodor in an asthmatic patient caused by side-effects of medication: a case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to document the presence of dimethyl sulfide in mouth air as the predominant volatile sulfur compound (VSC) in an asthmatic patient who was regularly taking suplatast tosilate.

STUDY DESIGN

The patient was a 33-year-old woman who complained of bad breath. She had been diagnosed as having asthma and was receiving periodical medical examinations once a month. VSC in her mouth air were measured with a gas chromatograph. Oral physiotherapy was also carried out to remove any oral malodor of which the source was intraoral.

RESULTS

With the improvement in oral hygiene and periodontal conditions, the level of VSC was reduced but dimethyl sulfide still remained as the predominant VSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Dimethyl sulfide metabolized from suplatast tosilate may be a potential cause of halitosis.