A novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist (CH5036249) exhibits efficacy in a spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia beagle model

To date, there have been no reports showing the efficacy of nonsecosteroidal vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists in a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) animal model. To examine the efficacy of CH5036249, a novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist, we orally administered the compound at 0.03 microg/kg to a beagle model with spontaneous BPH. Prostate volume was checked by rectal ultrasonic probe periodically during 11 months of administration and the prostate tissues histologically examined. CH5036249 inhibited prostate growth in two out of three dogs compared with vehicle-treated dogs. In the prostate specimens, substantial atrophy of the epithelium was observed in all dogs administered CH5036249. At the dose given, serum calcium levels slightly increased in the CH5036249-treated dogs but stayed within a normal range. We next examined the cell growth inhibition of CH5036249 using human prostate stromal cells and found the cell growth inhibitory activity of CH5036249 to be comparable to that of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. The bioavailability from oral administration in rats was 95.1% with a t1/2 of 17.6 h. Both micro-AMES and micronucleus tests were negative. Although the results are still preliminary, we consider the novel nonsecosteroidal VDR agonist CH5036249 to be a possible new drug candidate for the treatment of BPH in humans.

Development of an ecotoxicity QSAR model for the KAshinhou Tool for Ecotoxicity (KATE) system, March 2009 version

The KAshinhou Tool for Ecotoxicity (KATE) system, including ecotoxicity quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, was developed by the Japanese National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) using the database of aquatic toxicity results gathered by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and the US EPA fathead minnow database. In this system chemicals can be entered according to their one-dimensional structures and classified by substructure. The QSAR equations for predicting the toxicity of a chemical compound assume a linear correlation between its log P value and its aquatic toxicity. KATE uses a structural domain called C-judgement, defined by the substructures of specified functional groups in the QSAR models. Internal validation by the leave-one-out method confirms that the QSAR equations, with r(2 )> 0.7, RMSE 5, give acceptable q(2) values. Such external validation indicates that a group of chemicals with an in-domain of KATE C-judgements exhibits a lower root mean square error (RMSE). These findings demonstrate that the KATE system has the potential to enable chemicals to be categorised as potential hazards.

New anomaly in the transverse acoustic impedance of superfluid 3He-B with a wall coated by several layers of 4He

We measured the transverse acoustic impedance of superfluid 3He-B with a wall coated by several layers of 4He. The coating is known to enhance the specularity in quasiparticle scattering by the wall. We found a new anomaly, a bump and a peak, in the temperature dependence of the transverse acoustic impedance. This agrees with a theoretical calculation using a partially specular wall boundary condition. The new anomaly is shown to arise from a change in the surface density of states by coating and the scattering of thermally occupied surface bound states to other states. The change is towards the density of states of Majorana cone in the specular limit.

Parasite egg contamination of vegetables from a suburban market in Hanoi, Vietnam

Helminth egg contamination of vegetables purchased at suburban market in Hanoi, Vietnam was examined. A total of 317 vegetables were examined and 82 (26%) were revealed to be positive for parasite eggs. Of the 15 varieties, 13 were positive except for horseradish and cucumber. Contamination was highest in leafy vegetables (31%), followed by root vegetables (17%) and fruit vegetables (3%). Throughout the survey, five species of parasite eggs were found: Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Toxocara sp., Taenia sp. and Ascaridia galli. In the interview with the villagers, 121 (81%) of 149 adult villagers stated that they usually use not only animal feces but also human feces as a fertilizer. Throughout the survey, a total of 453 eggs were recovered. Number of eggs recovered from vegetables was higher in the dry season (355 eggs) than in the rainy season (98 eggs). The study revealed that vegetables purchased at a market in suburban Hanoi (Vietnam) were highly contaminated with parasite eggs excreted by humans and animals. Considering the eating habits of the Vietnamese and the 17% embryonation rate of detected parasites, vegetables seem to play an important role in soil-transmitted helminth infection in this country.

Excitation spectrum of PrOs(4)Sb(12) under a magnetic field

The evolution of the magnetic excitation spectrum of the heavy fermion superconductor PrOs(4)Sb(12) was studied by inelastic neutron scattering on crossing the critical field H(c2) for superconductivity at low temperature. The peak positions in energy and the peak intensities of the modes of the triplet split by magnetic field confirm the known crystal field parameters for PrOs(4)Sb(12) in T(h) symmetry. A selective broadening of the lineshape occurs on increasing the magnetic field: the linewidth of the upper mode of the triplet increases while the one of the middle mode does not.

Heparanase expression and angiogenesis in endometrial cancer: Analyses of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry

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Background: The human heparanase has been shown to function in tumor progression, metastatic spread, and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess heparanase expression in endometrial cancer in correlation with neovascularization and clinicopathological factors.Methods: Fifty-two endometrial cancers were obtained from previously untreated patients (median age, 56 years; range, 35–80 years). The expression of heparanase mRNA was evaluated using a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) with anti-heparanase polyclonal antibody. This antibody was raised by immunizing a rabbit with a peptide containing the amino acid residues from 238 to 250 of the Heparanase. Tumor angiogenesis was assessed using microvessel counting. The Mann-Whitney U test, one factor ANOVA test, and Spearman's test were used to determine the relationship between heparanase expression, microvessel density, and clinicopathological parameters. Results: The expression of heparanase mRNA was detected in 26 of 52 (50%) endometrial cancers, and was significantly correlated with FIGO stage IIIc (p = 0.0075), the presence of lymph-vascular space involvement (LVSI) (p = 0.0041), lymph node metastasis (LNM) (p = 0.0049), and histological tumor grade (p = 0.003). IHC showed that the heparanase was expressed in 23 of 52 (44.2%) endometrial cancers, which was significantly related to LVSI (p = 0.0028), depth of myometrial invasion (p = 0.0026), and histological tumor grade (p = 0.0135). Microvessel density was also associated with FIGO stage IIIc (p = 0.027), LVSI (p = 0.001), LNM (p = 0.038), ovarian metastasis (p = 0.03) and histological tumor grade (p = 0.003). Moreover, we found a strong positive correlation between heparanase expression and microvessel density (r2 = 0.475, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: These results suggest that the expression of heparanase can promote tumor angiogenesis and develop metastasis in endometrial cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Heparanase expression in endometrial cancer: analysis of immunohistochemistry

The human enzyme heparanase has been shown to function in tumour progression, metastatic spread and tumour angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess heparanase expression assessed by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) in endometrial cancer in correlation with clinicopathological factors. A total of 52 endometrial cancers were obtained from previously untreated patients (median age, 56 years, range, 35-80 years). The expression of heparanase was evaluated by using IHC with anti-heparanase polyclonal antibody. This antibody was raised by immunising a rabbit with a peptide containing the amino acid residues from 238 to 250 of the heparanase. The IHC data were used to determine the relationship between heparanase expression, and clinicopathological parameters. IHC showed that the heparanase was expressed in 23 of 52 (44.2%) endometrial cancers. Heparanase was abundantly and equally expressed in both the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of the cells in endometrial cancer. Strong heparanase-positive staining was also seen at the invasive front of the tumour into myometrium. The expression was significantly related to lymph-vascular space involvement (p = 0.0028), depth of myometrial invasion (p = 0.0026), and histological tumour grade (p = 0.0135). In six tumours with positive lymph nodes, the heparanase expression was observed as being higher compared with tumours with negative lymph nodes, which was not significant (p = 0.2349). In terms of peritoneal cytology, ovarian metastasis, and cervical invasion, we observed no significant difference in the heparanase expression assessed by IHC. These results suggest that the expression of heparanase may promote tumour invasion into myometrium and lymph vascular space in endometrial cancer.

Quantized hyperfine field at an implanted micro+ site in PrPb3: interplay between localized f electrons and an interstitial charged particle

The local effect of an interstitial hydrogenlike particle on localized f electrons was studied in PrPb3 by means of micro+ spin rotation and relaxation. Spontaneous micro+ spin precession with harmonic frequencies was observed for the first time in f electron compounds. We demonstrate that the signal is derived from a coupling between the micro+ spin and the hyperfine-enhanced nuclear spin of nearest neighbor (NN) 141Pr with Ising-like anisotropy. The signal also suggests a marked suppression of spin dynamics of the NN 141Pr in comparison with that of the bulk 141Pr. These facts strongly indicate modification of the f electronic state due to the interstitial charged particle.

Visceral obesity is associated with the metabolic syndrome and elevated plasma retinol binding protein-4 level in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is related to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (MS). A novel adipokine, retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4), was reported to be associated with insulin resistance and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. To examine whether plasma RBP4 is associated with insulin resistance and MS development in OSAS, we measured plasma RBP4 levels in 181 Japanese men (24 healthy controls and 40 mild, 64 moderate, and 53 severe OSAS) of whom 26 had mild glucose intolerance with HbA1c < or = 6.0%. After a full polysomnography, blood was collected between 06:00 and 07:00 AM. Plasma RBP4 levels in moderate/severe OSAS patients were higher than in control subjects. Plasma RBP4 was not correlated with apnea variables, HOMA-IR, or blood pressure. However, it was positively correlated with visceral fat areas and plasma triglyceride levels. The prevalence of MS was higher in severe OSAS patients than in mild/moderate OSAS and control subjects. Plasma RBP4 was higher in OSAS patients with MS than in those without MS. This study indicates that plasma RBP4 is associated with dyslipidemia, but not with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, or hypertension in patients with OSAS. Visceral obesity may play key roles in increasing the plasma RBP4 level and MS development in OSAS.

Repeated intracyclic clomiphene citrate therapy can be more effective than hMG therapy in inducing ovulation: case report

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

When clomiphene citrate is ineffective in the treatment of anovulation, hMG administration is typically selected. However, high-dose hMG therapy is associated with a variety of adverse events. We describe the use of a modified clomiphene citrate regimen that was successful in increasing the effectiveness of ovulation induction.

CASE REPORT

A patient who did not initially respond to clomiphene citrate therapy required a total dose of 2400 IU hMG to prodeuce mature follicles. However, because of the physical and emotional burdens on the patient, and the possibility of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, re-treatment with clomiphene citrate was then selected. Two courses of clomiphene citrate administered at a fixed interval during the same cycle safely induced ovulation. After initial induction of ovulation, her ovulatory failure improved and natural ovulation occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated intracycle clomiphene cirate therapy may be more effective than hMG therapy in inducing ovulation in some patients.