Malignant amelanotic melanoma of the esophagus

The clinical, histological, and electron microscopic features of a case of malignant amelanotic melanoma of the esophagus are described. Amelanotic melanoma is difficult to distinguish from other malignant lesions, but in our case electron microscopy was helpful in the diagnosis.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of apple stem grooving capillovirus sequence variants

ABSTRACT In an earlier study, we demonstrated that isolates of apple stem grooving capillovirus (ASGV) from fruit trees comprise at least two to four sequence variants that differ considerably from each other in nucleotide sequence. In order to characterize the population of sequence variants within a single tree, we applied a combination of an immunocapture reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (IC-RT-PCR) and a single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of a nested asymmetric PCR product. In the SSCP analysis of the PCR products from ASGV-infected apple, Japanese pear, or European pear trees, two to four bands were detected in samples from all trees, indicating that ASGV exists as a mixture of sequence variants. The composition of sequence variants (the number of bands and their relative quantity) differed among leaf samples from different branches, showing that each sequence variant is distributed unevenly within an individual tree. The SSCP analysis of isolates after serial passage in Chenopodium quinoa plants indicated that passages changed the composition of sequence variants originally contained in ASGV isolates; i.e., some sequence variants dominated and others decreased to undetectable levels.

Nonfamilial hematuria associated with glomerular basement membrane alterations characteristic of hereditary nephritis: comparison with hereditary nephritis

Characteristic ultrastructural alterations of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) have been reported in hereditary nephritis and in children without a family history of renal disease. The clinical features, renal biopsy findings, and subsequent course were studied retrospectively in 48 children with such GBM changes to compare findings in those with and without a family history of nephritis and to determine the significance of the GBM changes in patients with nonfamilial disease. All 48 patients had hematuria. For 30, there was hematuria in at least one other member of the family (familial hematuria group); for 18, there was no familial incidence. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to clinical and pathologic findings. At the latest follow-up six boys with familial hematuria and three boys with nonfamilial hematuria had reduced renal function, and nine boys with familial hematuria and four boys and one girl with nonfamilial hematuria had neurosensory deafness. Our study results show that children with these GBM changes, with or without a family history of hematuria, tend to have a progressive course, with frequent occurrence of neurosensory deafness, and that the prognosis is more severe in boys. These observations suggest that such GBM changes in patients with nonfamilial hematuria may represent new mutations for hereditary nephritis.

Plasma free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure: effects of plasma non-esterified fatty acids on FT4 measurement

Plasma free T4 (FT4) concentrations could be increased during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) because an increase in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) could interfere with the binding of T4 to thyroxine-binding globulin. To evaluate the effect of hemodialysis on the FT4 concentration in patients with CRF, we measured the FT4 in 39 patients with CRF by four assay methods including equilibrium dialysis, the 125I-T4 analog method and enzyme immunoassay. The addition of the fatty acid sodium oleate to normal pooled sera led to a marked increase in FT4 as measured by equilibrium dialysis (Model FT4). A moderate increase in the serum FT4 concentration also was observed with an IMX enzyme immunoassay kit, whereas the Coat-A-Count analog method demonstrated no interference by sodium oleate. The mean serum FT4 prior to hemodialysis measured by equilibrium dialysis did not differ significantly from that in the normal control, although those measured by analog methods (Coat-A-Count and Amerlex) and IMX were subnormal. The FT4 by IMX were albumin-dependent, and the values decreased as the samples were serially diluted, but Model FT4 was not affected by the albumin level or the serial dilution. FT4 by Model FT4 showed a marked increase beginning 10 min after the start of dialysis, and it correlated well with the plasma concentration of NEFA and the NEFA/albumin molar ratio. The other three assay methods, including one which is not affected by NEFA, did not show a change in FT4 at 10 min, but a significant increase of 11 to 17% was observed by the end of dialysis. The TSH concentration decreased significantly during hemodialysis. These data suggest that (1) the low serum FT4 in hemodialysis patients measured by some immunoassay methods may be an underestimation due to the low albumin level; (2) FT4 actually increases during hemodialysis due to the actual increase in NEFA, although the marked increase in FT4 during hemodialysis as measured by equilibrium dialysis is an overestimation due to the in vitro generation of NEFA; and (3) one should beware of aberrations in thyroid hormone parameters during hemodialysis and potential complications.

Fertility-sparing surgery and oncologic outcome among patients with early-stage ovarian cancer ~propensity score- matched analysis~

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate how much the risks of recurrence and death are increased as a consequence of selecting fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in young women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

After a central pathological review and search of the medical records from 14 collaborating hospitals, a non-randomized, observational cohort study was conducted between 1987 and 2015, including 1183 women with stage I EOC. Finally, a total of 285 patients with stage I EOC at reproductive age were recruited. Oncologic outcomes were compared between the FSS (N = 101) and radical surgery (RS) group (N = 184) using a propensity score (PS)-matching technique to adjust for relevant risk factors: the age, substage, histological type, grade, CA125 values, ascites cytology, ascites volume, and chemotherapy.

Results

During 66.0 months (median) of follow-up, 42 patients (14.7%) developed recurrence, and 31 patients (10.9%) died. In the original cohort, there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) between the FSS and RS groups {Log-rank: OS (P = 0.838), RFS (P = 0.377)}. In the PS-matched cohort after adjustment for multiple clinicopathologic factors, there was no significant difference in RFS or OS between the FSS and RS groups {RFS (FSS vs. RS), HR: 1.262 (95% CI: 0.559–2.852), P = 0. 575; OS (FSS vs. RS), HR: 1.206 (95% CI: 0.460–3.163), P = 0.704}.

Conclusions

After adjustment for clinicopathologic factors, FSS in itself may not worsen the oncologic outcome in young women with early-stage EOC. A large-scale clinical study is necessary to validate the findings.

Microrelief suppresses large wrinkling appearance: an in silico study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Extensive skin wrinkling during facial expressions is one of the considerable problems in aesthetic dermatology. Although a few in silico studies have been performed with the aim of revealing the mechanism of a wrinkled appearance, there have been few studies that take into account the influence of skin roughness (i.e. microrelief), which exists on human skin in vivo. In this study, finite element simulations were performed using multilayer skin models with microrelief to investigate how extensive wrinkling appears on human skin, especially focusing on the role of surface roughness in the wrinkling mechanism.

METHODS

Linear and post-buckling analyses were performed on soft elastic laminate models using the finite element method. A simplified multilayer model of human skin was employed to examine the contribution of skin's multilayer structure to the large-wrinkle mechanism. Microrelief was included in the model to assess its effect on the mechanism.

RESULTS

A large wrinkle was observed as dermal buckling following a number of buckling events on the stratum corneum. The existence of microrelief had an effect on the suppression of dermal buckling.

CONCLUSION

Skin's multilayer structure should play a major role in the appearance of large wrinkles on human skin via its post-buckling behavior. This study suggested that fine microrelief on the skin surface hampers large wrinkles. These findings should be valuable for the development of cosmetic or medical treatments to prevent unfavorable skin deformations.

MxA expression in patients with viral infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Many patients suffer febrile diseases soon after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Some of the symptoms of viral infections and acute GVHD are often difficult to distinguish. However, an accurate diagnosis is important since the treatments for these conditions are different. It is known that MxA protein is specifically induced in patients with several viral infections. We investigated the cytoplasmic expression of MxA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with fever after allogeneic SCT using a newly generated monoclonal antibody (KM1135) and flow cytometry. The level of MxA expression was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with viral infections (n=6, cytomegalovirus in three, Epstein-Barr virus in one, human herpesvirus-6 in one, adenovirus in one) than control individuals (n=9) (P<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). The level of MxA in patients with aGVHD (n=7) was identical to that in controls. The level of MxA correlated well with the amount of the cytomegalovirus antigen-positive cells in the presence of acute GVHD in two patients. The measurement of MxA is simple and useful in distinguishing viral disease from acute GVHD after allogeneic SCT.

Activity of thyroid stimulating antibody and thyroid stimulation blocking antibody determined by radioiodine uptake into FRTL-5 cells

To investigate the pathophysiology of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, we measured serum thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) activity and thyroid stimulation blocking antibody (TSBAb) activity by determining the radioiodine (125I) uptake into FRTL-5 cells. FRTL-5 cells were pre-incubated for seven days with 5H medium and then incubated for 48 hours with patients' crude IgG prepared by polyethylene glycol precipitation. In order to measure TSBAb, 10 microU/ml TSH was also added. 125I was added one hour before the end of the 48 hour incubation period. After the incubation, the medium was aspirated, and the radioactivity in the cells was counted. In patients with untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease, TSAb was detectable in 18 of 20 patients, the detectability being 90%, and activity showed a statistically significant positive correlation with TSAb activity determined by c-AMP accumulation. Out of 41 patients with hypothyroidism, TSBAb determined by 125I uptake was positive in six cases, the detectability being 14.6%. The inhibition of 125I uptake by one of these six IgGs was suggested to be at the TSH receptor level because it inhibited TSH induced c-AMP accumulation and showed positive thyrotropin binding inhibitor immunoglobulin (TBI I) activity, but did not inhibit the forskolin- and (Bu)2cAMP-induced 125I uptake. Inhibition of another IgG was suggested at the post-receptor level because it did not inhibit TSH induced cAMP accumulation and showed negative TBI I activity, but inhibited forskolin- and (Bu)2cAMP-induced 125I uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microfibrils in glomerulopathies of children: an ultrastructural study

Extracellular microfibrils were found in 47 per cent. of 360 renal biopsies performed in children with a variety of nephropathies. They were observed in the mesangial matrix and basal lamina. They are 17 to 35 nm in diameter and a few show cross-striations with a periodicity of about 10 nm. They are different from fibrin or interstitial collagen. Their close association with thinner filaments in the mesangial matrix and basal lamina suggests that they are derived from such filaments.

Cytokine production inhibitors produced by a fungus, Oidiodendron griseum

A series of diterpenes were isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Oidiodendron griseum CL37215. The diterpenes were identified as LL-Z1271alpha, LL-Z1271gamma, CJ-14,445, PR 1388, CJ-14,604 and a new diterpene, CJ-14,515. They inhibited both lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in human whole blood with IC50s of the range from 0.049 to 100 microM.

Novel cytokine production inhibitors produced by a basidiomycete, Marasmiellus sp

New cytokine production inhibitors, CJ-14,877 (I) and CJ-14,897 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of a basidiomycete, Marasmiellus sp. CL21624. Their structures were determined to be methyl-(7S,8S)-5-(7,8-dihydroxypropyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate and methyl-(7S,8S)-5-(8-acetoxy-7-hydroxypropyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate [corrected], respectively, by spectroscopic analyses. These compounds showed inhibitory activities for lipopolysaccharide-induced production of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human whole blood with IC50 values of the range from 0.059 to 2.6 microM.

Improved apple latent spherical virus-induced gene silencing in multiple soybean genotypes through direct inoculation of agro-infiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana extract

BACKGROUND

Virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful genomics tool for interrogating the function of plant genes. Unfortunately, VIGS vectors often produce disease symptoms that interfere with the silencing phenotypes of target genes, or are frequently ineffective in certain plant genotypes or tissue types. This is especially true in crop plants like soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. To address these shortcomings, we modified the inoculation procedure of a VIGS vector based on Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV). The efficacy of this new procedure was assessed in 19 soybean genotypes using a soybean Phytoene desaturase (GmPDS1) gene as the VIGS target. Silencing of GmPDS1 was easily scored as photo-bleached leaves and/or stems.

RESULTS

In this report, the ALSV VIGS vector was modified by mobilizing ALSV cDNAs into a binary vector compatible with Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated delivery, so that VIGS-triggering ALSV variants could be propagated in agro-infiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Homogenate of these N. benthamiana leaves was then applied directly onto the unifoliate of young soybean seedlings to initiate systemic gene silencing. This rapid inoculation method bypassed the need for a particle bombardment apparatus. Among the 19 soybean genotypes evaluated with this new method, photo-bleaching indicative of GmPDS1 silencing was observed in nine, with two exhibiting photo-bleaching in 100% of the inoculated individuals. ALSV RNA was detected in pods, embryos, stems, leaves, and roots in symptomatic plants of four genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

This modified protocol allowed for inoculation of soybean plants via simple mechanical rubbing with the homogenate of N. benthamiana leaves agro-infiltrated with ALSV VIGS constructs. More importantly, inoculated plants showed no apparent virus disease symptoms which could otherwise interfere with VIGS phenotypes. This streamlined procedure expanded this functional genomics tool to nine soybean genotypes.

Sensitization of T lymphocytes to thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase in autoimmune thyroid diseases

To investigate T-cell sensitization to thyroid autoantigens in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), purified soluble human thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) were used. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as CD8-depleted, CD4-enriched PBMC ("selected" PBMC) from 9 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 13 Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 10 healthy subjects, were cultured for 6 days with or without varying concentrations (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 micrograms/ml, respectively) of Tg or TPO and their responses were evaluated using the 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. Total PBMC as well as selected PBMC from GD and HT responded to both TPO and Tg, but normal PBMC did not. This induction was more marked in "selected" PBMC; on the other hand, CD8 depletion did not permit normal PBMC to respond to either antigen. However, reactivity of selected AITD PBMC to Tg differed from that of TPO. Two way analysis of variance showed that the proliferative response was significantly greater with Tg than with TPO, (again particularly notable with the "selected" PBMC) in both GD and HT. There was no difference between control and AITD preparations when an irrelevant (renal microsomal) antigen was employed. Taken together with our previous report that CD4 cells were induced by TPO even when cultured with CD8 cells, it is evident that suppressor CD8 cells do play a role in CD4 cells from proliferating against Tg and TPO; however their function alone or in combination with suppressor-inducer CD4 cells is partially disturbed, so that T cell sensitization to Tg and TPO can be identified in the AITD PBMC.

Lymphocyte subpopulations and function in childhood IgA nephropathy

In order to examine T lymphocyte function in childhood IgA nephropathy, 13 patients and 10 age-matched control subjects were studied. T lymphocyte function was examined in terms of in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and CD4-depleted (suppressor-rich) and CD8-depleted (helper-rich) PBMC in both unstimulated and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) stimulated cultures. T lymphocyte subpopulations were examined by two-color immunofluorescence analysis using Fluorescein-Activated Cell Sorter (FACS). Children with IgA nephropathy showed (1) a significant increase in IgA synthesis by PBMC with or without mitogen stimulation, (2) a significant increase in IgG and IgA synthesis by CD4-depleted (suppressor-rich) PBMC, (3) a significant increase in IgG and IgA synthesis by CD8-depleted (helper-rich) PBMC, and (4) a significant decrease in suppressor-inducer T cells (Leu3a+Leu8+). These results suggest that a decrease in suppressor-inducer T cells, impaired suppressor T cell function and hyperactivity of helper T cell function are responsible for the increase in IgA production in children with IgA nephropathy.

CJ-19,784, a new antifungal agent from a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp

A new antifungal agent, CJ-19,784 (I), was isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp. CL12082. Based on spectroscopic analyses, structure of I was determined to be 3'-bromo-2',5-dihydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxy-flavone. Compound I inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus with IC50 values of 0.11, 20 and 0.54 microg/ml, respectively.

A sensitive and practical bioassay for thyrotropin using cultured FRTL-5 cells: assessment of bioactivity for serum TSH in patients with chronic renal failure

A sensitive bioassay for TSH employing a practical extraction method was developed, and the bioactivities in patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis were compared with those in normal subjects. Serum samples were obtained from 12 normal subjects and 12 patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis. TSH was extracted from the serum using anti-human TSH monoclonal antibody coated tubes, followed by elution with 2.0 mol/l guanidine-HC1 solution (pH 3.2). After the eluate had been dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) and again against TRIS-HC1 solution (pH 7.4) and then lyophilized, it was reconstituted with hypotonic Hanks' solution. Bioassay for TSH was performed by measuring the levels of cAMP released into the medium from cultured FRTL-5 cells incubated with the extract. The mean immunoreactive recovery rates of TSH from the serum in normal subjects and patients with chronic renal failure were about 42% (+/- 6) and 40% (+/- 2), respectively. The present bioassay was sufficiently sensitive to detect a serum TSH level of 1.0 mU/l when 3.0 ml of serum was used. Extracts from standard sera at concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 10 mU/l added to the culture medium caused significant linear increases in cAMP production. Based on analysis of covariance the regression line between the immunoreactivities and bioactivities of serum TSH in patients with chronic renal failure (y = 0.90x + 0.3, r = 0.92) was not significantly different from that in normal subjects (y = 1.04x + 0.1, r = 0.93).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunoelectron microscopic study of childhood IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis

Renal biopsy specimens from 11 children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and 14 with IgA nephropathy were examined by immunoelectron microscopy. The distribution of IgA reaction product (RP) was found to be similar to that of the electron-dense deposits seen with conventional electron microscopy. Deposits of IgA-RP were present in the mesangium and in the subendothelial region of the peripheral glomerular capillary wall in all patients. Subepithelial deposits of IgA-RP were seen in 12 patients. Deposits of IgG-RP were rare and no deposits of IgM-RP were observed. Deposits of C3-RP were found frequently, although they were smaller and less extensive than deposits of IgA-RP. There was no significant difference between Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and IgA nephropathy with regard to immunoelectron microscopy findings. These observations suggest that Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and IgA nephropathy are both forms of mesangiopathic glomerulo-nephritis caused by immune complexes, mainly composed of IgA.

Evidence for translation of apple stem grooving capillovirus genomic RNA

Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) RNA was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and shown to direct the synthesis of several polypeptides of Mr ranging from 200K to 43K. A polypeptide of 200K was a major product, but no polypeptide with electrophoretic mobility the same as that of the ASGV coat protein was synthesized. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that a polypeptide of 200K was selectively precipitated by antiserum against purified ASGV. These results indicate that ASGV coat protein is translated as part of a 200K polyprotein.

Reduced activation of suppressor T lymphocytes by specific antigens in autoimmune thyroid disease

In order to study the activation of suppressor T lymphocytes by thyroid-specific antigens in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), we have investigated the effects of the organ-specific antigens, thyroperoxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid microsomal antigen (TMc), as well as renal microsomes (RMc) as a control antigen, on the activation of suppressor T lymphocytes; this was accomplished by measuring major histocompatibility complex class II (HLA-DR) expression on their surfaces by flow cytometric analysis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), obtained from 33 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 26 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), 5 with nontoxic nodular goiter (NTG), and 30 normal persons (N), were cultured for 7 days in the presence or absence of TPO, Tg, or RMc at final concentration of 10, 100, and 1000 ng/ml. Cultured cells were stained with fluorescent-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD8, anti-CD11b, and anti-HLA-DR), and the activation of CD8+ and CD8+CD11b+ (pure suppressor) T cells by the antigens was analyzed on a flow cytometer. In the absence of antigen, i.e., the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), CD8+ and CD8+CD11b+ T lymphocytes from patients with GD and HT showed significantly lower activation as compared to N. We measured the Stimulation Index (Sl) of activated T lymphocytes to compare antigen-specific activation between CD8+ and CD8+CD11b+ cells from normal persons and patients. With stimulation of 100 and/or 1000 ng/mL of TPO or Tg, Sl of activated CD8+ cells was significantly (p < 0.05 to 0.01) lower in GD and HT as compared with N.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oncologic outcomes after secondary surgery in recurrent clear-cell carcinoma of the ovary

OBJECTIVE

Complete tumor resection is considered essential in the management of patients with ovarian clear-cell carcinoma. There is a debate regarding whether patients with recurrent ovarian clear-cell carcinoma benefit from secondary cytoreductive surgery.

METHODS

Details of patients with clear-cell carcinoma were collected by the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group (Nagoya University Hospital and 13 affiliated institutions) and evaluated between January 1990 and December 2015. Histology was confirmed after central pathological review. The primary endpoint of the study was disease-free survival after secondary cytoreductive surgery. Distributions of events were evaluated using the χ2 test. Survival analysis was based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 169 patients who underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery (N=25) or medical management (N=144) for recurrent clear-cell carcinoma were collected. The median age for patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery was 50 years (range 35-66). Overall, 18 patients had complete resection. In patients who underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery, the median disease-free and post-recurrence survival periods were 10.9 months and 21.2 months, respectively. Moreover, among 18 patients who underwent complete resection, seven showed no evidence of disease during the observation periods. The median post-recurrence survival periods of patients with complete or incomplete resection were 30.1 months and 10.4 months, respectively (p=0.002). On stratification by the recurrence site, patients with intraperitoneal recurrence showed poorer post-recurrence survival than those with recurrence at other sites (p=0.016). However, comparison between the secondary cytoreductive surgery group versus the medical management group showed there was no difference in post-recurrence survival, even when considering complete tumor resection (p=0.114).

CONCLUSION

Patients with intraperitoneal recurrence or incomplete tumor resection had the worst survival after secondary cytoreductive surgery.

Transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis Plants Expressing the 50-kDa Protein of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus Display Increased Susceptibility to Homologous Virus, but Strong Resistance to Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus

ABSTRACT The 50-kDa protein (P50) encoded by the open reading frame 2 of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), a putative movement protein, was expressed in transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis plants. P50 in transgenic plants was mainly detected in a modified form in the cell wall fraction, similar to that in infected leaves. The P50-expressing plants (P50 plants) complemented the systemic spread of the P50-defective mutants of an infectious cDNA clone of ACLSV (pCLSF), indicating that P50 in transgenic plants was functional. Severity of symptoms was greatly enhanced and accumulation of virus in upper leaves was increased in P50 plants inoculated with pCLSF or ACLSV compared with that in nontransgenic control plants (NT plants). Conversely, transgenic plants expressing the coat protein of ACLSV (CP plants) showed a significant delay in symptom development and a reduction of virus accumulation. However, most P50 plants inoculated with Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV), another species of the genus Trichovirus, neither developed obvious symptoms nor supported virus accumulation in inoculated or upper leaves. In contrast, systemic symptoms developed and virus accumulated equally in NT and CP plants inoculated with GINV. After inoculation with Apple stem grooving virus or Apple stem pitting virus, there was no difference in symptom development and virus accumulation among P50, CP, and NT plants. Our results indicate that transgenic plants expressing a functional P50 were more susceptible to homologous virus and, on the contrary, showed strong resistance to the heterologous virus GINV.

Studies of retroorbital tissue xenografts from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice: detection of thyroid-stimulating antibody

The pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is still unclear and the possible role of TSH receptor antibody in the development of GO is controversial. However, the recent availability of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice has provided a means to study of human autoimmune thyroid disease in an in vivo environment. In the present study, we xenografted human retroorbital (RO) tissues from 9 patients with GO into 9 SCID mice and the autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 5 of 9 GO patients were engrafted into 5 separate SCID mice to reconstitute the immunological environment of human GO. Mice blood samples were taken every 2 weeks for the measurements of human IgG, thyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab), thyroperoxidase (TPO)-Ab, thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Eight weeks after xenografting, mice were killed; RO tissues were analyzed histologically, SCID mice with RO tissues from 2 of 9 GO patients produced human IgG peaking at 6-8 weeks after xenografting. TPO-Abs and TG-Abs were detectable in low titer in mice with RO tissue xenografts from 3/9 and 4/9 GO patients, respectively. The mean level of IFN-gamma in SCID mice with GO RO xenografts was higher than that of a control subject (RO tissue from a non-GO patient). TSAbs were actually produced from 7 of 9 mice xenografted with GO RO tissues, and reached their peaks at 2-8 weeks after xenografting; autologous PBMC (alone, without RO tissues)-engrafted SCID mice did not produce any detectable level of TSAb. The control mouse did not produce any detectable levels of human IgG, TPO-Ab, Tg-Ab, or TSAb. Immunohistochemical analysis of orbital mononuclear cell infiltrates revealed a predominance of T lymphocytes, with a small percentage of B lymphocytes in GO RO tissue graft. In conclusion, we have successfully reconstituted the SCID mice with human lymphocytes of RO tissues from patients with GO. Autoreactive B cell clones responsible for secreting TSAb exist in GO RO tissue and may be a key factor in the initiation and/or the progression of GO.

A quantitative analysis of the glomeruli in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Quantitative analysis of the glomerular area, mesangial matrix and mesangial cells was performed using renal biopsy specimens from 22 children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and 20 with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Non-sclerotic glomeruli were examined. All children in both groups showed nephrotic syndrome at the time of biopsy. Children with benign haematuria were examined as controls. Glomerular area increased with age in the FSGS, MCNS and control groups. The glomerular area was significantly greater in FSGS (1.5 +/- 0.4 x 10(4) microns 2) than in MCNS (1.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) microns 2) or in controls (1.2 +/- 0.3 x 10(4) microns 2) (P < 0.05). Mesangial matrix was increased with age in the three groups. The mesangial matrix was significantly increased in FSGS (28.3 +/- 4.0%; mesangial matrix area/glomerular area) compared with MCNS (24.9 +/- 4.1%) and controls (23.0 +/- 3.0%) (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that both glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial matrix increase in non-sclerotic glomeruli in FSGS may lead to glomerular sclerosis.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in early-stage ovarian clear-cell carcinoma

Objectives

There is increasing evidence that systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers are prognostic factors for various types of cancers. This is the first study to evaluate the usefulness of SIR markers for the prognosis of early-stage ovarian clear-cell carcinoma (OCCC).

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 83 patients diagnosed with stage I–II OCCC who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2017. Initially, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for overall survival (OS) was used to determine optimal cut-off values for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Patients were stratified into 2 groups by the cut-off values (NLR=3.26, PLR=160). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to elucidate the significance of SIR markers as prognostic factors.

Results

In the median follow-up period of 64.1 months, 16 patients experienced recurrence, and nine patients died. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that OS of the NLR-low group was significantly longer than the NLR-high group (p=0.021). There was no significant difference in progression-free survival between the 2 groups (p=0.668), but the post-recurrence survival of the NLR-low group was significantly longer than the NLR-high group (p=0.019). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that increase in NLR is a significant independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis (hazard ratio=7.437, p=0.017). There was no significant difference between PLR-low and PLR-high group.

Conclusion

Results suggest that NLR can be a significant independent prognostic factor for early-stage OCCC.