Large Diamagnetism and Electromagnetic Duality in Two-Dimensional Dirac Electron System

A Dirac electron system in solids mimics relativistic quantum physics that is compatible with Maxwell's equations, with which we anticipate unified electromagnetic responses. We find a large orbital diamagnetism only along the interplane direction and a nearly temperature-independent electrical conductivity of the order of e^{2}/h per plane for the new 2D Dirac organic conductor, α-(BETS)_{2}I_{3}, where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene. Unlike conventional electrons in solids whose nonrelativistic effects bifurcate electric and magnetic responses, the observed orbital diamagnetism scales with the electrical conductivity in a wide temperature range. This demonstrates that an electromagnetic duality that is valid only within the relativistic framework is revived in solids.

Coexistence of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis in pheochromocytoma: new insights into its long-term management

Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis frequently coexist in patients with pheochromocytoma. The presence of osteoporosis may predict that of atherosclerosis and vice versa in patients with PHEO. These findings have implications for the long-term management of the pheochromocytoma and its potential chronic complications.

INTRODUCTION

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO), a catecholamine-producing tumor, is often found incidentally, and it may be present for years before it is diagnosed. However, long-term exposure to catecholamines excess may induce chronic complications, such as osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate concomitant osteoporosis and atherosclerosis in patients with PHEO.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with PHEO and 51 patients with a non-functional adrenal tumor were compared radiographically for the prevalence of vertebral fracture (VF), a typical osteoporotic fracture, and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).

RESULTS

In patients with PHEO, the prevalence of AAC was higher in those with VF (58%) than in those without (6%, p < 0.001). AAC was associated with VF after adjusting for age and sex (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.46; p = 0.003) in patients with PHEO. The degree of catecholamine excess correlated with the presence of VF and AAC (p = 0.007). The prevalence of VF was higher in patients with PHEO (37%) than those with non-functional AT (12%, p = 0.005), but the prevalence of AAC was comparable between the two groups (25% and 19%, p = 0.636). VF and AAC more frequently coexisted in patients with PHEO (22%) than in those with non-functional AT (2%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

This study represents the first demonstration that osteoporosis and atherosclerosis frequently coexist in patients with PHEO. The presence of osteoporosis may predict that of atherosclerosis and vice versa in patients with PHEO. These findings have implications for the long-term management of the PHEO and its potential chronic complications.

Abstract P1-12-03: Prevalence, predictive factors, and clinical outcomes of anthracycline induced cardiac dysfunction among patients with breast cancer in Japan, where the normal body weight (BMI &lt; 25) is dominant

Objective: Cardiac dysfunction (CD) is a major clinical problem for survivors of breast cancer. ASCO released a guideline for prevention and monitoring CD in survivors of adult cancer in 2017. Exposure to anthracycline (A) and trastuzumab are both risk factor for CD, as well as obesity is a part of multiple risk factors in the guideline. Meta-analysis shown obesity itself increases risk of A induced CD (A-CD). Prevalence of obesity and CD among non-oncology patients vary in countries, as many Western countries have obesity dominant population. Then little is known about clinical characteristics of A-CD in survivors of adult cancer among normal weight dominant countries, especially in Asia. This study was conducted to understand characteristics of A-CD among patients with breast cancer in Japan.

Method: This study used electrical charts, breast oncology database, and cardiology database to find prevalence, predictive factors, and clinical outcomes of A-CD in Hyogo Cancer Center. The definition of CD is based on diagnosis by the cardiologist. Major Cardiac Events (MACE) is defined as cardiac death or emergency admission due to CD. Obesity is defined as BMI &gt; 30, normal body weight is defined as BMI &lt; 25, and elderly is defined as age &gt; 60 years old, same as in ASCO guideline. Patients gave written informed consent. IRB approved this study.

Result: From Apr. 2006, to Mar. 2017, 855 patients received A for the treatment of breast cancer. Median body weight was 55 Kg, median BMI was 23, and 93.4 % of patients are non-obese. Half of patients (46.9 %) are elderly. Almost a quarter (24 %) of patients received trastuzumab. At the median follow up 60 months, 20 patients (2.3 %) experienced CD, one patient (0.11 %) passed away due to CD, and four patients were admitted as emergency, then five patients (0.58 %) experienced MACE. Median time to onset of CD after the last dose of A is seven months. Among patients with CD, 18 patients (90 %) recovered their ejection fraction (EF), and the median time to recover of EF was two months. Predictive factors for CD include usage of trastuzumab (15 patients), elderly (eight patients), high dose anthracycline (four patients), and multiple cardiac risk factors at base line (four patients). Among patients treated without trastuzumab, only five (0.76 %) patients experienced CD, but four of them experienced MACE.

Conclusion: Prevalence of A-CD in the normal weight dominant population was lower than reported in obesity dominant population, especially in patients treated without trastuzumab. In this population, clinical outcome such as prevalence of MACE may vary depending on the usage of trastuzumab. Further study is warranted to set an optimal strategy for the prevention and monitoring of A-CD in non-obese dominant population.

Citation Format: Matsumoto K, Nonaka A, Ogata T, Ogata M, Sakai H, Nishimura M, Onoe T, Soyama M, Hashimoto K, Tane K, Hirokaga K, Takao S. Prevalence, predictive factors, and clinical outcomes of anthracycline induced cardiac dysfunction among patients with breast cancer in Japan, where the normal body weight (BMI &lt; 25) is dominant [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-03.

Anomalous Temperature Behavior of the Chiral Spin Helix in CrNb_{3}S_{6} Thin Lamellae

Using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and small-angle electron scattering techniques, we investigate the temperature-dependent evolution of a magnetic stripe pattern period in thin-film lamellae of the prototype monoaxial chiral helimagnet CrNb_{3}S_{6}. The sinusoidal stripe pattern appears due to formation of a chiral helimagnetic order (CHM) in this material. We found that as the temperature increases, the CHM period is initially independent of temperature and then starts to shrink above the temperature of about 90 K, which is far below the magnetic phase transition temperature for the bulk material T_{c} (123 K). The stripe order disappears at around 140 K, far above T_{c}. We argue that this cascade of transitions reflects a three-stage hierarchical behavior of melting in two dimensions.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of human herpesvirus-6 encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In this retrospective analysis using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program, we identified 145 patients with human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 encephalitis among 6593 recipients. The cumulative incidences of HHV-6 encephalitis at 100 days after transplantation in all patients, recipients of bone marrow or PBSCs and recipients of cord blood were 2.3%, 1.6% and 5.0%, respectively. Risk factors identified in multivariate analysis were male sex, type of transplanted cells (relative risk in cord blood transplantation, 11.09, P<0.001; relative risk in transplantation from HLA-mismatched unrelated donor, 9.48, P<0.001; vs transplantation from HLA-matched related donor) and GvHD prophylaxis by calcineurin inhibitor alone. At 100 days after transplantation, the overall survival rate was 58.3% and 80.5% among patients with and without HHV-6 encephalitis, respectively (P<0.001). Neuropsychological sequelae remained in 57% of 121 evaluated patients. With both foscarnet and ganciclovir, full-dose therapy (foscarnet ⩾180 mg/kg, ganciclovir ⩾10 mg/kg) was associated with better response rate (foscarnet, 93% vs 74%, P=0.044; ganciclovir, 84% vs 58%, P=0.047). HHV-6 encephalitis is not rare not only in cord blood transplant recipients but also in recipients of HLA-mismatched unrelated donors. In this study, development of HHV-6 encephalitis was associated with a poor survival rate, and neurological sequelae remained in many patients.

Sonographic diagnosis of intestinal anisakiasis presenting as small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of intestinal anisakiasis presenting as small bowel obstruction.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, US examinations, and CT scans of seven patients with intestinal anisakiasis presenting as small bowel obstruction. We compared the performances of US and CT in demonstrating peritoneal fluid, small bowel dilatation, and segmental edema of Kerckring's folds.

RESULTS

All patients presented with a history of ingesting raw saltwater fish or squid less than 2 days prior to presentation at the emergency department and had significant levels of Anisakis-specific IgE. Both US and CT revealed small bowel obstruction, with dilated small bowel in all patients and accumulations of free peritoneal fluid in six patients. CT showed segmental wall thickening and luminal narrowing with submucosal edema distal to the distended small bowel; US did so in four patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although US was inferior to CT in demonstrating the segmental intestinal edema causing small bowel obstruction, it can be applied in suspected cases of intestinal anisakiasis presenting as small bowel obstruction, particularly where CT is unavailable or there are concerns about radiation exposure.

Influence of cycloplegia with topical cyclopentolate on higher-order aberrations in myopic children

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of cycloplegia with topical cyclopentolate on wavefront aberrations in myopic children.

DESIGN

This is a prospective, comparative study.

METHODS

Twenty-eight myopic children with a mean age of 7.25 ± 2.55 were enrolled in this study. We evaluated refraction and wavefront aberrations before and after cycloplegia with 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride. Ocular and corneal aberrations were simultaneously measured and compared with each other. Individual Zernike components were also analyzed up to the sixth order. All these parameters were compared before and after cycloplegia.

RESULTS

Ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) significantly increased after cycloplegia (P=0.012 for spherical-like and P=0.015 for total HOAs). Corneal HOAs did not change after cycloplegia. When corneal and ocular HOAs were compared, the ocular HOAs were significantly smaller than the corneal HOAs in spherical-like aberrations (P<0.001) and total HOAs (P=0.006). As for individual Zernike components, ocular aberration generally showed smaller or equivalent values in comparison with corneal aberration. In addition, each Zernike component showed a large standard deviation.

CONCLUSIONS

Internal optics compensates for corneal HOAs in myopic children, and paralysis of tonic accommodation with cyclopentolate considerably affects ocular HOAs. However, inter-individual variation in each Zernike component is quite large in myopic children.

Evaluation of nanodispersion of iron oxides using various polymers

In order to create Fe2O3 and Fe2O3·H2O nanoparticles, various polymers were used as dispersing agents, and the resulting effects on the dispersibility and nanoparticulation of the iron oxides were evaluated. It was revealed that not only the solution viscosity but also the molecular length of the polymers and the surface tension of the particles affected the dispersibility of Fe2O3 and Fe2O3·H2O particles. Using the dispersing agents 7.5% hydroxypropylcellulose-SSL, 6.0% Pharmacoat 603, 5.0% and 6.5% Pharmacoat 904 and 7.0% Metolose SM-4, Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by wet milling using Ultra Apex Mill. Fe2O3·H2O nanoparticles could also be produced using 5.0% hydroxypropylcellulose-SSL and 4.0 and 7.0% Pharmacoat 904. The index for dispersibility developed in this study appears to be an effective indicator of success in fabricating nanoparticles of iron oxides by wet milling using Ultra Apex Mill.

Oral administration of an HSP90 inhibitor, 17-DMAG, intervenes tumor-cell infiltration into multiple organs and improves survival period for ATL model mice

In the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from the carriers of the human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) or the patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB)-mediated antiapoptotic signals are constitutively activated primarily by the HTLV-1-encoded oncoprotein Tax. Tax interacts with the I κB kinase regulatory subunit NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator) to activate NF-κB, and this interaction is maintained in part by a molecular chaperone, heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90), and its co-chaperone cell division cycle 37 (CDC37). The antibiotic geldanamycin (GA) inhibits HSP90's ATP binding for its proper interaction with client proteins. Administration of a novel water-soluble and less toxic GA derivative, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin hydrochloride (17-DMAG), to Tax-expressing ATL-transformed cell lines, C8166 and MT4, induced significant degradation of Tax. 17-DMAG also facilitated growth arrest and cellular apoptosis to C8166 and MT4 and other ATL cell lines, although this treatment has no apparent effects on normal PBLs. 17-DMAG also downregulated Tax-mediated intracellular signals including the activation of NF-κB, activator protein 1 or HTLV-1 long terminal repeat in Tax-transfected HEK293 cells. Oral administration of 17-DMAG to ATL model mice xenografted with lymphomatous transgenic Lck-Tax (Lck proximal promoter-driven Tax transgene) cells or HTLV-1-producing tumor cells dramatically attenuated aggressive infiltration into multiple organs, inhibited de novo viral production and improved survival period. These observations identified 17-DMAG as a promising candidate for the prevention of ATL progression.

An X-linked body color gene of the frog Rana rugosa and its application to the molecular analysis of gonadal sex differentiation

We identified a sex-linked, recessive body color gene, presently designated w (whitish-yellow), in the frog Rana rugosa from the Iwakuni population in Western Japan. This is the first time a sex-linked body color gene was found in amphibians so far. In this population of R. rugosa, males are the heterogametic sex, but the sex chromosomes are still homomorphic. When heterozygous males (Ww), which were produced by crossing a whitish-yellow female (ww) found in the field and a wild-type male (WW) of the same population, were backcrossed to the homozygous whitish-yellow female (ww), the resultant male offspring were all wild-type, whereas the females were all whitish-yellow. This result definitely indicates that w is recessive and X-linked, and its wild-type allele W is located on the Y chromosome. Using this strain (X(w)X(w) female and X(w)Y(W) male), we found that expression of Dmrt1 and Rspo1, which are involved in testicular and ovarian differentiation in vertebrates, was higher in males and females, respectively, prior to the onset of the sexually dimorphic expression of Cyp17 and Cyp19, which are involved in biosynthesis of sex steroids and are critical markers of gonadal sex differentiation.

[A successful case treated with S-1 and zoledronic acid for multiple bone metastasis of breast cancer]

The patient was a 55-year-old woman undergoing surgery for T2, N1, M0, stage II B breast cancer in November 1997. UFT and tamoxifen were administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. S-1 and zoledronic acid were then administered for the recurrence of multiple bone metastasis detected in January 2008. A significant improvement was achieved, and a long-term positive effect was confirmed until an exacerbation of bone metastasis in February 2010. S-1 and zoledronic acid therapy have few adverse drug reactions, they promptly manifest their effect, and are favored as a first choice for treating bone metastasis of breast cancer.

A case of pneumonitis and encephalitis associated with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection after bone marrow transplantation

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)-associated encephalitis or pneumonitis has been reported in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. Several MRI studies in patients with HHV-6-associated encephalitis have been presented. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies describing thin-section CT imaging in patients with HHV-6-associated pneumonitis have been reported. Here we describe a case of HHV-6-associated encephalitis and pneumonitis that developed after bone marrow transplantation. Thin-section CT images of the chest revealed ground-glass attenuation, consolidation and centrilobular nodules in both lungs.

[A long-term survivor treated with S-1 and gemcitabine for recurrence following an operation for advanced gall bladder cancer]

The patient was a 75-year-old woman who had undergone an operation for T4, N0: stage IV a gall bladder cancer in May of 2003. UFT was given as adjuvant chemotherapy. Then S-1 and gemcitabine (GEM) were given because of the recurrence of peritoneal dissemination in June 2006. Though a partial response was maintained, it was judged as progressive disease in July 2007. The peritoneal tumor was solitary, and an operation was performed. S-1 and GEM were given again in January 2008 because of multiple lung metastases. Long-term survival was confirmed until she died of peritonitis carcinomatosa in August 2009. To our knowledge, no case of a long survivor with S-1 and GEM for recurrence after a gall bladder cancer operation has been reported in the literature. Thus, future clinical trials and the accumulation of further cases are warranted.

Decrease of blood dendritic cells and increase of tissue-infiltrating dendritic cells are involved in the induction of Sjögren's syndrome but not in the maintenance

We have demonstrated previously that, in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), immature myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) are decreased in blood and mature myeloid DCs are accumulated in salivary glands, suggesting recruitment of the myeloid DCs from blood to salivary glands. To verify whether this finding is universal in patients of not only primary SS but also secondary SS, in this study we analysed the blood DCs of secondary SS patients. We examined 24 secondary SS and 29 primary SS patients. A direct correlation between the decreased number of myeloid DCs and the duration of Sicca syndrome in primary and secondary SS was observed; namely, the reduction of myeloid DCs in blood was restored spontaneously with duration time of Sicca syndrome. We also examined the immunohistochemical staining of salivary glands of SS patients with monoclonal antibodies against fascin, CD11c and human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR). Fascin(+) or CD11c(+)/HLA-DR(+) mononuclear cells were present in the salivary glands of secondary SS patients, as in primary SS. However, fascin(+) mononuclear cells were barely detected in the salivary glands of a chronic phase of SS patients. We also found a negative correlation between the frequency of blood myeloid DCs and salivary gland-infiltrating DCs in secondary SS patients, as well as primary SS. Our results suggest that the reduction of blood myeloid DCs and preferential trafficking of myeloid DCs into salivary glands is a common event in the early stage of SS. Myeloid DCs may play essential roles in the pathogenesis of Sicca syndrome of SS by initiating T helper cell immune responses.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of a severe heat stroke patient complicated with severe cerebellar ataxia

A 78-year-old woman was admitted for severe heat stroke with brain damage. She was unconscious on arrival at the emergency room. Her armpit temperature was 42.0 degrees C and blood pressure was 76/25 mmHg. She was rapidly cooled and given intensive treatment. On magnetic resonance imaging, T1- and T2-weighted images showed no significant signals, but diffusion-weighted images demonstrated localized symmetrical injuries of the cerebellum and thalami. She gradually became conscious, but severe cerebellar ataxia persisted.

Angiosarcoma of the breast - specific findings of MRI

We present a case of low-grade angiosarcoma of the breast. A 26-year old woman presented with a lump in the left breast. An elastic hard and ill-defined tumor, 80 x 50 mm in size, was palpated in the upper region of her left breast. Mammography showed a dense lesion with poorly defined border. Ultrasonography showed a hyper-and hypo-echoic lesion with an unclear border, but no definite tumor. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed no evidence of malignancy. Therefore, she was followed with a diagnosis of mastopathy. Six months later, the lump got enlarged. A contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast was performed. It showed a 100 x 60 mm enhancing vascular mass. Most parts of the tumor enhanced remarkably at the early phase, and prolonged enhancement was recognized at the late phase. Core needle biopsy was performed, and a possible angiosarcoma was diagnosed. It is not easy to diagnose the mammary angiosarcoma. MRI may contribute to the accurate diagnosis and play an important role regarding this entity.

Effect of slow movement and stretch-shortening cycle on lower extremity muscle activity and joint moments during squat

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to compare activity patterns of 8 muscles that cross the ankle, knee and hip joints under different conditions of squatting.

METHODS

Ten male athletes performed squats at 3 different speeds (slow, normal, quick). Variables such as net moment and power about the joint were calculated during the descending and ascending phases of each squat. Using surface electrodes placed over the 8 lower extremity muscles, %iEMG was calculated during the ascending phase of each squat.

RESULTS

In the descending phase, activities of the following 7 muscles were significantly greater for the quick squat (QS) than the normal squat (NS) or slow squat (SS): erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), adductor longus (AL), and vastus lateralis (VL). Median frequency (MDF) of the Gmax muscle was significantly lower for NS than QS, and activity of the BF was significantly lower for NS than QS or SS. Mean moment of the hip joint was significantly lower for SS than QS. In the ascending phase, activities of the following 7 muscles were significantly greater for QS and NS than SS: ES, Gmax, Gmed, RF, BF, AL, and VL. MDF of the Gmax muscle was significantly lower for NS than QS, and the activity of the BF was significantly lower for NS than QS or SS. Mean moment of the hip joint was significantly higher for QS than SS or NS. Mean moment of the knee was significantly lower for SS than NS or QS.

CONCLUSIONS

For QS, a stretch-shortening cycle increased the load on the Gmax. Mean muscle activity was less for SS than NS, and MDF was greater for SS than NS. These results suggest that SS mobilizes type-2 muscle fibers, despite the slow movement involved and the low risk of injury.

Effects of epidural anaesthesia on surgical stress-induced immunosuppression during upper abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Previously, we have demonstrated that surgical stress rapidly induced transient hyporesponsiveness of blood cells to endotoxin and that monocyte mCD14 and HLA-DR expression decreased soon after the start of surgery under general anaesthesia. This study was designed to investigate the effects of epidural anaesthesia on surgical stress-induced immunosuppression in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery.

METHODS

After having obtained informed consent, patients were randomly allocated to receive general anaesthesia (Group G) or general anaesthesia with epidural anaesthesia (Group E). Perioperative changes in neutrophil phagocytic activity, neutrophil respiratory burst activity, monocyte mCD14 and HLA-DR expression, plasma IL-10 concentration, and the LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in whole blood were measured.

RESULTS

Surgical stress rapidly depressed neutrophil phagocytic activity, monocyte mCD14 and HLA-DR expression, and LPS-induced TNF-alpha production ex vivo (P < 0.05 vs preoperation) in both Group G and Group E. In contrast, the plasma IL-10 concentration increased significantly 2 h after the start of surgery (P < 0.05) in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups. The neutrophil respiratory burst activity did not change during the operation in either group.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the innate immune system is suppressed from the early period of upper abdominal surgery. Subgroup analysis suggested that epidural anaesthesia to T4 dermatome as well as general anaesthesia may not protect patients from this immunosuppression. These results in part explain the impairment of host-defense mechanisms seen in the perioperative period.

Highly polymorphic STR marker amplified with human DYS389 primers in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

Amplification products from male and female Japanese macaques were obtained by PCR with human Y-chromosomal DYS389 primers. These products were examined by electrophoresis and sequence analysis. The PCR products from the 12 Japanese macaques tested had different band patterns on an electrophoretogram. Sequence analysis of the products revealed that the high polymorphism originated from variable numbers of repeats of two separate CTAT sequences. The sequences of the Japanese macaque products were similar to those of the reference human DYS389 sequence. However, variable CTGT repeats and a difference in the second forward primer binding site yielded two products in human males, DYS389I and DYS389II, which do not exist in Japanese macaques. Our results suggest that the human DYS389 primers may be a potential tool not only for distinguishing between human and Japanese macaque DNA samples, but also for identifying individual macaques, because of the highly polymorphic alleles.

Alteration of T-cell receptor repertoires during thymic T-cell development

The majority of thymocytes die in the thymus, whereas small populations of T cells that are able to specifically recognize an antigen are considered to survive. Although the thymic selection is thought to have a profound effect on T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, little is known how TCR repertoire is formed during the thymocyte developmental process. We examined TCRalpha- and beta-chain variable regions (TCRAV and TCRBV) repertoire in thymic T-cell subpopulations from mice bearing different major histocompatibility (MHC) haplotypes. In Balb/c mice, but not C57BL/6, remarkable alterations of the TCR repertoire were observed in mature T-cell subpopulations as previously reported. In contrast, there were no significant differences of TCRBV repertoire between DN3 (CD25(+)CD44(-)) and DN4 (CD25(-)CD44(-)), and between DN4 and DP. These results suggest that (1) TCR repertoire of mature T cells was formed mainly under the influence of endogenous superantigens, while MHC haplotypes played the least role; (2) the 'beta-selection' process during immature stages had little impact on TCRBV repertoire formation; and (3) TCR repertoire in immature T-cell subpopulations was extremely similar between different strains of mice. We thus consider that pre-selection TCR repertoire in immature T cells could be determined by some genetic factors conserved among different strains.

Real-time PCR assays based on distinct genomic regions for cytomegalovirus reactivation following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Real-time PCR has many advantages compared with antigenemia and qualitative PCR assays for detecting cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients following SCT. However, the procedure used in each report was not standardized. This study compares the CMV load detected by real-time PCR assays amplifying distinct genomic regions. Real-time PCR assays based on US17, UL65, immediate early protein (IE) and glycoprotein B(gB) were selected and comparisons were made between each genomic region, and with antigenemia and nested PCR (IE region) in 18 SCT patients. The CMV load detected by real-time PCR using all combinations of primers targeting distinct genomic regions and by antigenemia assays correlated well. However, US17 and UL65-PCR could detect CMV earlier than gB-PCR, antigenemia and nested PCR assays. In longitudinal analysis, gB-PCR demonstrated a trend for showing a lower viral load in some patients than US17-, UL65- and IE-PCR. Moreover, the results suggest that a cutoff level of 500 copies/ml might be used to decide when to initiate treatment. We propose that monitoring should be carried out using real-time PCR assays targeting the US17 region and that a CMV load of 500 copies/ml could be used as a cutoff value for initiating treatment in patients following SCT, receiving immunoglobulin prophylaxis.

The prototype of sex chromosomes found in Korean populations of Rana rugosa

The seventh largest chromosome in Japanese populations of the frog Rana rugosa morphologically evolved as a sex chromosome. The sex chromosome is XX/XY type in one geographic form and ZZ/ZW type in another. In contrast, the seventh chromosomes are still homomorphic between the sexes in the other two geographic forms: they are more subtelocentric in the Kanto form and subtelocentric in the western Japanese form. To identify a prototype of the sex chromosomes, we extended our investigation in this study to the Korean form, which is supposed to be close to the phylogenetic origin of this species. The karyotype, a sex-linked gene sequence, and mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal differentiation were all examined. In addition, phylogenetic analyses were performed based on mitochondrial gene sequences and the results of crossings between the Korean and Japanese forms. As a consequence, the more subtelocentric seventh chromosome, shared by the Korean and Japanese Kanto forms, was concluded to be the prototype of the sex chromosomes. Starting at the prototype, a whole process of morphological sex chromosome evolution was reconstructed.

Change of the heterogametic sex from male to female in the frog

Two different types of sex chromosomes, XX/XY and ZZ/ZW, exist in the Japanese frog Rana rugosa. They are separated in two local forms that share a common origin in hybridization between the other two forms (West Japan and Kanto) with male heterogametic sex determination and homomorphic sex chromosomes. In this study, to find out how the different types of sex chromosomes differentiated, particularly the evolutionary reason for the heterogametic sex change from male to female, we performed artificial crossings between the West Japan and Kanto forms and mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The crossing results showed male bias using mother frogs with West Japan cytoplasm and female bias using those with Kanto cytoplasm. The mitochondrial genes of ZZ/ZW and XX/XY forms, respectively, were similar in sequence to those of the West Japan and Kanto forms. These results suggest that in the primary ZZ/ZW form, the West Japan strain was maternal and thus male bias was caused by the introgression of the Kanto strain while in the primary XX/XY form and vice versa. We therefore hypothesize that sex ratio bias according to the maternal origin of the hybrid population was a trigger for the sex chromosome differentiation and the change of heterogametic sex.

Interleukin-6 polymorphism (-634C/G) in the promotor region and the progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by many different cell types, including glomerular mesangial cells. Recently, a novel C/G polymorphism at position -634 in the promotor region of the IL-6 gene has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the -634C/G polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for progression to diabetic nephropathy as well as elevated levels of IL-6 secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODS

The frequency of the -634C/G polymorphism was determined in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes and either normoalbuminuria (n = 162), microalbuminuria (n = 138), or macroalbuminuria (n = 154) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The level of IL-6 secretion in relation to genotype was assessed in lipopolysaccharide or advanced glycation end products-stimulated IL-6 secretion by peripheral mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

The frequency of the -634G/G genotype and -634*G allele was significantly increased in the patients with macroalbuminuria compared with patients with normoalbuminuria (genotype: chi2 = 6.787, Pc = 0.0368; allele: chi2 = 9.080, Pc = 0.0104). Stepwise multiple regression analysis in these patients showed that hypertension (F = 40.48) and IL-6-634 gene polymorphism (F = 5.48) were the relevant variables for the progression of Type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Analysis of the IL-6 secretion data revealed that individuals carrying the -634*G allele had a higher IL-6 secretion capacity than those without the *G allele (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the IL-6-634C/G polymorphism may be a possible genetic susceptibility factor for the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Successful bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor in a patient with adult T cell leukemia

We report a 51-year-old male with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) who received a BMT from an HLA-identical unrelated donor. The ATL proved refractory to chemotherapy, and he underwent BMT conditioned with CY/TBI. Complications of encephalitis of unknown origin were successfully treated with steroid therapy and the patient has been in CR for 16 months after BMT. Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 proviral DNA loads were reduced to undetectable levels in PBMC sampled 12 months after BMT. This encouraging result suggests that BMT from an unrelated donor should be considered for ATL even if the disease is refractory to chemotherapy.