Cis-regulatory elements of the cholinergic gene locus in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Genes of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter are encoded in the same gene locus, called the cholinergic gene locus. They are essential in cholinergic neurons to maintain their functional phenotype. The genomic structure of the cholinergic gene locus is conserved among invertebrates to mammals. However, the cholinergic gene expression in a specific subset of neurons is unknown in insects except for Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, we analysed the upstream sequence of cholinergic gene locus in the silkworm Bombyx mori to identify specific cis-regulatory regions. We found multiple enhancer regions that are localized within 1 kb upstream of the cholinergic gene locus. The combination of promoter assays using small deletions and bioinformatic analysis among insect species illuminates two conserved sequences in the cis-regulatory region: TGACGTA and CCAAT, which are known as the cAMP response element and CAAT box, respectively. We found that dibutyryl-cAMP, an analogue of cAMP, influences the expression of ChAT in B. mori. Tissue-specific expression analysis of transcriptional factors identified potential candidates that control the cholinergic gene locus expression. Our investigation provides new insight into the regulation mechanism of cholinergic neuron-specific gene machinery in this lepidopteran insect.

Nintedanib in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases-subgroup analyses by interstitial lung disease diagnosis in the INBUILD trial: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

BACKGROUND

The INBUILD trial investigated the efficacy and safety of nintedanib versus placebo in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We aimed to establish the effects of nintedanib in subgroups based on ILD diagnosis.

METHODS

The INBUILD trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial done at 153 sites in 15 countries. Participants had an investigator-diagnosed fibrosing ILD other than IPF, with chest imaging features of fibrosis of more than 10% extent on high resolution CT (HRCT), forced vital capacity (FVC) of 45% or more predicted, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) of at least 30% and less than 80% predicted. Participants fulfilled protocol-defined criteria for ILD progression in the 24 months before screening, despite management considered appropriate in clinical practice for the individual ILD. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 by means of a pseudo-random number generator to receive nintedanib 150 mg twice daily or placebo for at least 52 weeks. Participants, investigators, and other personnel involved in the trial and analysis were masked to treatment assignment until after database lock. In this subgroup analysis, we assessed the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in patients who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo in five prespecified subgroups based on the ILD diagnoses documented by the investigators: hypersensitivity pneumonitis, autoimmune ILDs, idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and other ILDs. The trial has been completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02999178.

FINDINGS

Participants were recruited between Feb 23, 2017, and April 27, 2018. Of 663 participants who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo, 173 (26%) had chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 170 (26%) an autoimmune ILD, 125 (19%) idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, 114 (17%) unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and 81 (12%) other ILDs. The effect of nintedanib versus placebo on reducing the rate of FVC decline (mL/year) was consistent across the five subgroups by ILD diagnosis in the overall population (hypersensitivity pneumonitis 73·1 [95% CI -8·6 to 154·8]; autoimmune ILDs 104·0 [21·1 to 186·9]; idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia 141·6 [46·0 to 237·2]; unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia 68·3 [-31·4 to 168·1]; and other ILDs 197·1 [77·6 to 316·7]; p=0·41 for treatment by subgroup by time interaction). Adverse events reported in the subgroups were consistent with those reported in the overall population.

INTERPRETATION

The INBUILD trial was not designed or powered to provide evidence for a benefit of nintedanib in specific diagnostic subgroups. However, its results suggest that nintedanib reduces the rate of ILD progression, as measured by FVC decline, in patients who have a chronic fibrosing ILD and progressive phenotype, irrespective of the underlying ILD diagnosis.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim.

Mucor pulmonary embolism in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infectious disease that occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients such as those with hematological malignancies. Its clinical symptoms and associated radiological findings vary and specific biomarkers and culture characteristics have not been defined. An 85-year-old man who had been treated for myelodysplastic syndrome and tuberculosis for several months presented with subacute fever and worsening left-side chest pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography images depicted massive tumor-like consolidation without enhancement, expanding from the left lower lobe. Emboli that did not respond to anticoagulants were detected in the left descending pulmonary artery. Despite intensive treatment he developed multiple organ failure and died 47 days after hospitalization. Gross pathology of a lung autopsy specimen revealed left lower pulmonary arterial emboli and pulmonary infarction, which was concluded to be the direct cause of death. The emboli were histopathologically identified as invasive mycelia in vessels. Mucor sp. was detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistopathological analyses revealed that the mold in the blood vessels of lung tissue was partially positive for the mucor antigen. In the present case of Mucor sp. pulmonary emboli in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, radiographic findings were hard to distinguish from those typical of a lung abscess.

Topical application of glycyrrhetinic acid in the gingival sulcus inhibits attachment loss in lipopolysaccharide-induced experimental periodontitis in rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Attachment loss of the junctional epithelium and alveolar bone destruction are signs of periodontitis, which is mainly caused by an inflammatory response to dental plaque. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a component of the licorice herb, has been shown to have important anti-inflammatory activities; however, there are no previous reports on the ability of its inhibitory effects to prevent periodontal diseases. Hence, in this study, using our experimental periodontitis model, we attempted to evaluate whether GA had an effect on the prevention of attachment loss and alveolar bone loss.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rats were intraperitoneally immunized with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS group (n = 5) received 3 topical applications of 50 μg/μL of LPS followed by one application of the vehicle (propylene glycol:ethyl alcohol:phosphate-buffered saline [PBS] = 8:1:1) into the gingival sulcus. This protocol was repeated twice per day for 10 days. The low (n = 5) and high (n = 5) groups received topical application of LPS and 0.03% or 0.3% GA, respectively. The control group received topical application of PBS and vehicle. The rats were killed on the 10th day. Attachment loss, alveolar bone level and inflammatory cell infiltration were investigated histometrically. The formation of immune complexes and infiltration of LPS were evaluated immunohistologically.

RESULTS

Attachment loss, formation of immune complexes and infiltration of inflammatory cells were increased in the LPS group compared with the control group, and were completely inhibited in the low and high groups compared with the LPS group. The LPS group showed greater alveolar bone destruction compared with the control group and GA-treated groups. In addition, invasion of LPS was detected in the LPS group, was absent in the control group and was weaker in the GA-treated groups than in the LPS group.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we showed that GA inhibits periodontal destruction in the rat experimental periodontitis model.

Rapid and sensitive detection of neuron specific enolase with a polydopamine coated plasmonic chip utilizing a rear-side coupling method

A rapid and sensitive detection of a cancer marker, neuron specific enolase (NSE), is demonstrated by using a disposable silver plasmonic chip functionalized with a mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) coating.

Factors affecting the potential for posterior bony impingement after total hip arthroplasty

Aims

Our aim was to evaluate the radiographic characteristics of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for the potential of posterior bony impingement using CT simulations.

Patients and Methods

Virtual CT data from 112 patients who underwent THA were analysed. There were 40 men and 72 women. Their mean age was 59.1 years (41 to 76). Associations between radiographic characteristics and posterior bony impingement and the range of external rotation of the hip were evaluated. In addition, we investigated the effects of pelvic tilt and the neck/shaft angle and femoral offset on posterior bony impingement.

Results

The range of external rotation and the ischiofemoral length were significantly lower, while femoral anteversion, the ischial ratio, and ischial angle were significantly higher in patients with posterior bony impingement compared with those who had implant impingement (p <  0.05). The range of external rotation positively correlated with ischiofemoral length (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with ischial length (r = -0.49, p < 0.05), ischial ratio (r =- 0.49, p < 0.05) and ischial angle (r = -0.55, p < 0.05). The range of external rotation was lower in patients with posterior pelvic tilt (p < 0.05) and in those with a high offset femoral component (p < 0.05) due to posterior bony impingement.

Conclusion

Posterior bony impingement after THA is more likely in patients with a wider ischium and a narrow ischiofemoral space. A high femoral offset and posterior pelvic tilt are also risk factors for this type of impingement. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1140–6.

Factors associated with mothers not vaccinating their children against mumps in Japan

OBJECTIVES

In Japan, mumps immunization is not mandatory, and the prevalence of mumps immunization among eligible children is only about 30%, raising concerns about increased risk of meningitis, encephalitis and deafness caused by mumps. In 2011, to understand why families are not voluntarily immunizing their children against mumps, we surveyed mothers who were university graduates to examine the factors and barriers influencing mumps vaccination in Japan.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross sectional design.

METHODS

We sent questionnaires including questions on demographic data and vaccination status, barriers and factors for immunizations to university alumnae to recruit participants. Data were analysed by Student's t-test for continuous variables and by univariate and multivariate analysis to obtain the odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-six mothers with children responded with an average (range) age of 44.7 years (SD = 5.02; 30-55 years). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) from logistic regression analysis identified fear of harmful side-effects (aOR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.10 to 5.89), the vaccination not being mandatory (aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.41 to 7.72), perceived non-efficacy (aOR, 6.21; 95% CI, 1.85 to 20.91) and being busy (aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.21 to 9.01) were significantly and inversely associated with mumps vaccination. Recommendations from family doctors (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.71), living abroad when their children would be vaccinated (aOR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.68) and the maternal age (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96) were significant and positively associated with vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of mandatory vaccinations, a public education campaign about mumps, their potential consequences and the nature and value of vaccination could improve the prevalence of mumps vaccination among children and prevent the consequences of this disease.

Dioxins in ascites and serum of women with endometriosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Animal studies and laboratory experiments have demonstrated that exposure to dioxins may be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. However, recent epidemiological investigations have shown conflicting results. Although peritoneal fluid is a specific microenvironment playing a pivotal role in the development of endometriosis, to our knowledge, there is no published study evaluating the concentrations of dioxins in serum and peritoneal fluid simultaneously. The present study explores the possible correlation between the local peritoneal fluid levels of dioxins and concurrent endometriosis.

METHODS

There were 17 infertile women enrolled in the present study. After the diagnostic laparoscopic examination, the women were divided into two groups: endometriosis (n = 10) and controls (n = 7). We measured 29 dioxins simultaneously in serum and peritoneal fluid samples: 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 12 polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs). A dioxin toxic equivalency (TEQ) system was utilized to calculate the dioxin concentration in each sample.

RESULTS

Serum concentrations of itemized components of 29 dioxins were similar in the endometriosis patients compared with the controls. Higher concentrations of PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs were observed in peritoneal fluid than in serum, whereas the reverse was shown for PCDDs. Statistical analysis showed that higher levels of dioxin TEQ (PCDDs and PCDFs) in peritoneal fluid were significantly associated with an increased risk of endometriosis (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.17-5.34; P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report suggesting that higher concentrations of dioxins (PCDDs and PCDFs) in peritoneal fluid are linked to endometriosis. More detail and epidemiological research is warranted to further explore this link.

Mapping of susceptibility locus for endometriosis within the HLA region using microsatellite markers in Japanese women

Endometriosis is a female disorder characterized by the presence of uterine endometrial tissue in ectopic loci. Previous studies reported a higher prevalence of particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in endometriosis. In order to confirm the association between endometriosis and the HLA region, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers distributed in the HLA class II to class III region were subjected to association analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA typing of 89 patients and 136 healthy controls. Statistical analysis of the allelic frequency at each microsatellite locus showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the allele frequency distributions between the cases and controls. This finding suggests that the etiology of endometriosis does not involve the HLA class II genomic region and a portion of class III genomic region in the Japanese population.

Effect of famotidine and lansoprazole on serum phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients on calcium carbonate therapy

AIMS

Histamine H2 receptor antagonists (HRA) or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently administered to patients on hemodialysis, because their intestinal mucosa is fragile. Although three studies have indicated that concomitant HRA administration causes a decrease in the binding of phosphate by calcium carbonate, the HRA doses tested in these studies were 2-4 times higher than the recommended dose for hemodialysis patients. In addition, it remains unclear whether PPI therapy affects serum phosphate levels in hemodialysis patients taking calcium carbonate. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of lansoprazole and the recommended dose of famotidine on serum phosphate and calcium levels in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

The study included 115 hemodialysis patients who were taking calcium carbonate and who were also treated with either famotidine (10 mg/day) or lansoprazole (30 mg/day). Changes of the mean serum phosphate and calcium levels over 2 months before and after the start of famotidine or lansoprazole therapy were compared. The same parameters were also compared when famotidine was switched to lansoprazole.

RESULTS

The mean serum phosphate level increased significantly after administration of either famotidine or lansoprazole (by 6.6 +/- 21.9% or 13.0 +/- 26.3%, p = 0.032 and p = 0.029, respectively). The mean serum calcium level was unchanged after administration of famotidine, but showed a significant decrease after administration of lansoprazole (by 3.44 +/- 7.73%, p = 0.013). Therefore, the calcium x phosphorus product was significantly increased by administration of famotidine, but not by administration of lansoprazole (6.68 +/- 23.37% and 8.73 +/- 27.41%, p = 0.046 and p = 0.251, respectively). When famotidine was switched to lansoprazole, the serum phosophate level did not change, but serum calcium decreased significantly by 3.8 +/- 13.0% (p = 0.0006).

CONCLUSION

Not only administration of 20 mg/ day of famotidine as previously reported, but also 10 mg/day of this drug (the recommended dose for hemodialysis patients) caused a significant increase of serum phosphate in patients taking calcium carbonate. PPIs have been reported to show no effect on the serum phosphate level, but 30 mg/day of lansoprazole also caused a significant increase of serum phosphate in patients taking calcium carbonate.

Identification and detection of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida isolates with PCR primers targeting the gyrB region

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is the agent of bacterial haemorrhagic ascites (BHA) in freshwater fish farming in Japan. To develop a rapid identification and detection method for P. plecoglossicida, a PCR amplification technique targeting the chromosomal DNA region coding the B subunit of the DNA gyrase (gyrB) was used. The nucleotide sequences of gyrB were determined in nine isolates of P. plecoglossicida and two other Pseudomonas species. On the basis of these determined sequences and the gyrB sequences of other Pseudomonas species or fish pathogenic bacteria deposited in international nucleotide sequence databases (GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ), PCR primers PL-G1F, PL-G1R, PL-G2F and PL-G2R were designed for specific amplification of the partial gyrB of P. plecoglossicida. The specificity of these primers in amplifying the gyrB of P. plecoglossicida was verified using selected strains of related bacterial species. The nested PCR technique was used to detect P. plecoglossicida from kidney and intestine of ayu. Primer pair PL-G1F and PL-G1R was used for the external PCR, and primer pair PL-G2F and PL-G2R for the internal PCR. Of 10 ayu juveniles, expected size PCR products were observed from intestine and kidney samples in one and two specimens, respectively. The PCR technique with primers based on the gyrB sequence is thus useful for the diagnosis of BHA.

Molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates derived from Japanese fish

Sixty-four isolates of Flavobacterium psychrophilum from ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis (Temminck & Schlegel), and other fish (n=16) in Japan and the type strain (NCIMB 1947(T)) were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with endonuclease BlnI and XhoI. These isolates were classified into 20 clusters and 42 genotypes by PFGE analysis. The most predominant cluster of isolates from ayu was cluster XII (n=20), followed by clusters XVII, XVI, XX, XI, IX, X, XIII and XV; the remaining 17 isolates from other fish were divided into clusters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVIII and XIX. The PFGE genotype of isolates from ayu clearly differed from those of other fish. The isolates from ayu in Gunma Prefecture belonged to clusters XII, XVI, XVII and XX, and the strains of three of these clusters (XII, XVII and XX) were isolated from ayu in 15 of 19 prefectures. PFGE typing enabled more accurate classification of isolates into clusters than previously achieved by analysing the restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products. These results suggest that F. psychrophilum isolated from ayu and other fish are genetically different and strains with several PFGE types have spread within Japan.

PCR-RFLP genotypes associated with quinolone resistance in isolates of Flavobacterium psychrophilum

A novel genotyping method for epizootiological studies of bacterial cold-water disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum and associated with quinolone resistance was developed. Polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed on 244 F. psychrophilum isolates from various fish species. PCR was performed with primer pair GYRA-FP1F and GYRA-FP1R amplifying the A subunit of the DNA gyrase (GyrA) gene, which contained the quinolone resistance determining region. Digestion of PCR products with the restriction enzyme Mph1103I showed two genotypes, QR and QS. The difference between these genotypes was amino acid substitutions at position 83 of GyrA (Escherichia coli numbering). The genotype QR indicated an alanine residue at this position associated with quinolone resistance in F. psychrophilum isolates. Of the 244 isolates tested in this study, the number of QR genotype isolates was 153 (62.7%). In isolates from ayu (n=177), 146 (82.5%) were genotype QR. With combination of this technique and previously reported PCR-RFLP genotyping, eight genotypes were observed in F. psychrophilum isolates. Using this genotyping system, the relationships between genotype and host fish species, or locality of isolation, were analysed and are discussed.

A phase I/II trial of irinotecan-cisplatin combined with an anti-late-diarrhoeal programme to evaluate the safety and antitumour response of this combination therapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

We conducted a phase I/II study in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to increase the therapeutic index of the cisplatin–irinotecan combination by institution of an anti-late-diarrhoeal program (ADP). A total of 77 chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled. The cisplatin dose was fixed at 60 mg m⁻² (Day 1). Irinotecan was escalated in 5 mg m⁻² increments, starting from 60 mg m⁻² (Days 1 and 8). ADP consisted of oral sodium bicarbonate, magnesium oxide, basic water, and ursodeoxycholic acid, and was administered orally for 4 days with each dose of irinotecan. In the phase I portion, irinotecan pharmacokinetics was also examined. After the recommended dose of irinotecan with ADP was determined, a phase II study was conducted to evaluate the response. Maximum tolerated dose was reached at an irinotecan dose of 80 mg m⁻² (Grade 4 diarrhoea and neutropenia). Pharmacokinetic studies show that the maximum concentration and the area under the curve of both irinotecan and SN38 (active metabolite of irinotecan) tend to increase in the dose-dependent manner of irinotecan. The phase II portion of the study included 48 patients, who were treated with 75 mg m⁻² of irinotecan. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia in 65%, leucopenia in 33%, and late diarrhoea in 6% of the patients. During this treatment, PS did not change in 65% of patients. At the end of the chemotherapy, PS did not decline in 90% of patients. In the phase II portion, a response occurred in 63% (95% confidential interval (CI), 47–76%) of patients. Median time to progression was 19 weeks (95% CI, 15–22 weeks), and median survival was 52 weeks (95% CI, 39–64 weeks). This regimen of irinotecan and cisplatin with ADP resulted in promising efficacy with acceptable toxicity for patients with advanced NSCLC. This regimen is a candidate for the experimental arm towards future phase III studies.

Detection and identification of Flavobacterium psychrophilum from gill washings and benthic diatoms by PCR-based sequencing analysis

A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification technique was used to detect Flavobacterium psychrophilum from washings of fish gill surfaces and benthic diatoms as environmental samples. Gill washing samples were prepared from kawamutsu, Zacco temminckii (Temminck & Schlegel) and oikawa, Z. platypus (Temminck & Schlegel). Benthic diatom samples were collected from stone surfaces. All samples were collected from rivers in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan from November 2003 to January 2004. Following simple DNA extraction using a chelating resin, nested PCR techniques targeting 16S-rDNA and gyrB regions were performed, and PCR products were cloned and sequenced. With nested PCR amplification for the 16S-rDNA gene, ambiguous PCR products were detected from two of six samples, and by cloning and sequencing analysis were found not to be DNA fragments amplified from F. psychrophilum. Using nested PCR for the gyrB gene, however, five of six samples were clearly positive for F. psychrophilum in agarose gel electrophoresis, and were found to be identical with nucleotide sequences of F. psychrophilumgyrB deposited in DNA databases by sequencing analysis. Results indicate that nested PCR for the gyrB region is a useful technique to detect low levels of F. psychrophilum from environmental samples contaminated with many other organisms.

Relief of suffering and regard for personhood: nurses' ethical concerns in Japan and the USA

The ethical concerns of Japanese nurses are compared with those of previously described nurses from the USA. Patient comfort was a primary concern of nurses from both countries. Participants described an ethical imperative to provide adequate pain medication for patients and prevent unnecessary and uncomfortable invasive tests and procedures, especially at the end of life as the focus changed from 'cure' to 'care'. The notion of regard for personhood varied, based on the communication styles and definition of the self inherent in the different cultures of the nurses. A common meaning centred around knowing patients as persons, listening to their needs and preferences, supporting their everyday choices through advocacy, and maintaining their dignity. Despite background cultural differences, there are common ethical concerns between nurses in Japan and the USA. This article invites readers to reflect on everyday nursing practices that exemplify ethical expertise, and the significance of this expertise in uncovering and articulating nursing ethics across cultures.

Interactions between clarithromycin and digoxin in patients with end-stage renal disease

OBJECTIVE

To report a significant increase in the serum levels of digoxin associated with the use of clarithromycin in six patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.

CASE SUMMARY

All six patients were males with end-stage renal disease and in need of renal replacement therapy. Four patients were anuric. The mean age was 78.8 +/- 5.8 (66-83) years. All patients except one, who was treated by hemofiltration, were treated by hemodialysis. All patients except one, who had been treated with metildigoxin (0.35 mg/week), were also taking digoxin (0.375 mg/week). Clarithromycin was administered at a dose of 200-400 mg/day for the treatment of bronchitis in all patients. The concomitant administration of clarithromycin increased serum digoxin levels from 1.8-4.0-fold in all cases. In two of six cases, a high probability of digoxin intoxication and suspicion of digoxin intoxication was evident. In three of six cases, serum digoxin levels increased within 12 days after the co-administration of clarithromycin, while in the other three cases, serum digoxin levels were increased 53-190 days after the administration of clarithromycin.

CONCLUSION

The simultaneous administration of clarithromycin caused an increase in digoxin levels in six patients undergoing renal replacement therapy. The increase in the serum digoxin can be attributed to the inhibition of P-glycoprotein in the intestine and/or bile capillary rather than the kidney by clarithromycin since renal function was dramatically impaired, and four of the patients were anuric. The issue of why serum digoxin levels were increased so late in three patients undergoing renal replacement is unclear. However, this interaction seemed to be clinically significant even in ESRD patients, whose renal function was highly impaired. The simultaneous use of digoxin and clarithromycin should be avoided even in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy whose renal function is impaired, since digoxin levels may increase unexpectedly.

Cancer incidence in children and young adults did not increase relative to parental exposure to atomic bombs

We have examined whether parental exposure to atomic bomb radiation has led to increased cancer risks among the offspring. We studied 40 487 subjects born from May 1946 through December 1984 who were cancer-free in January 1958. One or both parents were in Hiroshima or Nagasaki at the time of the bombing and for childbirth. Using population-based tumor registry data we analyzed cancer incidence data from 1958 to 1997 by Cox regression models, and we examined the effects of both paternal and maternal irradiation with adjustment for city, sex, birth year, and migration. During follow-up, 575 solid tumor cases and 68 hematopoietic tumor cases were diagnosed. Median age at diagnosis was 39.7 years. Median doses were 143 millisierverts for 15 992 exposed (5+ millisierverts or unknown dose) fathers and 133 millisierverts for 10 066 exposed mothers. Cancer incidence was no higher for subjects with exposed parents than for the reference subjects (0–4 millisierverts), nor did the incidence rates increase with increasing dose. For 3568 subjects with two exposed parents, the adjusted risk ratio for all cancer was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.70–1.36). Because of the small number of cases, however, we cannot exclude an increase in cancer incidence at this time.

Chemical composition and antifungal properties of essential oils of three Pistacia species

The chemical composition of essential oils obtained from the leaves of Pistacia vera, Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus and the resin of Pistacia lentiscus were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. alpha-Pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol were found to be the major components. The antifungal activities of the above oils and P. lentiscus resin (total, acidic and neutral fractions) against the growth of three agricultural pathogens, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium sambucinum were evaluated. Some doses of P. terebinthus, P. vera and P. lentiscus leaf oils and total and neutral fraction of P. lentiscus resin significantly inhibited the growth of R. solani. However, all samples did not show antifungal activity against P. ultimum and F. sambucinum, but increased the growth of F. sambucinum.

Pupal commitment and its hormonal control in wing imaginal discs

The timing of pupal commitment of the forewing imaginal discs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was determined by a transplantation assay using fourth instar larvae. The wing discs were not pupally committed at the time of ecdysis to the fifth instar. Pupal commitment began shortly after the ecdysis and was completed in 14 h. When the discs of newly molted larvae (0-h discs) were cultured in medium containing no hormone, they were pupally committed in 26 h. In vitro exposure of 0-h discs to 20-hydroxyecdysone accelerated the progression of pupal commitment. Methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog (JHA), did not suppress the change in commitment in vitro at physiological concentrations. Thus the wing discs at the time of the molt have lost their sensitivity to JH, and 20E is not a prerequisite for completion of pupal commitment. These results suggest that the change in commitment in the forewing discs may begin before the last larval molt.

Localization in situ of specific RNA by electron microscopy

To better understand the metabolism of RNA in nuclei, the analysis of precise nuclear distribution of specific RNA would be essential. For this purpose, nonradioactive electron microscopic (EM) in situ hybridization may be the most appropriate technique while the details required for the technique have not been fully established. In the present study, we attempted to localize 28S and 18S rRNAs in the nuclei of mouse Sertoli cells by EM in situ hybridization as a model system. After various preliminary experiments we chose the pre-embedding method; fresh-frozen sections of mouse testis were fixed with a mixture of 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% glutaraldehyde, digested with 10 microg/ml of proteinase K and hybridized with thymine-thymine (T-T) dimerized oligodeoxynucleotides (oligo-DNA) complementary to a part of 28S and 18S rRNAs. Then, the T-T dimers were detected enzyme-immunohistochemically with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled anti-T-T dimer. After osmification of HRP products, the sections were embedded in Epon resin, cut into 100 nm ultra-thin sections and observed under a transmission electron microscope. As a result, we successfully localized both 28S and 18S rRNAs in the dense fibrillar and granular components of the nucleolus, showing the usefulness of nonradioactive EM in situ hybridization in the nuclear localization of specific RNA.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infects and multiplies in lymphocytes in vitro

The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae is known to be associated with some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Interaction between C. pneumoniae and immune cells is important in the development of such diseases. However, susceptibility of immune cells, particularly lymphocytes, to C. pneumoniae infection has not been reported, even though lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the development of the diseases caused by this bacterium. In this regard, we examined the susceptibility of lymphocytes to C. pneumoniae infection in vitro. The results demonstrated that human peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as mouse spleen lymphocytes could be infected with C. pneumoniae. Furthermore, purified T lymphocytes as well as established T-lymphocyte cell line cells showed an obvious susceptibility to C. pneumoniae infection, indicating that T cells could be one of the host cells for this bacterial infection. These findings reveal a new infection site for C. pneumoniae, i.e., lymphocytes.

Doxorubicin-induced DNA intercalation and scavenging by nuclear glutathione S-transferase pi

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) functions in xenobiotic biotransformation and drug metabolism. Increased expression of GSTpi, an isozyme of GST, has been found in cancer cells resistant to doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP), and this increase was believed to be correlated with drug resistance of cancer cells. GST is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm; GSTpi in the nucleus has been reported in cancer cells, but the meaning of this result is not known. Here, we studied changes in the amount of nuclear GSTpi after exposure of cancer cells to anticancer drugs, and role of the nuclear GSTpi in drug resistance. We found nuclear GSTpi in cancer cells resistant to DOX, and the amount of nuclear GSTpi was enhanced by treatment of the cancer cells with DOX or CDDP. We also found that a mushroom lectin, an inhibitor of nuclear transport, inhibited the nuclear transfer of GSTpi, suggesting the existence of a specific transport system for the nuclear transfer of GSTpi. Nuclear GSTpi protected DNA against damage by anticancer drugs. These results suggest a possible role of GSTpi in the acquisition of resistance to anticancer drugs by cancer cells.

Increased natural killer-cell activity is associated with infertile women

PROBLEM

An increase in natural killer (NK)-cell activity has been observed in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Because of the many similarities between infertility and early pregnancy loss patients, we investigated whether infertile women had raised NK-cell activity.

METHOD OF STUDY

We tested 94 infertile women who, in spite of treatment, were unable to conceive for 6 or more months. NK-cell activity was measured by using a chromium-51 release cytotoxicity assay. with K562 human myeloid leukemia cells as targets.

RESULTS

NK-cell activity of the infertile group (mean +/- SD; 40.2%+/-14.7) was significantly higher than the control group (31.5%+/-11.9, P < 0.0001). The increased NK-cell activity was not associated with age, infertile duration, depression scores, treated hyperprolactinemia, or treated endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In certain patients, elevated NK-cell activity may be considered an independent risk factor for infertility.