Dispersant-enhanced migration of radiocesium among soil size fractions: A novel strategy for volume reduction of radioactively contaminated soil

In the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, a pioneering large-scale decontamination project was initiated, aiming to enable the return of evacuees. This project, the first of its kind in human history, involved the transportation of soils collected during decontamination to interim storage facilities. Before recycling or disposal, these soils undergo processes like volume reduction. However, there's a need for innovative methods to reduce volume effectively and treat secondary wastes more efficiently. The current study explores the impact of a dispersant, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), on the behavior of radiocesium (r-Cs: 137Cs) dynamics in different size fractions of radioactively contaminated soils from Fukushima. The solid-phase speciation analysis of Fukushima soils validated that at least 50% of the 137Cs or other minerals are associated with difficult-to-extract soil phases. Nonetheless, the low 137Cs/133Cs ratio in corresponding soil phases implies a slower r-Cs fixation mechanism. The wet-sieving of r-Cs contaminated soil fraction, < 2 mm, with SHMP, resulted in different soil subfractions (2000-212, 212-53, and < 53 μm). Following SHMP treatment, dispersion of > 92% of 137Cs associated with < 212 μm soil size fractions was observed. The migration of 137Cs towards smaller soil size fractions can be attributed to either SHMP-induced cation exchange or the formation of polyvalent complexes involving SHMP and soil minerals. The condensation of 137Cs in < 212 μm, as induced by SHMP, enabled the subsequent reuse of the larger soil fraction (> 212 μm), which was less contaminated. This study provides a new perspective on the effects of dispersants and contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions among organic carbon, 137Cs, monovalent and polyvalent cations, and soil functional groups concerning the volume reduction of soils contaminated with r-Cs.

Remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil: GLDA-assisted extraction and sequential FeCl3-CaO-based post-stabilization

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of farmland soils is a growing concern because of its highly toxic impact on ecosystems and human health. Chelator-assisted washing and chemical immobilization are effective remediation strategies for Cd-contaminated soils. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) has traditionally been used for soil washing, but its persistence in the environment and subsequent toxicity have raised significant ecological concerns. Consequently, biodegradable chelators have gained increasing attention as eco-friendly alternatives to the persistent chelator, EDTA. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance and efficacy of three biodegradable chelators: L-glutamate-N,N'-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycine-diacetic acid (MGDA), and 3-hydroxy-2,2'-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS) in comparison to EDTA for remediating a real Cd-contaminated agricultural soil. The influence of treatment parameters, including chelator variants, washing time, chelator concentration, solution pH, and liquid-to-soil ratio (L/S) on Cd extraction was studied and optimized to attain the maximum removal rate. Following chelator-assisted washing, the efficacy of a stabilization preference combining FeCl3 and CaO in reducing the leaching potential of residual Cd in chelator-washed soil residues was also investigated. GLDA demonstrated comparable Cd extraction efficiency to EDTA, and the Cd extraction efficiency was found to be positively correlated with the soil washing parameters. However, under the optimized conditions (chelator concentration: 10 mmol L-1; washing time: 3 h; solution pH: 3; L/S ratio: 10:1), GLDA exhibited a higher Cd extraction rate than EDTA or the other chelators. Furthermore, a post-treatment process incorporating FeCl3 and CaO substantially diminished the water-leachable Cd content in the resultant soil residues. The proposed remediation strategy, which combines chemically assisted washing and stabilization, could be a practical option for extracting bulk Cd from soil and reducing the leaching potential of residual Cd.

The geodynamic origin of Los Humeros volcanic field in Mexico: insights from numerical simulations

Compared to normal arc-related volcanic eruptions, the formation of a volcanic caldera is a relatively atypical event. During caldera formation a series of large volumes of magma are erupted, reducing the structural support for the rock above the magma chamber and creating a large depression at the surface called caldera. Los Humeros volcanic field (LHVF) represents one of the largest volcanic calderas in Mexico. It is located some 400 km from the trench at the eastern edge of the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt where the depth to the Cocos slab is more than 300 km. In this study we employ high-resolution two-dimensional thermomechanical numerical simulations of magma intrusions and a horizontal tectonic strain rate to better understand the influence of crustal deformation for the formation of Los Humeros caldera. A minimum number of three thermal anomaly pulses of hydrated mantle material (with diameter of 15 km or more) and a regional strain rate of 7.927 × 10-16 s-1 are required for magma to reach the surface. Modeling results show that regional extension coupled with deep thermal anomalies (with a temperature excess of ΔT ≥ 100 °C) that come in a specific chain-type sequence produce surface deformation patterns similar to LHVF. We propose an asthenospheric sub-slab deep source (> 300 km depth) for the thermal anomalies where previous studies showed the existence of a gap or tear in the Cocos slab.

Evaluation of newly designed flushing techniques for on-site remediation of arsenic-contaminated excavated debris

Excavated debris (soil and rock) contaminated with geogenic arsenic (As) is an increasing concern for regulatory organizations and construction stakeholders. Chelator-assisted soil flushing is a promising method for practical on-site remediation of As-contaminated soil, offering technical, economic, and environmental benefits. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is the most prevalent chelator used for remediating As-contaminated soil. However, the extensive environmental persistence and potential toxicity of EDTA necessitate the exploration of eco-compliant alternatives. In this study, the feasibility of the conventional flushing method pump-and-treat and two newly designed immersion and sprinkling techniques were evaluated at the laboratory scale (small-scale laboratory experiments) for the on-site treatment of As-contaminated excavated debris. Two biodegradable chelators, L-glutamic acid-N,N'-diacetic acid (GLDA) and 3-hydroxy-2,2'-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), were examined as eco-friendly substitutes for EDTA. Additionally, this study highlights a useful post-treatment measure to ensure minimal mobility of residual As in the chelator-treated debris residues. The pump-and-treat method displayed rapid As-remediation (t, 3 h), but it required a substantial volume of washing solution (100 mL g-1). Conversely, the immersion technique demonstrated an excellent As-extraction rate using a relatively smaller washing solution (0.33 mL g-1) and shorter immersion time (t, 3 h). In contrast, the sprinkling technique showed an increased As-extraction rate over an extended period (t, 48 h). Among the chelators employed, the biodegradable chelator HIDS (10 mmol L-1; pH, 3) exhibited the highest As-extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the post-treatment of chelator-treated debris with FeCl3 and CaO successfully reduced the leachable As content below the permissible limit.

Anti-Malarial Activity of Allyl Isothiocyanate and N-acetyl-S-(N-allylthiocarbamoyl)-l-Cysteine

SCOPE

Malaria remains one of the most important infectious diseases in the world. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a main ingredient of traditional spice Wasabia japonica, which is reported to have anti-bacterial and antiparasitic activities. However, there is no information on effects of AITC against malaria. The present study investigates the anti-malarial activity of dietary AITC in vivo and that of AITC metabolites in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ad libitum administration of 35, 175, or 350 µM AITC-containing drinking water to ICR mice significantly inhibit the parasitemia induced after infection with Plasmodium berghei. On the other hand, after single oral administration of AITC (20 mg kg-1 body weight), N-acetyl-S-(N-allylthiocarbamoyl)-l-cysteine (NAC-AITC) as one of the AITC metabolites displays a serum Cmax of 11.4 µM at a Tmax of 0.5 h, but AITC is not detected at any time point. Moreover, NAC-AITC shows anti-malarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro, and its 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) against parasitemia is 12.6 µM.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that orally administered AITC is metabolized to NAC-AITC and exerts anti-malarial activity against malaria parasites in blood, suggesting that the consumption of AITC-containing food stuffs such as cruciferous plants may prevent malaria.

Numerical modeling of subduction and evaluation of Philippine Sea Plate tectonic history along the Nankai Trough

The subduction of the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate along the Nankai Trough in in southwest Japan is a relatively recent process compared with subduction along the Japan Trench in northeast Japan. However, the tectonic evolution of the PHS plate along the Nankai Trough is still controversial and not fully understood. There are several competing hypotheses based on different estimates for the time variations of convergence rate and plate age. Our study employs numerical modelling of subduction in order to evaluate the slab evolution for the last 15 Myr and aims to evaluate each tectonic scenario against the present-day slab geometry along a profile passing through the Shikoku and Chugoku regions. The modelling strategy involves a parameter study where subduction initiation and various subduction parameters are analyzed in terms of subduction geometry evolution. Two-dimensional visco-elasto-plastic numerical simulations of spontaneous bending subduction predict that convergence rate and plate age variations play an important role in the evolution of subduction geometry. Modeling results after 15 Myr of evolution reveal that the tectonic model based on a high convergence rate between ~ 15 Ma and ~ 3 Ma produces a slab geometry that agrees well with the observed present-day slab shape specific for the Shikoku and Chugoku regions.

Analysis of Urinary Retention Caused by Selective β 3-adrenoceptor Agonists Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database (JADER)

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a frequent chronic disorder which impairs quality of life by frequent, uncontrollable urination. Newly developed selectiveβ 3-adrenoceptor agonists (sβ 3-agonists) have the same efficacy in treating OAB but significantly fewer side effects than the traditionally used anti-muscarinics. However, safety data on these compounds are scarce. In this study, we analysed the occurrence of adverse effects in patients taking sβ 3-agonists and their characteristics using the JADER database. The most frequently reported adverse effect associated with the use of sβ 3-agonists was urinary retention [mirabegron; crude reporting odds ratios (ROR): 62.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 52.0-73.6, P<0.001, vibegron; crude ROR: 250, 95% CI : 134-483, P<0.001]. Data from patients with urinary retention were stratified by sex. In both men and women, the rate of urinary retention was higher when using the mirabegron/anti-muscarinic drug when compared to mirabegron monotherapy; its occurrence was higher in men with a history of benign prostatic hypertrophy than in those without. Weibull analysis showed that approximately 50% of sβ 3 agonist-induced urinary retention occurred within 15 days after initiation of treatment, and then gradually decreased. Although sβ 3-agonists are useful against OAB, they may induce several side effects, especially urinary retention, which can further evolve into more severe conditions. Urinary retention occurs more frequently in patients concomitantly taking medication that either increases urethral resistance or has organic factors that block the urethra. When using sβ 3-agonists, the concomitantly used medications and underlying diseases should be thoroughly reviewed, and safety monitoring should be instituted early during the treatment.

Cuticle network and orientation preference of photonic crystals in the scales of the weevil Lamprocyphus augustus

This paper reports the structural and optical investigations of the structural colour of the weevil Lamprocyphusaugustus The photonic crystal structure within the weevil's scales was investigated using sequential focused ion-beam milling and scanning electron microscopy imaging. We carefully analysed the reconstructed three-dimensional structure to determine the unit cell of the photonic crystal. It was found that the cuticle network of the cubic unit cell perfectly matches the previously reported diamond-based network. However, different results were obtained for the crystal orientations of the small crystal domains that comprise the entire photonic crystal structure in the scales: <111> directions are highly preferred along the surface normal of the scale. This finding explains the fact that the scale is almost uniformly coloured despite the multi-domain structure. It is confirmed experimentally and theoretically that the wavelength range of the reflection band corresponds to the gap of the photonic band.

X-ray absorption near edge structure and first-principles spectral investigations of cationic disorder in MgAl2O4 induced by swift heavy ions

Cationic disorder in the MgAl₂O₄ spinel induced by swift heavy ions was investigated using the X-ray absorption near edge structure. With changes in the irradiation fluences of 200 MeV Xe ions, the Mg K-edge and Al K-edge spectra were synchronously changed. The calculated spectra based on density function theory indicate that the change in the experimental spectra was due to cationic disorder between Mg in tetrahedral sites and Al in octahedral sites. These results suggest a high inversion degree to an extent that the completely random configuration is achieved in MgAl₂O₄ induced by the high density electronic excitation under swift heavy ion irradiation.

Coloration mechanisms and phylogeny of Morpho butterflies

Morpho butterflies are universally admired for their iridescent blue coloration, which is due to nanostructured wing scales. We performed a comparative study on the coloration of 16 Morpho species, investigating the morphological, spectral and spatial scattering properties of the differently organized wing scales. In numerous previous studies, the bright blue Morpho coloration has been fully attributed to the multi-layered ridges of the cover scales' upper laminae, but we found that the lower laminae of the cover and ground scales play an important additional role, by acting as optical thin film reflectors. We conclude that Morpho coloration is a subtle combination of overlapping pigmented and/or unpigmented scales, multilayer systems, optical thin films and sometimes undulated scale surfaces. Based on the scales' architecture and their organization, five main groups can be distinguished within the genus Morpho, largely agreeing with the accepted phylogeny.

Alignment of crystal orientations of the multi-domain photonic crystals in Parides sesostris wing scales

It is known that the wing scales of the emerald-patched cattleheart butterfly, Parides sesostris, contain gyroid-type photonic crystals, which produce a green structural colour. However, the photonic crystal is not a single crystal that spreads over the entire scale, but it is separated into many small domains with different crystal orientations. As a photonic crystal generally has band gaps at different frequencies depending on the direction of light propagation, it seems mysterious that the scale is observed to be uniformly green under an optical microscope despite the multi-domain structure. In this study, we have carefully investigated the structure of the wing scale and discovered that the crystal orientations of different domains are not perfectly random, but there is a preferred crystal orientation that is aligned along the surface normal of the scale. This finding suggests that there is an additional factor during the developmental process of the microstructure that regulates the crystal orientation.

Structural color of a lycaenid butterfly: analysis of an aperiodic multilayer structure

We investigated the structural color of the green wing of the lycaenid butterfly Chrysozephyrus brillantinus. Electron microscopy revealed that the bottom plate of the cover scale on the wing consists of an alternating air-cuticle multilayer structure. However, the thicknesses of the layers were not constant but greatly differed depending on the layer, unlike the periodic multilayer designs often adopted for artificial laser-reflecting mirrors. The agreement between the experimentally determined and theoretically calculated reflectance spectra led us to conclude that the multilayer interference in the aperiodic system is the primary origin of the structural color. We analyzed optical interference in this aperiodic system using a simple analytical model and found that two spectral peaks arise from constructive interference among different parts of the multilayer structure. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the aperiodic system over a periodic one.

Influence of prostaglandin F₂α analogues on the secretory function of bovine luteal cells and ovarian arterial contractility in vitro

Although prostaglandin (PG) F2α analogues are routinely used for oestrus synchronisation in cattle, their effects on the function of the bovine corpus luteum (CL), and on ovarian arterial contractility, may not reflect the physiological effects of endogenous PGF2α. In the first of two related experiments, the effects of different analogues of PGF2α (aPGF2α) on the secretory function and apoptosis of cultured bovine cells of the CL were assessed. Enzymatically-isolated bovine luteal cells (from between days 8 and 12 of the oestrous cycle), were stimulated for 24h with naturally-occurring PGF2α or aPGF2α (dinoprost, cloprostenol or luprostiol). Secretion of progesterone (P4) was determined and cellular [Ca(2+)]i mobilisation, as well as cell viability and apoptosis were measured. Naturally-occurring PGF2α and dinoprost stimulated P4 secretion (P<0.05), whereas cloprostenol and luprostiol did not influence P4 synthesis. The greatest cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects were observed in the luprostiol-treated cells, at 37.3% and 202%, respectively (P<0.001). The greatest effect on [Ca(2+)]i mobilisation in luteal cells was observed post-luprostiol treatment (200%; P<0.001). In a second experiment, the influence of naturally-occurring PGF2α and aPGF2α on ovarian arterial contraction in vitro, were examined. No differences in the effects of dinoprost or naturally-occurring PGF2α were found across the studied parameters. The effects of cloprostenol and luprostiol on luteal cell death, in addition to their effects on ovarian arterial contractility, were much greater than those produced by treatment with naturally-occurring PGF2α.

Ischaemic colitis during interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C: report of two cases and literature review

Ischaemic colitis is known to be a severe emergency complication of interferon (IFN) therapy. However, as ischaemic colitis is an infrequent complication of IFN therapy, limited information is available regarding the safety of resuming IFN therapy after resolution of ischaemic colitis and subsequent recurrence. Here, we report two cases of ischaemic colitis during IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Ischaemic colitis was fully healed within 1 week after its onset and IFN withdrawal, and IFN therapy was resumed following patients' wishes to do so. Ischaemic colitis did not recur after the resumption of IFN therapy, and sustained virological response was achieved in both patients. In this report, we also summarize the findings of 11 cases of IFN-associated ischaemic colitis (nine previously published cases plus our two cases) and review the clinical characteristics of ischaemic colitis during IFN therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Mechanism of variable structural colour in the neon tetra: quantitative evaluation of the Venetian blind model

The structural colour of the neon tetra is distinguishable from those of, e.g., butterfly wings and bird feathers, because it can change in response to the light intensity of the surrounding environment. This fact clearly indicates the variability of the colour-producing microstructures. It has been known that an iridophore of the neon tetra contains a few stacks of periodically arranged light-reflecting platelets, which can cause multilayer optical interference phenomena. As a mechanism of the colour variability, the Venetian blind model has been proposed, in which the light-reflecting platelets are assumed to be tilted during colour change, resulting in a variation in the spacing between the platelets. In order to quantitatively evaluate the validity of this model, we have performed a detailed optical study of a single stack of platelets inside an iridophore. In particular, we have prepared a new optical system that can simultaneously measure both the spectrum and direction of the reflected light, which are expected to be closely related to each other in the Venetian blind model. The experimental results and detailed analysis are found to quantitatively verify the model.

Activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway induces chemoresistance to interferon-alpha/5-fluorouracil combination therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Type I IFN receptor type 2 (IFNAR2) expression correlates significantly with clinical response to interferon (IFN)-α/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, some IFNAR2-positive patients show no response to the therapy. This result suggests the possibility of other factors, which would be responsible for resistance to IFN-α/5-FU therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of anti-proliferative effects of IFN-α/5-FU therapy and search for a biological marker of chemoresistance to such therapy. Gene expression profiling and molecular network analysis were used in the analysis of non-responders and responders with IFNAR2-positive HCC. The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway contributed to resistance to IFN-α/5-FU therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) expression, the target molecule of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, only in non-responders. In vitro studies showed that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by glycogen synthesis kinase-3 inhibitor (6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO)) induced chemoresistance to IFN-α/5-FU. BrdU-based cell proliferation ELISA and cell cycle analysis showed that concurrent addition of BIO and IFN-α/5-FU significantly to hepatoma cell cultures reduced the inhibitory effects of the latter two on DNA synthesis and accumulation of cells in the S-phase. The results indicate that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway induces chemoresistance to IFN-α/5-FU therapy and suggest that Ep-CAM is a potentially useful marker for resistance to such therapy, especially in IFNAR2-positive cases.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 gene with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle

Marbling defined by the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat, so-called Shimofuri, is an economically important trait of beef cattle in Japan. The endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 (EDG1) gene, involved in blood vessel formation, has been previously shown to be expressed at different levels in musculus longissimus muscle between low-marbled and high-marbled steer groups. It is located within the genomic region of a quantitative trait locus for marbling, and thus was considered as a positionally functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling. In this study, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and the 3' UTR of EDG1, referred to as c.-312A>G and c.*446G>A, respectively, were detected between the two steer groups. The two SNPs were associated with the predicted breeding value for beef marbling standard number by analyses using a population of Japanese Black beef cattle. The effect of genotypes at each of the SNPs on the predicted breeding value for subcutaneous fat thickness was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Reporter gene assays revealed no significant differences in gene expression between alleles at each of the SNPs. These findings suggest that EDG1 SNPs, although they may not be regarded as a causal mutation, may be useful for effective marker-assisted selection to increase the levels of marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle.

Effects on spectrum and susceptibility patterns of isolates causing bloodstream infection by restriction of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis in a hematology-oncology unit

The emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant gram-negative organisms has been demonstrated in patients given fluoroquinolone prophylaxis. To prevent increases in resistant bacteria, we restricted prophylactic use of fluoroquinolones. The spectrum and susceptibility patterns of isolates causing bloodstream infection (BSI) were assessed in patients receiving chemotherapy during periods of routine prophylaxis (period A: October 2001 to May 2003) and restricted prophylaxis (period B: June 2003 to January 2005). The total number of patients receiving chemotherapy was 442 during period A and 365 during period B. No significant differences were seen between periods with respect to patient characteristics. BSI was identified in 42 patients (44 episodes) during period A and 69 patients (74 episodes) during period B. Incidence of BSI increased significantly from 10.0% (44/442) during period A to 20.3% (74/365) during period B (P < 0.0001). Rate of Enterobacteriaceae BSI increased significantly, from 2.0% (9/442) during period A to 8.2% (30/365) during period B (P < 0.0001). For all BSI episodes, the proportion of BSI with gram-positive cocci decreased from 63.6% (28/44) during period A to 44.6% (33/74) during period B (P = 0.045), while the proportion of BSI with Enterobacteriaceae increased from 20.5% (9/44) to 40.5% (30/74) (P < 0.0001). The proportion of fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae BSI for all Enterobacteriaceae BSI decreased from 75% (9/12) during period A to 17% (5/30) during period B (P = 0.0078). Restriction of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis affects the etiology of BSI and reduces the proportion of drug-resistant organisms.

Coloration using higher order optical interference in the wing pattern of the Madagascan sunset moth

Colour patterns of animals' bodies are usually produced by the spatial distribution of pigments with different colours. However, some animals use the spatial variation of colour-producing microstructures. We have studied one distinctive example of such structurally produced colour patterns, the wing of the Madagascan sunset moth, to clarify the physical rules that underlie the colour variation. It is known that the iridescent wing scale of the sunset moth has the alternate air-cuticle multilayer structure that causes optical interference. The microscopic and optical investigations of various parts of the wing have confirmed that the thickness of the cuticle layers within the scale largely varies to produce the colour pattern. However, it varies in very different ways between the dorsal and ventral sides of the hind wing; the thickness gradually varies on the dorsal side from scale to scale, while the abrupt changes are found on the ventral side to form distinctive borders between differently coloured areas. It is also revealed that an unusual coloration mechanism is involved in the green part of the ventral hind wing: the colour is caused by higher order optical interference of the highly non-ideal multilayer structure. The physical mechanism of the colour pattern formation is briefly discussed with the several mathematical models proposed so far.

Far field scattering pattern of differently structured butterfly scales

The angular and spectral reflectance of single scales of five different butterfly species was measured and related to the scale anatomy. The scales of the pierids Pieris rapae and Delias nigrina scatter white light randomly, in close agreement with Lambert's cosine law, which can be well understood from the randomly organized beads on the scale crossribs. The reflectance of the iridescent blue scales of Morpho aega is determined by multilayer structures in the scale ridges, causing diffraction in approximately a plane. The purple scales in the dorsal wing tips of the male Colotis regina act similarly as the Morpho scale in the blue, due to multilayers in the ridges, but the scattering in the red occurs as in the Pieris scale, because the scales contain beads with pigment that does not absorb in the red wavelength range. The green-yellow scales of Urania fulgens backscatter light in a narrow spatial angle, because of a multilayer structure in the scale body.

Intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells promotes implantation rates in patients with repeated failure of IVF–embryo transfer

BACKGROUND

There are few effective approaches to infertile patients with repeated failure in IVF-embryo transfer therapy. Since recent evidence suggests that some populations of maternal immune cells positively support embryo implantation, we have developed a new approach using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODS

Patients who had not experienced successful pregnancy despite four or more IVF-embryo transfer sessions were enrolled in this study (n = 35, 35 cycles). PBMCs were obtained from patients on the day of oocyte retrieval and were cultured with HCG for 48 h. Two days later, PBMCs were freshly isolated from patients again, combined with cultured PBMC and then administered to the intrauterine cavity of the patients. Blastocyst transfer was performed on day 5, and the success of implantation in the PBMC-treated group was compared with that in the non-treated group.

RESULTS

Clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate in the PBMC-treated group (41.2, 23.4 and 35.3%; n = 17, 47 and 16, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the non-treated group (11.1, 4.1 and 5.5%; n = 18, 49 and 18, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine administration of autologous PBMC may be an effective approach to improve embryo implantation in patients with repeated IVF failures.

Exploration of genes showing intramuscular fat deposition-associated expression changes in musculus longissimus muscle

Marbling, as defined by the amount of intramuscular fat, is an economically important trait in beef cattle. Intramuscular fat deposition is postulated to arise mainly from a series of adipogenic events in intramuscular adipocyte-lineage cells and in the physiological or anatomical milieux surrounding them. This study was designed to investigate gene-expression patterns associated with fat deposition in musculus longissimus muscle, including adipocyte-lineage cells and part of the milieux. Differential-display PCR (ddPCR) was used to examine expression differences between low-marbled and high-marbled steer groups at 8, 10, 12 and 14 months of age, encompassing the time that marbling starts to appear. Seventy-four of 2114 total bands on ddPCR gel-bands were significant (P < 0.05) for the group effect, the interaction effect between group and age, or both the group and the interaction effects. Sequence analysis of 72 of these bands revealed 77 genes, including 35 annotated genes and 42 novel sequences. Among the 35 annotated genes, 6 (BTG2, PDHB, SORBS1, TRDN, TTN and MGP) have been related to changes in intramuscular fat deposition, possibly by exerting effects on adipocyte-lineage cells or on the milieux surrounding them.

Comparison between reduced intensity and conventional myeloablative allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in patients with hematologic malignancies aged between 50 and 59 years

To evaluate the efficacy of reduced-intensity stem-cell transplantation (RIST), we retrospectively compared outcomes of 207 consecutive Japanese patients aged between 50 and 59 years with hematologic malignancies who received RIST (n=70) and conventional stem-cell transplantation (CST) (n=137). CST recipients received total body irradiation (TBI)-based or busulfan/cyclophosphamide-based regimens. RIST regimens were purine analog-based (n=67), 2 Gy TBI-based (n=2), and others (n=1). Most CST recipients (129/137) received calcineurin inhibitors and methotrexate as graft-versus-host (GVHD) prophylaxis, while 32 RIST recipients received cyclosporin. In all, 23 CST and five RIST recipients died without disease progression within 100 days of transplant. Grade II to IV acute GVHD occurred in 56 CST and 38 RIST recipients. There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival between CST and RIST. On multivariate analysis on OS, five variables were significant: preparative regimens (CST vs RIST) (hazard ratio=1.92, 95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.97; P=0.003), performance status (2-4 vs 0-1) (2.50, 1.51-4.16; P<0.001), risk of underlying diseases (1.85, 1.21-2.83; P=0.004), acute GVHD (2.57, 1.72-3.84; P<0.001), and CML (0.38, 0.21-0.69; P=0.002). We should be careful in interpreting results of this small-sized retrospective study; however, reduced regimen-related toxicity might contribute to better survival in RIST. The low relapse rates following RIST suggest a strong antitumor activity through allogeneic immunity.

High plasma concentrations of osteopontin in patients with interstitial pneumonia

Osteopontin (OPN) produced by alveolar macrophages functions as a fibrogenic cytokine in the development of bleomycin (BLM)-induced murine pulmonary fibrosis, and OPN mRNA is expressed on lung tissues from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The present study investigates plasma OPN levels in human interstitial pneumonia (IP) and their relationships with disease severity by analyzing the correlation between plasma OPN concentrations and pulmonary functions. The concentrations of OPN in plasma were measured in 17 patients with IP, in 9 with sarcoidosis and in 20 healthy controls using an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of OPN in plasma were significantly higher in IP patients than in those with sarcoidosis or in controls. Based on a Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis, cut-off points between 300 and 380 ng/ml discriminated between IP and control subjects with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In such case, the sensitivity for sarcoidosis decreased (55.5-33.3%) in cut-offs with 100% specificity. Plasma OPN levels inversely and closely correlated with arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in patients with IP. Immunohistochemically, OPN was localized predominantly in macrophages and airway epithelium. These findings suggest that plasma OPN levels were found to be associated with the presence of IP, and that OPN play an important role in the development of IP.

A novel splice site mutation of the thiazide- sensitive NaCl cotransporter gene in a Japanese patient with Gitelman syndrome

Gitelman syndrome (GS, MIM 263800) is an inherited disorder characterized by metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. The genetic abnormalities causing GS are known to lie in the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (TSC), which is expressed in the distal tubule of the kidney. The TSC gene, located at chromosome 16, consists of 26 exons and encodes the protein containing 12 putative transmembrane domains with long intracellular amino and carboxy termini. Most of the abnormalities identified in GS were missense mutations, distributed throughout the TSC gene without a hot spot. A 42-year-old Japanese man was introduced for close examination of hypokalemia. In renal clearance studies using furosemide or thiazide, chloride clearance was increased after furosemide but not after thiazide administration. Furthermore, the distal fractional chloride reabsorption was dramatically decreased by furosemide but not thiazide administration, suggesting a defect in the distal tubule. We then analyzed the TSC gene to confirm the diagnosis of GS, and identified a novel G to T mutation at the acceptor splice site preceding exon 14, resulting in disruption of a conventional 3'AG consensus splice site. Abnormal splicing by this mutation is predicted to cause the formation of truncated TSC with a partial deletion of the transmembrane domain, which will loose the function of transporter. In conclusion, we have identified a unique novel splice site mutation of the TSC gene in GS. The predicted structure of this mutant TSC can conceivably cause an impairment of the transporter activity and thereby be responsible for the development of GS in our patient.

Induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells treated with medicinal herbs

In order to develop a new apoptosis inducer, we screened 22 crude drugs for their apoptosis-inducing activity. It was found that Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora induced the death of HL-60 cells. To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by these six crude drugs, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the activity of caspase-3 were measured. Reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potentials within 12 hours after the administration of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Phellodendron amurense and Paeonia lactiflora, and within 24 hours after the administration of Eucommia ulmoides and Cinnamomum cassia were observed. All of the six apoptosis-inducing crude drugs increased caspase-3 activity within 12-36 hours after administration. After further examining the apoptosis-inducing activity of berberine, palmatine, panelofuroline and glycyrrhizin, which were the ingredients obtained from Phellodendron amurense, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Paeonia lactiflora, it was found that only berberine could induce apoptosis. From these results, it was concluded that the apoptosis induced by the six crude drugs (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora) occurred via the mitochondrial route and that the apoptosis-conducting mechanism acted through a cascade involving caspase-3.

Noninvolvement of hypertriglyceridemia and hyperleptinemia in blood pressure increases induced by dietary lard in rats

We investigated whether hypertriglyceridemia and hyperleptinemia are involved in the development of increases in blood pressure induced by dietary lard. Rats received either chow alone or chow in which 50% of the energy content was from substituted lard. Each group was divided into two groups according to whether the diet included bezafibrate or not. In another series of experiments, rats were fed either chow alone or chow in which 50% of the energy content was from substituted lard, safflower oil, or sucrose. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured every week during each 7-week feeding period. A steady-state plasma glucose method was used to determine insulin sensitivity after lard substitution with or without bezafibrate. After the 7-week feeding period, the plasma levels of glucose, immunoreactive insulin, triglyceride and leptin were measured. In rats fed with a high lard diet, SBP, plasma levels of immunoreactive insulin, triglyceride, leptin and steady-state plasma glucose concentrations significantly increased, compared with levels of these substances in controls. Bezafibrate treatment completely reversed these effects. In rats fed with a high safflower oil or a high sucrose diet, no significant change was seen in SBP and plasma immunoreactive insulin levels. However, the plasma triglyceride levels were increased by dietary lard or sucrose. Moreover, the plasma leptin level was also increased by dietary lard and safflower oil. Neither dietary hypertriglyceridemia nor hyperleptinemia were involved in the development of increases in blood pressure induced by dietary lard.

Gonadotropin-induced expression of pancreatitis-associated protein-III mRNA in the rat ovary at the time of ovulation

The ovulatory process in mammals involves gross physiological events in the ovary that cause transient deterioration of the ovarian connective tissue and rupture of the apical walls of mature follicles. This gonadotropin-induced process has features similar to an acute inflammatory reaction that affects most of the ovary. The present study reveals that the ovulatory events include induction of mRNA for pancreatitis-associated protein-III (PAP-III). Immature Wistar rats were primed with 10 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin s.c., and 48 h later the 12-h ovulatory process was initiated by 10 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) s.c. Ovarian RNA was extracted at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after the animals were injected with hCG. The RNA extracts were used for RT-PCR differential display to detect PAP-III gene expression in the stimulated ovarian tissue. Northern blotting showed that transcription was significantly greater at 4-12 h after the ovaries had been stimulated by hCG. In situ hybridization indicated that PAP-III mRNA expression was limited mainly to the hilar region of the ovarian stroma, with most of the signal emanating from endothelial cells that lined the inner walls of blood vessels, and from small secondary follicles. Treatment of the animals with ovulation-blocking doses of indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostanoid synthesis) or epostane (an inhibitor of progesterone synthesis) revealed that ovarian transcription of PAP-III mRNA was moderately dependent on ovarian progesterone synthesis. In conclusion, the present evidence of an increase in PAP-III gene expression in gonadotropin-stimulated ovaries provides further evidence that the ovulatory process is comparable to an inflammatory reaction.