Dominance of non-wetland-dependent pollinators in a plant community in a small natural wetland in Shimane, Japan

Many wetland plants rely on insects for pollination. However, studies examining pollinator communities in wetlands remain limited. Some studies conducted in large wetlands (> 10 ha) have suggested that wetland-dependent flies, which spend their larval stage in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, dominate as pollinators. However, smaller wetlands surrounded by secondary forests are more prevalent in Japan, in which pollinators from the surrounding environment might be important. Additionally, information regarding floral traits that attract specific pollinator groups in wetland communities is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the characteristics of insect pollinators in a small natural wetland (2.5 ha) in Japan. We examined the major pollinator groups visiting 34 plant species and explored the relationship between the flower visitation frequency of each pollinator group and floral traits. Overall, flies were the most dominant pollinators (42%), followed by bees and wasps (33%). Cluster analysis indicated that fly-dominated plants were the most abundant among 14 of the 34 target plant species. However, 85% of the hoverflies, the most abundant flies, and 82% of the bees were non-wetland-dependent species, suggesting that these terrestrial species likely originated from the surrounding environment. Therefore, pollinators from the surrounding environment would be important in small natural wetlands. Flies tend to visit open and white/yellow flowers, whereas bees tended to visit tube-shaped flowers, as in forest and grassland ecosystems. The dominance of flies in small wetlands would be due to the dominance of flowers preferred by flies (e.g., yellow/white flowers) rather than because of their larval habitats.

Attitudes and preferences of wildlife and their relationship with childhood nature experience amongst residents in a tropical urban city

How people relate to biodiversity and whether they are supportive of conservation programs and policies has implications on global and local biodiversity conservation efforts. Nature experiences in childhood has been shown to be strongly correlated to positive attitudes towards nature and wildlife in adulthood. In this study, we examined wildlife experience, attitudes and willingness to coexist with 26 vertebrates and invertebrates amongst residents in a highly urbanized tropical city, Singapore. A total of 1004 respondents were surveyed and their childhood nature experience and various socioeconomic variables were obtained. The animals were grouped by their likeability and preferred habitat from the respondents' answers. Three main groups of animals were discerned - unfavorable animals, mammals, and favorable animals. Singapore residents generally had high direct experiences of animals that are common in urban settings, for both favorable and unfavorable animals, such as butterflies, dragonflies, crows and bees, but low direct experiences of forest-dependent wildlife. Animals that were well-liked and acceptable near homes include the common urban ones and some forest-dependent ones, while animals that were disliked included stinging insects (bees and hornets) and reptiles (snakes and water monitors). Structured equation modelling showed that both childhood nature experience and wildlife experience had strong effects on wildlife likeability and habitat preference. The apparent mismatch between greening policies and people's willingness to coexist with wildlife may be problematic as urban development further encroaches on forest habitats, and this study highlights the importance of preserving forest habitats so that young children and adults have opportunities to be exposed to them.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11252-022-01280-1.

Effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance of urban residents toward hornets and wild boars in Japan

Urban biodiversity conservation often aims to promote the quality of life for urban residents by providing ecosystem services as well as habitats for diverse wildlife. However, biodiversity inevitably brings some disadvantages, including problems and nuisances caused by wildlife. Although some studies have reported that enhancement of nature interaction among urban children promotes their affective attitude toward of favorable animals, its effect on tolerance toward problem-causing wildlife is unknown. In this study, we assessed the tolerance of 1,030 urban residents in Japan toward hornets and wild boar, and analyzed the effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance using a structural equation model. The model used sociodemographic factors and childhood nature experience as explanatory variables, affective attitude toward these animals as a mediator, and tolerance as a response variable. The public tolerance toward hornets and boars was low; over 60% of the respondents would request the removal of hornets and wild boar from nearby green spaces by government services, even when the animals had not caused any damage. Tolerance was lower in females and elderly respondents. Childhood experience with nature had a greater influence on tolerance than did sociodemographic factors in the scenario where animals have not caused any problems; however, its effect was only indirect via promoting positive affective attitude toward wildlife when the animals have caused problems. Our results suggest that increasing people’s direct experience with nature is important to raise public tolerance, but its effect is limited to cases where wildlife does not cause any problems. To obtain wider support for conservation in urban areas, conservationists, working together with municipal officials, educators and the media, should provide relevant information on the ecological functions performed by problem-causing wildlife and strategies for avoiding the problems that wildlife can cause.

Long-term entecavir therapy results in falls in serum hepatitis B surface antigen levels and seroclearance in nucleos(t)ide-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients

Entecavir (ETV) is reported to result in suppression of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) replication with minimal drug resistance. However, information on the long-term effect of such therapy on serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level and elimination of HBsAg is not available. ETV therapy was started in 553 nucleos(t)ide-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBeAg positive: 45%) in our hospital. Serum HBsAg levels were measured serially by the Architect assay. The median baseline HBsAg was 2180 IU/mL (0.12-243 000 IU/mL), and median follow-up period was 3.0 years, with 529, 475, 355, 247 and 163 patients followed-up for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. At year 5, the mean log HBsAg decline from baseline was -0.48 log IU/mL, and the cumulative HBsAg clearance rate was 3.5%. Multivariate analysis identified HBV DNA level at baseline (<3.0 log copies IU/mL, odd ratio = 10.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.87-55.5, P = 0.007) and HBsAg level (<500 IU/mL, odd ratio = 29.4; 95% confidence interval = 2.80-333, P = 0.005) as independent predictors of HBsAg seroclearance. These results indicate that although serum HBsAg level declines gradually during ETV therapy, HBsAg seroclearance remains a rare event.

Abstract P3-11-04: The effect of group intervention therapy for young breast cancer patients under 35 years old

Background: Coping with cancer plays an important role in cancer survivorship. Especially in young patients, coping is significant because of anxieties regarding fertility, body image, heredity, symptoms of premature menopause, and psychosocial stress. According to previous studies, the group intervention therapy is effective in improving emotional difficulties for breast cancer patients. However, there is few demonstrating the efficacy of group intervention for young breast cancer patients.

Methods: Since September 2010, we have conducted a clinical trial of a group intervention, facilitated by breast surgeons, psycho-oncologists, and nurses, for young breast cancer patients who were diagnosed under 35, or 36 years old due to enrolling period, and they had no metastasis. at St Luke's International Hospital (SLIH) in Tokyo, Japan. Each group consisted of 7 to 10 breast cancer patients, who received five weekly sessions. We evaluated the changes in coping strategies, emotional levels, and quality of life (QOL) before, after and 6 month after the group intervention, by using three scales: MAC (Mental Attitude to Cancer) for coping, POMS (Profile of Mood States) for emotional states, and FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) for QOL. MAC scale includes five coping strategies such as Fighting Spirit(FS), Hopelessness(H), Anxious Preoccupation(AP), Anxiety(A), and Fatalism(F). This is an interim report of this clinical trial. Paired T-test was used to statistical evaluation.

Results: At this point, 65 young patients finished the group intervention. Complete data were taken from 61 patients for evaluating score changes between before and after the group interventions. POMS and FACT-B score improved statistically (p = 0.004, p = 0.003). Among MAC's five components, Hopelessness and Anxious Preoccupation improved statistically (p&lt;0.01, p&lt;0.001).

Discussion: This study suggests that the group intervention is promising to improve emotion states, QOL, and coping strategies for young breast cancer patients.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-11-04.

Abstract P3-08-03: Establishing Japanese model “working ring” - Informational, emotional and problem-solving group intervention for working breast cancer survivors

Background: Due to advancement of cancer treatment, the number of cancer survivors is increasing and our society also needs to consider cancer survivorship. Especially the prevalence of breast cancer by age is much younger in Japan than in western countries. About half of them were diagnosed in 30-50’s, and they are considered strong working force in society.

Cancer and its treatment largely affect their working status, therefore support system for workers with cancer is urgently required.

Methods: We established support systems by 3 phases. We assessed the effect of breast cancer and informational needs in Japanese young breast cancer survivors for working with cancer (Phase 1). We also estimated economic impact due to such work force loss from cancer (Phase 2). Furthermore, we designed intervention model “Working Ring” by health care providers for cancer survivors to facilitate returning to work or keeping their job, and evaluated its effect (Phase3).

Results: Among 42 young (less than 35 years old) breast cancer survivors who worked at the time of diagnosis, 33% of them had to changed their role at work after diagnosis of breast cancer. Focused interview revealed they needed informational and emotional support system. According to the Japanese Health Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare database, we estimated total economic loss due to cancer treatment, $1569 million for women and $2959 million for men. Breast cancer is estimated as a number one cause of economic loss among cancer survivors in Japan. Finally, we introduced group intervention for working survivors provided by health care professionals (psycho-oncologist, nurse, and medical social worker) and labor and social security attorney. In this “Working Ring”, patients were given information about working status, practical issues provided by their companies and our society in order to maintain their work. We enrolled total 22 working breast cancer survivors divided in 3 groups; each group was given by 3 sessions of one-hour group intervention. All attendees of the group intervention showed increase in knowledge and problem solving technique concerning working, and QOL improvement by using POMS.

Discussion: We noted that there are many unmet needs for working breast cancer survivors and loss of their job causes enormous impact for social economy. Surprisingly, breast cancer is estimated number one cause of economic loss from cancer diagnosis in Japan. It is urgently required to establish support systems for working cancer survivors. Our group interventional model “Working Ring” was very successful to improve their anxiety and informational needs. We are currently extending this model through entire Japan.

Conclusions: Most of cancer survivors are considered to be potential working force. To establish a support system for them to maintain working ability and environment is necessary for societal reintegration.

(This work is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer research from the Japanese Health Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, H24-Ganrinsho-ippan-011).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-08-03.

Geographical pattern and environmental correlates of regional-scale general flowering in Peninsular Malaysia

In South-East Asian dipterocarp forests, many trees synchronize their reproduction at the community level, but irregularly, in a phenomenon known as general flowering (GF). Several proximate cues have been proposed as triggers for the synchronization of Southeast Asian GF, but the debate continues, as many studies have not considered geographical variation in climate and flora. We hypothesized that the spatial pattern of GF forests is explained by previously proposed climatic cues if there are common cues for GF among regions. During the study, GF episodes occurred every year, but the spatial occurrence varied considerably from just a few forests to the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. In 2001, 2002 and 2005, minor and major GF occurred widely throughout Peninsular Malaysia (GF2001, GF2002, and GF2005), and the geographical patterns of GF varied between the episodes. In the three regional-scale GF episodes, most major events occurred in regions where prolonged drought (PD) had been recorded prior, and significant associations between GF scores and PD were found in GF2001 and GF2002. However, the frequency of PD was higher than that of GF throughout the peninsula. In contrast, low temperature (LT) was observed during the study period only before GF2002 and GF2005, but there was no clear spatial relationship between GF and LT in the regional-scale episodes. There was also no evidence that last GF condition influenced the magnitude of GF. Thus, our results suggest that PD would be essential to trigger regional-scale GF in the peninsula, but also that PD does not fully explain the spatial and temporal patterns of GF. The coarse relationships between GF and the proposed climatic cues may be due to the geographical variation in proximate cues for GF, and the climatic and floristic geographical variations should be considered to understand the proximate factors of GF.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection increases hepatocellular carcinogenesis by eight times in patients with non-B, non-C liver cirrhosis: a cohort study

An impact of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA on hepatocarcinogenesis has not been investigated in a cohort of patients with non-B, non-C cirrhosis. Eighty-two consecutive Japanese patients with cirrhosis, who showed negative hepatitis B surface antigen and negative anti-hepatitis C virus, were observed for a median of 5.8 years. Hepatitis B virus core (HBc) region and HBx region were assayed with nested polymerase chain reaction. Both of HBc and HBx DNA were positive in 9 patients (11.0%) and both were negative in 73. Carcinogenesis rates in the whole patients were 13.5% at the end of the 5th year and 24.6% at the 10th year. The carcinogenesis rates in the patients with positive DNA group and negative DNA group were 27.0% and 11.8% at the end of the 5th year, and 100% and 17.6% at the 10th year, respectively (P = 0.0078). Multivariate analysis showed that men (P = 0.04), presence of HBc and HBx DNA (hazard ratio: 8.25, P = 0.003), less total alcohol intake (P = 0.010), older age (P = 0.010), and association of diabetes (P = 0.005) were independently associated with hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Existence of serum HBV DNA predicted a high hepatocellular carcinogenesis rate in a cohort of patients with non-B, non-C cirrhosis.

[Problems in donor lung evaluation for transplantation with regard to airway infection]

The shortage of donor organs has been 1 of the major obstacles to solid organ transplantation. Typical lung donor criteria include clear lung field on chest radiograph, adequate oxygenation, acceptable lung compliance, and satisfactory bronchoscopic findings. To extend usage of available donors, liberalization of donor lung selection criteria has been facilitated, however, marginal donor lungs must be used with discretion, because donor lung injury, especially that related to infection, has a potential leading to early post-operative death of the recipient. From March 2000 to December 2006, we evaluated 15 braindead donors and at least 1 of the lungs from 9 donors was judged suitable for transplantation. One of 9 recipients developed severe pneumonia cased by carbapenems-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa possibly originating from the donor lungs, eventually leading to death. The chest radiograph and oxygenation of the donor had been satisfactory, however, a moderate amount of mucopurulent secretions was observed by bronchoscopic inspection and the donor had been given a cefozopran for 9 days before the procurement operation. Remaining 8 recipients were free from air-way infection in the early postoperative period. We discuss the status and problems of donor lung evaluation for transplantation with regard to donor lung infection.

Characterization of the NADH-linked acetylacetoin reductase/2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase gene from Bacillus cereus YUF-4

A 1.4-kbp DNA fragment, including the NADH-linked acetylacetoin reductase/2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (AACRII/BDH) gene from the chromosomal DNA of Bacillus cereus YUF-4, was cloned in Escherichia coli DH5alpha after its insertion into pUC119, and the resulting plasmid was named pAACRII119. The AACRII/BDH gene had an open reading frame consisting of 1047 bp encoding 349 amino acids. The enzyme exhibited not only AACR activity, but also BDH activity. However, the gene was not located in a 2,3-butanediol (BD) operon, as is the case in the BDH gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae and that of K. terrigena. In addition, there was no BD-cycle-related enzyme gene in the region surrounding the AACRII/BDH gene. The AACR and BDH activities in E. coli DH5alpha/pAACRII119 were 200-fold higher than those in the original B. cereus YUF-4. The characteristics of the AACRII/BDH from E. coli DH 5alpha/pAACRII119 are similar to those of the AACRII/BDH from B. cereus YUF-4. The AACRII/BDH was considered to belong to the NAD(P)- and zinc-dependent long-chain alcohol dehydrogenase (group I ADH) family on the basis of the following distinctive characteristics: it possessed 14 strictly conserved residues of microbial group I ADH and consisted of about 350 amino acids. The enzymatic and genetic characteristics of AACRII/BDH were completely different from those of BDHs belonging to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. These findings indicated that the AACRII/BDH could be considered a new type of BDH.

[Schwannoma arising from brachial plexus with intrathoracic extension; report of a case]

We report a case of schwannoma arising from brachial plexus with intrathoracic extension. An 18-year-old man demonstrated a tumor shadow at the right pulmonary apex area. In the 2-months of follow-up, tumor size had been growing rapidly. Chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant tumor mass infiltrated right lung. We perfomed operation under the posterolateral incision approach. The pathological diagnosis was schwannoma. We resected this tumor safely and conserved with the seventh, eighth cervical nerve of the brachial plexus under posterolateral incision approach.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of the MxA gene promoter influences the response to interferon monotherapy in patients with hepatitis C viral infection

The biological activity of interferon (IFN) is mediated by the induction of intracellular antiviral proteins, such as 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase, dsRNA-activated protein kinase and MxA protein. Among these, MxA protein is assumed to be the most specific surrogate parameter for IFN action. This study was performed to elucidate whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (G/T at nt-88) in the promoter region of the MxA gene influences the response to IFN therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Polymorphisms of the MxA gene in 235 HCV patients were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of SNP was compared between sustained-responders (n = 78) and nonresponders (n = 157), as determined by biochemical and virological responses to IFN. Multivariate analysis showed that among all patients, HCV genotype, HCV RNA level and the SNP of the MxA gene were independent and significant determinants of the outcome of IFN therapy [odds ratio 3.8 (95% confidence interval 2.0-7.0), P < 0.0001; 0.27 (0.15-0.50), P < 0.0001; 1.8 (1.0-3.4), P = 0.0464, respectively]. Furthermore, among patients with a low viral load (< or =2.0 Meq/mL), MxA-T-positive patients were more likely to show a sustained response compared with MxA-T-negative patients [2.87 (1.3-6.3); 62%vs 36%; P = 0.0075]. Our findings suggested that the SNP of the MxA gene is one of the important host factors that independently influences the response to IFN in patients with chronic HCV infection, especially those with a low viral load.

The novel mutation K87E in ribosomal protein S12 enhances protein synthesis activity during the late growth phase in Escherichia coli

Resistance to streptomycin in bacterial cells often results from a mutation in the rpsL gene that encodes the ribosomal protein S12. We found that a particular rpsL mutation (K87E), newly identified in Escherichia coli, causes aberrant protein synthesis activity late in the growth phase. While protein synthesis decreased with age in cells in the wild-type strain, it was sustained at a high level in the mutant, as determined using living cells. This was confirmed using an in vitro protein synthesis system with poly(U) and natural mRNAs (GFP mRNA and CAT mRNA). Other classical rpsL mutations (K42N and K42T) tested did not show such an effect, indicating that this novel characteristic is typical of ribosomes bearing the K87E mutant form of S12, although the K87E mutation conferred the streptomycin resistance and error-restrictive phenotypes also seen with the K42N and K42T mutations. The K87E (but not K42N or K42T) mutant ribosomes exhibited increased stability of the 70S complex in the presence of low concentrations of magnesium. We propose that the aberrant activation of protein synthesis at the late growth phase is caused by the increased stability of the ribosome.

Wild-type precore and core promoter sequences in patients with acute self-limited or chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Mutations in the precore region and core promoter were compared between patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

There were 69 patients with acute self-limited hepatitis B and 210 with chronic hepatitis B who had been followed for > 15 years. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) of genotypes A, B and C was detected in 14 (23%), 8 (13%) and 28 (45%) of the patients with acute self-limited hepatitis, respectively, in contrast to 11 (5%), 25 (12%) and 167 (80%) of those with chronic hepatitis.

RESULTS

At presentation, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in serum was the more common (82% versus 65%, P < 0.05), and the wild-type sequences of the precore region (100% versus 74%, P < 0.001) and core promoter (88% versus 36%, P < 0.00001) were more frequent in the 50 patients with acute self-limited hepatitis than the 203 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were infected with HBV of genotype A, B or C. Wild-types of both the precore region and core promoter persisted in acute self-limited hepatitis, while they decreased from 28% to 10% in chronic hepatitis over the course of > 15 years.

CONCLUSION

HBV with the wild-type sequences of the precore region and core promoter prevails in patients with acute self-limited hepatitis, unlike in patients with chronic hepatitis.

[The establishment of the styles of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax]

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely used in the treatment of a pneumothorax, but the high incidence of recurrence from spontaneous pneumothorax after VATS is an important problem. In this study, we classified the groups into two categories from the thoracoscopic observations, and discussed whether or not there was reappearance of pneumothorax. In addition, we examined whether adjunctive procedure contributes to recurrent of pneumothorax after operation or not. We concluded that there is a tendency to recurrence in the group with multiple and skip lesions in the lung, and then concluded that the cases apical covering with absorbable material sheet and the use of fibrin glue spray was thought to be effective of recurrence of pneumothorax in cases of multiple and skip lesions from the intraoperative findings through the thoracoscopes. Finally, we examined application of Foley catheter for spontaneous pneumothorax under VATS. It is possible that the application of Foley catheter to prevention against recurrence of pneumothorax is a valid method.

[Spontaneous regression of thymoma; report of a case]

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain. Chest roentgenograms and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor and bilateral pleural effusion. However, CT scan 3 days after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed regression of the tumor. Extended thymo-thymectomy was performed via median sternotomy. The tumor was in the right lobe of the thymus. Pathologically the tumor was diagnosed as a mixed type non-invasive thymoma, but some parts of the tumor cells were necrotic. This is the 10th case of spontaneous regression of thymoma reported in the Japanese literature.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone increases melatonin release in the pineal gland of the female rat in vitro

To evaluate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on melatonin ( N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) release and its synthesizing enzyme activities in pineal glands, pineals from adult female rats during diestrus were organ-cultured in a medium containing 10 -12, 10 -10, or 10 -8 M GnRH for 6 h. Melatonin release increased significantly in pineals cultured with 10 -10 and 10 -8 M GnRH compared to controls. However, in pineal glands that were organ-cultured in a medium containing 10 -12 to 10 -8 M GnRH, the activity of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, which is the key regulatory enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis, showed no significant difference from controls. Likewise, GnRH at these concentrations had no significant effect on the activity of pineal hydroxyindole- O-methyltransferase, which catalyzes the final step of melatonin biosynthesis. These results show that GnRH stimulates pineal melatonin release, but suggest that GnRH does not affect its melatonin synthesis.

[Radiofrequency ablation for metastatic lung tumor]

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a thermal ablation technique which results in coagulative necrosis. Several preliminary studies have evaluated the efficacy of RFA for liver tumor and benign prostate disease, but few studies for lung tumor. We experienced RFA for a metastatic lung tumor and it was effective.

CASE

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain. Extended thymothymomectomy with lymph node dissection was performed after diagnosis of thymic carcinoid. After 14 months, multiple small lung nodules, which had been 5-10 mm in diameter, were appeared and resected. However, 23 months after the first operation and 14 months after the second operation, multiple small lung nodules were appeared again and RFA was performed for 1 tumor without any complications. We used RITA 500 PA (RITA Medical Systems, INC.) and quadruple-hook radiofrequency probe with electrodes. Under local anaesthesia and ultrasound guidance, the probe was inserted into the target tumor and the hooks were deployed. The tumor became smaller (35 mm to 25 mm in diameter) in 2 months.

CONCLUSION

RFA is an effective and minimally invasive technique to destruct local tumors.

Stimulatory effects of LH on release of melatonin and activities of its synthesizing enzymes NAT and HIOMT in organ-cultured pineal glands of female rats

The pineal hormone melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) exerts antigonadotropic effects in some mammalian species. To evaluate the effect of luteinizing hormone (LH) on melatonin release and its synthesizing enzyme activities in pineal glands, pineals of adult female rats undergoing diestrus were organ-cultured in a medium containing 10(-12), 10(-10) or 10(-8) M LH for 6 h. Melatonin release increased significantly in pineals cultured with 10(-12) and 10(-10) M LH, as compared to control values. Similarly, the activity of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the key regulatory enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis, was significantly higher in pineals cultured with 10(-12) and 10(-10) M LH for 6 h, while LH at 10(-8) M had no effect. Although LH at 10(-10) M increased pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity, which catalyzes the final step of melatonin biosynthesis, LH at 10(-12) and 10(-8) M had no effect. These results demonstrate that at relatively low physiological levels, LH stimulates pineal melatonin synthesis and release, mainly by increasing NAT activity.

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.

Potent and selective ET-A antagonists. 2. Discovery and evaluation of potent and water soluble N-(6-(2-(aryloxy)ethoxy)-4-pyrimidinyl)sulfonamide derivatives

In the preceding article,(1) we outlined the discovery and structure-activity relationship of a potent and selective ET(A) receptor antagonist 1 and its related compounds. Metabolites of 1 having potent selective ET(A) receptor antagonist activity were identified. This study suggested the metabolic pathways of 1 were considerably affected by species. Consequently, structural modification of 1 intended to improve the complexity of the metabolic pathway, and water solubility was performed. The subsequent introduction of a hydroxyl group into the tert-butyl moiety of 1 led to the discovery of our new clinical candidate, 6b, which showed a higher water solubility, a uniform metabolic pathway among species, and very high affinity and selectivity for the human ET(A) receptor (K(i) for ET(A) receptor: 0.015 +/- 0.004 nM; for ET(B) receptor: 41 +/- 21 nM).

Potent and selective ET-A antagonists. 1. Syntheses and structure-activity relationships of N-(6-(2-(aryloxy)ethoxy)-4-pyrimidinyl)sulfonamide derivatives

Modifications to the ET(A/B) mixed type compounds 1 (Ro. 46-2005) and 2 (bosentan) were performed. Introduction of a pyrimidine group into 1 resulted in a dramatic increase in affinity for the ET(A) receptor, and the subsequent optimization of substituents on the pyrimidine ring led us to the discovery of N-(6-(2-((5-bromo-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy)ethoxy)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-pyrimidinyl)-4-tert-butylbenzenesulfonamide (7k), which showed an extremely high affinity for the human cloned ET(A) receptor (K(i) = 0.0042 +/- 0.0038 nM) and an ET(A/B) receptor selectivity up to 29 000 (K(i) = 130 +/- 50 nM for the human cloned ET(B) receptor). The compound was designed on the hypothesis that the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group in 1 and 2 played a role not as a proton donor but as an acceptor in the possible hydrogen bonding with Tyr129. Since the incorporation of a pyrimidinyl group into the hydroxyethoxy side chain of the nonselective antagonist (1) dramatically enhanced both the ET(A) receptor affinity and selectivity, and since similar results were obtained from the benzene analogues, we put forward the hypothesis that a "pyrimidine binding pocket" might exist in the ET(A) receptor.

Factors associated with the effects of a structured psychiatric intervention on breast cancer patients

The authors developed a structured group intervention for Japanese breast cancer patients. This program is a series of five 90-minute sessions including psycho-education, problem-solving, psychological support, relaxation training, and guided imagery. The aim of this study was to investigate discriminating factors between the improving and non-improving group. From November 1996 through November 1998, 110 patients participated in this study. Out of 110 patients, 9 failed to complete the five sessions. Nine did not return the questionnaire 6 months later, due to death of 3 individuals and re-location of 6. The remaining 92 patients were analyzed. The subjects were administered the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at entry and 6 months after the completion. According to the overall change in Total Mood Disturbances scores of the POMS, 69 subjects were categorized into the improving group and 23 into the non-improving group. This study defined several factors which discriminated between the improving and the non-improving group. These factors can be summarized as: (1) 'good relationship with doctors', (2) 'family support/understanding', (3) 'more intervention benefit', and (4) 'no comorbid adjustment disorders' at entry. Further modification is suggested such as an educational approach for family members to increase their understanding/support and also additional support for patients with adjustment disorders is suggested.

Fatigue in ambulatory patients with advanced lung cancer: prevalence, correlated factors, and screening

Although it has been indicated that patients with lung cancer experience higher level of fatigue than patients with other cancers, few published studies have focused on the characteristics of this fatigue and how it interferes with daily activities. The purpose of this study was to clarify fatigue prevalence and the factors correlated with fatigue, and to develop a screening method for fatigue in patients with advanced lung cancer. One hundred fifty-seven patients completed two fatigue scales (Cancer Fatigue Scale [CFS], and Fatigue Numerical Scale [FNS]) plus other measures, along with a self-administered questionnaire asking whether fatigue had interfered with any of 7 areas of daily activities. Fifty-nine percent of patients had experienced clinical fatigue, which was defined as fatigue that interfered with any daily activities. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that symptoms of dyspnea on walking, appetite loss, and depression were significant correlated factors. Both CFS and FNS were found to have sufficient sensitivity and specificity for use as a screening tool. The results indicated that fatigue is a frequent and important symptom, which is associated with both physical and psychological distress in this population. The CFS and FNS were confirmed to have sufficient screening ability.

Emotional distress of infertile women in Japan

Although recent papers have suggested that psychological factors are implicated in the experience of infertility, few studies have assessed this relationship in a sample of Japanese infertile women. This study was carried out in order to clarify whether Japanese infertile women experience emotional distress. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed to assess the psychological states of 101 infertile women compared to 81 healthy pregnant women. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the profile of mood states (POMS) were administered. These questionnaires produced scores for depression/dejection, anxiety, aggression/hostility, lack of vigour, fatigue, tension anxiety, and confusion. The HADS and the POMS scores of infertile women were significantly higher than those of pregnant women, except for fatigue score. Infertile women with positive HADS indicating emotional disorders (39/101, 38.6%) were significantly (P = 0.0008, chi(2) test) more than those of pregnant women (13/81, 16.0%) when the threshold was set at 12/13 of total HADS scores. The HADS scores were not affected by the women's age, duration of infertility, experience of conception, routine tests, and work states. In this Japanese population, infertile women reported higher levels of emotional distress than pregnant women, suggesting psychological support is needed for infertile women.

Effects of a modified group intervention with early-stage breast cancer patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of a psychiatric intervention program consisting of 5 weekly structured interventions and 3 additional group meetings every two months. Previous studies revealed that a 5 weekly structured intervention program was effective for alleviating psychological discomforts in Japanese breast cancer patients, and that the effectiveness persisted for 6 months for patients without lymph node metastasis or adjustment disorders. Since this 5-session intervention did not have persistent effects in patients with lymph node metastasis and/or adjustment disorders, 3 additional group meetings every two months were added after completion of the 5 weekly structured interventions. A total of 43 breast cancer patients completed the full program. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were compared before, immediately after 5 sessions, immediately after the 3 additional interventions, and 6 months after all programs. As analyzed by POMS scores, the clinical effectiveness of a structured group intervention program persisted for 6 months for patients even with nodal metastases and/or adjustment disorders. These findings of the present study suggested that the 5 weekly intervention program was sufficient for patients without lymph node metastasis or adjustment disorders. In contrast, this intervention program alone was insufficient for patients with nodal metastases and/or adjustment disorders. For them, a new psychiatric intervention program consisting of 5 weekly structured interventions and 3 additional group meetings every two months were effective and sufficient.

Effects of a structured psychiatric intervention on immune function of cancer patients

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of mood state and coping styles on the immune function in Japanese breast cancer patients who participated in a structured group intervention program. The program consisted of five-weekly 90-minute sessions, including psycho-education, psychological support, problem-solving technique and relaxation/imagery. Out of 77 breast cancer patients who participated in this program, 34 were eligible for measurement of immune functions because they received adjuvant chemotherapy. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention scores of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) revealed significant decreases in Depression (p < 0.05), Lack-of-Vigor (p < 0.01), Tension-Anxiety (p < 0.01), Confusion (p < 0.05) and Total Mood Disturbances (p < 0.01), as expected. Concerning coping styles, there were tendencies to decrease the score of active-cognitive coping (p = 0.09), although the differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, the pre- and post-intervention values of immune parameters such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/8 and natural-killer cell activity showed no significant differences. In this report, we discuss several possibilities underlying these findings. Further studies with a larger number of subjects and controls are needed to reach conculusions.

Translin binds to the sequences adjacent to the breakpoints of the TLS and CHOP genes in liposarcomas with translocation t(12;6)

Myxoid and round-cell liposarcomas share the translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) creating the TLS-CHOP fusion gene as a common genetic alteration. We previously reported several unique characteristics of genomic sequences around the breakpoints in the TLS and CHOP loci, and among them was the presence of consensus recognition motifs of Translin, a protein that associates with chromosomal translocations of lymphoid neoplasms. We further extended our search for Translin binding motifs in sequences adjacent to breakpoints and investigated whether Translin binds to these sequences in vitro by mobility-shift assay. Computer-assisted search found sequences highly homologous (>70%) with Translin binding motifs adjacent to the breakpoints in 10 out of 11 liposarcomas with the TLS-CHOP fusion genes. All of 13 oligonucleotides corresponding to the putative binding sequences in these cases bind to Hela cell extract and also recombinant Translin protein, although the binding affinity of each motif showed considerable differences. The DNA-protein complex formation was inhibited by non-labeled competitor or anti-Translin antibody, suggesting the specificity of the complex formation. Considering the high incidence and specific binding property, the presence of Translin binding motif may be one of the important determinants for the location of breakpoints in the TLS and CHOP genes in liposarcomas.

Persistent effects of a structured psychiatric intervention on breast cancer patients' emotions

The aim of the present study was to investigate persistence of the clinical effectiveness of a 5-weekly structured group intervention program for Japanese breast cancer patients. Each program is a series of five 90-min sessions, which include psycho-education, problem-solving, psychological support, relaxation training, and guided imagery. Fifty-seven patients with breast cancer participated in the program and the 47 who completed were analyzed. The results of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were compared before, just after, and 6 months after the intervention. According to the change in POMS scores, the clinical effectiveness of a structured group intervention program persisted for 6 months for the patients who had no psychiatric diagnoses at entry. By contrast, this 5-weekly intervention program did not show persistent effects for patients who had a psychiatric diagnosis at entry. Therefore, additional intervention would be needed for patients with psychiatric diagnosis at entry.

Persistence of the benefits of a structured psychiatric intervention for breast cancer patients with lymph node metastases

The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of clinical effectiveness of a 5 week structured group intervention program for Japanese breast cancer patients. A total of 47 patients with breast cancer completed the full program. The results of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were compared before, immediately after, and 6 months after the intervention program. As analysed by POMS scores, the clinical effectiveness of a structured group intervention program persisted for 6 months for patients without nodal metastases. In contrast, the intervention program did not show a lasting effect for patients with nodal metastases. This study demonstrated the short-term effectiveness of structured interventions among Japanese cancer patients, but persistence of the effects of intervention was found only among patients without nodal metastases. For patients with nodal metastases, additional intervention would be needed.