Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Expectorants in a Rat Carrageenan-Induced Footpad Edema Model

S-Carboxymethyl-L-cysteine (SCMS) exhibits sputum-regulating and anti-inflammatory actions. Previous studies reported the anti-inflammatory effects of SCMS on chronic inflammatory diseases, but no study has examined these effects on acute inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCMS in a rat carrageenan-induced footpad edema model, which is routinely used as an acute inflammation model. Expectorants were administered to rats with footpad edema induced by subcutaneously administering 1%λ-carrageenan to the footpad of the left posterior limb, and the dose dependency of the anti-inflammatory effects was evaluated. As a result, even when the dose of SCMS was increased to 400 mg/kg, there were no inhibitory effects on edema. Furthermore, we examined the inhibitory effects of other expectorants (ambroxol hydrochloride, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-cysteine ethylester hydrochloride, and L-cysteine methylester hydrochloride), which were reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on chronic inflammation, on edema. However, none of these expectorants inhibited edema.

Association between Reduction of Muscle Mass and Faster Declines in Global Cognition among Older People: A 4-Year Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

A few studies reported that both decrease and increase in body mass index (BMI) were associated with the development of dementia in later life. However, it is unclear what changes in body composition are associated with cognitive decline. This study investigated the longitudinal influences of changes in body composition on cognitive function among community-dwelling adults.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This longitudinal study included older adults aged ≥60 years without cognitive impairment who participated in National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognitive function was assessed using the MMSE. Body composition was measured by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry system. Then, BMI, fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and muscle mass index (MMI) were calculated. The changes in body composition over 6 years (second wave to fifth wave) were calculated, and three groups were created: decreased group, decrease of >5%; stable group, change within 5%, and increased group, increase of >5%. In statistical analysis, a linear mixed model was applied by sex to investigate the influences of body composition changes on cognitive function over 4 years (fifth wave to seventh wave).

RESULTS

This study analyzed 515 participants (mean age, 67.05 years; 53.4% men). Men with decreased group in FFMI and MMI exhibited faster declines in MMSE scores than those with stable group (β [95% CI]: FFMI, -0.293 [-0.719 to -0.020]; MMI, -0.472 [-0.884 to -0.059]). In women, there was no significant association between body composition changes and cognitive functions.

CONCLUSIONS

Decrease in fat-free mass and muscle mass is associated with faster cognitive declines in men. These results suggest the importance of continuous monitoring of muscle mass to prevent cognitive decline in later life.

Development of an application tool to support returnees in Fukushima

To promote radiation protection and health promotion among returning residents (returnees) in coastal areas of Fukushima, eHealth principles were used to develop a new application tool (app) that can record radiation exposure and health status while providing comprehensive support to returnees. Intended users are returnees and health and welfare workers. After assessing their needs, a flowchart and prototype for operational logic were created using commercially available software tools. Professional developers will focus on improving the user interface and ensuring data security. The finished app will be compatible with mobile telephones and tablets. Utility and ease of use are paramount to serve returnees of all ages effectively.

Change in sense of food safety associated with social connectedness and information sources-A 10-year longitudinal survey before and after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzes the change in the sense of food safety over time, from 2 years before to 8 years after the Fukushima accident in 2011, and its association with social connectedness using cohort data, taking into account regional differences in Fukushima Prefecture.

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional data from Fukushima Prefectural Government from 2009 to 2018 were used.

METHODS

We randomly selected 1300 people every fiscal year (FY). The survey gathered data on age, gender, occupation, residential region, and the explanatory variables 'sense of social connectedness' and 'recovery-related information source' (information source). The prefecture was divided into three regions for the survey-Hamadori region, where the nuclear power plant is located, Nakadori region, where the air dose rate after the earthquake was high, and in Aizu, far from the nuclear power station but has suffered from harmful rumors.

RESULTS

Focusing on FY 2014, when the sense of safety first showed recovery, we performed a binominal logistic regression analysis with 'sense of safety' as the outcome and 'sense of social connectedness' and 'information source' as the explanatory variables. The sense of safety significantly decreased in all regions in 2011 relative to earlier years. The sense of food safety decreased markedly in Hamadori and Nakadori but started to improve 3 years after the earthquake and reached the pre-earthquake level in 2018. The effect sizes were larger in the Hamadori region and in Nakadori than in Aizu. In FY 2014, multivariate analysis found that a sense of food safety was significantly positively associated with a sense of social connectedness, whereas the use of information from newspapers and TV and word of mouth was negatively associated.

CONCLUSION

Although the recovery of a sense of food safety may take some time, a focus on social connectedness during recovery and scrutiny of information sources may facilitate recovery. Health communication has an important role when the provider sends information intelligibly and the recipient can distinguish good news from bad and link it to self-determination. It is necessary to improve literacy.

Classification of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Who should have surgery?

Objectives

Using a simple classification method, we aimed to estimate the collapse rate due to osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in order to develop treatment guidelines for joint-preserving surgeries.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 505 hips from 310 patients (141 men, 169 women; mean age 45.5 years (sd 14.9; 15 to 86)) diagnosed with ONFH and classified them using the Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification. The JIC system includes four visualized types based on the location and size of osteonecrotic lesions on weightbearing surfaces (types A, B, C1, and C2) and the stage of ONFH. The collapse rate due to ONFH was calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, with radiological collapse/arthroplasty as endpoints.

Results

Bilateral cases accounted for 390 hips, while unilateral cases accounted for 115. According to the JIC types, 21 hips were type A, 34 were type B, 173 were type C1, and 277 were type C2. At initial diagnosis, 238/505 hips (47.0%) had already collapsed. Further, the cumulative survival rate was analyzed in 212 precollapsed hips, and the two-year and five-year collapse rates were found to be 0% and 0%, 7.9% and 7.9%, 23.2% and 36.6%, and 57.8% and 84.8% for types A, B, C1, and C2, respectively.

Conclusion

Type A ONFH needs no further treatment, but precollapse type C2 ONFH warrants immediate treatment with joint-preserving surgery. Considering the high collapse rate, our study results justify the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in asymptomatic patients with type C2 ONFH.

Cite this article: Y. Kuroda, T. Tanaka, T. Miyagawa, T. Kawai, K. Goto, S. Tanaka, S. Matsuda, H. Akiyama. Classification of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Who should have surgery?. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:451–458. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.810.BJR-2019-0022.R1.

The use of a bioactive bone cement containing apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic filler and bisphenol-a-glycidyl methacrylate resin for acetabular fixation in total hip arthroplasty

Aims

In the 1990s, a bioactive bone cement (BABC) containing apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic (AW-GC) powder and bisphenol-a-glycidyl methacrylate resin was developed at our hospital. In 1996, we used BABC to fix the acetabular component in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in 20 patients as part of a clinical trial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term results of primary THA using BABC.

Patients and Methods

A total of 20 patients (three men and 17 women) with a mean age of 57.4 years (40 to 71), a mean body weight of 52.3 kg (39 to 64), and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.0 kg/m2 (19.8 to 28.6) were evaluated clinically and radiologically. Survival analyses were undertaken, and wear analyses were carried out using a computer-aided method.

Results

The mean follow-up was 17.6 years (1.5 to 21.1). Radiological loosening occurred in four sockets with aseptic loosening at a mean of 7.8 years (1.5 to 20.7). Kaplan–Meier survival analyses using revision of the acetabular component, radiological loosening of the acetabular component, and the worst-case scenario with revision of the acetabular component to include the two patients lost to follow-up as endpoints yielded survival rates of 94.7%, 84.4%, and 85.0% at ten years, and 70.0%, 84.4%, and 62.8% at 20 years, respectively. Wear analysis revealed a mean linear wear rate of 0.068 mm per year.

Conclusion

The long-term results of primary THAs using BABC were unsatisfactory. Its brittle nature and poor handling properties need to be improved before it becomes an alternative method of fixing the acetabular component in cemented THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:787–792.

A novel HLA-C allele, HLA-C*07:02:01:17N, with an alternative splice site

We describe the identification of alternatively expressed HLA allele C*07:02:01:17N.

Sagittal alignment and mobility of the thoracolumbar spine are associated with radiographic progression of secondary hip osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of radiographic progression of hip osteoarthritis (OA) over 12 months among functional hip impairments and spinal alignment and mobility.

DESIGN

Fifty female patients with secondary hip OA, excluding those with end-stage hip OA, participated in this prospective cohort study. Joint space width (JSW) of the hip was measured at baseline and 12 months later. With radiographic progression of hip OA over 12 months (>0.5 mm in JSW) as dependent variable, logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors for hip OA progression among functional impairments of the hip and spine with and without adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and minimum JSW at baseline. The independent variables were hip pain, Harris hip score (HHS), hip morphological parameters, hip passive range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength, and alignment and mobility of the thoracolumbar spine at baseline.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (42.0%) patients demonstrated radiographic progression of hip OA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that larger anterior inclination of the spine in standing position (adjusted OR [95% CI], 1.37 [1.04-1.80]; P = 0.028) and less thoracolumbar spine mobility (adjusted OR [95% CI], 0.96 [0.92-0.99]; P = 0.037) at baseline were statistically significantly associated with radiographic progression of hip OA, even after adjustment for age, BMI, and minimum JSW.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that spinal alignment and mobility should be considered when assessing risk and designing preventive intervention for radiographic progression of secondary hip OA.

Erratum: iPS-derived MSCs from an expandable bank to deliver a prodrug-converting enzyme that limits growth and metastases of human breast cancers

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.64.].

Daily cumulative hip moment is associated with radiographic progression of secondary hip osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether higher daily cumulative hip moment at baseline is associated with subsequent radiographic progression of hip osteoarthritis (OA) over 12 months.

DESIGN

Fifty patients with secondary hip OA, excluding patients with end-stage hip OA, participated in this prospective cohort study. Joint space width (JSW) of the hip was measured at baseline and 12 months later. With radiographic progression of hip OA (>0.5 mm/year in JSW) as dependent variable (yes/no), univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between load-related parameters during gait (i.e., peak hip moment, hip moment impulse, and daily cumulative hip moment [product of hip moment impulse and mean steps/day]) and hip OA progression with and without adjustment for age, body weight, and minimum JSW.

RESULTS

Of the 50 patients (47.4 ± 10.7 years old), 21 (42.0%) were classified into the progression group. The higher daily cumulative hip moment in the frontal plane at baseline was statistically significantly associated with radiographic progression of hip OA (adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)], 1.34 [1.06-1.70]; P = 0.013). The higher daily cumulative hip moment in the sagittal plane was also approaching significance in its association with hip OA progression (adjusted OR, 1.80 [0.99-3.26]; P = 0.052).

CONCLUSIONS

In the female patients with secondary hip OA, higher daily cumulative hip moment, particularly in the frontal plane, was a predictor of radiographic progression of hip OA over 12 months. Reduction in daily cumulative hip moment by modification in gait and physical activity may potentially slow hip OA progression.

Stress, Emotions, and Motivational States Among Traditional Dancers in New Zealand and Japan

This study used a reversal theory framework to examine motivational dominance and changes in motivational state, arousal, stress, and emotions among members of traditional Japanese (Nihon Odori Sports Science (NOSS)) and New Zealand (Kapa Haka) dance groups. Eighty-four participants (50 in Japan and 34 in New Zealand) completed questionnaires on each variable before and after a dance class. The findings indicated that the Kapa Haka dancers were significantly more playful and arousal-seeking than the NOSS dancers. They also reported higher overall arousal, preferred arousal, and effort during performance while the NOSS dancers became more serious afterward. Data on emotions matched those of arousal in that the Kapa Haka dancers felt significantly more excited and provocative after the session. The NOSS dancers were more relaxed and placid, both overall and after dancing. These patterns were consistent with the dancers' respective motivational states and motivational dominance, and suggest that both dances can be effective in reducing negative affect. They also suggest that psychological effects are dependent upon performers' personal and cultural affiliation with the two dance forms.

Percutaneous Embolization of Ruptured Splanchnic Artery Pseudoaneurysms

The usefulness of emergent embolotherapy was evaluated in 17 patients with life-threatening hemorrhage from 18 ruptured splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms. Complete hemostasis was obtained in 16 out of 17 patients by embolotherapy. Of the 12 initial embolization procedures with permanent embolic materials including stainless steel coils, microcoils, and Ivalon, complete cessation of bleeding was obtained in 11. On the other hand, 6 out of 9 initial embolization procedures with Gelfoam particles failed to halt bleeding, and additional embolization with permanent embolic materials was required. Emergent embolization with permanent embolic materials using superselective catheterization should be considered the initial treatment of choice for ruptured splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms.

A Distinct Subpopulation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Muse Cells, Directly Commit to the Replacement of Liver Components

Genotyping graft livers by short tandem repeats after human living-donor liver transplantation (n = 20) revealed the presence of recipient or chimeric genotype cases in hepatocytes (6 of 17, 35.3%), sinusoidal cells (18 of 18, 100%), cholangiocytes (15 of 17, 88.2%) and cells in the periportal areas (7 of 8, 87.5%), suggesting extrahepatic cell involvement in liver regeneration. Regarding extrahepatic origin, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been suggested to contribute to liver regeneration but compose a heterogeneous population. We focused on a more specific subpopulation (1-2% of BM-MSCs), called multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells, for their ability to differentiate into liver-lineage cells and repair tissue. We generated a physical partial hepatectomy model in immunodeficient mice and injected green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled human BM-MSC Muse cells intravenously (n = 20). Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization and species-specific polymerase chain reaction revealed that they integrated into regenerating areas and expressed liver progenitor markers during the early phase and then differentiated spontaneously into major liver components, including hepatocytes (≈74.3% of GFP-positive integrated Muse cells), cholangiocytes (≈17.7%), sinusoidal endothelial cells (≈2.0%), and Kupffer cells (≈6.0%). In contrast, the remaining cells in the BM-MSCs were not detected in the liver for up to 4 weeks. These results suggest that Muse cells are the predominant population of BM-MSCs that are capable of replacing major liver components during liver regeneration.

Functional performance of female patients more than 6 months after total hip arthroplasty shows greater improvement with weight-bearing exercise than with non-weight-bearing exercise. Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Impaired functional performance and decreased muscle strength and muscle atrophy generally persist for a long period after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

AIM

To investigate the effects of weight-bearing (WB) and non-weight-bearing (NWB) exercises on functional performance, Harris hip score (HHS), muscle strength and muscle thickness in women after THA.

DESIGN

A randomised, controlled trial.

SETTING

Community.

POPULATION

Sixty-five women who had undergone unilateral or bilateral THA at least 6 months before enrolment in the study.

METHODS

Participants were randomly allocated to the following groups: WB (n = 22), NWB (n = 21) and control (n = 22) groups. Participants in the WB and NWB groups performed daily home exercise programs for 8 weeks. Functional performance (timed up and go, sit-to-stand, stair climbing, walking speed and 3-min walk test), HHS, isometric muscle strength of the hip and knee muscle and gluteus and quadriceps muscle thickness were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

An intention-to-treat analysis revealed that both the intervention groups exhibited significant improvements in almost all functional performance measures compared with the control group. Furthermore, the WB group showed significantly greater pre-post changes in the sit-to-stand and 3-min walk test compared with the NWB group. In terms of HHS, only the WB group showed significantly greater improvement compared with the control group. Relative to the control group, improvements in all isometric strength measures were observed in both the intervention groups. Significant improvement in quadriceps muscle thickness was observed in the WB group compared with the control group. However, no significant difference was observed among the three groups in pre-post changes in gluteus muscle thickness.

CONCLUSION

WB and NWB home exercise programs were both effective for improving functional performance and muscle strength in women after THA. However, the WB exercise was more effective than the NWB exercise for improving sit-to-stand ability and walking endurance.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

In this study, we demonstrated that the WB exercise was more effective than the NWB exercise for improving functional performance in patients after THA.

A New Mass Spectrograph with Very Large Dispersion

A new type of mass spectrograph with large mass dispersion has been constructed. The distinguishing feature of this apparatus is that the mass dispersing action of a r-l magnetic field is utilized. The instrument has a r-1 magnetic field of 198.1° sector type (22 cm mean radius) as the dispersing field, a toroidal electric field of 118.7° sector type (30 cm mean radius) and a 30° uniform magnetic field (120 cm mean radius) as the focusing fields. The principle, the design and important parts of the apparatus are described. The dispersion on the photographic plate was estimated to be 14 cm for 1% mass difference and the maximum resolving power of about 500,000 was obtained.

Pim-2 kinase is an important target of treatment for tumor progression and bone loss in myeloma

Pim-2 kinase is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) cells to enhance their growth and survival, and regarded as a novel therapeutic target in MM. However, the impact of Pim-2 inhibition on bone disease in MM remains unknown. We demonstrated here that Pim-2 expression was also upregulated in bone marrow stromal cells and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells in the presence of cytokines known as the inhibitors of osteoblastogenesis in MM, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-7, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and activin A, as well as MM cell conditioned media. The enforced expression of Pim-2 abrogated in vitro osteoblastogenesis by BMP-2, which suggested Pim-2 as a negative regulator for osteoblastogenesis. Treatment with Pim-2 short-interference RNA as well as the Pim inhibitor SMI-16a successfully restored osteoblastogenesis suppressed by all the above inhibitory factors and MM cells. The SMI-16a treatment potentiated BMP-2-mediated anabolic signaling while suppressing TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, treatment with the newly synthesized thiazolidine-2,4-dione congener, 12a-OH, as well as its prototypic SMI-16a effectively prevented bone destruction while suppressing MM tumor growth in MM animal models. Thus, Pim-2 may have a pivotal role in tumor progression and bone loss in MM, and Pim-2 inhibition may become an important therapeutic strategy to target the MM cell-bone marrow interaction.

A model to predict the frequency of integration of fitness-related QTLs from cultivated to wild soybean

With the proliferation of genetically modified (GM) products and the almost exponential growth of land use for GM crops, there is a growing need to develop quantitative approaches to estimating the risk of escape of transgenes into wild populations of crop relatives by natural hybridization. We assessed the risk of transgene escape by constructing a population genetic model based on information on fitness-related QTLs obtained from an F (2) population of wild soybean G. soja × cultivated soybean Glycine max. Simulation started with ten F (1) and 990 wild soybeans reproducing by selfing or outcrossing. Seed production was determined from the genetic effects of two QTLs for number of seeds (SN). Each seed survived winter according to the maternal genotype at three QTLs for winter survival (WS). We assumed that one neutral transgene was inserted at various sites and calculated its extinction rate. The presence of G. max alleles at SN and WS QTLs significantly decreased the probability of introgression of the neutral transgene at all insertion sites equally. The presence of G. max alleles at WS QTLs lowered the risk more than their presence at SN QTLs. Although most model studies have concentrated only on genotypic effects of transgenes, we show that the presence of fitness-related domestication genes has a large effect on the risk of transgene escape. Our model offers the advantage of considering the effects of both domestication genes and a transgene, and they can be widely applied to other wild × crop relative complexes.

88 COMPARISON BETWEEN STATIC AND DYNAMIC CULTURE RESULTS USING A NOVEL AIR ACTUATION SYSTEM

Mammalian embryos experience not only hormonal stimuli, but also mechanical stimuli (MS), such as shear stress (SS), compression and friction force, in the fallopian tube before nidation. Embryo development performed using previously described in vitro dynamic culture systems is significantly better than that performed using conventional static culture systems. Previously, we found that thawed human embryos showed developmental improvement in the blastocyst stage following a tilting embryo culture system (TECS) culture compared with static culture. However, a disadvantage of the system is the need to use electric devices inside the incubator under humidified conditions. To solve the problem, we developed a dynamic embryo culture system using air actuation and evaluated the applied MS and embryo culture results. We developed an air actuation system with microfluidic channels to apply MS by deforming a 0.1-mm-thick poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane. The PDMS microfluidic device was placed in a humidified incubator and the mechanical actuator was placed outside the incubator. The embryos' motion in the microfluidic channel was recorded using an inverted microscope and a colour CCD camera with a frame rate of 30 frames s–1. Syringe velocity (VS) was controlled using a software model of the actuation system. The observed maximum velocity of the embryos (VE) and fluid velocity (VF) were calculated by tracking the images of the embryos and the particles in the medium, respectively. The experiments were repeated 3 times. Frozen 2-cell-stage embryos of imprinting control region (ICR) mouse were thawed. 10 to 13 embryos were applied into the microfluidic channel and cultured in ∼200 μL of potassium simplex optimized embryo culture medium covered with mineral oil for 3 days in a humidified environment of 5% CO2 in air at 37°C. The experiments were repeated 5 times. Chi-squared test and Student's t-test were used to determine differences in the blastocyst development rate and in the number of cells in the blastocysts between the groups, respectively. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: When syringe velocity (VS) was 0.5 mm over a period of seconds, the embryos rotated and did not slide. When VS and fluid velocity (VF) increased, the embryos slipped, did not come in contact with the floor. We conclude that different types and amounts of MS can be applied to the embryos by changing VS. We compared embryo development from the 2-cell stage to the blastocyst stage between static and dynamic cultures in the medium channel. Dynamic culture significantly improved the rate of development to the blastocyst stage (dynamic, 74% (n = 126); static, 62% (n = 118); P < 0.05). The average number of cells (mean ± standard error of the mean) in blastocysts obtained in dynamic and static cultures was 83 ± 3 (n = 54) and 76 ± 3 (n = 51) (P < 0.05), respectively. When the mouse embryos moved at VE of 0.2 mm s–1, there were significant differences in both blastocyst development rate and the average cell number of blastocysts between the 2 groups.

Actions of the Japanese Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association regarding transplanted human islets isolated using Liberase HI

PURPOSE

The potential for introducing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) into islet cells was indicated by recognizing that Liberase HI is isolated from Clostridium histolyticum grown in media containing brain-heart infusion broth. A national team within the Japanese Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association implemented an islet transplantation program in Japan using Liberase HI. The program comprised 65 islet isolations from non-heart-beating donors and 34 transplants into 18 patients. Herein, we have summarized how the Association followed these recipients over the long term.

PROCEDURES

We established an ad hoc committee to follow recipients transplanted with islets isolated using Liberase HI after becoming informed of the associated dangers of using this enzyme. We also stopped islet transplantations using Liberase. The committee addressed the major concerns of the risk of the collagenase being contaminated with TSE and of the recipient follow-up. All recipients were examined by diffusion MRI and EEG and then scheduled for evaluation and follow-up by specialists in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Bioassays of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions in the enzyme proceeded using knock-in mice expressing bovine prion protein. These assays could detect contaminating prions at a dilution of 1 × 10(4). After inactivating its collagenase activity, Liberase HI was injected into the abdominal cavities of knock-in mice. Four months later, prion infectivity in Liberase HI was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting of spleen homogenates using anti-prion protein antibodies.

MAIN FINDINGS

Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining did not detect prions in Liberase HI. Diffusion MRI and EEG evaluations performed by CJD specialists confirmed that none of the transplanted recipients had CJD.

CONCLUSIONS

Three years of follow-up revealed that none of the Japanese recipients of islet transplants developed CJD. Prion bioassays showed that the Liberase HI used to isolate islets for transplantation was free of infectious TSE prions.

Phase II trial of preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer: Japan Breast Cancer Research Network (JBCRN)-02 trial

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is one of the main strategies for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. In our previous study, biological markers such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 were essential predictors of the effectiveness of NAC to help individualize treatment. This study examined the effect of NAC on the disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the study was expanded by adding Ki-67 as a biological marker, and examined the correlation between Ki-67 and the prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2005 and September 2007, 43 patients with breast cancer received NAC and surgery. Four cycles of DC (doxorubicin: 60 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide: 500 mg/m(2)) were administered intravenously (i.v.) on day 1 every 21 days, followed by 12 cycles of paclitaxel i.v. (80 mg/m(2)) every 7 days, prior to surgery. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate and the secondary endpoint was DFS; the pCR rate was estimated for each groups stratified by the presence or absence of different factors (PcR, ER/PgR, and Ki-67).

RESULTS

The clinical response (cCR+cPR) rate was 81.0%, and the pCR rate was 25.6%. The pCR rate was 75, 50, 9 and 0% in HER2(+)/ER(-), HER2(+)/ER(+), HER2(-)/ER(-), and HER2(-)/ER(+) patients, respectively. The 4-year DFS rate was estimated at 78% for all patients. The HER2 status was an independent predictor of pathological complete response (pCR). The DFS rate of patients with lower Ki-67 values (<15%) was higher than that of patients with higher Ki-67 values (≥15%). The treatment-related adverse events were manageable: the majority were mild, but five patients experienced grade 3 (neutropenia and sensory neuropathy) adverse events.

CONCLUSION

DC followed by weekly paclitaxel is an active and manageable preoperative regimen for breast cancer patients. HER2 overexpression may be a good predictive marker of pCR, and the Ki-67 value after NAC may be a prognostic factor for DFS.

Efficacy of S-1 in patients with capecitabine-resistant breast cancer-Japan Breast Cancer Research Network (JBCRN) 04-1 trial

BACKGROUND

S-1 is an orally administered fluorinated pyrimidine with high activity in metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) and in chemotherapy-pretreated metastatic breast carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty patients with MBC who did not respond to capecitabine-based chemo-therapy and then received S-1 were identified from our data base of records between 2006 and 2008. The clinico-pathological data and outcomes of these patients were then reviewed.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 27.8%. The median survival was 19.2 months, and the median time to disease progression was 6.2 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (all grades) were hand-foot syndrome (15%), nausea (15%), vomiting (7.5%), disorder of taste (7.5%), and diarrhea (5%). However, the majority were mild to moderate in intensity, and only one patient experienced grade 3 (according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada Common Toxicity criteria) adverse events. Myelosuppression and alopecia were rare, and there were no reported treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study demonstrate that S-1 is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with capecitabine-resistant MBC. In addition, it is a convenient, orally administered drug, which makes it an attractive agent for use in outpatient treatment.

The origin and fate of morphological intermediates between wild and cultivated soybeans in their natural habitats in Japan

The spread of transgenes into the genome of wild soybean is a concern when transgenic and wild soybeans are planted sympatrically. The objectives of this study were to investigate the origin and fate of morphological intermediates between wild and cultivated soybeans in their natural habitats in Japan. Twenty nuclear microsatellite and two chloroplast dCAPS markers were used to evaluate genetic variation of 468 wild, 17 intermediate, and 12 cultivated soybean samples collected from six sites between 2003 and 2006. Allelic differentiation of microsatellite markers between wild and cultivated soybeans was sufficient to detect their hybrids. Based on levels of observed heterozygosity, intermediate soybean plants were from two generations: either F(1) or an early segregating generation. Genetic admixture analysis and parentage assignment analysis revealed that the parents of all intermediate soybean plants could be assigned to a particular wild soybean plant and late-maturing cultivar. The chloroplast DNA haplotypes revealed that all intermediate soybean plants originated from gene flow from cultivated to wild soybeans at all sites. Based on monitoring at both the phenotypic and molecular levels, hybrids quickly disappeared from natural habitats, and secondary gene flow from these plants to wild soybean was not detected. Thus, while gene flow from transgenic soybean into wild soybean can occur, gene introgression appears to be rare in natural habitats in Japan. This is the first report on the detection of gene flow from cultivated to wild soybean at the molecular level.

Insulin-mediated regulation of decidual protein induced by progesterone (DEPP) in adipose tissue and liver

We analyzed the profile of the genes expressed in human adipose tissue and identified the fat-derived molecules, adiponectin and aquaporin 7, which modulate glucose and lipid metabolism. The same Bodymap analysis revealed abundant expression of the decidual protein induced by progesterone (DEPP) in the white adipose tissue. Northern blot analysis confirmed that human DEPP mRNA was highly expressed in white adipose tissue. Mouse DEPP mRNA was detected in heart, lung, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue under feeding state. In contrast, under fasting state, mouse DEPP mRNA was enhanced in lung, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue and it appeared also in the liver and kidney, suggesting up regulation of DEPP by fasting. Because fasting-induced DEPP expression was observed in insulin-sensitive organs, we investigated the regulation of DEPP in white adipose tissue and liver. During adipogenesis of mouse 3T3-L1 cells, DEPP mRNA increased in a differentiation-dependent manner similar to adiponectin and aquaporin 7. Treatment of cultured 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes, rat H4IIE, and human HepG2 hepatoma cells with insulin significantly decreased DEPP mRNA levels in dose- and time-dependent manners. IN VIVO experiments showed significant decrease of hepatic and adipose DEPP mRNA levels in refed mice, compared to fasted animals, and also showed significant increase in DEPP mRNA in streptozotocin-induced insulin-deficient diabetic mice. These results indicate that DEPP is a novel insulin-regulatory molecule expressed abundantly in insulin-sensitive tissues including white adipose tissue and liver.

[Aortic valve replacement through right thoracotomy; report of a case]

A 78-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of severe aortic valve regurgitation. She had had dyspnea on effort and syncope twice in 5 months. She had also suffered from right pneumonia 8 years before, and her respiratory function was severely constrictive. Chest X-ray showed her mediastinum significantly shifted toward the right side. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed the main pulmonary artery, right atrium (RA) and right pulmonary veins also shifted toward the right. We planned right thoracotomy at 4th intercostals space to obtain a good surgical field. A cardiopulmonary bypass was established by RA appendage drainage and femoral artery perfusion. Aortic valve replacement(AVR) was performed successfully after aortic clamp. Though defibrillator pads were placed on her back and the anterior wall of the left chest during operation, no ventricular fibrillation occurred. AVR via right thoracotomy is considered to be a good option for such a mediastinum shifted case.

[Metastatic lung cancer origin from osteosarcoma of mandible invading tracheal lumen]

A 52-year-old woman underwent the surgical treatment for osteosarcoma of the left mandible in 2003 and was followed up afterward. She suffered from dry cough and bloody sputum, and was admitted to our hospital in April 2007. Computed tomography (CT) revealed several nodules in bilateral lung, and bronchofiberscopy showed the endobronchial tumor obstructing in the right main bronchus. The metastatic tumor progressed in the right main bronchus from the right S6 lung segment. The tumor rapidly progressed in the right bronchus in comparison with the CT findings in about 2 weeks, and the possibility of the tracheal obstruction was considered. She underwent the right middle and lower lobectomy, and the endobronchial tumor was pulled through the right main bronchus. The postoperative course was uneventful, the patient was discharged on 14th postoperative day, and the chemotherapy using cisplatin (CDDP) and adriamycin (ADR) is on-going.

[Infective endocarditis with acute embolism to the lower extremity artery caused by a vegetation: report of a case]

Successful surgical treatment of a case of infective endocarditis with embolism to a lower extremity artery is reported. A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography showed a vegetation on the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve measuring 19 mm in diameter. We planned surgical treatment, including aortic valve replacement, however, embolism of a lower extremity artery by the vegetation occurred during the waiting period for the operation. We removed the offending vegetation from the popliteal artery and replaced the peccant aortic valve with a prosthetic valve in separate operations. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was transferred to another hospital on the 33rd day after the valve replacement surgery.

Phase II study of AC (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) followed by weekly paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable patients with primary breast cancer

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Background: The objective of this multi center Phase II clinical study prove the benefit of neoadjuvant combination therapy using anthracycline based AC therapy (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide), which is useful as a standard therapy, followed by weekly PTX(paclitaxel) in patients with early stage breast cancer. Methods: Forty-seven patients with operable breast cancer were enrolled to the study. Patients received four cycles of AC followed by weekly PTX. The primary endpoint was disease free survival (DFS) stratified by the absence of presence of Quasi-pCR (QpCR: absence of invasive tumor or only focal residual tumor cells). Secondary endpoints were predictors for QpCR, clinical response, breast conservation rate, and safety. The planned sample size was 25. Results: Of 43 assessable patients, 25.6% achieved QpCR. With 28.6 months median follow-up, DFS was estimated at 72% for all patients. 3 year DFS for patients with QpCR was 80% vs. 72% without QpCR. HER2 status and response to AC were independent predictors of QpCR. The overall clinical response was 79%; 58% of patients achieved breast conservation. Nausea was the most common adverse event, observed in 62.8% and 33.3% of patients during AC and PTX respectively. The second common adverse event was peripheral neuritis, observed in 9.3% and 57.1% of patients during AC and PTX respectively. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size, these data shows that AC followed PTX is a highly active neoadjuvant therapy for women with early stage breast cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cerebral infarction in a patient with congenital complete heart block

Stokes-Adams attacks are fairly common in children with congenital complete heart block, but the occurrence of cerebral infarction is quite unusual. We present the case of a 13-year-old boy with congenital heart block and an embolic stroke involving the cerebral artery. Echocardiography revealed no valvular regurgitation, hypokinetic segments, mural thrombus, or myxoma. Electrocardiographic monitoring demonstrated good response of ventricular rate to exercise and no episodes of atrial or ventricular dysrhythmia. It is assumed that embolism occurred due to bradycardia.