A Rat Anti-Mouse CD39 Monoclonal Antibody for Flow Cytometry

By converting extracellular adenosine triphosphate to adenosine, CD39 is involved in adenosine metabolism. The extracellular adenosine plays a critical role in the immune suppression of the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the inhibition of CD39 activity by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is thought to be one of the important strategies for tumor therapy. In this study, we developed novel mAbs for mouse CD39 (mCD39) using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. One of the established anti-mCD39 mAbs, C39Mab-2 (rat IgG2a, lambda), reacted with mCD39-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO/mCD39) and an endogenously mCD39-expressed cell line (SN36) by flow cytometry. The kinetic analysis using flow cytometry indicated that the dissociation constant (KD) values of C39Mab-2 for CHO/mCD39 and SN36 were 5.5 × 10-9 M and 4.9 × 10-9 M, respectively. These results indicated that C39Mab-2 is useful for the detection of mCD39 in flow cytometry.

Measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters from the T2K experiment using 3.6×1021 protons on target

The T2K experiment presents new measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters using 19.7 ( 16.3 ) × 10 20 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional 4.7 × 10 20 POT neutrino data was collected at the FD. Significant improvements were made to the analysis methodology, with the near-detector analysis introducing new selections and using more than double the data. Additionally, this is the first T2K oscillation analysis to use NA61/SHINE data on a replica of the T2K target to tune the neutrino flux model, and the neutrino interaction model was improved to include new nuclear effects and calculations. Frequentist and Bayesian analyses are presented, including results on sin 2 θ 13 and the impact of priors on the δ CP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of sin 2 θ 23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on sin 2 θ 13 from reactors, sin 2 θ 23 = 0 . 561 - 0.032 + 0.021 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and Δ m 32 2 = 2 . 494 - 0.058 + 0.041 × 10 - 3 eV 2 using constant Δ χ 2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to δ CP = - 1 . 97 - 0.70 + 0.97 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and δ CP = 0 , π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than 2 σ credible level using a flat prior in δ CP , and just below 2 σ using a flat prior in sin δ CP . When the external constraint on sin 2 θ 13 is removed, sin 2 θ 13 = 28 . 0 - 6.5 + 2.8 × 10 - 3 , in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 5 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-3 for Multiple Applications against Pancreatic Carcinomas

Pancreatic cancer exhibits a poor prognosis due to the lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and the resistance to conventional chemotherapy. CD44 has been known as a cancer stem cell marker and plays tumor promotion and drug resistance roles in various cancers. In particular, the splicing variants are overexpressed in many carcinomas and play essential roles in the cancer stemness, invasiveness or metastasis, and resistance to treatments. Therefore, the understanding of each CD44 variant's (CD44v) function and distribution in carcinomas is essential for the establishment of CD44-targeting tumor therapy. In this study, we immunized mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and established various anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). One of the established clones (C₄₄Mab-3; IgG₁, kappa) recognized peptides of the variant-5-encoded region, indicating that C₄₄Mab-3 is a specific mAb for CD44v5. Moreover, C₄₄Mab-3 reacted with CHO/CD44v3-10 cells or pancreatic cancer cell lines (PK-1 and PK-8) by flow cytometry. The apparent K_D of C₄₄Mab-3 for CHO/CD44v3-10 and PK-1 was 1.3 × 10^-9 M and 2.6 × 10^-9 M, respectively. C₄₄Mab-3 could detect the exogenous CD44v3-10 and endogenous CD44v5 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pancreatic cancer cells but not normal pancreatic epithelial cells in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C₄₄Mab-3 is useful for detecting CD44v5 in various applications and is expected to be useful for the application of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Epitope Mapping of the Novel Anti-Human CCR9 Monoclonal Antibody (C9Mab-11) by 2 × Alanine Scanning

We recently developed a novel anti-human C-C chemokine receptor 9 (hCCR9) monoclonal antibody (mAb), C₉Mab-11, which is applicable to flow cytometry, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study aims to identify the binding epitope of C₉Mab-11 by using 1 × and 2 × alanine (or glycine) substituted-hCCR9 peptides (1 × and 2 × Ala-scan) by ELISA. According to the 1 × Ala-scan analysis, the response of C₉Mab-11 was diminished against M13A of the hCCR9 peptide, but was not eliminated. In the 2 × Ala-scan analysis, the reactions were abolished in the substitution of P11A-N12A, N12A-M13A, and M13A-A14G of hCCR9 N-terminal peptides. The results indicate that the binding epitope of C₉Mab-11 includes Pro11, Asn12, Met13, and Ala14 of hCCR9, with the region around Met13 being particularly important. The successful identification of the C₉Mab-11 epitope might be useful for the future pathophysiological analysis of hCCR9.

Epitope Mapping Using the Cell-Based 2 × Alanine Substitution Method About the Anti-mouse CXCR6 Monoclonal Antibody, Cx6Mab-1

An anti-mouse CXC chemokine receptor 6 (mCXCR6) monoclonal antibody (mAb), Cx₆Mab-1, was developed recently. Cx₆Mab-1 is applicable for flow cytometry, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The purpose of this study is to determine the binding epitope of Cx₆Mab-1 using 2 × alanine mutated mCXCR6. Analysis of flow cytometry revealed that Cx₆Mab-1 did not recognize S8A-A9G, L10A-Y11A, D12A-G13A, and H14A-Y15A mutants of mCXCR6. The results clearly indicate that the binding epitope of Cx₆Mab-1 includes Ser8, Ala9, Leu10, Tyr11, Asp12, Gly13, His14, and Tyr15 of mCXCR6. The successful determination of the Cx₆Mab-1 epitope might contribute to the pathophysiological investigation of mCXCR6.

Development of a Monoclonal Antibody PMab-295 Against Elephant Podoplanin

Podoplanin (PDPN) is an essential marker of lung type I alveolar cells, kidney podocytes, and lymphatic endothelial cells. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can specifically recognize PDPN in immunohistochemistry are important to analyze the development of tissues and the pathogenesis of diseases, including cancers. We have developed anti-PDPN mAbs against many animal species; however, mAbs that can recognize elephant-derived membrane proteins and distinguish the specific cell types in immunohistochemistry are limited. In this study, a novel anti-elephant PDPN (elePDPN) mAb, PMab-295 (IgG₁, kappa), was established using the peptide immunization method. PMab-295 recognized both elePDPN-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and endogenous elePDPN-expressed LACF-NaNaI cells by flow cytometry and western blotting. Kinetic analyses using flow cytometry showed that the K_D of PMab-295 for CHO/elePDPN was 1.5 × 10^-8 M. Furthermore, PMab-295 detected elePDPN-expressing cells using immunohistochemistry. These results showed the usefulness of PMab-295 to investigate the molecular function of elePDPN and the pathogenesis of diseases.

P-205 Blastocyst derived from oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) has similar clinical and perinatal outcomes with those of oocytes without SER

Study question

This study was to investigate effect of SERa on the fertilization rate, embryonic development after ICSI, and clinical and perinatal outcomes after single blastocyst transfer.

Summary answer

SERa (+) derived embryo can be selected as embryos for transfer when no available SERa (-) derived embryos.

What is known already

Based on findings that the risk of congenital abnormalities in the newborn is higher in ovum with SERa in the cytoplasm, the Istanbul consensus workshop at the 2011 meeting of the ESHRE recommended against fertilizing ovum with SERa due to these risks. However, there have been several reports of healthy infants born from embryos derived from SERa, suggesting that, while more long-term follow-up is necessary, healthy births are possible from such embryos. In 2017, the 2011 recommendations were reviewed in the Alpha/ESHRE consensus (Vienna), which said the approach should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Study design, size, duration

We retrospectively investigated 23,007 oocytes which was retrieved between January 2016 and March 2020. Of these, 1,038 oocytes (4.5%) with visible SERa comprised SERa (+), while 21,969 oocytes (95.5%) without SERa comprised SERa (-).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

SERa were observed under the microscopy after denudation. The rate of fertilization, good-quality day-3 embryos, good-quality day-5 blastocysts, and day-5, 6 or 7 blastocysts were evaluated for both groups. We also compared the rate of clinical pregnancy, live birth, miscarriage, and birth defects in single blastocyst transfer between SERa (+) derived 114 blastocysts and SERa (-) derived 6,290 blastocysts from January 2016 and December 2018.

Main results and the role of chance

The results are shown. 2PN fertilization rate outcomes after ICSI (SERa(-) eggs vs. SERa(+)eggs),81.4%(17,873/21,969) vs.79.4% (823/1,038),and good-quality day3 rate was 61.1%(10,927/17,873)vs.60.9% (501/823) which was not significantly different. Good-quality day5 blastocyst rate was 46.5% (7,876/16,955) vs. 39.8%(304/763), and day 5 blastocyst success rate was 60.8% (10,317/16,955) vs.54.3% (414/763), which were both significantly lower with SERa(+). (P < 0.001) The day 6 blastocyst success rate was 69.9% (11,849/16,955) vs. 65.5% (500/763) (P = 0.01), and the day 7 blastocyst success rate was 70.9% (12,024/16,955) vs. 67.5% (515/763) (P = 0.04), which were all significantly lower with SERa(+).The clinical pregnancy rate was 39.4% (2,481/6,290) vs. 35.1% (40/114), the live birth rate was 27.7% (1,745/6,290) vs. 26.3% (30/114), and the miscarriage rate was 27.5% (683/2,481) vs. 20.0% (8/40) and the congenital abnormality rate was 1.6% (29/1,757) vs. 0% (0/30) for SERa(-) embryos and SERa(+) embryos, respectively, which were not significantly different. Blastocyst derived from oocytes with SERa has similar clinical and perinatal outcomes with those of oocytes without SERa. Significant differences were examined using the chi-squared test, with p < 0.05, indicating a significant difference.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Embryos derived SERa (+) were transferred when the patient did not want any more oocytes retrievals, no embryos derived SERa (-) were available, and only if the couple desired embryo transfer after the problems associated with SERa (+) embryos were fully explained.

Wider implications of the findings

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest number of live births investigating the outcome of SERa (+) derived embryos. SERa (+) derived embryo can be selected as embryos for transfer when no available SERa (-) derived embryos.

Trial registration number

Not Applicable

C8Mab-3: An Anti-Mouse CCR8 Monoclonal Antibody for Immunocytochemistry

The C-C motif chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is highly expressed in regulatory T cells. CCR8 is also expressed in many cancers and is associated with those progression. The development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for CCR8 leads to cancer immunotherapy and elucidation of unknown mechanisms of CCR8-dependent cancer progression. In this study, we have developed an anti-mouse CCR8 (mCCR8) mAb (clone C₈Mab-3, rat IgG₁, kappa) using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. We revealed that C₈Mab-3 and its recombinant antibody (recC₈Mab-3) bind to mCCR8-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells (CHO/mCCR8), but not to the parental CHO-K1 cells, in flow cytometry. In addition, C₈Mab-3 and recC₈Mab-3 reacted to P388 (a mouse lymphocyte-like cell) and J774-1 (a mouse macrophage-like cell), which express endogenous mCCR8. C₈Mab-3 also detected exogenous and endogenous mCCR8 using immunocytochemistry. These results suggest that C₈Mab-3, developed using the CBIS method, is useful for immunocytochemistry against exogenous and endogenous mCCR8.

Platelet volume indices correlate to severity of heart failure and have prognostic value for both cardiac and thrombotic events in patients with congenital heart disease

Introduction

Patients with heart failure are reported to have activated platelets leading to thrombotic events. Consequently, immature giant platelets are produced, and platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) increase. These platelet indices are easily, reasonably, and safely available by routine blood test and recently have been proposed as potential markers of cardiac events. However, little is known about the usefulness of platelet indices in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Purpose

To test whether the hypothesis that PDW and MPV correlate to the severity of heart failure and have prognostic value in both future heart failure-related admission and thrombosis formation in patients with CHD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single-centre study that included 400 patients with CHD (median age, 34 years [range: 12–76]; 49% males; 35% single ventricular morphology), who were admitted in our institute between April 2014 and June 2017. We reviewed patients' medical records to assess their clinical information including medical history, blood sample data, and echocardiologic parameters. At first, we assessed the correlation between platelet indices and patients' clinical parameters. Next, we compared platelet indices before and after treatment for heart failure. Finally, using logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses, we assessed prognostic factors of future heart failure-related admission and thrombosis formation.

Results

In multivariate analysis, a significant correlation was found between PDW and logBNP (brain natriuretic peptide) (p<0.001), haemoglobin (p=0.01), D-dimer (p=0.019), Fontan operation (p<0.001) and male sex (p<0.001); as well as between MPV and logBNP (p<0.001), D-dimer (p<0.001) and Fontan operation (p=0.002). Throughout treatment of heart failure, significant reduction was found both in PDW (average value before treatment = 14.2, after treatment = 13.2, p=0.002) and MPV (before = 11.2, after = 10.8, p=0.004). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, predictors of future heart failure-related admissions were PDW (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.365; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.005–1.768), MPV (HR: 1.472; 95% CI: 1.055–2.052), age (HR: 1.063; 95% CI: 1.010–1.119), and SpO2 under 85% (HR: 5.089; 95% CI: 1.350–19.18). Using the same analysis, predictors of thrombotic formation were PDW (HR: 1.998; 95% CI: 1.461–2.630), MPV (HR: 1.792; 95% CI: 1.155–2.781), logBNP (HR: 1.196, 95% CI: 1.085–1.320), D-dimer (HR: 1.024; 95% CI: 1.007–1.042) and male sex (HR: 3.071; 95% CI: 1.079–8.737). In addition, during median follow-up of 28 months, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed an improvement in both heart failure and thrombosis-free survival in the low PDW, as well as the low MPV group.

Conclusion

Platelet volume indices correlate to severity of heart failure and have prognostic value for both cardiac and thrombotic events in patients with congenital heart disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Suppressed immune microenvironment and repertoire in brain metastases from patients with resected non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of lung cancer brain metastasis is largely unexplored. We carried out immune profiling and sequencing analysis of paired resected primary tumors and brain metastases of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

TIME profiling of archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of paired primary tumors and brain metastases from 39 patients with surgically resected NSCLCs was carried out using a 770 immune gene expression panel and by T-cell receptor beta repertoire (TCRβ) sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was carried out for validation. Targeted sequencing was carried out to catalog hot spot mutations in cancer genes.

RESULTS

Somatic hot spot mutations were mostly shared between both tumor sites (28/39 patients; 71%). We identified 161 differentially expressed genes, indicating inhibition of dendritic cell maturation, Th1, and leukocyte extravasation signaling pathways, in brain metastases compared with primary tumors (P < 0.01). The proinflammatory cell adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion protein 1 was significantly suppressed in brain metastases compared with primary tumors. Brain metastases exhibited lower T cell and elevated macrophage infiltration compared with primary tumors (P < 0.001). T-cell clones were expanded in 64% of brain metastases compared with their corresponding primary tumors. Furthermore, while TCR repertoires were largely shared between paired brain metastases and primary tumors, T-cell densities were sparse in the metastases.

CONCLUSION

We present findings that suggest that the TIME in brain metastases from NSCLC is immunosuppressed and comprises immune phenotypes (e.g. immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages) that may help guide immunotherapeutic strategies for NSCLC brain metastases.

Longitudinal changes in 18 F-THK5351 positron emission tomography in corticobasal syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is pathologically characterized by tau deposits in neuronal and glial cells and by reactive astrogliosis. In several neurodegenerative disorders, ¹⁸ F-THK5351 has been observed to bind to reactive astrocytes expressing monoamine oxidase B. In this study, the aim was to investigate the progression of disease-related pathology in the brains of patients with CBS using positron emission tomography with ¹⁸ F-THK5351.

METHODS

Baseline and 1-year follow-up imaging were acquired using magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with ¹⁸ F-THK5351 in 10 subjects: five patients with CBS and five age-matched normal controls (NCs).

RESULTS

The 1-year follow-up scan images revealed that ¹⁸ F-THK5351 retention had significantly increased in the superior parietal gyrus of the patients with CBS compared with the NCs. The median increases in ¹⁸ F-THK5351 accumulation in the patients with CBS were 6.53% in the superior parietal gyrus, 4.34% in the precentral gyrus and 4.33% in the postcentral gyrus. In contrast, there was no significant increase in the regional ¹⁸ F-THK5351 retention in the NCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal increases in ¹⁸ F-THK5351 binding can be detected over a short interval in the cortical sites of patients with CBS. A monoamine oxidase B binding radiotracer could be useful in monitoring the progression of astrogliosis in CBS.

Preparation-Free Measurement of Event-Related Potential in Oddball Tasks From Hairy Parts Using Candle-Like Dry Microneedle Electrodes

This paper reports successful measurement of even-related potential (ERP) using candle-like dry microneedle electrodes, which can acquire high-quality electroencephalogram (EEG) from hairy parts without any pretreatment. In our previous work, we successfully measured spontaneous EEG activity and its application to assess the stress state of the subjects. ERPs originate from electrophysiological response to stimulus and are one of the most important indices to capture the cognitive and sensory activities. In this work, using the candle-like dry microelectrodes, we demonstrate successful measurement of ERPs elicited by oddball tasks. Two oddball tasks using pure tone stimuli and speech stimuli were assigned to the subjects, where EEG was acquired from the parietal region (Cz in international 10-20 system). Note that no pretreatment, such as removal of hairs and abrasion of the scalp, was applied. As a result, P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) were successfully measured in the both oddball tasks from the averaged EEG after the stimuli. Based on these results and given the attractive natures of the candle-like dry microneedle electrodes; they do not need any skin treatment and conductive gels and they can measure EEG from the hairy parts, the developed electrodes will accelerate cognitive neuroscience research using ERPs.

Improvement of luminescence properties of rubidium vanadate, RbVO3, phosphors by erbium doping in the crystal lattice

The thermal quenching effect of RbVO₃ phosphor was effectively improved by Er³⁺ doping into the lattice, as a result, the emission intensity of the phosphor was successfully enhanced.

Analysis of individual differences in radiosensitivity using genome editing

Current standards for radiological protection of the public have been uniformly established. However, individual differences in radiosensitivity are suggested to exist in human populations, which could be caused by nucleotide variants of DNA repair genes. In order to verify if such genetic variants are responsible for individual differences in radiosensitivity, they could be introduced into cultured human cells for evaluation. This strategy would make it possible to analyse the effect of candidate nucleotide variants on individual radiosensitivity, independent of the diverse genetic background. However, efficient gene targeting in cultured human cells is difficult due to the low frequency of homologous recombination (HR) repair. The development of artificial nucleases has enabled efficient HR-mediated genome editing to be performed in cultured human cells. A novel genome editing strategy, 'transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated two-step single base pair editing', has been developed, and this was used to introduce a nucleotide variant associated with a chromosomal instability syndrome bi-allelically into cultured human cells to demonstrate that it is the causative mutation. It is proposed that this editing technique will be useful to investigate individual radiosensitivity.

Electroencephalogram measurement from the hairy part of the scalp using polymer-based dry microneedle electrodes

This paper reports a successful electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement from the hairy part of the scalp using a polymer-based dry microneedle electrode. The electrode consists of 25 pillars, each of which has a sharp microneedle on the top. Hairs are collected into the gaps of the pillars and the microneedles can reach the scalp surface. Since the microneedles can penetrate through the stratum corneum, no conductive gel is necessary to acquire high quality EEG. We experimentally investigated the pillar diameters in EEG measurement from the occipital region with hairs. The fabricated electrodes successfully measured EEG without any skin preparation or conductive gel.

Electroencephalogram measurement from the hairy part of the scalp using polymer-based dry microneedle electrodes

This paper reports a successful electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement from the hairy part of the scalp using a polymer-based dry microneedle electrode. The electrode consists of 25 pillars, each of which has a sharp microneedle on the top. Hairs are collected into the gaps of the pillars and the microneedles can reach the scalp surface. Since the microneedles can penetrate through the stratum corneum, no conductive gel is necessary to acquire high quality EEG. We experimentally investigated the pillar diameters in EEG measurement from the occipital region with hairs. The fabricated electrodes successfully measured EEG without any skin preparation or conductive gel.

Expression of recombinant alpha and beta tubulins from the yew Taxus cuspidata and analysis of the microtubule assembly in the presence of taxol

Taxol was originally isolated from the yew Taxus brevifolia. Because taxol inhibits the depolymerization of microtubules, the presence of a self-resistance mechanism in Taxus spp. was hypothesized. The cloning of the cDNA for alpha and beta tubulins from Taxus cuspidata and those from the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293T revealed that the (26)Asp, (359)Arg, and (361)Leu residues in the human beta tubulin, which are important for taxol binding, were replaced with Glu, Trp, and Met in the beta tubulin of T. cuspidata, respectively. The microtubule assembly of the recombinant alpha and beta tubulins was monitored turbidimetrically, and the results clearly demonstrated that the microtubule from T. cuspidata is less sensitive to taxol than that from HEK293T cells. The Taxus microtubule composed of the wild-type alpha tubulin and the beta tubulin with the E26D mutation restored the sensitivity to taxol. We thus postulated that the mutation identified in the beta tubulin of T. cuspidata plays a role in the self-resistance of this species against taxol.

Evaluation of the non-functional tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders by using newly developed electronic system

The aims of this study were to introduce a novel electronic system for reliable evaluation of the non-functional tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and investigate the possible associations between the non-functional tooth contact and some characteristics of the patients with TMD. We designed and installed a software program to send emails regarding the non-functional tooth contact to the subjects' preregistered cellular phones at intervals of 20 ± 9 min daily for 10 consecutive days. Twelve patients with TMD and 12 gender- and age-matched healthy subjects responded via emails to one of 3 choices: no tooth contact, tooth contact during oral functions or tooth contact not associated with oral functions. The influence of subjective stress, anxiety, depression, personality and daily activities on tooth contact was then assessed. The frequency of the non-functional tooth contact was significantly higher in the patients with TMD than in the healthy subjects (35·0% vs. 9·6%, P < 0·001), while no significant group difference was found for the frequency of functional tooth contact, the stress, anxiety, depression and personality.

Effects of free fatty acids on human salivary gland epithelial cells

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity and higher concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma. Among FFAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate, have been proposed to promote inflammatory responses. Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration and destruction of epithelial cells in the salivary and lacrimal glands. IL-6 production and α-fodrin degradation are increased in salivary gland epithelial cells of patients with primary SS. Although previous studies have shown a link between SS and either dyslipidemia or T2D, little is known about the clinical significance of FFAs in primary SS. Here we report that SFAs, but not unsaturated fatty acids, induced IL-6 production via NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation in human salivary gland epithelial cells. Moreover, palmitate induced apoptosis and α-fodrin degradation by caspase-3 activation. Unlike salivary gland epithelial cells, induction of IL-6 production and the degradation of α-fodrin in response to palmitate were undetectable in squamous carcinoma cells and keratinocytes. Taken together, SFAs induced IL-6 production and α-fodrin degradation in salivary gland epithelial cells, implicating a potential link between the pathogenesis of primary SS and SFAs level in plasma.

nm23-H1 expression in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma in relation to metastasis and survival

The expression of nm23-H1, product of putative metastasis suppressor gene, was evaluated immunohistochemically in 31 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary glands and correlated with their clinicopathologic features. All benign salivary gland tumors of various types, which were used as a non-metastatic control, showed obvious nm23-H1 expression. The immunoreactivity of tumor cells was stronger than that of normal salivary gland components, although the distribution patterns of positive cells considerably varied between tumor types. In ACC, 16 cases (52%) showed the reduction of nm23-H1 immunoreactivity either in positive cell frequency or staining intensity. These cases were referred to as negative cases. The incidence of negative cases was 67% (10/15) and 38% (6/16) of the cases with and without metastasis, respectively. Furthermore, metastatic tumors showed decreased immunoreactivity of this protein compared with their primary tumors. The prognosis of patients with a nm23 negative tumor was generally poorer than that with a positive tumor. These results may suggest that the reduction of nm23-H1 protein has an implication for metastasis of ACC.

Early diffusion MR imaging findings and short-term outcome in comatose patients with hypoglycemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The relationship between the MR imaging features and clinical outcomes in patients with hypoglycemic encephalopathy has always been evaluated retrospectively. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether MR imaging features of patients presenting with hypoglycemic coma are predictive of short-term (1-week) outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were 36 consecutive patients with hypoglycemia who were in a comatose state on arrival at our hospital from April 2006 to March 2010. MR imaging findings on arrival in relation to the patients' clinical course after glucose infusion were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirteen of the 36 patients showed no MR imaging abnormalities on arrival. DWI revealed focal lesions involving the internal capsule in 13 patients and lesions involving bilateral hemispheric white matter in 10 patients. After glucose administration, the patients without lesions and patients with focal internal capsule lesions recovered completely within 1 day. However, patients with diffuse white matter lesions did not recover even within 1 week despite glucose administration. There was no statistical difference in the initial blood glucose levels among patients with the various types of MR imaging findings.

CONCLUSIONS

On early MR imaging, hypoglycemic brain injury may first appear in the internal capsule and then spread into the hemispheric white matter. The absence of a lesion or the presence of a focal internal capsule lesion may suggest a good outcome. However, diffuse hemispheric white matter lesions may indicate a poor 1-week outcome.

The current status of forensic psychiatry in japan

In 2005, the Medical Treatment and Supervision (MTS) Act was enacted in Japan to hospitalize the criminally insane and to promote a self-supporting lifestyle after deinstitutionalization. As of October 2010, 490 patients remain hospitalized in 23 highly secure forensic hospitals. Most patients are diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and exhibit symptoms of drug resistance. Battering is the most common criminal act they have committed.

The increased prevalence of the combination of criminal insanity with drug dependence is a common problem in other countries as well. It is a serious problem that diversity in prison medical care has not been achieved.

A characteristic feature of care for criminally insane patients in Japan is that they must live in a residential district where a public health center is located and close to forensic hospitals after deinstitutionalization. Although there may be concerns about social prejudice against psychiatric disorders, this limited area would help support rehabilitation of patients because medical staff can easily know the whereabouts, psychiatric condition and aspects, of daily life for each patient through frequent reports obtained from home-visiting nurses. As a result, patients who have been successfully deinstitutionalized lead a self-supporting lifestyle without treatment interruption or repetition of similar criminal acts.

In this presentation, we will show the current status of forensic care in Japan, analyze its characteristics and problems described above, and make suggestions for the treatment of the criminally insane in countries with a small national land area such as Japan.

Yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, ameliorates memory disturbance and abnormal social interaction with anti-aggregation effect of cerebral amyloid β proteins in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice

The deposition of amyloid β protein (Aβ) is a consistent pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. Therefore, inhibition of Aβ aggregation in the brain is an attractive therapeutic and preventive strategy in the development of disease-modifying drugs for AD. An in vitro study demonstrated that yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Japanese medicine, inhibited Aβ aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. An in vivo study demonstrated that YKS and Uncaria hook (UH), a constituent of YKS, prevented the accumulation of cerebral Aβ. YKS also improved the memory disturbance and abnormal social interaction such as increased aggressive behavior and decreased social behavior in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice. These results suggest that YKS is likely to be a potent and novel therapeutic agent to prevent and/or treat AD, and that this may be attributed to UH.

IFPA Meeting 2010 Workshops Report II: Placental pathology; trophoblast invasion; fetal sex; parasites and the placenta; decidua and embryonic or fetal loss; trophoblast differentiation and syncytialisation

Workshops are an important part of the IFPA annual meeting. At IFPA Meeting 2010 diverse topics were discussed in twelve themed workshops, six of which are summarized in this report. 1. The placental pathology workshop focused on clinical correlates of placenta accreta/percreta. 2. Mechanisms of regulation of trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling were discussed in the trophoblast invasion workshop. 3. The fetal sex and intrauterine stress workshop explored recent work on placental sex differences and discussed them in the context of whether boys live dangerously in the womb.4. The workshop on parasites addressed inflammatory responses as a sign of interaction between placental tissue and parasites. 5. The decidua and embryonic/fetal loss workshop focused on key regulatory mediators in the decidua, embryo and fetus and how alterations in expression may contribute to different diseases and adverse conditions of pregnancy. 6. The trophoblast differentiation and syncytialisation workshop addressed the regulation of villous cytotrophoblast differentiation and how variations may lead to placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications.

Identification and quantification of viable Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult in human faeces by using strain-specific primers and propidium monoazide

AIMS

To develop a quick and accurate PCR-based method to evaluate viable Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult (BbrY) in human faeces.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The number of BbrY in faeces was detected by using strain-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) derived from a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. And using propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment, which combined a DNA-intercalating dye for covalently linking DNA in dead cells and photoactivation, only viable BbrY in the faeces highly and significantly correlated with the number of viable BbrY added to faecal samples within the range of 10(5) -10(9) cells per g of faeces was enumerated. After 11 healthy subjects ingested 10·7 log CFU of BbrY daily for 10 days, 6·9 (± 1·5) log CFU g(-1) [mean (± SD)] of BbrY was detected in faeces by using strain-specific transgalactosylated oligosaccharide-carbenicillin (T-CBPC) selective agar medium. Viable BbrY detected by qPCR with PMA treatment was 7·5 (± 1·0) log cells per g and the total number (viable and dead) of BbrY detected by qPCR without PMA treatment was 8·1 (± 0·8) log cells per g.

CONCLUSIONS

Strain-specific qPCR with PMA treatment evaluated viable BbrY in faeces quickly and accurately.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Combination of strain-specific qPCR and PMA treatment is useful for evaluating viable probiotics and its availability in humans.

Analysis of purine in purine-rich cauliflower

Purine is a general term for purine nucleotides, nucleosides, bases, and nucleic acid. The amount of purine nucleotides, nucleosides, and bases in purine-rich cauliflower was determined with the use of LC-MS and HPLC, and the ratio of these molecules were compared with in raw and in heated condition. Total purine content of raw and heated cauliflower was 42.6 and 43.2 mg/100 g, respectively. Nucleotide content was increased from 0.02 to 50.8 micromol/100 g, and nucleoside content was decreased from 12.4 to 7.7 micromol/100 g, by heating.

Enhanced inhibitory effects of TBT chloride on the development of F1 rats

Neurotoxicity is one of the major effects of tributyltin (TBT). The effects on the next generation of F(1) rats exposed to TBT via the placenta and their dams' milk may be stronger than those on adults. Pregnant Wister rats were exposed to TBT at 0 and 125 ppm in their food. Half of the female F(1) rats in both groups were exposed to TBT at 125 ppm in their food from 9 to 15 weeks of age. Female F(1) rats were divided into the following groups: the control-control (CC) group, with no exposure; the TBT-control (TC) group, exposed to TBT via the placenta and their dams' milk; the control-TBT (CT) group, exposed to TBT via their food from 9 to 15 weeks of age; and the TBT-TBT (TT) group, exposed to TBT via the placenta, their dams' milk, and their food (n = 10/group). After administration, an open-field test and prepulse inhibition (PPI) test were performed at 15 weeks of age. The mean body weights of the TC and TT groups were significantly lower than that of the CC group from 9 to 15 weeks of age. The mean relative thymus weight of the TC and TT groups was significantly lower than that of the CC group. In the open-field test, a marked decrease in the total locomotion distance was observed in the TT group. The mean values in the TT and TC groups were significantly lower than that in the CC group. For the locomotion distance between 15 and 20 min, the mean values in the CT, TC, and TT groups were significantly lower than that in the CC group. The mean locomotor distance between 25 and 30 min in the TT group was significantly lower than that in the CC and TC groups. The mean values of instances of wall rearing in the TC, CT, and TT groups were significantly lower than that in the CC group. The mean value of face washing or body washing in the TT group was significantly lower than that in the CT group. There were no significant differences in indexes of the PPI test. Exposure to TBT via the placenta and their dams' milk inhibited the development of F(1) rats, which continued after weaning. Inhibition of the rats' activity induced by exposure to TBT via the placenta and their dams' milk and/or via their food was suggested. The effects were most evident in the TT group.

IFPA Meeting 2009 workshops report

Workshops are an important part of the annual meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA). At IFPA Meeting 2009 diverse topics were discussed in twelve themed workshops. Topics covered included: immune response to pregnancy; signaling between fetus and placenta; bioactive lipids in placenta; placenta in agricultural species; epigenetics and placentation; trophoblast deportation; glucocorticoids and placental function; endothelium; placental transport; genes and placenta; uteroplacental blood flow and placental stem cells. This report is a full summary of the various topics covered.

Glutamate triggers elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in neural precursor cells

Both neurons and glial cells are derived from neuralprecursor cells in the ventricular zone during braindevelopment. The fate of the neural precursor cells isaffected by neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Inthis study, we examined glutamate-triggeredintracellular Ca(2+) signaling in neural precursorcell lines by the calcium digital imaging method. Whenimmortalized primary-cultured neural precursor cellswere treated with glutamate, a subpopulation of thesecells showed an increase in intracellular Ca(2+)concentration. In an effort to determine the role ofthe glutamate-triggered intracellular Ca(2+) signalin neural precursor cells, we tried to cultureimmortalized basal ganglial and hippocampal neuralprecursor cell lines in glutamate-free medium. Thehippocampal (MHP-2) cells became adapted to theglutamate-free medium, and when treated with glutamatethe adapted subline (MHP-2-E1) showed an increase inintracellular Ca(2+) concentration. In contrast,the basal ganglial neural precursor cell lines failedto become adapted to the glutamate-free medium. Theseresults suggest that hippocampal and basal ganglialneural precursor cells differ in their cellularresponse to glutamate as an exogenous stimulus.

Purine contents of soybean-derived foods and selected Japanese vegetables and mushrooms

Purine contents of soybean-derived food and various other Japanese foods were quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Purine contents were as follows: soybean-derived foods, 21.9-172.5 mg/100 g or 100 mL; Japanese vegetables, 2.3-171.8 mg/100 g; Japanese mushrooms, 9.5-142.3 mg/100 g. Since purine levels in these foods did not exceed 200 mg/100 g, we recommend that eating of them should be adopted and good dietary habits followed.