NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide preserves disc height in a rabbit anular-puncture model and reduces pain induction in a rat xenograft-radiculopathy model

While it is known that the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) is one of the primary reasons for low-back pain and subsequent need for medical care, there are currently no established effective methods for direct treatment. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that regulates various genes' expression, among which are inflammatory cytokines, in many tissues including the IVD. NF-κB decoy is an oligodeoxynucleotide containing the NF-κB binding site that entraps NF-κB subunits, resulting in suppression of NF-κB activity. In the present preclinical study, NF-κB decoy was injected into degenerated IVDs using the rabbit anular-puncture model. In terms of distribution, NF-κB decoy persisted in the IVDs up to at least 4 weeks after injection. The remaining amount of NF-κB decoy indicated that it fit a double-exponential-decay equation. Investigation of puncture-caused degeneration of IVDs showed that NF-κB decoy injection recovered, dose-dependently, the reduced disc height that was associated with reparative cell cloning and morphological changes, as assessed through histology. Gene expression, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), showed that NF-κB decoy attenuated inflammatory gene expression, such as that of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α, in rabbit degenerated IVDs. NF-κB decoy also reduced the pain response as seen using the "pain sensor" nude rat xenograft-radiculopathy model. This is the first report demonstrating that NF-κB decoy suppresses the inflammatory response in degenerated IVDs and restores IVD disc height loss. Therefore, the intradiscal injection of NF-κB decoy may have the potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for discogenic pain associated with degenerated IVDs.

Corticothalamic Axons Are Essential for Retinal Ganglion Cell Axon Targeting to the Mouse Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) relay information about the outside world to multiple subcortical targets within the brain. This information is either used to dictate reflexive behaviors or relayed to the visual cortex for further processing. Many subcortical visual nuclei also receive descending inputs from projection neurons in the visual cortex. Most areas receive inputs from layer 5 cortical neurons in the visual cortex but one exception is the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), which receives layer 6 inputs and is also the only RGC target that sends direct projections to the cortex. Here we ask how visual system development and function changes in mice that develop without a cortex. We find that the development of a cortex is essential for RGC axons to terminate in the dLGN, but is not required for targeting RGC axons to other subcortical nuclei. RGC axons also fail to target to the dLGN in mice that specifically lack cortical layer 6 projections to the dLGN. Finally, we show that when mice develop without a cortex they can still perform a number of vision-dependent tasks.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) is a sensory thalamic relay area that receives feedforward inputs from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina, and feed back inputs from layer 6 neurons in the visual cortex. In this study we examined genetically manipulated mice that develop without a cortex or without cortical layer 6 axonal projections, and find that RGC axons fail to project to the dLGN. Other RGC recipient areas, such as the superior colliculus and suprachiasmatic nucleus, are targeted normally. These results provide support for a new mechanism of target selection that may be specific to the thalamus, whereby descending cortical axons provide an activity that promotes feedforward targeting of RGC axons to the dLGN.

Perineuronal nets affect parvalbumin expression in GABAergic neurons of the mouse hippocampus

Recent studies have suggested that the perineuronal net (PNN), a specialised extracellular matrix structure, and parvalbumin (PV), an EF-hand calcium-binding protein, are involved in the regulation of plasticity of neural circuits. Here, we aimed to quantitatively estimate the relationship between the two plasticity regulators, PV and PNNs, in the hippocampus of young adult mice. Dual fluorescence staining for PV and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (a broad PNN marker) showed that a substantial population of PV-expressing (PV(+) ) GABAergic neurons lacked PNNs. Optical disector analysis demonstrated that there were fewer PNN(+) neurons than PV(+) neurons. The ratio of PNN expression in PV(+) neurons was generally lower in the dendritic layers than in the principal cell layers, whereas the ratio of PV expression in PNN(+) neurons was effectively 100%. The mean PV fluorescence was significantly higher in PNN(+) /PV(+) neurons than in PNN(-) /PV(+) neurons. Cumulative frequencies for single-cell PV fluorescence indicated that intensely stained PV(+) neurons tend to be enwrapped by PNNs, whereas weakly stained PV(+) neurons are likely to lack PNNs. We digested the PNNs by a unilateral injection of chondroitinase ABC (chABC) into the dorsal CA1 region. Although the densities of PV(+) neurons remained unchanged, the PV fluorescence declined 7 days after chABC injection. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated a reduction in PV mRNA expression following chABC injection. These findings indicate that the presence or absence of PNNs affects the relative PV expression in GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus.

Observation of orbital resonance Hall effect in (TMTSF)2ClO4

We report the observation of a Hall effect driven by orbital resonance in the quasi-1-dimensional (q1D) organic conductor (TMTSF)2ClO4. Although a conventional Hall effect is not expected in this class of materials due to their reduced dimensionality, we observed a prominent Hall response at certain orientations of the magnetic field B corresponding to lattice vectors of the constituent molecular chains, known as the magic angles (MAs). We show that this Hall effect can be understood as the response of conducting planes generated by an effective locking of the orbital motion of the charge carriers to the MA driven by an electron-trajectory resonance. This phenomenon supports a class of theories describing the rich behavior of MA phenomena in q1D materials based on altered dimensionality. Furthermore, we observed that the effective carrier density of the conducting planes is exponentially suppressed in large B, which indicates possible density wave formation.

Neural mechanisms mediating association of sympathetic activity and exploration in decision-making

The somatic marker hypothesis asserts that decision-making can be guided by feedback of bodily states to the brain. In line with this hypothesis, the present study tested whether sympathetic activity shows an association with a tonic dimension of decision-making, exploratory tendency represented by entropy in information theory, and further examined the neural mechanisms of the association. Twenty participants performed a stochastic reversal learning task that required decision-making in an unstable and uncertain situation. Regional cerebral blood flow was evaluated using (15)O-water positron emission tomography (PET), and cardiovascular indices and concentrations of catecholamine in peripheral blood were also measured, during the task. In reversal learning, increased epinephrine during the task positively correlated with larger entropy, indicating a greater tendency for exploration in decision-making. The increase of epinephrine also correlated with brain activity revealed by PET in the somatosensory cortices, anterior insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and the dorsal pons. This result is consistent with previously reported brain matrixes of representation of bodily states and interoception. In addition, activity of the anterior insula specifically correlated with entropy, suggesting possible mediation of this brain region between peripheral sympathetic arousal and exploration in decision-making. These findings shed a new light about a role of bodily states in decision-making and underlying neural mechanisms.

Hazard Evaluation Support System (HESS) for predicting repeated dose toxicity using toxicological categories

Repeated dose toxicity (RDT) is one of the most important hazard endpoints in the risk assessment of chemicals. However, due to the complexity of the endpoints associated with whole body assessment, it is difficult to build up a mechanistically transparent structure-activity model. The category approach, based on mechanism information, is considered to be an effective approach for data gap filling for RDT by read-across. Therefore, a library of toxicological categories was developed using experimental RDT data for 500 chemicals and mechanistic knowledge of the effects of these chemicals on different organs. As a result, 33 categories were defined for 14 types of toxicity, such as hepatotoxicity, hemolytic anemia, etc. This category library was then incorporated in the Hazard Evaluation Support System (HESS) integrated computational platform to provide mechanistically reasonable predictions of RDT values for untested chemicals. This article describes the establishment of a category library and the associated HESS functions used to facilitate the mechanistically reasonable grouping of chemicals and their subsequent read-across.

Categorization of nitrobenzenes for repeated dose toxicity based on adverse outcome pathways

Adoption of the data-gap filling method for complex endpoints such as repeated dose toxicity (RDT) and reproductive/developmental toxicity is one of the most important issues affecting international chemical management at present. A categorization method based on adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) has recently been investigated for such complex endpoints. In this paper, we report results of the categorization of nitrobenzenes for RDT based on the AOPs obtained by analysing the detailed RDT test reports for 24 different nitrobenzenes already evaluated. In most RDT testing of nitrobenzenes without hydroxyl groups or acid groups, findings related to haemolytic anaemia and liver effects were observed at low dosages. It was, therefore, possible to assume common AOPs for haemolytic anaemia and liver effects induced by these nitrobenzenes. As a result, a group of nitrobenzenes was defined as a single category for both haemolytic anaemia and liver effects, respectively, based on these AOPs.

Abstract PD06-02: Standardized Assessment of Ki-67 Using Virtual Slides and Automated Analyzer for Breast Cancer Patients: Comparison of Automated and Central/Local Pathology Assessment

Background: Ki-67 is useful in determining the effect of hormonal therapy and also as a prognostic factor. However, the method for its evaluation has not been standardized, and the results vary depending on the assessment by pathologists. We reported that the discordance rate of Ki-67 in preoperative core needle biopsy and the surgical specimens was higher than that of other biological markers, and this was considered to be due to the discrepancies in the evaluation methods (SABCS 2011). In this report, we reviewed the possibility of introducing an automated analyzer by comparing the diagnosis made by local pathologists and reassessment by central review to standardize the evaluation method for Ki-67.

Subjects and Method: Of the 354 cases of primary breast cancer that had their first operation from October 2008 to March 2012, 225 cases that had preoperative core needle biopsy at Tokyo-West Tokushukai Hospital were selected as the subjects of this study. Cases with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and cases with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. A cut-off value of 20% was used for Ki-67 positive criteria. The concordance rates of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 by local pathologists were reviewed, and in cases of non-matching Ki-67, tumor diameter (≈ heterogeneity) and operative method (≈ condition of formalin fixation) were studied. Next, non-matching cases (∼ to October 2011) were reassessed both by central review and by an automated analyzer (Ventana Digital Pathology) using virtual slides, and the results were studied and compared with the evaluation by local pathologists. The Wilcoxon-t test was used to review the p value for statistical analysis. Parameters such as tumor diameter, operative method were analyzed by χ2 analysis.

Results: The concordance rate of Ki-67 in preoperative core needle biopsy and surgical specimens was 76.9% in 225 cases of local pathology assessment from October 2008 to March 2012. This rate was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of ER (95.6%), PgR (88.0%), and HER2 (91.5%). In non-matching cases, no difference was observed in tumor diameter and operative method. Reassessment of the 39 cases of non-matching Ki-67 to October 2011 using central review and an automated analyzer resulted in matching 27 cases (94.8%) and 32 (96.3%) out of 39 cases, respectively.

Conclusion: The concordance rate of Ki-67 in preoperative core needle biopsy and surgical specimens was lower compared with other biological markers. However, they were nearly equal with reassessment using central review and an automated analyzer. Clinical application of Ki-67 and its standardization are challenging due to variable counting methods and measurement sites. Conducting central reviews in general clinical facilities is difficult, but introducing an automated analyzer with a Ki-67 labeling index is shown to achieve that goal.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD06-02.

Activation of the 20S Proteasome of Xenopus Oocytes by SDS: Evidence for the Substrate-Induced Conformational Change Characteristic of Trypsin-Like Peptidase

The 20S proteasome of eukaryotic cells has at least three distinct peptidase activities (trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and peptidylglutamylpeptide (PGP) hydrolase activities). These peptidases are latent and require appropriate activators. SDS has been widely used as an activator of these peptidases, but the mechanism of its activation remains unresolved. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of the SDS-activated hydrolysis of the above three types of peptidase of the 20S proteasome purified from Xenopus oocytes. When the reaction was started by simultaneous adding both SDS and substrate, maximal rates of hydrolysis were reached after appreciable lag phases with the trypsin-type substrate [t-butyloxycarbonylLeu-Arg-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Boc-LRR-MCA)], but no such lag phases were observed with the chymotrypsin-type and PGP hydrolase-type substrates [succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Suc-LLVY-MCA), and benzyloxycarbonyl-Leu-Leu-Glu-2-naphthylamide (Cbz-LLE-2NA), respectively]. Similarly, changes in the hydrolysis rate to a reduced level upon dilution of SDS occurred after an appreciable lag phase again in the trypsin-like peptidase, but not in the other types. The lag phase characteristic of the trypsin-like peptidase was dependent on the substrate concentration. Thus, the lag phase was less discernible at very low concentrations of the substrate (e.g. at concentrations in the order of 1/100 of the Km value), but became more conspicuous with the increases in the substrate concentration. This lag phase also vanished upon preincubation of the activator (SDS) for a short period of 5 sec. These results suggest that the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex in the trypsin-like reaction induces a conformational change in the enzyme which makes the SDS activator site(s) in an occluded form, reducing the rates of SDS binding and dissociation.

Determination of mitochondrial cytochrome B gene sequence for red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the differentiation of closely related deer meats

The cytochrome b gene sequence for red deer was determined using the Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing method and used for identification of deer meat in meat and meat products. Red deer showed a similarity of 94.1, 84.0, 81.1, 85.5 and 85.6% to sika deer (Cervus nippon), bovine, pigs, sheep and goats, respectively. To differentiate the deer meat, oligonucleotide primers RD-1(5'-TCATCGCAGCACTCGCTATAGTACACT-3'), RD-2(5'-ATCTCCAAGTAGGTCTGGTGCGAATAA-3') were designed for the region of the cytochrome b gene of red deer. The PCR amplified 194 bp fragments from red and sika deer, but no fragments from bovine, pig, chicken, sheep, goat, horse and rabbit DNA. Although cooking the meats reduced the PCR products, red deer could still be detected in meat heated at 120 °C. To discriminate between red and sika deer, these PCR products were digested by a restriction enzyme (EcoRI,BamHI,ScaI) and analyzed by 4% agorose gel electrophoresis. As a result, the red deer fragment was digested by EcoRI to 67/127 bp fragments but not by BamHI and ScaI. The sika deer fragment was digested to 48/146 bp and 49/145 bp fragments with the two other enzymes, and thus it is possible to differentiate between the two kinds of deer from the digestion pattern of restriction enzymes.

Upregulation of calcium binding protein, S100A6, in activated astrocytes is linked to glutamate toxicity

S100A6 (calcyclin), an EF-hand calcium binding protein, is considered to exert various functions, e.g., cell proliferation and differentiation, calcium homeostasis, and neuronal degeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether S100A6 might be linked to glutamate toxicity using three animal models and pharmacological interventions. We first examined the age-related changes in S100A6 immunoreactivity in the mouse hippocampus, considering that an important negative aspect of brain aging is linked to increased extracellular glutamate. The surface area of S100A6-positive (+) astrocytes was significantly larger in aged mice than in young mice, while the numbers of S100β+ astrocytes did not change with age. In the second experiment, we examined the alterations in S100A6 immunoreactivity in the injured hypoglossal nucleus, because glutamate toxicity is considered to contribute to neuronal death after axotomy. There was no apparent S100A6 immunoreactivity in the hypoglossal nucleus of sham control animals. However, intense labeling for S100A6 in activated astrocytes was observed in the axotomized hypoglossal nucleus of mice. Administration of ceftriaxone, an astrocyte glutamate transporter enhancer, to axotomized mice significantly decreased the immunoreactivity for S100A6. In the third experiment, we tested an animal model of epilepsy using kainic acid (KA), a glutamate analog. In the mouse hippocampus after KA injection, S100A6 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in astrocytes, and pyknotic changes were observed in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Treatment of MK-801, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, counteracted the KA-induced increase in S100A6 immunoreactivity, and reduced the numbers of pyknotic neurons. Our results indicate that upregulation of astrocytic S100A6 in response to extracellular glutamate may be involved in neuronal damage under pathophysiological conditions.

Morphological features of the stomach of Malayan pangolin, Manis javanica

The morphology of the stomach of Malayan pangolin, Manis javanica was studied at macroscopic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic levels. The stomach of M. javanica was C-shaped with short lesser curvature. At the oesophageal junction, the inner smooth muscle was thickened in the greater curvature side. The entire stomach was lined by a thick cornified stratified squamous epithelium, except at the duct orifices of glands and in the pyloric gland region. The wall of the fundus was thin and devoid of glands. The gastric glands consisted of mucous, oxyntic, and pyloric glands. The mucous glands were observed in the lesser curvature (Mg-L), in the greater curvature (Mg-G), and in the pyloric canal (Mg-C) respectively. The oxyntic glands were organized into gland mass, making an oval mound elevated to the gastric lumen, in the middle of the greater curvature. The oxyntic gland mass has a single common duct with opening directed to the pyloric side. This duct was surrounded by mucus gland (Mg-G). The pyloric glands were located caudal to the pylorus. There was no sphincter at the pyloric-duodenal junction. Large mucosal protuberance, the torus pyloricus was observed in the side of the lesser curvature of the pyloric canal. In the lumen of pyloric canal region, numerous spines and small pebbles were observed. The muscle layers in the wall of this region were considerably thickened. The present results on the stomach of M. javanica are thought to be closely related to the toothless and eating habits of this animal species.

Arterial-cardiac destiffening following long-term antihypertensive treatment

BACKGROUND

We examined whether in addition to producing a greater degree of improvement of the arterial stiffness, long-term angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) treatment might also have a more beneficial effect on the cardiac diastolic dysfunction than long-term calcium-channel blocker (CCB) treatment; we also evaluated the association between the improvements of the two variables brought about by ARB treatment in subjects with stage I or II hypertension.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen patients were randomly allocated to treatment with an ARB (candesartan) or a CCB (amlodipine). Echocardiography and measurement of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) were conducted in both groups at the start of the treatment and at the end of 2-3-years' treatment.

RESULTS

After adjustments for covariates, the extent of reduction of the brachial-ankle PWV (-200 ± 18 cm/s vs. -141 ± 18 cm/s, P = 0.03) and that of the increase of the E/A ratio (0.08 ± 0.03 vs. 0.01 ± 0.03, P = 0.04) were significantly greater in the candesartan group than in the amlodipine group. A significant relationship was identified between the delta changes of the brachial-ankle PWV and delta changes of the E/A ratio observed following long-term candesartan treatment.

CONCLUSION

Long-term candesartan treatment may have a more beneficial effect on the stiffness of the large- to- middle-sized arteries than long-term amlodipine treatment, and this treatment may also concomitantly improve the cardiac diastolic dysfunction; a significant association appeared to exist between the improvements of the two variables observed following long-term candesartan treatment.

Chronic stress modulates neural and cardiovascular responses during reversal learning

Animal studies have revealed that chronic stress shifts cognitive strategies from the flexible goal-directed action to the simple and rigid habit action. In addition, stress-induced atrophy in the prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum which are involved in the goal-directed action and hypertrophy of the dorsolateral striatum which is critical for the habit action were parallel with the effects of chronic stress on behaviors. The present study tested whether these previous findings in animal studies are compatible in humans by analyzing effects of chronic stress on neural and cardiovascular responses, which are likely important for performing appropriate actions. Twenty healthy men exposed to low or high chronic job stress performed a stochastic reversal learning task, which required cognitive flexibility and the goal-directed action. Regional cerebral blood flow was evaluated during the task using (15)O-water positron emission tomography, and cardiovascular parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate were also measured. During the reversal learning task, whereas participants with low chronic job stress exhibited activity in the anterior caudate, as well as orbitofrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, and midbrain, which might be related to the goal-directed action, participants with high chronic job stress exhibited no activity in such brain regions. Furthermore, participants with high chronic job stress exhibited less reactivity in diastolic blood pressure, which might be mediated by anterior cingulate cortical activity. These findings, in line with previous studies, suggested that chronic job stress correlates with less activity in brain regions related to the goal-directed action, and insensitive physiological responses in humans.

Successful removal of a giant skull base metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma after direct ethanol injection: case report

Skull metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely rich in vascularity, which sometimes makes surgery dangerous. For minimally invasive surgery, it is very important to diminish the intratumoral vascular flow preoperatively. We report the case of a 69-year-old man with a giant skull base metastasis from HCC that was successfully removed after two sessions of direct ethanol injection into the tumor as a preoperative treatment to diminish the intratumoral vascular flow. Direct ethanol injection is a modification of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, which is widely used in the treatment of primary HCC. In this article, we describe in detail the practical procedures and the usefulness of this treatment for a giant skull base metastasis from HCC.

Differential involvement of perineuronal astrocytes and microglia in synaptic stripping after hypoglossal axotomy

Following peripheral axotomy, the presynaptic terminals are removed from lesioned neurons, that is synaptic stripping. To elucidate involvement of astrocytes and microglia in synaptic stripping, we herein examined the motoneuron perineuronal circumference after hypoglossal nerve transection. As reported previously, axotomy-induced slow cell death occurred in C57BL/6 mice but not in Wistar rats. Synaptophysin labeling in the hypoglossal nucleus exhibited a minor reduction in both species after axotomy. Slice patch recording showed that the mean frequency of miniature postsynaptic currents in axotomized motoneurons was significantly lower in rats than in mice. We then estimated the relative coverage of motoneuron perineuronal circumference by line profile analysis. In the synaptic environment, axotomy-induced intrusion of astrocytic processes was significantly more extensive in rats than in mice, whereas microglial intrusion into the synaptic space was significantly more severe in mice than in rats. Interestingly, in the extrasynaptic environment, the prevalence of contact between astrocytic processes and lesioned motoneurons was significantly increased in rats, while no significant axotomy-induced alterations in astrocytic contact were observed in mice. These findings indicate that astrocytic, but not microglial, reaction may primarily mediate some anti-apoptotic effects through synaptic stripping after hypoglossal nerve axotomy. In addition, enlargement of astrocytic processes in the extrasynaptic environment may also be involved in neuronal protection via the increased uptake of excessive glutamate.

Density-of-state oscillation of quasiparticle excitation in the spin density wave phase of (TMTSF)2ClO4

Systematic measurements of the magnetocaloric effect, heat capacity, and magnetic torque under a high magnetic field up to 35 T are performed in the spin density wave (SDW) phase of a quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)2ClO4. In the SDW phase above 26 T, where the quantum Hall effect is broken, rapid oscillations (ROs) in these thermodynamic quantities are observed, which provides clear evidence of the density-of-state (DOS) oscillation near the Fermi level. The resistance is semiconducting and the heat capacity divided by temperature is extrapolated to zero at 0 K in the SDW phase, showing that all the energy bands are gapped, and there is no DOS at the Fermi level. The results show that the ROs are ascribed to the DOS oscillation of the quasiparticle excitation.

Association of serum cystatin C with pulse wave velocity, but not pressure wave reflection, in subjects with normal renal function or mild chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify whether serum cystatin C levels might be associated with not only arterial stiffness, but also the pressure wave reflection, in middle-aged Japanese subjects with normal renal function or mild chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stage 1 or 2 CKD) (i.e., creatinine-based estimate of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr) > or =60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) plus a result of the urine dipstick test for proteinuria of <1+).

METHODS

In 2,904 Japanese subjects (45 +/- 9 years old), the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), radial augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats/min (rAI75), and serum cystatin C levels were measured.

RESULTS

Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that the serum cystatin C levels were significantly correlated with the baPWV (standardized coefficient = 0.04, P < 0.01) even after adjustments for confounding variables, but not with the AI75 (standardized coefficient = 0.01, P = 0.71). adjusted values of the baPWV, but not those of rAI75, were higher in subjects with serum cystatin C levels in the highest tertile than in those with serum cystatin levels in the intermediate or lowest tertile.

CONCLUSION

In middle-aged Japanese subjects with normal renal function or mild CKD (stage 1 or 2 CKD) (eGFRcr >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) plus a result of the urine dipstick test for proteinuria of <1+), the serum cystatin C levels may reflect facet of cardiovascular risk associated with arterial stiffness, but not that associated with the pressure wave reflection.

Retinal input instructs alignment of visual topographic maps

Sensory information is represented in the brain in the form of topographic maps, in which neighboring neurons respond to adjacent external stimuli. In the visual system, the superior colliculus receives topographic projections from the retina and primary visual cortex (V1) that are aligned. Alignment may be achieved through the use of a gradient of shared axon guidance molecules, or through a retinal-matching mechanism in which axons that monitor identical regions of visual space align. To distinguish between these possibilities, we take advantage of genetically engineered mice that we show have a duplicated functional retinocollicular map but only a single map in V1. Anatomical tracing revealed that the corticocollicular projection bifurcates to align with the duplicated retinocollicular map in a manner dependent on the normal pattern of spontaneous activity during development. These data suggest a general model in which convergent maps use coincident activity patterns to achieve alignment.

Distribution of lectin-bindings in the testis of the lesser mouse deer, Tragulus javanicus

The distribution of lectin bindings in the testis of the smallest ruminant, lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus), was studied using 12 biotinylated lectins specific for d-galactose (peanut agglutinin PNA, Ricinus communis agglutinin RCA I), N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (Dolichos biflorus agglutinin DBA, Vicia villosa agglutinin VVA, Soybean agglutinin SBA), N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid (wheat germ agglutinin WGA, s-WGA), D-mannose and d-glucose (Lens culinaris agglutinin LCA, Pisum sativum agglutinin PSA, Concanavalin A Con A), L-fucose (Ulex europaeus agglutinin UEA I), and oligosaccharide (Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin PHA-E) sugar residues. In Golgi-, cap-, and acrosome-phase spermatids, lectin-bindings were found in the acrosome (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA and s-WGA), and in the cytoplasm (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA, LCA, PSA, Con A and PHA-E). s-WGA binding was confined to the spermatid acrosome, but other lectins were also observed in spermatocytes. In spermatogonia, VVA, WGA, Con A, and PHA-E bindings were observed. Sertoli cells were intensely stained with DBA and Con A, and weakly with PHA-E. In interstitial Leydig cells, RCA I, DBA, VVA, Con A, PSA, LCA, WGA and PHA-E were positive. UEA I was negative in all cell types including spermatogenic cells. Unusual distribution of lectin-bindings noted in the testis of lesser mouse deer included the limited distribution of s-WGA only in the spermatid acrosome, the distribution of DBA in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and lamina propria, and the absence of UEA I in all type cells. The present results were discussed in comparison with those of other animals and their possible functional implications.

Core structure of the yeast spt4-spt5 complex: a conserved module for regulation of transcription elongation

The Spt4-Spt5 complex is an essential RNA polymerase II elongation factor found in all eukaryotes and important for gene regulation. We report here the crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spt4 bound to the NGN domain of Spt5. This structure reveals that Spt4-Spt5 binding is governed by an acid-dipole interaction between Spt5 and Spt4. Mutations that disrupt this interaction disrupt the complex. Residues forming this pivotal interaction are conserved in the archaeal homologs of Spt4 and Spt5, which we show also form a complex. Even though bacteria lack a Spt4 homolog, the NGN domains of Spt5 and its bacterial homologs are structurally similar. Spt4 is located at a position that may help to maintain the functional conformation of the following KOW domains in Spt5. This structural and evolutionary perspective of the Spt4-Spt5 complex and its homologs suggest that it is an ancient, core component of the transcription elongation machinery.

Antiferromagnetic d-electron exchange via a spin-singlet pi-electron ground state in an organic conductor

Electron spin resonance reveals the spin behavior of conduction (pi) and localized (d) electrons in beta-(BDA-TTP)2MCl4 (M=Fe, Ga). Both the Ga3+(S=0) and Fe3+(S=5/2) compounds exhibit a metal-insulator transition at 113 K with the simultaneous formation of a spin-singlet ground state in the pi electron system of the donor molecules. The behavior is consistent with charge ordering in beta-(BDA-TTP)2MCl4 at the metal-insulator transition. At 5 K, the Fe3+ compound orders antiferromagnetically, even though the pi electrons, which normally would facilitate magnetic exchange, are localized nonmagnetic singlets.

Category analysis of the substituted anilines studied in a 28-day repeat-dose toxicity test conducted on rats: correlation between toxicity and chemical structure

In order to establish methods for estimating the repeat-dose toxicity of chemicals on the basis of their chemical structure, an analysis of a category formed for 14 substituted anilines was conducted. This analysis was based on the results of a 28-day repeat-dose toxicity test conducted on rats in which these 14 chemicals were studied. The intensities of the toxicological effects of the 14 substituted anilines on each target organ at specific dosages were described using the values and histopathological findings of the test. The results clarified the characteristics of the chemical structure that induced specific toxicological effects on specific targets at a particular dosage. Hemolysis was the most frequently observed finding in the test reports in the case of the 14 substituted anilines. Strong linear correlations between the dosage and proportion of decrease in the erythrocyte count were found in the case of chemicals that induced strong hemolytic effects. In particular, for dimethylanilines, strong linear correlations were found between the calculated hemoglobin-binding index and the proportion of decrease in the erythrocyte count at a particular dosage. Thus, the results of our analysis demonstrate that it is possible to correlate the values obtained for substituted anilines from 28-day repeat-dose toxicity tests with their quantitatively determined molecular properties. The intensity of hemolysis and the effects on the liver tended to be low in the case of chemicals with a high water solubility, such as aminophenols and benzene sulfonic acids. However, a similar trend was not observed in the case of the effects of these chemicals on the kidney.

A study of dendritic and endothelial cell interactions in colon cancer in a cell line and small mammal model

AIM

Historically, cancer therapy directly targeting tumor cells have yielded suboptimal clinical results, and therefore anti-angiogenic therapy that targets tumor cells indirectly through impairing tumor vasculature is now considered to be one of the novel approaches potentially effective against various types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated whether lysates of endothelium could be effectively pulsed in dendritic cells (DCs), to enhance their anti-tumor effects.

METHODS

For this purpose, we prepared DCs of BALB/c mouse, incubated them with lysates of autologous or xenogeneic endothelium, and tested their anti-tumor effects in two syngeneic models of colon cancer.

RESULTS

DCs pulsed with the respective endothelium lysates significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors as well as pulmonary metastases in mice, and their anti-tumor effect was superior to that of unpulsed DCs. Immunohistopathological analysis showed significant decrease in the mean vascular density of tumors, correlating well with the extent of tumor inhibition. In vitro analysis of splenocytes isolated from immunized mice revealed an induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and activation of natural killer cells, with a lytic activity against activated endothelium but not tumor cells. In addition, antibodies reacting with activated endothelium, but not tumor cells, were detected in murine sera by ELISA, and their function was confirmed by complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present results suggest that lysates of endothelium can be effectively pulsed in DCs and enhance their anti-tumor effects through induction of anti-angiogenesis, and therefore should have important clinical implications for adjuvant cancer therapy.

A Lectin Histochemical Study on the Testis of the Babirusa, Babyroussa babyrussa (Suidae)

The distribution of lectin bindings in the testis of babirusa, Babyrousa babyrussa (Suidae) was studied histochemically using 10 biotinylated lectins, Peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA I), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA), Soybean agglutinin (SBA), Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA), Concanavalin A(Con A) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA I). Nine of 10 lectins showed a variety of staining patterns in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitial cells. The acrosome of Golgi-, cap- and acrosome-phase spermatids displayed various PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA and WGA bindings, indicating the presence of glycoconjugates with D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine sugar residues respectively. No affinity was detected in the acrosome of late spermatids. LCA, PSA and Con A which have affinity for D-mannose and D-glucose sugar residues were positive in the cytoplasm of spermatids and spermatocytes. DBA was positive only in spermatogonia. In addition to DBA, positive binding in spermatogonia was found for VVA, WGA and Con A, suggesting the distribution of glycoconjugates with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannose and D-glucose sugar residues. Sertoli cells were stained intensely with RCA I, WGA and Con A. In Leydig cells, RCA I and Con A were strongly positive, while WGA, LCA and PSA reactions were weak to moderate. The present findings showed that the distribution pattern of lectin binding in the testis of babirusa is somewhat different from that of pig or other mammals reported previously.