Radial Spin Texture in Elemental Tellurium with Chiral Crystal Structure

The chiral crystal is characterized by a lack of mirror symmetry and inversion center, resulting in the inequivalent right- and left-handed structures. In the noncentrosymmetric crystal structure, the spin and momentum of electrons are expected to be locked in the reciprocal space with the help of the spin-orbit interaction. To reveal the spin textures of chiral crystals, we investigate the spin and electronic structure in a p-type semiconductor, elemental tellurium, with the simplest chiral structure by using spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our data demonstrate that the highest valence band crossing the Fermi level has a spin component parallel to the electron momentum around the Brillouin zone corners. Significantly, we have also confirmed that the spin polarization is reversed in the crystal with the opposite chirality. The results indicate that the spin textures of the right- and left-handed chiral crystals are hedgehoglike, leading to unconventional magnetoelectric effects and nonreciprocal phenomena.

Large Variation of Dirac Semimetal State in Perovskite CaIrO_{3} with Pressure-Tuning of Electron Correlation

The impact of electron correlation on the Dirac semimetal state is investigated for perovskite CaIrO_{3} in terms of the magnetotransport properties under varying pressures. The reduction of electron correlation with a pressure of 1 GPa enhances the Fermi velocity as much as 40%, but it reduces the mobility by an order of magnitude by detuning the Dirac node from the Fermi energy. Moreover, the giant magnetoresistance at the quantum limit due to the one-dimensional confinement of Dirac electrons is critically suppressed under pressure. These results indicate that the electron correlation is a crucial knob for controlling the transport of a correlated Dirac semimetal.

Strong-correlation induced high-mobility electrons in Dirac semimetal of perovskite oxide

Electrons in conventional metals become less mobile under the influence of electron correlation. Contrary to this empirical knowledge, we report here that electrons with the highest mobility ever found in known bulk oxide semiconductors emerge in the strong-correlation regime of the Dirac semimetal of perovskite CaIrO₃. The transport measurements reveal that the high mobility exceeding 60,000 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ originates from the proximity of the Fermi energy to the Dirac node (ΔE < 10 meV). The calculation based on the density functional theory and the dynamical mean field theory reveals that the energy difference becomes smaller as the system approaches the Mott transition, highlighting a crucial role of correlation effects cooperating with the spin-orbit coupling. The correlation-induced self-tuning of Dirac node enables the quantum limit at a modest magnetic field with a giant magnetoresistance, thus providing an ideal platform to study the novel phenomena of correlated Dirac electron.

Electron correlation normally makes electrons less mobile, but it is still not clear when correlation becomes very strong in Dirac semimetals. Here, Fujioka et al. report a very high electron mobility exceeding 60,000 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ in correlated Dirac semimetal of perovskite CaIrO3, due to the enhanced electron correlation nearby the Mott transition.

Inhibition of malic enzyme 1 disrupts cellular metabolism and leads to vulnerability in cancer cells in glucose-restricted conditions

Malic enzyme 1 (ME1) regulates one of the main pathways that provide nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is essential for cancer cell growth through maintenance of redox balance and biosynthesis processes in the cytoplasm. In this study, we found that ME1 inhibition disrupted metabolism in cancer cells and inhibited cancer cell growth by inducing senescence or apoptosis. In glucose-restricted culture conditions, cancer cells increased ME1 expression, and tracer experiments with labelled glutamine revealed that the flux of ME1-derived pyruvate to citrate was enhanced. In addition, cancer cells showed higher sensitivity to ME1 depletion in glucose-restricted conditions compared to normal culture conditions. These results suggest that in a low-glucose environment, where glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is attenuated, cancer cells become dependent on ME1 for the supply of NADPH and pyruvate. Our data demonstrate that ME1 is a promising target for cancer treatment, and a strategy using ME1 inhibitors combined with inhibition of glycolysis, PPP or redox balance regulators may provide an effective therapeutic option.

Acotiamide Hydrochloride, a Therapeutic Agent for Functional Dyspepsia, Enhances Acetylcholine-induced Contraction via Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Circular Muscle Strips of Guinea Pig Stomach

Acotiamide is a first-in-class prokinetic drug approved in Japan for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Given that acotiamide enhances gastric motility in conscious dogs and rats, we assessed the in vitro effects of this drug on the contraction of guinea pig stomach strips and on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in stomach homogenate following fundus removal. We also investigated the serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist mosapride, dopamine D2 receptor and AChE inhibitor itopride, and representative AChE inhibitor neostigmine. Acotiamide (0.3 and 1 μM) and itopride (1 and 3 μM) significantly enhanced the contraction of gastric body strips induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), but mosapride (1 and 10 μM) did not. Acotiamide and itopride significantly enhanced the contraction of gastric body and antrum strips induced by acetylcholine (ACh), but not that induced by carbachol (CCh). Neostigmine also significantly enhanced the contraction of gastric body strips induced by ACh, but not that by CCh. In contrast, mosapride failed to enhance contractions induced by either ACh or CCh in gastric antrum strips. Acotiamide exerted mixed inhibition of AChE, and the percentage inhibition of acotiamide (100 μM) against AChE activity was markedly reduced after the reaction mixture was dialyzed. In contrast, itopride exerted noncompetitive inhibition on AChE activity. These results indicate that acotiamide enhances ACh-dependent contraction in gastric strips of guinea pigs via the inhibition of AChE activity, and that it exerts mixed and reversible inhibition of AChE derived from guinea pig stomach.

Highly reversible capacity at the surface of a lithium-rich manganese oxide: a model study using an epitaxial film system

The surface region of a lithium-rich manganese oxide Li₂MnO₃ is intrinsically active at the electrochemical interface and exhibits a high discharge capacity over 300 mA h g⁻¹ in the fiftieth cycle.

Early skin toxicity predicts better outcomes, and early tumor shrinkage predicts better response after cetuximab treatment in advanced colorectal cancer

Cetuximab-containing treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer have been shown to have higher overall response rates and longer progression-free and overall survival than other systemic therapies. Cetuximab-related manifestations, including severe skin toxicity and early tumor shrinkage, have been shown to be predictors of response to cetuximab. We hypothesized that early skin toxicity is a predictor of response and better outcomes in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. We retrospectively evaluated 62 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma who had unresectable tumors and were treated with cetuximab in our institution. Skin toxicity grade was evaluated on each treatment day. Tumor size was evaluated using computed tomography prior to treatment and 4-8 weeks after the start of treatment with cetuximab.Patients with early tumor shrinkage after starting treatment with cetuximab had a significantly higher overall response rate (P = 0.0001). Patients with early skin toxicity showed significantly longer overall survival (P = 0.0305), and patients with higher skin toxicity grades had longer progression-free survival (P = 0.0168).We have shown that early tumor shrinkage, early onset of skin toxicity, and high skin toxicity grade are predictors of treatment efficacy and/or outcome in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma treated with cetuximab.

Efficacy of azithromycin in preventing lethal graft-versus-host disease

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is initiated by donor T lymphocytes that recognize histocompatibility antigens presented by recipient dendritic cells (DCs). Current approaches to reduce GVHD are focused on suppressing donor T lymphocyte responses to alloantigens. However, these strategies may be inadequate in the setting of allogeneic transplants (particularly histoincompatible transplants), may increase the risk of tumour relapse and are associated with high rates of opportunistic infections. We hypothesized that inhibition of recipient DCs might suppress GVHD. We recently demonstrated in vitro that azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, also acts as a nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor of murine DCs and inhibits their maturation and functions, including allogeneic responses. We investigated whether azithromycin could prevent alloreactions in a murine histoincompatibility model. Oral administration of azithromycin to recipient mice for 5 days during major-histoincompatible BMT suppressed lethal GVHD significantly, whereas ex-vivo lymphocyte function was not affected by the drug. These data suggest that azithromycin has potential as a novel prophylactic drug for lethal GVHD.

Efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to metformin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label, long-term extension study

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to metformin versus metformin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who achieved inadequate glycaemic control on metformin (500 or 750 mg/day) + diet/exercise.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind trial, 288 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM received either 12.5 or 25 mg alogliptin once daily + metformin or placebo + metformin for 12 weeks. Thereafter, 276 patients continued on one of the two alogliptin dosages + metformin in an open-label extension for 40 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint in the randomized, double-blind phase was the change in HbA1c from baseline (week 0) to the end of treatment (week 12). The primary endpoint during the long-term extension phase was adverse events.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks both dosages of alogliptin + metformin produced significantly greater changes from baseline in HbA1c than placebo (metformin monotherapy: with changes in LS means - 0.55 and - 0.64% vs. 0.22%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Incidences of adverse effects were comparable between groups, with no increases in hypoglycaemia. Over 52 weeks, there were no safety or tolerability concerns with alogliptin when added to metformin.

CONCLUSIONS

Alogliptin 12.5 and 25 mg once daily was safe and effective when added to metformin (500 or 750 mg/day) in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes on metformin alone.

GPR40-induced insulin secretion by the novel agonist TAK-875: first clinical findings in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM

Free fatty acids act as signalling molecules for modulating insulin secretion, and their insulinotropic effects are glucose-dependent and mediated through G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40). This mechanism is a potential target for new treatments for managing diabetes. In this study, we present the first clinical data for TAK-875, a novel highly selective, orally bioavailable GPR40 agonist, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled by diet or exercise therapy.

METHODS

This was an exploratory phase II, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of TAK-875 100 and 400 mg, and placebo, all administered once daily for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

After 2 weeks of treatment, TAK-875 produced marked glucose lowering effects in a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as evidenced by mean ± SE intergroup differences in plasma glucose AUC(0-3 h) of -12.98 ± 1.48 (p < 0.0001) and -8.12 ± 1.49 mmol·h/l (p < 0.0001), for TAK-875 400 mg vs. placebo and TAK-875 100 mg vs. placebo, respectively, and 2 h plasma glucose [-4.95 ± 0.71 (p < 0.0001) and -3.21 ± 0.71 mmol/l (p < 0.0001), respectively]. This was accompanied by a significant increase in insulin AUC(0-3 h) [34.68 ± 12.16 (p < 0.01) and 31.49 ± 12.20 (p < 0 · 05) µIU·h/ml, respectively]. Improvement in glycaemic profile was mirrored by a significant change in fasting plasma glucose [-2.37 ± 0·27 (p < 0.0001) and -1.88 ± 0.27 mmol/l (p < 0.0001), respectively]. No cases of hypoglycaemia were observed despite the significant reduction in plasma glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

These exploratory findings provide evidence of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic potential of the GPR40 agonist TAK-875, and the promising clinical changes support future longer term clinical investigation.

The effect of azithromycin on the maturation and function of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells capable of initiating primary/adaptive immune responses and tolerance. DC functions are regulated by their state of maturation. However, the molecular pathways leading to DC development and maturation remain poorly understood. We attempted to determine whether inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which is one of the pivotal pathways underlying these processes, could induce immunophenotypic and functional changes in lipopolysaccharide-induced mature DCs derived from murine bone marrow. A comparative in vitro study of five clinically used drugs that are known to inhibit NF-κB demonstrated that azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, significantly inhibited expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40 and CD86) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II by DCs. It also reduced Toll-like receptor 4 expression, interleukin-12 production and the allostimulatory capacity of DCs. These data suggest that azithromycin, as not only an NF-κB inhibitor but also an antibiotic, has potential as a novel drug for manipulation of allogeneic responses.

159 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLEAVAGE PATTERNS OF FIRST CELL CYCLE AND POST-TRANSFER VIABILITY IN BOVINE EMBRYOS OBTAINED BY OVUM PICKUP AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

More than 300 000 embryos have been transferred all over the world (Stroud 2010 IETS Newsl. 27(4), 11–21). We have reported that embryos that showed the abnormal cleavage pattern at the first cell division can develop to the blastocyst stage (Somfai et al. 2010 J. Reprod. Dev. 56, 200–207). However, we have limited knowledge about the consequences of the pattern of first embryonic cleavage on their post-transfer developmental competence. The present study was conducted to determine the developmental competence of bovine blastocysts showing different cleavage patterns at their first cell division. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were collected by ovum pickup from Japanese Black cows and were subjected to in vitro maturation and IVF as reported previously (Imai et al. 2006 J. Reprod. Dev. 52, S19–S29 suppl). Inseminated oocytes were cultured in CR1aa medium supplemented with 5% calf serum covered by mineral oil at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air with micro-droplets or 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2. The kinetics of embryo development were analysed by time-lapse cinematography for 168 h after IVF by using a Cultured Cell Monitoring System (CCM-M1.4ZS, Astec, Fukuoka, Japan). A total of 673 photographs of each embryo were taken (1 photograph in every 15 min) during in vitro culture. Image stacks were analysed by the CCM-M1.4 software. Embryos were classified in 5 groups according to the pattern of first cleavage as normal cleavage (NC), direct cleavage from 1 cell to 3 to 4 blastomeres (3–4BL), unequal blastomeres (UB), multiple fragments (MF) and protrusion formation (PT). Blastocysts developing from each group were transferred into the ipsilateral uterine horn of each synchronized recipient on Day 7 or 8 after oestrus. Data on conception at Day 60, abortion and delivery were then recorded. Data were analysed by chi-square test and Student's t-test. In total, 43 embryos were transferred, 17 conceptions (39.5%) were established and 16 recipients (94.1%) were delivered. Only 1 abortion was detected at Day 223 in the NC group. The highest conception rate was observed in the NC group (55%, n = 20) and the 3–4BL (n = 12), UB (n = 6) and PT (n = 3) groups showed similar conception rates of 33.3% (1 implanted embryo belonged to 2 classes in UB and PT) and none of the embryos derived from the MF group (n = 3) could cause conception. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in conception rates between the NC group and totals of each of the other cleavage groups. No significant difference was found in gestation lengths and birth weights between the NC group (282.2 ± 4.4 days, 30.6 ± 3.8 kg, respectively) and totals of each of the other cleavage groups (282.8 ± 5.3 days, 30.3 ± 1.9 kg, respectively). These results indicate that embryos showing abnormal cleavage patterns at first cell division can develop to normal calves with normal gestation lengths and birth weights; however, their post-transfer viability is lower than for NC embryos. This work was supported by the Research and Development Program for New Bio-industry Initiatives.

Efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to pioglitazone in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label long-term extension study

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to pioglitazone versus pioglitazone monotherapy, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who achieved inadequate glycaemic control on pioglitazone plus diet/exercise.

METHODS

Patients were stabilized on pioglitazone 15 or 30 mg/day plus diet/exercise during a 16-week screening period. Patients with HbA1c of 6.9-10.4% were randomized to 12 weeks' double-blind treatment with alogliptin 12.5 or 25 mg once daily or placebo, added to their stable pioglitazone regimen. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 12. Patients had an option to continue in a 40-week, open-label extension study, with those originally randomized to alogliptin remaining on the same dosage regimen while patients treated with placebo were randomly allocated to alogliptin 12.5 or 25 mg (added to their stable pioglitazone).

RESULTS

The change from baseline in HbA1c after 12 weeks was significantly greater with alogliptin 12.5 mg added to pioglitazone and alogliptin 25 mg added to pioglitazone than with placebo added to pioglitazone (-0.91 and -0.97% vs. -0.19%; p < 0.0001). Responder rates (HbA1c <6.9% and HbA1c <6.2%) and changes in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels showed a similar positive trend in terms of glycaemic control. The benefits seen with alogliptin were sustained during the 40-week extension period. Alogliptin added to pioglitazone was generally well tolerated; hypoglycaemia was infrequent and increases in body weight were minor.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily alogliptin was effective and generally well tolerated when given as add-on therapy to pioglitazone in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who achieved inadequate glycaemic control on pioglitazone plus lifestyle measures. Clinical benefits were maintained for 52 weeks.

Anti-MuSK autoantibodies block binding of collagen Q to MuSK

OBJECTIVE

Muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MG) accounts for 5%-15% of autoimmune MG. MuSK mediates the agrin-signaling pathway and also anchors the collagenic tail subunit (ColQ) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The exact molecular target of MuSK-immunoglobulin G (IgG), however, remains elusive. As acetylcholine receptor (AChR) deficiency is typically mild and as cholinesterase inhibitors are generally ineffective, we asked if MuSK-IgG interferes with binding of ColQ to MuSK.

METHODS

We used 3 assays: in vitro overlay of the human ColQ-tailed AChE to muscle sections of Colq-/- mice; in vitro plate-binding assay to quantitate binding of MuSK to ColQ and to LRP4; and passive transfer of MuSK-IgG to mice.

RESULTS

The in vitro overlay assay revealed that MuSK-IgG blocks binding of ColQ to the neuromuscular junction. The in vitro plate-binding assay showed that MuSK-IgG exerts a dose-dependent block of MuSK binding to ColQ by but not to LRP4. Passive transfer of MuSK-IgG to mice reduced the size and density of ColQ to ∼10% of controls and had a lesser effect on the size and density of AChR and MuSK.

CONCLUSIONS

As lack of ColQ compromises agrin-mediated AChR clustering in Colq-/- mice, a similar mechanism may lead to AChR deficiency in MuSK-MG patients. Our experiments also predict partial AChE deficiency in MuSK-MG patients, but AChE is not reduced in biopsied NMJs. In humans, binding of ColQ to MuSK may be dispensable for clustering ColQ, but is required for facilitating AChR clustering. Further studies will be required to elucidate the basis of this paradox.

Changes in beef sensory traits as somatic-cell-cloned Japanese black steers increased in age from 20 to 30 months

Changes in sensory traits of longissimus muscle (LM) from 20-30-month-old cattle were investigated using somatic cell clones of Japanese black steers slaughtered at 20-, 25- and 30-months-old (n=3, 4 and 4 respectively). The fat content of LM samples at 20, 25 and 30 months were 23.7, 38.7 and 41.1%, respectively. Soluble collagen content and collagen solubility at 20 months was greater than at 25 and 30 months. In terms of sensory traits, initial tenderness and juiciness at 25 months was greater than at 20 months, and fattiness at 25 and 30 months was greater than at 20 months. These results demonstrate that the changes in physicochemical traits of beef accompanying the differences in slaughter age affect the sensory traits although the desirable effects of the sensory traits do not continue throughout the entire fattening period.

138 TIME-LAPSE CINEMATOGRAPHY-COMPATIBLE INJECTION-MOLDED MICROWELL CULTURE SYSTEM FOR TRACKING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL BOVINE EMBRYOS

We have developed a polystyrene-based well of-the-well system (WOW) using injection moulding to track individual embryos throughout culture using time-lapse cinematography (TLC). The WOW-cultured bovine embryos following in vitro fertilization (IVF) were compared with conventional droplet (control)-cultured embryos on in vitro and in vivo development. Twenty-five of zygotes were cultured in each culture system containing 125 μL of CR1aa medium supplemented with 5% calf serum for 168 h after IVF. No differences between control- and WOW-cultured embryos were observed during development to the blastocyst stage. Morphological quality, inner cell mass (ICM), and trophectoderm (TE) cell numbers and post-vitrification survival rates were not different between control- and WOW-derived blastocysts; however, incidence of apoptosis in the ICM and TE cells was reduced in WOW culture (P < 0.01). Oxygen consumption in WOW-derived blastocysts was closer to physiological level than that of control-derived blastocysts. Moreover, WOW culture improved embryo viability, as indicated by increased pregnancy rates at days 30 and 60 after embryo transfer (P < 0.05). The TLC monitoring was performed to evaluate the cleavage pattern and the duration of the first cell cycle of embryos from oocytes collected by ovum pick-up; correlations with success of pregnancy were determined. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the cleavage pattern correlated with success of pregnancy (P < 0.05), but cell cycle length did not. Higher pregnancy rates (66.7%) were observed for animals in which transferred blastocysts had undergone normal cleavage, identified by the presence of 2 blastomeres of the same size without fragmentation, than among those with abnormal cleavage (33.3%). These results suggest that our microwell culture system is a powerful tool for producing and selecting healthy embryos and for identifying viability biomarkers. This work was supported by the Research and Developmental Program for New Bio-Industry Initiatives.

212 EFFECT OF CONSECUTIVE SUPERSTIMULATORY TREATMENT-INDUCED FOLLICULAR WAVE SYNCHRONIZATION TO OPTIMIZE OOCYTE RETRIEVAL AND EMBRYO PRODUCTION BY OVUM PICKUP AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN COWS

We previously reported that superstimulatory (SS) treatment-induced follicular wave synchronization after ovum pickup (OPU) was effective in enhancing the quality of obtained oocytes and blastocysts derived from in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF; Imai et al. 2010 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 22, 296). The present study was designed to examine the efficiency of embryo production by 4 sessions of OPU-IVF using a series of the SS treatment-induced follicular wave synchronizations. For the SS protocols, 3 consecutive SS (3CSS) and 2 separated SS (2SSS) were used. In the 3CSS group, the first OPU was performed on random days of the oestrous cycle (Day 0) and all follicles larger than 2 mm in diameter were aspirated. On Day 5, follicles larger than 8 mm in diameter were aspirated and a CIDR (InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) was inserted. The cows then received 20 armour units of FSH (Kawasaki-Seiyaku, Kawasaki, Japan) in twice-daily decreasing doses by IM injection from Day 7 to 10. Cloprostenol (PGF; 0.75 mg, Fujita-Pharm, Tokyo, Japan) was administered on the morning of Day 9. The second OPU was performed 48 h after PGF administration on Day 11; the CIDR was removed from the cows just before OPU. After the second OPU, donors were treated consecutively with the SS protocol mentioned above for the third and fourth OPU sessions. In the 2SSS group, donors received 2 sets of the SS treatment mentioned above, with an interval of 11 days between the second and the third OPU session. Four OPU sessions were performed every 11 days on all cows. In this study, 8 Japanese Black cows were divided into the 3CSS and 2SSS groups, and the treatment for each group was reversed after a 65-day interval as crossover trials. After OPU, Grade 1 and 2 oocytes were used for IVM and IVF, and putative zygotes were cultured as described by (Imai et al. 2006 J. Reprod. Dev. 52, S19–S29 suppl.). A part of the zygotes were cultured in a micro-well system. Data were analysed by Student’s t-test and chi-square test. There were differences (P < 0.05) in the mean (±SD) number of follicles, collected oocytes, and cultured oocytes in the 3CSS (35.0 ± 8.6 and 24.4 ± 11.2, respectively) and 2SSS (30.8 ± 10.5 and 20.2 ± 9.0, respectively) groups. There were no differences in mean percentage of blastocyst formation and Grade 1 blastocyst rates between the 3CSS (38.5 and 55.8%, respectively) and 2SSS (34.8 and 54.8%, respectively) groups. However, the mean number of blastocysts produced per OPU session was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the 3CSS group (8.1 ± 6.3) compared with the 2SSS group (5.8 ± 4.4). These results indicate that a series of 3 consecutive SS treatments had greater efficiency in producing OPU-IVF embryos. This work was supported in part by the Research and Development Program for New Bio-industry Initiatives.

Pupillary autonomic dysfunction in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease: an assessment by eye-drop tests

PURPOSE

To compare pupillary autonomic dysfunction in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

We administered eye-drop tests to 40 MSA patients, 40 PD patients with similar disease duration, and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Pupillary supersensitivity to a parasympathomimetic agent (0.05% pilocarpine hydrochloride) and to a sympathomimetic agent (0.02% dipivefrine hydrochloride) was examined by assessing changes in pupil diameter.

RESULTS

Pupillary supersensitivity to a parasympathomimetic agent (0.05% pilocarpine hydrochloride) and to a sympathomimetic agent (0.02% dipivefrine hydrochloride) was examined by assessing changes in pupil diameter. Pupillary supersensitivity to 0.05% pilocarpine was greatest among the PD patients (PD -23.1 +/- 14.4%, MSA -12.4 +/- 11.5%, control -9.5 +/- 8.2%, p < 0.05) but was not correlated with disease duration. Pupillary sensitivity to 0.02% dipivefrine was significantly greater in the PD and MSA patients versus controls (PD 10.5 +/- 12.0%, MSA 11.8 +/- 11.0%, control 3.1 +/- 5.8%, p < 0.05). MSA patients had pupillary sympathetic dysfunction from an early stage, whereas in PD patients it tended to gradually accelerate as the disease advanced. In MSA patients, pupillary sympathetic sensitivity to 0.02% dipivefrine was correlated with the severity of orthostatic hypotension during a head-up tilt test and with the elevation of systolic blood pressure during a noradrenaline infusion test. In PD patients, pupillary sympathetic sensitivity to 0.02% dipivefrine was correlated with a reduction of the heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio using delayed-phase iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that eye-drop tests can reveal differences in the progression of pupillary autonomic dysfunction in patients with MSA and PD.

Cloning, expression and purification of cytochrome c(6) from the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis and complete X-ray diffraction analysis of the structure

The primary sequence of cytochrome c(6) from the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis has been determined by cDNA cloning and the crystal structure has been solved at 1.6 A resolution. The crystal belonged to the tetragonal space group P4(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 84.58, c = 232.91 A and six molecules per asymmetric unit. The genome code, amino-acid sequence and crystal structure of H. fusiformis cytochrome c(6) were most similar to those of red algal cytochrome c(6). These results support the hypothesis that brown algae acquired their chloroplasts via secondary endosymbiosis involving a red algal endosymbiont and a eukaryote host.

Long-term phenotypic, functional and genetic stability of cancer-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta genes transduced to CD8+ T cells

In adoptive T-cell transfer as an intervention for malignant diseases, retroviral transfer of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes derived from CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones provides an opportunity to generate a large number of T cells with the same antigen specificity. We cloned the TCR-alphabeta genes from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A(*)2402-restricted CTL clone specific for MAGE-A4(143-151). The TCR-alphabeta genes were transduced to 99.2% of non-TCR expressing SupT1, a human T-cell line, and to 12.7-32.6% of polyclonally activated CD8(+) T cells by retroviral transduction. As expected, TCR-alphabeta gene-modified CD8(+) T cells showed cytotoxic activity and interferon-gamma production in response to peptide-loaded T2-A(*)2402 and tumor cell lines expressing both MAGE-A4 and HLA-A(*)2402. A total of 24 clones were established from TCR-alphabeta gene-transduced peripheral blood mononuclear cells and all clones were functional on a transduced TCR-dependent manner. Four clones were kept in culture over 6 months for analyses in detail. The transduced TCR-alphabeta genes were stably maintained phenotypically, functionally and genetically. Our results indicate that TCR-transduced alphabeta T cells by retroviral transduction represent an efficient and promising strategy for adoptive T-cell transfer for long term.

Ataxic vs painful form of paraneoplastic neuropathy

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the clinicopathologic features of ataxic and painful forms of paraneoplastic neuropathy.

METHODS

Clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic findings were assessed in 17 patients with paraneoplastic neuropathy.

RESULTS

Clinical features can be categorized into two groups: one group (13 patients) with predominantly deep sensory disturbance and a second group (4 patients) with predominantly superficial sensory disturbance. The former group showed severe sensory ataxia and predominantly large myelinated fiber loss in the sural nerve. The latter group showed marked pain, in particular, severe mechanical hyperalgesia, and predominantly small myelinated and unmyelinated fiber loss. Nerve conduction assessment indicated an axonal neuropathy pattern in both groups, while sensory action potentials were more markedly diminished in the sensory ataxic form. Anti-Hu antibodies were detected in half of the patients in both groups. Treatment for cancer was effective to improve or stabilize neuropathic symptoms in some cases from both groups. Immunotherapy was effective only for a short time.

CONCLUSIONS

Paraneoplastic neuropathy can be characterized into two groups by the presence of sensory ataxia or severe spontaneous pain and severe mechanical hyperalgesia. Preferential small myelinated and unmyelinated fiber loss correlated to the cases of severe pain.

42 PREPARTUM HORMONAL CHANGES IN RECIPIENT COWS FOR SOMATIC CELL CLONED FETUSES

Placental estrogens are associated with fetal growth and development, and play important roles in the initiation of the parturition process. In the delivery of somatic cell-cloned (SC) calves, recipient cows show a weak and unclear symptom of parturition, although large offspring syndrome (LOS) frequently occurs. The mortality of calves by dystocia decreases the efficiency of SC cattle production. In this study, we examined peripheral estrone (E1), estradiol-17� (E2), estrone sulfate (E1S), and progesterone (P4) levels during preparturition in recipients of SC and in vivo calves. Recipients were administered 20 mg dexamethasone (DEX) at Days 276-288 of pregnancy, followed by 0.75-1 mg cloprostenol (PG) and 20 mg estriol 24 h later. Calves (Japanese black cattle) were delivered 2 or 3 days after the DEX administration. SC calves were delivered by cesarean section (C-sec) when LOS was suspected by rectal palpation. Blood samples of recipients [vaginal delivery of SC (Vag): n = 13; C-sec of SC: n = 8; vaginal delivery of in vivo calves (Control): n = 4] were taken at Days 257 and 271 of pregnancy, and just before DEX (-2P), PG (-1P), and parturition (0P). Blood samples of calves were taken just after delivery to analyze cortisol level. The statistical significance was analyzed by the Steel-Dwass test. Birth weight of calves was the heaviest (P &lt; 0.05) in C-sec (62 � 3 kg; n = 12); Vag calves (43 � 2 kg; n = 19) were also heavier (P &lt; 0.05) than Control calves (29 � 2 kg; n = 9). E1 levels in Control calves remained low (&lt;629 � 111 pg mL-1) until Day 271 and then increased progressively (&gt;2156 � 599 pg mL-1). E1 levels tended to be lower in Vag (&lt;1968 � 299 pg mL-1) and C-sec (&lt;1268 � 385 pg mL-1) calves at -2P, -1P, and 0P; E1 levels in C-sec calves were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than in Control calves at -2P (512 � 85 pg/mL-1) and -1P (725 � 91 pg mL-1). The E2 level in Control calves increased and reached a plateau at -2P. Vag and C-sec calves showed lower E2 levels, except that the Vag level at 0P was similar to that in Control calves. The E2 level of C-sec calves (61.8 � 25.3 pg mL-1) at 0P was significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than that of Control calves (247.5 � 102.8 pg mL-1). E1S levels in Vag and C-sec calves increased progressively from -2P to 0P, whereas the E1S level in Control calves increased at 0P. The E1S level in Vag calves (41.1 � 4.1 ng mL-1) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) than in Control calves (19.4 � 5.1 ng mL-1) at -1P. P4 levels decreased from -2P in Vag and Control calves, and from -1P in C-sec calves. The cortisol level in C-sec calves (60.1 � 19.1 ng mL-1) tended to be low compared with that in Vag (104.4 � 23.1 ng mL-1) and Control (93.4 � 15.0 ng mL-1) calves. This study revealed fetoplacental dysfunction of estrogen synthesis in the SC fetus during preparturition. Elevated E1S levels in recipients of the SC fetus, which correlated with high birth weight and agreed with previous reports for normal or plural pregnancy, might cause the reduction of E1 level. The comparable level of cortisol in Vag and Control calves indicated that SC calves had normal adrenal cortex function. Further analysis on placental estrogen synthesis and cortisol secretion in the SC fetus is necessary to clarify the cause of the prolonged gestation.

Detection of new anti-neutral glycosphingolipids antibodies and their effects on Trk neurotrophin receptors

We screened sera from patients with various neurological disorders for the presence of anti-neutral glycosphingolipids antibodies and only found them in sera from relapsing polychondritis with limbic encephalitis patients. Neutral glycosphingolipids are resident in membrane lipid rafts where high affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, Trk is co-localized. Therefore, we examined whether these antibodies influence the action of NGF in NGF-responsive cells. The results strongly suggest that these antibodies enhance NGF-induced Trk autophosphorylation and neurite outgrowth as well as neurofilament M expression. These data strongly indicate that these anti-neutral glycosphingolipids antibodies have a functional impact on NGF-Trk-mediated intracellular signal transduction pathway.

Neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease showing motor-sensory and autonomic neuropathy

BACKGROUND

Neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease (NIHID), a rare neurodegenerative disease in which eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions develop mainly in neurons, has not yet been described to present as hereditary motor-sensory and autonomic neuropathy.

METHODS

Patients in two NIHID families showing peripheral neuropathy were evaluated clinically, electrophysiologically, and histopathologically.

RESULTS

In both families, patients had severe muscle atrophy and weakness in limbs, limb girdle, and face; sensory impairment in the distal limbs; dysphagia, episodic intestinal pseudoobstruction with vomiting attacks; and urinary and fecal incontinence. No patients developed symptoms suggesting CNS involvement. Electrophysiologic study showed the reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes, and also extensive denervation potentials. In sural nerve specimens, numbers of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers were decreased. In two autopsy cases, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions were widespread, particularly in sympathetic and myenteric ganglion neurons, dorsal root ganglion neurons, and spinal motor neurons. These neurons also were decreased in number.

CONCLUSION

Patients with neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease (NIHID) can manifest symptoms limited to those of peripheral neuropathy. NIHID therefore is part of the differential diagnosis of hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy associated with autonomic symptoms. Intranuclear hyaline inclusions in Schwann cells and in the myenteric plexus may permit antemortem diagnosis of NIHID.

Age associated axonal features in HNPP with 17p11.2 deletion in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To clarify age related changes in the clinicopathological features of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) in Japanese patients with deletion of 17p11.2, particularly concerning axonal abnormalities.

METHODS

Forty eight proband patients from 48 HNPP families were assessed as to clinical, electrophysiological, and histopathological features, including age associated changes beyond those in controls.

RESULTS

Motor conduction studies showed age associated deterioration of compound muscle action potentials in nerves vulnerable to repetitive compression (median, ulnar, and peroneal nerves), but not in others such as the tibial nerve. Sensory conduction studies revealed more profound reduction of action potentials than motor studies with little age related change. Large myelinated fibre loss was seen in the sural nerve irrespective of age at examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Irreversible axonal damage may occur at entrapment sites in motor nerves in HNPP patients, progressing with aging. Sensory nerves may show more profound axonal abnormality, but without age association. The electrophysiological features of HNPP are presumed to be a mixture of abnormalities occurring from early in life and acquired features caused by repetitive insults at entrapment sites. Unlike Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A, age associated axonal damage may not occur unless the nerves are subjected to compression.