Na+/K+ ATPase α1 and β3 subunits are localized to the basolateral membrane of trophectoderm cells in human blastocysts

STUDY QUESTION

Is there a relation between specific Na+/K+ ATPase isoform expression and localization in human blastocysts and the developmental behavior of the embryo?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Na+/K+ ATPase α1, β1 and β3 are the main isoforms expressed in human blastocysts and no association was found between the expression level of their respective mRNAs and the rate of blastocyst expansion.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In mouse embryos, Na+/K+ ATPase α1 and β1 are expressed in the basolateral membrane of trophectoderm (TE) cells and are believed to be involved in blastocoel formation (cavitation).

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A total of 20 surplus embryos from 11 patients who underwent IVF and embryo transfer at a university hospital between 2009 and 2018 were analyzed.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

After freezing and thawing Day 5 human blastocysts, their developmental behavior was observed for 24 h using time-lapse imaging, and the expression of Na+/K+ ATPase isoforms was examined using quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). The expressed isoforms were then localized in blastocysts using fluorescent immunostaining.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

RT-qPCR results demonstrated the expression of Na+/K+ ATPase α1, β1 and β3 isoforms in human blastocysts. Isoforms α1 and β3 were localized to the basolateral membrane of TE cells, and β1 was localized between TE cells. A high level of β3 mRNA expression correlated with easier hatching (P = 0.0261).

LARGE SCALE DATA

N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The expression of mRNA and the localization of proteins of interest were verified, but we have not been able to perform functional analysis.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Of the various Na+/K+ ATPase isoforms, expression levels of the α1, β1 and β3 mRNAs were clearly higher than other isoforms in human blastocysts. Since α1 and β3 were localized to the basolateral membrane via fluorescent immunostaining, we believe that these subunits contribute to the dilation of the blastocoel. The β1 isoform is localized between TE cells and may be involved in tight junction formation, as previously reported in mouse embryos.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by the JSPS KAKENHI (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html), grant number 17K11215. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Clinical impact of hyperglycemia on days 0-7 after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

In order to clarify the association between hyperglycemia during the early period after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and adverse outcomes, we retrospectively analyzed 563 consecutive patients who underwent allo-SCT at our institute between 2008 and 2015. Patients were categorized into three groups according to mean fasting blood glucose levels on days 0-7 (normoglycemia group<110 mg/dL, n=347; mild hyperglycemia group 110-149 mg/dL, n=192 and moderate/severe hyperglycemia group≥150 mg/dL, n=24). The median follow-up was 2.7 years. Patients in the moderate/severe hyperglycemia group had significantly worse characteristics. The cumulative incidences of 2-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) and the probabilities of 2-year overall survival (OS) in the normoglycemia, mild hyperglycemia and moderate/severe hyperglycemia groups were 7.5%, 19% and 29%, respectively (P<0.01), and 69%, 53% and 33%, respectively (P<0.01). In multivariate analyses, hyperglycemia was an independent predictor of high NRM (vs normoglycemia; mild hyperglycemia, hazard ratio (HR) 2.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-4.18; moderate/severe hyperglycemia, HR 4.46, 95% CI 1.92-10.3) and poor OS (vs normoglycemia; mild hyperglycemia, HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.14-2.07; moderate/severe hyperglycemia, HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.89-2.91). In conclusion, hyperglycemia on days 0-7 after allo-SCT was associated with inferior outcomes.

Influence of Microbubbles on Free Radical Generation by Ultrasound in Aqueous Solution: Dependence of Ultrasound Frequency

The influence of microbubbles on sonochemical efficiencies has been investigated under 28, 45, and 100 kHz ultrasound irradiation. For the 28 and 100 kHz ultrasound frequencies, microbubbles suppressed the I3(-) formation from KI solution as well as the 7-hydroxycoumarin formation from coumarin solution caused by the ultrasonic irradiation. On the other hand, for the 45 kHz ultrasound frequency, microbubbles enhanced the I3(-) formation from KI solution as well as 7-hydroxycoumarin formation from coumarin solution caused by the ultrasonic irradiation. Detection of H2O2 after the irradiation of ultrasound in the presence or absence of microbubbles was also performed, and it was found that H2O2 formation was enhanced only when microbubbles were introduced under the 45 kHz ultrasonic irradiation, which was in good agreement with the results of KI oxidation dosimetry measurements and of coumarin fluorescent probe measurements. Based on these present results, plausible mechanisms that explain the dependence of the ultrasound frequency on the enhancement and suppression of free radical formation in the presence of MBs were proposed.

Removal of high concentration dimethyl methylphosphonate in the gas phase by repeated-batch reactions using TiO2

The aim of our study is to develop apparatuses that use TiO(2) for effective decontamination of air contaminated by Sarin gas. We performed photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) by TiO(2) and identified the oxidization products. The high activity of TiO(2) (0.01 g) was observed under UV-light irradiation and high concentration DMMP (33.5 microM) was removed rapidly. On the other hand, DMMP was not decreased under UV-light irradiation without TiO(2). This indicates that photocatalytic treatment is very effective for the removal of DMMP. Methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, methyl formate, CO, CO(2) and H(2)O were detected as the primary products. In the gas phase, no highly poisonous substances were detected. In order to examine the performance of photocatalytic activity during long-term reactions, we performed photocatalytic decomposition by repeated-batch reactions using TiO(2). High photocatalytic activities decreased gradually. Meanwhile, the strong adsorption of TiO(2) against DMMP was observed as photocatalytic activities decreased. During the repeated-batch reactions with the sample scaled up (TiO(2): 0.1g), the total amount of removed DMMP reached 968.5 microM by both photocatalytic decomposition and the strong adsorption of TiO(2). These results suggest the possibility of removing large amounts of DMMP.

DNA methylation profile of tissue-dependent and differentially methylated regions (T-DMRs) in mouse promoter regions demonstrating tissue-specific gene expression

DNA methylation constitutes an important epigenetic regulation mechanism in many eukaryotes, although the extent of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene expression in the mammalian genome is poorly understood. We developed D-REAM, a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis method for tissue-dependent and differentially methylated region (T-DMR) profiling with restriction tag-mediated amplification in mouse tissues and cells. Using a mouse promoter tiling array covering a region from -6 to 2.5 kb ( approximately 30,000 transcription start sites), we found that over 3000 T-DMRs are hypomethylated in liver compared to cerebrum. The DNA methylation profile of liver was distinct from that of kidney and spleen. This hypomethylation profile marked genes that are specifically expressed in liver, including key transcription factors such as Hnf1a and Hnf4a. Genes with T-DMRs, especially those lacking CpG islands and those with HNF-1A binding motifis in their promoters, showed good correlation between their tissue-specific expression and liver hypomethylation status. T-DMRs located downstream from their transcription start sites also showed tissue-specific gene expression. These data indicate that multilayered regulation of tissue-specific gene function could be elucidated by DNA methylation tissue profiling.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: an immunohistochemical analysis of its tumorigenesis

AIMS

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of malignant transformation in mature cystic teratoma (MCT) of the ovary. Some investigators have suggested the possibility of origin from columnar epithelium. The aim of this study was to analyse such tumours immunohistochemically to elucidate their histogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The expression of cytokeratin (CK) 10 and CK18 was examined in 21 samples of SCC arising in MCT. The expression of CK10 and CK18 was also assessed in SCCs arising in different organs (skin, vulva, lung and uterine cervix) for the purpose of comparison. SCC in MCT expressed CK10 in 7/21 cases [33.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.53] and CK18 in 14/21 cases (66.7%, 95% CI 0.46-0.87). SCC in MCT expressed CK10 less frequently, but CK18 more frequently, as is the case in SCCs of the uterine cervix (CK10, 20%; CK18, 70%) and the lung (CK10, 5%; CK18, 90%), both of which are derived from columnar epithelium by squamous metaplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

SCC in MCT may be derived from metaplastic squamous epithelium.

Phase III randomized trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical hysterectomy (RH) versus RH for bulky stage I/II cervical cancer (JCOG 0102)

5013

Background: NAC may represent an alternative to conventional RH for locally advanced cervical cancer. We compared NAC followed by RH with RH for bulky stage I/II cervical cancer. Methods: Patients (pts) with stage IB2, IIA (> 4 cm), or IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were randomly assigned to receive either BOMP (bleomycin 7mg day 1–5, vincristine 0.7mg/m2 day 5, mitomycin 7mg/m2 day 5 and cisplatin 14 mg/m2 day 1–5,) q21 days, 2 to 4 cycles followed by radical hysterectomy (NAC arm) or undergo RH (RH arm). Pts with positive surgical margins, metastatic nodes, infiltration to parametrium, and/or deep myometrial invasion received postoperative irradiation. Eligibility included preserved organ function, aged 20–70, and Performance Status 0 or 1. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) to be compared by log-rank test. Assuming 100 eligible pts in each arm, the study had 80% power to detect a 15% increase in 5-year survival at 0.05 one-sided alpha. Results: 134 pts (67 NAC, 67 RH) were randomized between 12/01 and 08/05. The first planned interim analysis was performed in July 2005 using data from 108 pts registered as of 11/04. Data and Safety Monitoring Committee recommended to terminate the study because overall survival in NAC arm was inferior to that in RH arm (HR 2.11, multiplicity adjusted 99% CI 0.34 to 13.2) and the predictive probability of significant superiority using Spiegelhalter’s method of NAC arm was extremely low (6.4%). No increase of operability and no decrease of surgery-related morbidity were observed in NAC arm. Response Rate of NAC was 61% (33 of 54) using RECIST criteria. One-year progression-free survival and overall survival, updated as of 05/05, were 69.9% and 91.8% (95% CI 84.1–99.6) in NAC arm and 78.6% and 95.4% (95% CI 89.1–100) in RH arm respectively. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with BOMP regimen followed by radical hysterectomy did not demonstrate clinical benefit, and conventional radical hysterectomy still remains to be a standard treatment option for bulky stage I/II cervical cancer.

[Table: see text]

Feasibility study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) for stage III/IV ovarian, tubal and peritoneal cancers: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG0206

15020

Background: Retrospective analyses revealed that survival of ovarian cancer patients treated with NAC followed by IDS was comparable with those treated by standard treatment starting with primary debulking surgery. The purpose is to assess the safety and efficacy of the NAC setting treatment and also to know whether we can accurately diagnose the cancer by imaging studies, cytologic findings and tumor markers without diagnostic laparoscopy (DLS). Methods: The study was performed as a multi-institutional non-randomized phase II trial. Eligibility included stage III/IV müllerian carcinoma (MC) such as ovarian, tubal and peritoneal carcinomas diagnosed by imaging studies (CT and/or MRI), cytology of ascites, pleural effusions or fluids obtained by tumor centesis, CA125 >200 U/ml and CEA<20 ng/ml. After study enrollment, DLS is performed to confirm tumor origin, histology and stage. Four cycles of combination of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2, 3h) and carboplatin (AUC 6) are administered as NAC, followed by IDS and additional 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Primary endpoint is proportion of clinical complete remission (% cCR) with CA 125<20 U/ml among all stage III/IV MC confirmed by DLS (expected % cCR of 40% and threshold % cCR of 20%). Major secondary endpoint is positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical diagnoses concerning origin, histology and stage (expected PPV>90%, then DLS will be omitted in the next phase III study). The planned sample size was 56 eligibles, which gives 10% or lower Bayesian posterior probability that PPV is < 90% in case of three false positives. Results: Fifty six patients were enrolled between Jan/2003 and Feb/2004. All patients had accurate pre-DLS diagnosis concerning origin and histology. In 53 (PPV 94.6%) of 56 patients, tumor stage was accurately diagnosed. Twenty nine (62%) of 47 patients who underwent IDS had complete resection without residual tumors. Nineteen (%cCR 36%) among 53 patients with stage III/IV MC achieved cCR at completion of planned treatment. Conclusions: NAC starting without DLS followed by IDS for advanced MC is a promising treatment to be compared with the current standard treatment in a phase III study.

[Table: see text]

Cytological study of early cervical adenocarcinoma: special reference to the depth of invasion

OBJECTIVE

Early cervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) with a tumour depth of <3 mm has a good prognosis. To clarify the cytological features of ECAs with depth <3 mm, these were compared with those of ECA with 3-5 mm and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) invading the cervical wall with more than 5 mm in depth.

METHODS

The cervical cytological features of ECAs with depth <3 mm (14 cases) were compared with those of ECA with 3-5 mm (four cases) and IA (13 cases). Cytologically, the presence or absence of tumour diathesis, number of atypical cells, crowded cell groups, groups with glandular structures, feathering, groups with palisading borders, rosettes, clusters, cell shape and size, nuclear shape and size, nucleolar shape and size, chromatin distribution, border and character of cytoplasm, and single cell pattern were evaluated.

RESULTS

A tumour diathesis was seen in five of 14 ECA <3 mm in depth (36%), all four ECA with 3-5 mm (100%) and 11 of 13 IA with more than 5 mm (85%). Single cells, macronucleoli and coarsely granular chromatin pattern were less frequent in ECA of <3 mm than that in ECA with 3-5 mm and IA. The number of atypical cells and glandular structures in ECA was significantly less than that in IA. Cell crowding, feathering, palisading and rosettes were common in both ECA and IA.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic cytological features of ECA with depth <3 mm, having a good prognosis, were clean background, fewer single cells and macronucleoli, and less frequent coarsely granular chromatin pattern compared with those in ECA with 3-5 mm and IA. The number of atypical cells and glandular structures in ECA was significantly less than that in IA. Familiarity with the cytological features of ECA and its mimics is essential.

Clinico-cytological study of uterine papillary serous carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not we could distinguish uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) from other types of endometrial cancer by cytology.

METHODS

We examined the cytological findings of the endometrium from five cases with UPSC and compared them with 10 cases with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, grade 1 (G1). A morphometric analysis was performed. Cytological samples from the cervix and ascites of the patients with UPSC were also reviewed.

RESULTS

All five patients had FIGO stage III and IV tumours. Three patients died of the disease and two are still alive with disease. The tumour cells of UPSC tended to be shed in papillary clusters with a tumour diathesis. Psammoma bodies were seen only in UPSC. The frequency of irregular-shaped nuclei, membrane thickness and eccentric nuclei in UPSC was higher than in G1. The chromatin pattern was coarsely granular, and both anisonucleosis and bare nuclei were prominent in UPSC. Cytomorphometrically, the maximum diameter of the nuclei in UPSC was significantly greater than that in G1. The nucleoli were also more often seen in UPSC than in G1. The findings of the nuclei and nucleoli in the cervical and peritoneal fluid cytology closely resembled those in endometrial smears. The features of the cervical smears and peritoneal fluid cytology were different from those of endometrial cytology regarding clear background and small clusters of cells.

CONCLUSION

As the endometrial cytology findings accurately suggested the histological diagnosis of UPSC, the diagnosis of UPSC was confirmed in this study by endometrial cytology. The cytological diagnosis of UPSC should be based on the findings of tumour diathesis, psammoma bodies and papillary clusters composed of tumour cells with enlarged nuclei and numerous nucleoli.

Charge Separation and Catalytic Activity of Ag@TiO2 Core−Shell Composite Clusters under UV−Irradiation

Photocatalytic properties of Ag@TiO2 composite clusters have been investigated using steady state and laser pulse excitations. Photoexcitation of TiO2 shell results in accumulation of the electrons in the Ag core as evidenced from the shift in the surface plasmon band from 460 to 420 nm. The stored electrons are discharged when an electron acceptor such as O2, thionine, or C60 is introduced into the system. Charge equilibration with redox couple such as C60/C60*- shows the ability of these core shell structures to carry out photocatalytic reduction reactions. The charge separation, charge storage, and interfacial charge-transfer steps that follow excitation of the TiO2 shell are discussed.

Photovoltaic Cells Using Composite Nanoclusters of Porphyrins and Fullerenes with Gold Nanoparticles

Novel organic solar cells have been prepared using quaternary self-organization of porphyrin (donor) and fullerene (acceptor) units by clusterization with gold nanoparticles on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes. First, porphyrin-alkanethiolate monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (H2PCnMPC: n is the number of methylene groups in the spacer) are prepared (secondary organization) starting from the primary component (porphyrin-alkanethiol). These porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles form complexes with fullerene molecules (tertiary organization), and they are clusterized in acetonitrile/toluene mixed solvent (quaternary organization). The highly colored composite clusters can then be assembled as three-dimensional arrays onto nanostructured SnO2 films to afford the OTE/SnO2/(H2PCnMPC+C60)m electrode using an electrophoretic deposition method. The film of the composite clusters with gold nanoparticle exhibits an incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) as high as 54% and broad photocurrent action spectra (up to 1000 nm). The power conversion efficiency of the OTE/SnO2/(H2PC15MPC+C60)m composite electrode reaches as high as 1.5%, which is 45 times higher than that of the reference system consisting of the both single components of porphyrin and fullerene.

Energetic costs of bipedal and quadrupedal walking in Japanese macaques

We investigated the energetic costs of quadrupedal and bipedal walking in two Japanese macaques. The subjects were engaged in traditional bipedal performance for years, and are extremely adept bipeds. The experiment was conducted in an airtight chamber with a gas analyzer. The subjects walked quadrupedally and bipedally at fixed velocities (<5 km/hr) on a treadmill in the chamber for 2.5-6 min. We estimated energy consumption from carbon dioxide (CO2) production. While walking bipedally, energetic expenditure increased by 30% relative to quadrupedalism in one subject, and by 20% in another younger subject. Energetic costs increased linearly with velocity in quadrupedalism and bipedalism, with bipedal/quadrupedal ratios remaining almost constant. Our experiments were relatively short in duration, and thus the observed locomotor costs may include presteady-state high values. However, there was no difference in experimental duration between bipedal and quadrupedal trials. Thus, the issue of steady state cannot cancel the difference in energetic costs. Furthermore, we observed that switching of locomotor mode (quadrupedalism to bipedalism) during a session resulted in a significant increase of CO2 production. Taylor and Rowntree ([1973] Science 179:186-187) noted that the energetic costs for bipedal and quadrupedal walking were the same in chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys. Although the reason for this inconsistency is not clear, species-specific differences should be considered regarding bipedal locomotor energetics among nonhuman primates. Extra costs for bipedalism may not be great in these macaques. Indeed, it is known that suspensory locomotion in Ateles consumes 1.3-1.4 times as much energy relative to quadrupedal progression. This excess ratio surpasses the bipedal/quadrupedal energetic ratios in these macaques.

Photoinduced electron storage and surface plasmon modulation in Ag@TiO2 clusters

The reversible charging and discharging effects associated with photoexcitation of a TiO2 shell in a Ag@TiO2 composite are described. The photoinduced charge separation in the TiO2 shell is followed by electron injection into the silver core. Interestingly, the charging of the silver core is associated with the shift in the surface plasmon band from 460 to 430 nm. The stored electrons are discharged upon exposure of the charged Ag@/TiO2 composite to an electron acceptor. As the electrons from the silver core are discharged, the original surface plasmon absorption of the Ag core is restored.

Basal Membrane Localization of MRP1 in Human Placental Trophoblast

The placental trophoblast is considered to act as a barrier between mother and fetus, mediating the exchange of various materials across the placenta. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug-resistance protein (MRP) are expressed in the placenta and function as efflux transport systems for xenobiotics. In the present study, we aimed to determine the localization of MRP1 in the human placenta in comparison with that of P-gp. Western blotting analysis with human placental membrane vesicles indicated that P-gp and MRP1 are localized on the brush-border membranes and basal membranes, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis with human normal full-term placenta showed that anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody F4 stained the brush-border side of the trophoblast cells, whereas anti-MRP1 monoclonal antibody MRPr1 stained the basal side. These results confirm that P-gp and MRP1 are located on the brush-border membranes and basal membranes, respectively, of human full-term placental trophoblast. MRP1 was also detected on the abluminal side of blood vessels in the villi. Accordingly, MRP1 may play a role distinct from that of P-gp, which is considered to restrict the influx of xenobiotics into the fetus.

Identification of chemotherapeutic refractory cases based on human chorionic gonadotropin values among patients with low-risk persistent trophoblastic disease treated with 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to establish the accurate cutoff points of post-treatment serum beta-hCG values in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory cases among patients with low-risk persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) treated with 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid as the primary therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The values of serum beta-hCG measured before initiating treatment and weekly thereafter in 26 patients with low-risk PTD undergoing 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid treatment were analyzed. Thereafter, we determined the weekly cutoff points to identify the patient refractory for treatment by means of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots analysis.

RESULTS

The values of cutoff points in the pretreatment, the post-treatment 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week were 18.6, 15.0, 5.4, 3.4, and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively, and the value of accuracy during these weeks was appropriate (> 80%). When using the cutoff points of one and two weeks after initiating treatment, the accuracy in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory patients was 87.5% and 88.0%, respectively, with the highest values exceeding 85%. The sensitivity and specificity at one week were 92.9 and 80.0%, respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity at two weeks were 93.3 and 80.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the cutoff points of one and two weeks after initiating treatment are useful in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory patients among low-risk PTD patients, receiving 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid treatment.

Association between RCAS1 expression and clinical outcome in uterine endometrial cancer

RCAS1, which acts as a ligand for a putative receptor on immune cells such as peripheral lymphocytes and natural killer cells, is strongly expressed in human cancers. RCAS1 can induce these cells to undergo apoptotic cell death, which suggests that RCAS1 expression may prohibit the stromal reaction occurring in a tumour. To clarify the clinical significance of RCAS1 expression in uterine endometrial cancer, we analysed the association between RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic variables by statistical methods. With the use of immunohistochemical techniques, we performed a retrospective study of RCAS1 expression in resected tumour tissue from 147 patients with uterine endometrial cancer. We evaluated the statistical correlation between RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic variables. RCAS1 was expressed in 106 of 147 patients with uterine endometrial cancer; 30 of these 147 patients showed RCAS1 overexpression. Overexpression of RCAS1 was significantly correlated with age at surgery, stage, extent of myometrial invasion, and positive peritoneal cytologic results. Multivariate analysis revealed that RCAS1 expression and metastasis were clinically significant prognostic factors for the overall survival. These findings indicated that analysis for RCAS1 expression can provide crucial information about the clinical behaviour of uterine endometrial cancer, which may be valuable for the management of patients with this disease.

Variation in CO2 assimilation rate induced by simulated dew waters with different sources of hydroxyl radical (*OH) on the needle surfaces of Japanese red pine (Pinus densifora Sieb. et Zucc.)

The hydroxyl radical (*OH) is generated in polluted dew on the needle surfaces of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.). This free radical, which is a potent oxidant, is assumed to be a cause of ecophysiological disorders of declining trees on the urban-facing side of Mt. Gokurakuji, western Japan. Mists of *OH-generating N(III) (HNO2 and NO2-) and HOOH + Fe + oxalate solutions (50 and 100 microM, pH 5.1-5.4) simulating the dew water were applied to the foliage of pine seedlings grown in open-top chambers in the early morning. Needles treated with 100 microM N(III) tended to have a greater maximum CO2 assimilation rate (Amax), a greater stomatal conductance (g(s)) and a greater needle nitrogen content (Nneedle), suggesting that N(III) mist acts as a fertilizer rather than as a phytotoxin. On the other hand, needles treated with 100 microM HOOH + Fe + oxalate solution showed the smallest Amax, g(s), and Nneedle, suggesting that the combination of HOOH + Fe + oxalate caused a decrease in needle productivity. The effects of HOOH + Fe + oxalate mist on pine needles were very similar to the symptoms of declining trees at Mt. Gokurakuji.

Purification and identification of monoubiquitin-phosphoglycerate mutase B complex from human colorectal cancer tissues

Ubiquitin-conjugated proteins in human colorectal cancer tissues were analyzed by the immunoprecipitation with the antibody FK2 against conjugated ubiquitin followed with SDS-PAGE. In these immunoprecipitable proteins, a 38-kDa protein was abundant in the tumor regions but almost absent in the adjacent normal regions in 17/26 patients, thus we attempted to purify it. Using immunoaffinity chromatography with the antibody FK2 followed by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, approximately 10 pmol of this protein was separated from 34 g of the pooled cancerous tissue and transferred onto a PVDF membrane. The 38-kDa protein was further digested with Achromobacter protease I, resulting in several peptide fragments. Amino acid sequences of these peptides showed complete sequence identity to those derived from either ubiquitin or phosphoglycerate mutase-B, suggesting that the 38-kDa protein is monoubiquitinated phosphoglycerate mutase-B, whose calculated mass is 37,369 Da. Western blot using an antibody against phosphoglycerate mutase-B revealed the presence of the 38-kDa protein in the anti-ubiquitin immunoprecipitates derived from the tumor regions, but not from normal counterparts. In addition, part of non-ubiquitinated phosphoglycerate mutase-B (29 kDa) was also found in the anti-ubiquitin immunoprecipitates, whose levels were higher in the tumor regions than in the adjacent normal regions. These results suggest that monoubiquitination of phosphoglycerate mutase-B as well as formation of a noncovalent complex containing ubiquitin and phosphoglycerate mutase-B increases in colorectal cancer and novel modification of phosphoglycerate mutase-B might have a pathophysiological role.

Endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the uterine corpus in women younger than 50 years of age can be divided into two distinct clinical and pathologic entities based on anatomic location

BACKGROUND

This study used the clinicopathologic profiles of Japanese women younger than 50 years of age with endometrial carcinoma to distinguish the clinicopathologic features of carcinomas of the lower uterine segment (LUS) from those of carcinomas of the corpus mucosa proper (CMP).

METHODS

Eighty-eight endometrial carcinomas in women younger than 50 years old (25.3%) were selected from our file of 348 Japanese women with endometrial carcinoma. Seventy-two were classified as carcinomas of the CMP and 16 carcinomas of the LUS. A tumor was judged to be a carcinoma of the LUS when it involved a continuous area ranging from the lower corpus to the upper cervix with or without intervention of a portion of uninvolved LUS.

RESULTS

The mean ages of women with carcinomas of the CMP and LUS were 41.2 and 39.0 years, respectively. In comparison to carcinomas of the LUS, carcinomas of the CMP were more strongly associated with reproductive risk factors including parity (P = 0.01) and polycystic ovary syndrome (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in body mass index or the incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension between women presenting with carcinomas of the CMP and LUS. Histologically, carcinomas of the LUS more frequently showed a high-grade endometrioid tumor (P = 0.02) with deep myometrial invasion (P < 0.01) and were less associated with endometrial hyperplasia (P < 0.01) than those of the CMP.

CONCLUSIONS

Carcinomas of the LUS occurred predominantly in women younger than 50 years of age and had clinicopathologic features distinct from carcinomas of the CMP in women younger than 50 years of age.

Identification of two distinct structural motifs that, when added to the C-terminal tail of the rat LH receptor, redirect the internalized hormone-receptor complex from a degradation to a recycling pathway

We show that most of the internalized rat LH receptor is routed to a lysosomal degradation pathway whereas a substantial portion of the human LH receptor is routed to a recycling pathway. Chimeras of these two receptors identified a linear amino acid sequence (GTALL) present near the C terminus of the human LH receptor that, when grafted onto the rat LH receptor, redirects most of the rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway. Removal of the GTALL sequence from the human LH receptor failed to affect its routing, however. The GTALL sequence shows homology with the C-terminal tetrapeptide (DSLL) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor, a motif that has been reported to mediate the recycling of the internalized beta2-adrenergic receptor by binding to ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50. Addition of the DSLL tetrapeptide to the C terminus of the rat LH receptor also redirects most of the internalized rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway but, like the recycling of the human LH receptor, this rerouting is not mediated by ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50. We conclude that most of the internalized rat LH receptor is degraded because its C-terminal tail lacks motifs that promote recycling and that two distinct, but homologous, motifs (DSLL at the C terminus or GTALL near the C terminus) can reroute the internalized rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway that is independent of ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50.

The effect of nulliparity on survival in endometrial cancer at different ages

OBJECTIVE

Nulliparity is a major independent risk factor for endometrial cancer in Japan. We examined the effect of nulliparity on survival in endometrial cancer at different ages.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 328 Japanese women with endometrial cancer was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger age group (women < 50 years) and an older age group (women >/= 50 years). Parity was analyzed for its influence on survival.

RESULTS

No effect of nulliparity was observed on survival in the younger group. In the older women, nulliparity did not affect survival in 189 subjects with surgical stage I and II tumors (P < 0.27). In contrast, the cumulative 10-year survival rates associated with nulliparity, a parity of 1 or 2, and a parity of 3 or more were 7.7, 48.0, and 56.2% in 54 subjects with surgical stage III and IV tumors, respectively (P < 0.03). In these 54 subjects, the cumulative 10-year survival rates associated with < 6-month and > 7-month delays in diagnosis were 57.1 and 16.6%, respectively (P < 0.02). The prognostic impact of parity disappeared after adjustment for delay in diagnosis. Multivariate analysis including histopathological variables, parity, and delay in diagnosis showed no independent prognostic variable in the older subjects with surgical stage III and IV tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The negative effect of nulliparity on survival was observed in the older subjects with advanced-surgical-stage tumors. Delay in diagnosis contributed to the prognostic impact of nulliparity.

Relationship between age, histological type, and size of ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between age, histological type, and size of ovarian tumors.

METHOD

A review was made of 1648 cases of histopathologically diagnosed ovarian tumors and tumor-like lesions, and information on the age of the patients and size of the tumor was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis tests or Mann-Whitney U-tests.

RESULTS

There were 840 (51%) cases of benign tumors, 73 (4%) cases of tumors of low malignant potential (LMP), 268 (16%) cases of malignant tumors and 467 (28%) cases of tumor-like lesions. The age of the patients was significantly different among tumor-like lesions (34.6+/-8.1 years), benign tumors (39.8+/-16.4 years), LMP tumors (45.2+/-18.3 years) and malignant tumors (51.9+/-13.0 years) (P<0.0001). The maximum diameter of the tumors was significantly different among tumor-like lesions (7.1+/-3.3 cm), benign tumors (10.9+/-5.6 cm), malignant tumors (13.6+/-6.5 cm) and LMP tumors (18.5+/-6.8 cm) (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The distribution of tumor histological type (tumor-like lesions, benign, LMP and malignant) was correlated against patient age and lesion diameter, with tumors in older patients or larger tumors more likely to be malignant.

Dystrophin-deficient myocardium is vulnerable to pressure overload in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Dystrophin provides mechanical reinforcement to the membranes of myocytes. Dystrophin abnormalities are known to cause cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle disorders; however, the pathogenesis of these abnormalities remains unclear. Dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle is vulnerable to stresses such as stretch and hypo-osmotic shock. We investigated whether the myocardium of dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice shows increased vulnerability to acute pressure overload in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Abdominal aortic banding was performed in 12-week-old mdx and control mice. The aortic pressure was measured by cannulation of the right carotid artery at the time of sacrifice. Systolic pressures in mdx mice at 0, 1, 2, 7 and 14 days after aortic banding were 100 +/- 11, 119 +/- 7, 123 +/- 4, 134 +/- 11 and 130 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively. Microscopic analysis revealed focal lesions in the left ventricular wall in banded mdx mice. These lesions consisted of damaged myocytes and inflammatory cells, and also of fibrosis at a late stage. Similar lesions were not observed in non-banded or banded control mice. The proportion of areas of lesions to total left ventricular area increased over time: 1.0 +/- 0.6% in mdx mice without aortic banding (sham, n = 6), and 1.7+/-1.4% 1 day (n = 6, vs. sham, NS), 2.6 +/- 1.9% 2 days (n = 7, vs. sham, P < 0.05), 6.3+ /- 6.5% 7 days (n = 13, vs. sham, P < 0.05) and 9.9 +/- 8.3% 14 days after aortic banding (n=15, vs. sham, P < 0.01). Furthermore, linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between percentage of lesion area and systolic pressure in mdx mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dystrophin-deficient myocardium is more vulnerable than normal myocardium to pressure overload in vivo. This result has two clinical implications: (1) the patients with dystrophynopathy, such as the Duchenne and the Becker types of muscular dystrophy and X-linked type of dilated cardiomyopathy, who develop arterial hypertension should be treated aggressively, and (2) they should avoid stresses that elevate blood pressure.

Prognostic Factors of Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis to elucidate the prognostic factors of stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In November 1999, 24 Japanese institutions received questionnaires regarding stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Eligibility criteria included all patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer who were surgically confirmed and initially treated in each institution between January 1990 and December 1997. Data were collected regarding age, performance status, tumor histologic subtype, site of metastasis, preoperative CA125, cytoreductive surgery, residual disease after cytoreductive surgery, and response to primary chemotherapy. Survival analysis and comparisons were performed by univariate and multivariate methods.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-five patients with stage IV ovarian cancer were identified. The median age of the patients was 54 years. The most common site of extraperitoneal disease was malignant pleural effusion (39.6%). Of the 225 patients who underwent an attempt at surgical debulking, 70 (31.1%) were optimally cytoreduced. Most patients received platinum-based combination chemotherapy for primary chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, performance status, histology, and residual disease after cytoreductive surgery were independent prognostic predictors of outcome. The overall median survival for optimally debulked patients was 32 months compared to 16 months for suboptimally debulked patients (P < 0.0001, hazard ratio: 0.415).

CONCLUSION

Optimal surgical debulking, performance status, and histology appear to be important prognostic factors of survival in patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

Isolation of ubiquitin-E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme) complexes from erythroleukaemia cells using immunoaffinity techniques

A variety of ubiquitin-associated (or conjugated) proteins, including substrates and enzymes for the ubiquitin system, are present in eukaryotic cells. In the present study we developed a simple method for their isolation, consisting of immunoaffinity chromatography using the monoclonal antibody FK2, which recognizes the conjugated ubiquitin molecule. Using this method followed by gel filtration, we isolated multi-ubiquitinated proteins with high molecular masses (>30 kDa) and also ubiquitinthioester-linked and mono-ubiquitinated forms of ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes, UbcH7 and UBE2N, together with mono-, di- and tri-ubiquitin molecules, from the cytoplasmic extract of heat-shock-treated K562 erythroleukaemia cells. We also demonstrated that the FK2 antibody was capable of precipitating a ubiquitin-UbcH7 thioester, but not free UbcH7, which enabled the measurement of the respective cellular levels separately. The immunoprecipitable ubiquitin-UbcH7 thioester was found only when the cells were treated with heat-shock. These results suggest the usefulness of the immunoaffinity techniques for identifying and analysing the cellular enzyme/protein-ubiquitin complexes.

Interaction of phytoestrogens with estrogen receptors alpha and beta

The human estrogen receptor (hER) exists as two subtypes, hER alpha and hER beta, that differ in the C-terminal ligand-binding domain and in the N-terminal transactivation domain. In this study, we investigated the estrogenic activities of soy isoflavones after digestion with enteric bacteria in competition binding assays with hER alpha or hER beta protein, and in a gene expression assay using a yeast system. The estrogenic activities of these isoflavones were also investigated by the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Isoflavone glycoside binds weakly to both receptors and estrogen receptor-dependent transcriptional expression is poor. The aglycones bind more strongly to hER beta than to hER alpha. The binding affinities of genistein, dihydrogenistein and equol are comparable to the binding affinity of 17 beta-estradiol. Equol induces transcription most strongly with hER alpha and hER beta. The concentration required for maximal gene expression is much higher than expected from the binding affinities of the compounds, and the maximal activity induced by these compounds is about half the activity of 17 beta-estradiol. Although genistin binds more weakly to the receptors and induces transcription less than does genistein, it stimulates the growth of MCF-7 cells more strongly than does genistein.

Urinary incontinence in women seen in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic

The aim of this study was to present the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in women seen in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic and to describe their behavioral characteristics. A UI-specific questionnaire was administered to 1222 randomly selected women who came to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of our institution and 15 affiliated hospitals, all located in the island of Kyushu, Japan, for reasons other than incontinence. The prevalence of UI was 31%. Body mass index, parity and menopause significantly influenced the prevalence of UI. The majority of these women (78%) suffered from the stress type of incontinence. A direct relationship was found between the patient's assessment of the severity of her incontinence and the degree of effect on daily activities. The duration, frequency of incontinence and the number of pads used influenced their consultation attitude. Only 25% of these women consulted a physician, often a gynecologist.

Aging increases, and duodenal ulcer reduces the risk for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in Japanese patients with dyspepsia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The classification of gastritis by using the revised Sydney system suggests that there are two types of Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis. The aim of the present study was to examine the risk factors that might be involved in the presence of either atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus of Japanese patients.

METHODS

Biopsy samples were obtained from the gastric corpus in 154 patients with dyspepsia, and the degree of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was determined histologically. The correlation between several variables and presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was evaluated by using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 11 variables, which included age, peptic ulcer diseases and H. pylori infection, H. pylori infection was the major risk factor associated with the presence of atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. In contrast, duodenal ulcer (DU) disease reduced the risk of contracting both conditions. Age was an independent risk factor only for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. When 128 H. pylori-positive subjects were analyzed, DU and age were similarly associated with the presence of both conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DU reduces the risk for contracting atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, and age is an independent risk factor for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in dyspeptic Japanese patients.

The clinical significance of tumor-associated antigen RCAS1 expression in the normal, hyperplastic, and malignant uterine endometrium

OBJECTIVE

A tumor-associated antigen, RCAS1, is recognized by 22-1-1 monoclonal antibody. It was found in carcinomas derived from the uterus and ovary and was especially strongly expressed in invasive cancers. A previous investigation showed the RCAS1 expression to be correlated with a poor prognosis in uterine cervical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined whether the expression of RCAS1 is associated with the progression of the uterine endometrial neoplasms.

METHODS

The expression of RCAS1 was evaluated by an immunohistochemical analysis. The tissue specimens used in this study included 46 cases of normal uterine endometrium, 40 cases of hyperplasia, and 121 cases of adenocarcinoma. The relationship between RCAS1 expression and several clinicopathological variables (clinical stage, histology, grade, myometrial invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion, and lymph node metastasis) was also assessed in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

RCAS1 was positive in 26% of the normal uterine endometrium specimens (12 of 46 total cases), in 32% of the hyperplasia specimens (13 of 40 total cases), and in 68% of the adenocarcinoma specimens (83 of 121 total cases). As a result, the expression of RCAS1 was statistically higher in adenocarcinoma than in the normal and hyperplastic endometrium (P < 0.0001). RCAS1 was statistically detected more frequently in grade 3 than in grade 1 or 2 (P < 0.05); however, there was no correlation between the antigen expression and the clinical stage, myometrial invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion, or lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION

RCAS1 expression might thus be associated with the malignant transformation and poor differentiation observed in uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in rat granulosa cells

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is a vital mitochondrial protein that is indispensable for the synthesis of steroids. To study the mechanisms of regulation of StAR in rat granulosa cells, we used granulosa cells obtained from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Northern blot analysis revealed two major transcripts of about 3.6 kb and 1.6 kb of rat StAR mRNA. Rat StAR mRNA had strongly increased within 2 h due to the treatment of FSH or 8-Br-cAMP in this culture, a parallel increase of transcripts of both sizes was observed. Compared to the control, StAR mRNA levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of increasing concentrations of FSH (1-100 ng/ ml) and 8-Br-cAMP (0.25-5 mM). Although co-treatment of rat granulosa cells with FSH and TGF-beta did not change FSH-induced StAR mRNA levels, these levels in granulosa cells were markedly increased by pretreatment with TGF-beta before being acutely (2 h) stimulated with an effective dose of FSH. The stimulatory effect of TGF-beta was time- and concentration-dependent (1-30 ng/ml).

Hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic activities of sophoradiol analogs on rat primary liver cell cultures

As a part of our studies of hepatoprotective drugs, we prepared kaikasaponin I (2), sophoradiol monoglucuronide (SoMG, 3) and sophoradiol (4) from kaikasaponin III (1). We examined the hepatoprotective effects of these analogs, using immunologically-induced liver injury in primary cultured rat hepatocytes and found that compound 1 was more effective than soyasaponin I (1a) while 2 was more effective than 1. On the other hand, 3 was less effective than 2 at 30-200 microm. Further, compound 3 was strongly cytotoxic at 500 microM while 4 exhibited hepatoprotective activity at the same dose, although less potent. When the cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes of these analogs was tested, only 3 was cytotoxic at doses of 200 and 500 microM. This is the first example of an oleanene glucuronide (OG) which is cytotoxic toward hepatocytes. Compound 3 exhibited hepatoprotective activity at 200 microM, while it was also cytotoxic at the same dose without antiserum. Therefore, the hepatoprotective activity of OG represents a balance between a hepatoprotective action and its cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes.

Anti-herpes virus activity of fabaceous triterpenoidal saponins')

Anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) activity of oleanane-type triterpenoidal saponins obtained from some fabaceous plants were examined. Among sophoradiol glycosides, the order of potency was kaikasaponins III>I>>sophoradiol monoglucuronide. It was suggested that the trisaccharide group showed greater action than the disaccharide group. Neither the monoglucuronide of sophoradiol nor that of soyasapogenol B showed activity. Among the trisaccharide group of soyasapogenol B, the order of activity was azukisaponin V>soyasaponin II>astragaloside VIII>>soyasaponin I. Therefore, the saponin having a glucosyl unit in the central sugar moiety seemed to show greater action. In comparison with the activities for a group having the same trisaccharide, the potency of the sapogenol moieties was found to be in the order of soyasapogenol E>sophoradiol>>soyasapogenol B. Hence, the carbonyl group at C-22 would be more effective than the hydroxyl group in anti-HSV-1 activity, while the hydroxyl group at C-24 could reduce the activity.