Evaluation of incidence, predictive factors and treatment considerations for asymptomatic genitourinary granulomas after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Although the complications of intravesical BCG treatment are well described, asymptomatic genitourinary granulomas after BCG therapy have rarely been reported and management strategy for these conditions remains controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence rate of asymptomatic genitourinary granuloma formation mimicking bladder cancer recurrence after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy and to identify the diagnostic and treatment strategies according to patient conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 162 patients who underwent intravesical BCG therapy. For patients who developed granulomas, we evaluated the time interval between BCG instillation and the development of granuloma, the presence of acid-fast bacteria on pathology specimens, culture/polymerase chain reaction results, management strategies for the lesions, and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Asymptomatic genitourinary masses developed in 14 patients, of whom 5 underwent histological examinations and all were confirmed to have granulomatous inflammation. The affected organs included the kidney, bladder, prostate, and penis. While four of the five patients did not receive treatment for their granulomas, one patient was administered antituberculous medication to prevent worsening of the lesion during the perioperative period of the scheduled cystoprostatectomy. None of the patients experienced worsening or recurrence of granulomatous lesions. Patients who developed asymptomatic masses (n = 14) were significantly younger than those who did not (p = 0.0076) and multivariate analysis also showed that younger age was independently associated with the development of clinically suspicious lesions (p = 0.032); however, none of the parameters were associated with histologically confirmed granuloma formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Genitourinary granulomas mimicking recurrence of carcinoma may develop in nearly 10% of patients after intravesical BCG therapy. Most patients can be managed without potentially toxic antituberculosis therapy.

Resolution of fibrosis by siRNA HSP47 in vitamin A-coupled liposomes induces regeneration of chronically injured livers

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In chronic hepatic diseases where treatment strategies are not available, deposited fibrotic tissues deteriorate the intrinsic regeneration capacity of the liver by creating special restrictions. Thus, if the anti-fibrosis modality is efficiently applied, the regeneration capacity of the liver should be reactivated even in such refractory hepatic diseases.

METHODS

Rat liver fibrosis was induced by dimethyl-nitrosamine (DMN). Another liver fibrosis model was established in CCl4 treated Sox9CreERT2ROSA26: YFP mice. To resolve hepatic fibrosis, vitamin A-coupled liposomes containing siRNA HSP47 (VA-liposome siHSP47) were employed. EpCAM + hepatic progenitor cells from GFP rats were transplanted to DMN rat liver to examine their trans-differentiation into hepatic cells after resolution of liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

Even under continuous exposure to such strong hepatotoxin as DMN, rats undergoing VA-liposome siHSP47 treatment showed an increment of DNA synthesis of hepatocytes with the concomitant restoration of impaired liver weight and normalization of albumin levels. These results were consistent with the observation that GFP + EpCAM hepatic progenitor cells transplanted to DMN rat liver, trans-differentiated into GFP + mature hepatic cells after VA-liposome siHSP47 treatment. Another rodent model also proved regeneration potential of the fibrotic liver in CCl4 administered Sox9CreERT2ROSA26: YFP mice, VA-liposome siHSP47 treatment-induced restoration of liver weight and trans-differentiation of YEP + Sox9 + cells into YFP + hepatic cells, although because of relatively mild hepatotoxicity of CCl4, undamaged hepatocytes also proliferated.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that regeneration of chronically damaged liver indeed occurs after anti-fibrosis treatment even under continuous exposure to hepatotoxin, which promises a significant benefit of the anti-fibrosis therapy for refractory liver diseases.

Mice with cleavage-resistant N-cadherin exhibit synapse anomaly in the hippocampus and outperformance in spatial learning tasks

N-cadherin is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that stabilizes excitatory synapses, by connecting pre- and post-synaptic termini. Upon NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation by glutamate, membrane-proximal domains of N-cadherin are cleaved serially by a-disintegrin-and-metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) and then presenilin 1(PS1, catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase complex). To assess the physiological significance of the initial N-cadherin cleavage, we engineer the mouse genome to create a knock-in allele with tandem missense mutations in the mouse N-cadherin/Cadherin-2 gene (Cdh2 R714G, I715D, or GD) that confers resistance on proteolysis by ADAM10 (GD mice). GD mice showed a better performance in the radial maze test, with significantly less revisiting errors after intervals of 30 and 300 s than WT, and a tendency for enhanced freezing in fear conditioning. Interestingly, GD mice reveal higher complexity in the tufts of thorny excrescence in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Fine morphometry with serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction reveals significantly higher synaptic density, significantly smaller PSD area, and normal dendritic spine volume in GD mice. This knock-in mouse has provided in vivo evidence that ADAM10-mediated cleavage is a critical step in N-cadherin shedding and degradation and involved in the structure and function of glutamatergic synapses, which affect the memory function.

High-affinity IgM+ memory B cells are defective in differentiation into IgM antibody-secreting cells by re-stimulation with a T cell-dependent antigen

IgM antibodies (Abs) are thought to play a major role in humoral immunity but only at the early stage of the primary immune response. However, two subsets of IgM⁺ memory B cells (MBCs), one with high affinity gained by means of multiple somatic hypermutation (SHM) and the other with low affinity and no SHMs, are generated through the germinal center (GC)-dependent and GC-independent (non-GC) pathway, respectively, after immunization with (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-chicken γ-globulin. Surprisingly, an analysis of antibody-secreting cells reveals that a large amount of anti-NP IgM Ab with few SHMs is secreted during the recall response, indicating that only non-GC MBCs have terminal differentiation potential. Since secondary IgM Abs are capable of binding to dinitrophenyl ligands, they likely provide broad cross-reactivity in defense against microbial infection.

Thermophilic Enterococcus faecium QU 50 enabled open repeated batch fermentation for l-lactic acid production from mixed sugars without carbon catabolite repression

Thermophilic lactic acid bacterium enabled homo-l-lactic acid fermentation from hexose/pentose without carbon catabolite repression, and open repeated production by immobilization.

Diagnostic Value of Brain Calcifications in Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia is a rare neurodegenerative disease resulting from mutations in the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor gene. Accurate diagnosis can be difficult because the associated clinical and MR imaging findings are nonspecific. We present 9 cases with intracranial calcifications distributed in 2 brain regions: the frontal white matter adjacent to the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles and the parietal subcortical white matter. Thin-section (1-mm) CT scans are particularly helpful in detection due to the small size of the calcifications. These calcifications had a symmetric "stepping stone appearance" in the frontal pericallosal regions, which was clearly visible on reconstructed sagittal CT images. Intrafamilial variability was seen in 2 of the families, and calcifications were seen at birth in a single individual. These characteristic calcification patterns may assist in making a correct diagnosis and may contribute to understanding of the pathogenesis of leukoencephalopathy.

The relationship between the daily step counts and low back pain during pregnancy

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between the change of daily step counts and low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy. Materials and

METHODS

Pregnant women at less than eight weeks of gestation (WG) were recruited. Daily step counts were measured with a pedometer. To assess LBP, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was recorded. Thirty-six individuals were divided into the LBP and non-LBP groups. The effect of step counts on LBP between the two groups was analyzed.

RESULTS

At 16-19 WG, step counts were not considerably changed in the non-LBP group but were significantly increased in the LBP group. At 24-27 and 32-35 WG, step counts were increased in the non-LBP group but were significantly decreased in the LBP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute increase of daily step counts in early pregnancy is a risk for LBP, and gradual increases of step counts after mid-pregnancy is recommended for women.

High affinity IgM(+) memory B cells are generated through a germinal center-dependent pathway

During a T cell-dependent immune response, B cells undergo clonal expansion and selection and the induction of isotype switching and somatic hypermutation (SHM). Although somatically mutated IgM(+) memory B cells have been reported, it has not been established whether they are really high affinity B cells. We tracked (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl hapten-specific GC B cells from normal immunized mice based on affinity of their B cell receptor (BCR) and performed BCR sequence analysis. SHM was evident by day 7 postimmunization and increased with time, such that high affinity IgM(+) as well as IgG(+) memory B cells continued to be generated up to day 42. In contrast, class-switch recombination (CSR) was almost completed by day 7 and then the ratio of IgG1(+)/IgM(+) GC B cells remained unchanged. Together these findings suggest that IgM(+) B cells undergo SHM in the GC to generate high affinity IgM(+) memory cells and that this process continues even after CSR is accomplished.

Correction of coronal alignment correlates with reconstruction of joint height in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

Because there have been no standard methods to determine pre-operatively the thickness of resection of the proximal tibia in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), information about the relationship between the change of limb alignment and the joint line elevation would be useful for pre-operative planning. The purpose of this study was to clarify the correlation between the change of limb alignment and the change of joint line height at the medial compartment after UKA.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 42 medial UKAs was reviewed retrospectively. These patients were assessed radiographically both pre- and post-operatively with standing anteroposterior radiographs. The thickness of bone resection at the proximal tibia and the distal femur was measured radiographically. The relationship between the change of femorotibial angle (δFTA) and the change of joint line height, was analysed.

RESULTS

The mean pre- and post-operative FTA was 180.5° (172.2° to 184.8°) and 175.0° (168.5° to 178.9°), respectively. The mean δFTA was 5.5° (2.3° to 10.1°). The joint line elevation of the tibia (JLET) was 4.4 mm (2.1 to 7.8). The δFTA was correlated with the JLET (correlation coefficient 0.494, p = 0.0009).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that there is a significant correlation between the change of limb alignment and joint line elevation. This observation suggests that it is possible to know the requirement of elevation of the joint line to obtain the desired correction of limb alignment, and to predict the requirement of bone resection of the proximal tibia pre-operatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:128-133.

Correction of coronal alignment correlates with reconstruction of joint height in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Objectives

Because there have been no standard methods to determine pre-operatively the thickness of resection of the proximal tibia in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), information about the relationship between the change of limb alignment and the joint line elevation would be useful for pre-operative planning. The purpose of this study was to clarify the correlation between the change of limb alignment and the change of joint line height at the medial compartment after UKA.

Methods

A consecutive series of 42 medial UKAs was reviewed retrospectively. These patients were assessed radiographically both pre- and post-operatively with standing anteroposterior radiographs. The thickness of bone resection at the proximal tibia and the distal femur was measured radiographically. The relationship between the change of femorotibial angle (δFTA) and the change of joint line height, was analysed.

Results

The mean pre- and post-operative FTA was 180.5° (172.2° to 184.8°) and 175.0° (168.5° to 178.9°), respectively. The mean δFTA was 5.5° (2.3° to 10.1°). The joint line elevation of the tibia (JLET) was 4.4 mm (2.1 to 7.8). The δFTA was correlated with the JLET (correlation coefficient 0.494, p = 0.0009).

Conclusions

This study indicated that there is a significant correlation between the change of limb alignment and joint line elevation. This observation suggests that it is possible to know the requirement of elevation of the joint line to obtain the desired correction of limb alignment, and to predict the requirement of bone resection of the proximal tibia pre-operatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:128–133

An asymmetric antibody repertoire is shaped between plasmablasts and plasma cells after secondary immunization with (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl chicken γ-globulin

Studies on the structural basis of antibody affinity maturation have been carried out by measuring the affinity of secreted antibodies, and information on structures has often been obtained from nucleotide sequences of BCRs of memory B cells. We considered it important to establish whether the repertoire of secreted antibodies from plasma cells is really in accord with that of BCRs on memory B cells at the same time points post-immunization. We isolated plasma cells secreting antibodies specific to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) hapten by affinity matrix technology using biotin-anti-CD138 and streptavidin-NP-allophycocyanin, to which anti-NP antibodies secreted by autologous plasma cells bound preferentially. We found that plasmablasts occupied >90% of the antibody-secreting cell compartment in the primary response and that they secreted antibodies whose VH regions were encoded by V186.2(+)Tyr95(+) sequences, which provided an increase in the medium level of affinity by somatic hypermutation (SHM) of heavy chains at position 33. After secondary immunization, a further increase in antibody affinity was observed, which was explained by the appearance of a number of plasma cells secreting V186.2(+)Gly95(+) antibodies that acquired high affinity by multiple SHMs as well as plasmablasts secreting V186.2(+)Tyr95(+) antibodies. However, we did not detect any plasmablasts secreting V186.2(+)Gly95(+) antibodies, showing that plasmablasts and plasma cells have a different antibody repertoire, i.e. their respective repertoires are asymmetric. On the basis of these findings, we discussed the relationship between the BCR affinity of memory B cells and plasmablasts as well as plasma cells as pertaining to their ontogeny.

Interleukin-6 receptor signaling disruption prevents cardiac allograft deterioration in mice

OBJECTIVES

Interleukin-6, a pleiotropic cytokine that functions in both innate and adaptive immune responses, has been implicated in allograft rejection. We analyzed the efficacy of anti interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody in delaying allograft rejection in a murine model of a heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate the role of interleukin-6 receptor signal transduction in acute and chronic allograft rejection, we blocked interleukin-6 receptor signaling to suppress the alloimmune response in C57BL/6 recipients of BALB/c cardiac allografts.

RESULTS

Administration of a high-dose α-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody prevented the intragraft infiltration of inflammatory cells and lymphocytes and prolonged allograft survival during the peritransplant period. However, all allografts were rejected by 23.5 days after transplant. In contrast, cardiac allograft recipients treated with a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin plus continued administration of low-dose α-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody showed long-term graft survival compared with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin monotherapy. A histologic analysis revealed that graft fibrosis was prevented in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin plus high-dose α-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody group, but not in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin alone group. This suggests that deterioration of graft function associated with chronic rejection could be prevented by blocking interleukin-6 receptor signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Disruption of interleukin-6 receptor signaling is an effective strategy for modulating proinflammatory immune responses and preventing chronic rejection.

Initial dose of vancomycin based on body weight and creatinine clearance to minimize inadequate trough levels in Japanese adults

Our aims were to elucidate the factors that affected vancomycin (VCM) serum trough levels and to find the optimal initial dose based on creatinine clearance (CrCl) and body weight (BW) to minimize inadequate trough levels in a retrospective observational study among Japanese adults. One hundred and six inpatients, in whom VCM trough levels were measured after completing the third dosing, were consecutively recruited into our study in a tertiary hospital. We considered the frequency of <30% as low. In the generalized linear model, initial VCM total daily dose, CrCl, and BW were independent risk factors of VCM trough levels. In patients with CrCl ≥30 and <50 mL/min, 1 g/day yielded low frequencies of a trough level of ≥20 mcg/mL, regardless of BW. In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min, 2 g/day yielded low frequencies of a trough level of <10 mcg/mL in patients weighing <55 kg, but not in patients weighing ≥55 kg. Optimal VCM initial total daily dose may be 1 g/day in patients with CrCl ≥30 and <50 mL/min regardless of BW and 2 g/day in patients weighing <55 kg with CrCl ≥50 mL/min among Japanese adults.

Enlarged post-operative posterior condyle tightens extension gap in total knee arthroplasty

We investigated whether the extension gap in total knee replacement (TKR) would be changed when the femoral component was inserted. The extension gap was measured with and without the femoral component in place in 80 patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing posterior-stabilised TKR. The effect of a post-operative increase in the size of the femoral posterior condyles was also evaluated. The results showed that placement of the femoral component significantly reduced the medial and lateral extension gaps by means of 1.0 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively (p < 0.0001). The extension gap was reduced when a larger femoral component was selected relative to the thickness of the resected posterior condyle. When the post-operative posterior lateral condyle was larger than that pre-operatively, 17 of 41 knees (41%) showed a decrease in the extension gap of > 2.0 mm. When a specially made femoral trial component with a posterior condyle enlarged by 4 mm was tested, the medial and lateral extension gaps decreased further by means of 2.1 mm and 2.8 mm, respectively.

If the thickness of the posterior condyle is expected to be larger than that pre-operatively, it should be recognised that the extension gap is likely to be altered. This should be taken into consideration when preparing the extension gap.

Extraction behavior of rutherfordium into tributylphosphate from hydrochloric acid

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of261Rf,169Hf, and85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

[Three cases of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema]

We report 3 cases of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema. All patients were young males, and had predisposing episodes for development of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema; sports in 2, loud voice in 1. The each chief complaint was dyspnea, throat pain, and epigastric pain. Two patients were admitted, but 1 rejected admission despite sufficient informed consent. All patients became asymptomatic with mediastinal air reabsorption within a week. We should recognize spontaneous mediastinal emphysema as one cause of chest, back, neck and epigastric pain.

[Successful surgical treatment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism caused by giant intra-pervic tumor; report of a case]

A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of operation for giant intra-pervic tumor. She had a history of deep vein thrombosis. Suddenly she complained severe dyspnea while having a bath, and subsequently cardiogenic shock occurred. Immediately we set up percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Despite thrombolytic therapy including the administration of urokinase and rt-PA, hemodinamics were not improved. Emergent pulmonary embolectomy was performed on-pump beating. Postoperative course was uneventful. The intra-pervic tumor was removed on the 24th postoperative day. She was discharged in good condition on the 38th postoperative day. Quick diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential in patient with acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism.

Measurements of sound propagation in narrow tubes

The propagation of sound in hollow tubes is a fundamental theme common to many areas of classical acoustics. Kirchhoff's theory explaining the propagation of sound in a circular tube is now playing an important role as a starting point in studying sound in porous media. This paper reports on measurements of the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient in the narrow regions of tubes, where the sound undergoes anomalous dispersion and is seen to slow down remarkably to the extent that a runner can pass ahead of it. Kirchhoff's theory can be verified by experiment over a wide range of thermodynamical conditions, from isentropic to isothermal.

Nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and its association with type "i"/XhoI loss strain Epstein-Barr virus in Chile

BACKGROUND

Nasal T/natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoma is an aggressive type of non-Hodking's lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and striking geographical variations worldwide.

AIM

To characterise nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma associated with genotypes of EBV in Chile, a Latin American country, where multiple strains of EBV, including two new recombinant strains, in healthy individuals were recently found.

METHODS

Cases with diagnosis of primary nasal lymphoma were selected for histological and immunohistochemical analysis (CD3, CD3e, CD4, CD8, CD79a, CD56, CD57 and TIA-1) and in-situ hybridisation, serology and genotyping analysis for EBV.

RESULTS

Out of 22 cases, 9 (41%) cases fulfilled the World Health Organization criteria for nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma; of these 7 (78%) cases were positive for EBV. Genotyping analysis revealed 6 cases of type 1 EBV and wildtype F at the BamHI-F region, 4 cases type "i" EBV at the BamHI-W1/I1 region; XhoI wild type was found in 2 and XhoI loss in 4 cases, respectively. Cosegregation analysis of the BamHI-W1/I1 region and XhoI restriction site showed the new recombinant strain type "i"/XhoI loss in 3 cases and type "i"/XhoI wild-type strain in 1 case. Most patients were treated with combined anthracycline-containing regimens. Half of the cases attained complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Although nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas from Chile share similar clinicopathological features, high association with EBV and unfavourable prognosis with those described elsewhere, genotype analysis shows that the new recombinant type "i"/XhoI loss strain might contribute to explain the intermediate incidence of nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas in Latin America.

Chemical removal and recovery of phosphorus from excess sludge in a sewage treatment plant

We describe a process for the recovery of phosphorus from excess sludge in a sewage treatment plant that currently uses polyaluminium chloride for chemical phosphorus removal. Instead, we employed alkaline dissolution of excess sludge with calcium phosphate precipitation to recover phosphorus from sewage. The recovery ratio for phosphorus from sewage using the phosphorus recovery system is approximately 50%. In addition, the amount of excess sludge in the phosphorus recovery system is approximately half that of conventional chemical phosphorus removal. Alkaline dissolution of excess sludge resulted in dissolution of aluminium into the supernatant. Furthermore, since dissolved aluminium can be reused as a coagulant, the phosphorus recovery system could be used to economize coagulant consumption. Operation and maintenance costs of the phosphorus recovery system are 25.9 U.S. cents per 1 m3 of sewage compared to 32.0 U.S. cents per 1 m3 of sewage for conventional chemical phosphorus removal, representing a decrease of 20% in the operation and maintenance costs.

Identification and production of a bacteriocin from Enterococcus mundtii QU 2 isolated from soybean

AIMS

Identification of the bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus mundtii QU 2 newly isolated from soybean and fermentative production of the bacteriocin.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The bacteriocin produced by Ent. mundtii QU 2 inhibited the growth of various indicator strains, including Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus and Listeria. The bacteriocin activity was stable at wide pH range and against heat treatment, but completely abolished by proteolytic enzymes. The bacteriocin was purified from the culture supernatant by the three-step chromatographic procedure. Mass spectrometry, amino acid sequencing and DNA sequencing revealed that the bacteriocin was similar to class IIa bacteriocins produced by other Ent. mundtii strains. The bacteriocin production decreased in the absence of glucose, nitrogen sources, or Tween 80 in MRS medium. Additionally, it was strongly suppressed by addition of Ca(2+) (CaCO(3) or CaCl(2)). In pH-controlled fermentations, the highest bacteriocin production was achieved at pH 6.0, whereas the highest cell growth was obtained at pH 7.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Ent. mundtii QU 2 produced a class IIa bacteriocin. Some growth factors (e.g. Ca(2+) and pH) influenced the bacteriocin production.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A new soybean isolate, Ent. mundtii QU 2 was found to be a class IIa bacteriocin producer. Factors influencing the bacteriocin production described herein are valuable for applications of the bacteriocins from Ent. mundtii strains.

Transmission of alien chromosomes from selfed progenies of a complete set of Allium monosomic additions: the development of a reliable method for the maintenance of a monosomic addition set

Selfed progeny of a complete set of Allium fistulosum - Allium cepa monosomic addition lines (2n = 2x + 1 = 17, FF+1A-FF+8A) were produced to examine the transmission rates of respective alien chromosomes. All eight types of the selfed monosomic additions set germinable seeds. The numbers of chromosomes (2n) in the seedlings were 16, 17, or 18. The eight extra chromosomes varied in transmission rate (%) from 9 (FF+2A) to 49 (FF+8A). The complete set of monosomic additions was reproduced successfully by self-pollination. A reliable way to maintain a set of Allium monosomic additions was developed using a combination of two crossing methods, selfing and female transmission. FF+8A produced two seedlings with 18 chromosomes. Cytogenetical analyses, including GISH, showed that the seedlings were disomic addition plants carrying two entire homologous chromosomes from A. cepa in an integral diploid background of A. fistulosum. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a double dose of the alien 8A chromosome caused fluorescence intensity values spurring in DNA content, and isozyme analysis showed increased glutamate dehydrogenase activity at the gene locus Gdh-1.

Effect of fluoride-releasing adhesive system on decalcified dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride-releasing adhesive systems on human decalcified dentin in vitro. Two fluoride-releasing adhesive systems, Reactmer bond (RB, Shofu) and ABF (AF, Kuraray), an experimental system, and a commercial adhesive system without fluoride release, SE bond (SE, Kuraray), were used in this study. The amount of fluoride release from adhesive in deionized water was measured every week for 10 weeks. Class V cavities were prepared on extracted human pre-molars and decalcified dentin was promoted by using a bacterial caries induction system at the cavity floor. The cavities preserving decalcified dentin were restored with resin composite (AP-X, Kuraray) after treatment by each adhesive system. The specimens without treatment by adhesive system and restoration were used for control. The specimens with restoration were then incubated for 4 weeks at 37 degrees C, 100% humidity. Microradiographs of the specimens showed that the radiopacities of the decalcified dentin layers in RB and AF groups with fluoride release were significantly higher than those in SE or control groups without fluoride release. This result suggested that the fluoride-releasing adhesive systems enhanced mineralization of decalcified dentin.

Nutritional aspects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides: natural occurrence, chemistry, physiology and health implications

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides occur in a number of edible plants, such as chicory, onions, asparagus, wheat... They are a group of linear fructose oligomers with a degree of polymerisation ranging from n = 1 up to 5 (oligosaccharides). Short-chain fructooligosaccharides, to a large extent, escape digestion in the human upper intestine and reach the colon where they are totally fermented mostly to lactate, short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), and gas, like dietary fibres. As a consequence of their fermentation, their caloric value is approximately 2 Kcal/g. A faecal bulking effect of fructooligosaccharides has been observed in humans. An important property of short-chain fructooligosaccharides is the stimulation of bifidobacterial growth specifically while suppressing the growth of potentially harmful species such as, for example, Clostridium perfringens in the colon. It is associated with a decrease in faecal pH, an increase in faecal or colonic organic acids, a decrease in the production of nitrogenous end products in urine and stools, a decrease in faecal bacterial enzymatic activities and a modification in faecal neutral sterols. The short-chain fructooligosaccharides enhance magnesium absorption in humans and have been shown, in animal models, to reduce colon tumour development by enhancing both colon butyrate concentrations and local immune system effectors.

Seasonal variations of 222Rn concentrations in the air of a tunnel located in Nagano city

The seasonal variation of 222Rn concentrations in the air of tunnels constructed during World War II at Nagano City has been investigated. The determination of 222Rn concentrations in tunnel air was performed using a solid-state nuclear track detector technique. The monthly radon concentrations changed smoothly, decreasing towards winter and increasing towards summer, and it was found that the concentrations strongly correlate with the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the tunnel. In the innermost areas of the tunnel, the maximum concentration was observed in July, its value being about 6500 Bq m (-3). The concentrations of radon in the tunnel air decrease exponentially towards the openings of the tunnel, which indicates that the radon concentration in the tunnel is basically governed by diffusion and mixing of radon gas with air. These observations lead to the conclusion that the seasonal variation of the radon concentration in the tunnel air is mainly caused by a convection current due to a stack effect induced by the temperature difference between the tunnel air and the outside air.

Effects of bovine beta-casein (1-28) and its chemically synthesized partial fragments on proliferative responses and immunoglobulin production in mouse spleen cell cultures

Effects of bovine beta-casein (1-28) having a phosphoserine-rich region (Glu14-SerP-Leu-SerP-SerP-SerP-Glu-Glu21) and its chemically synthesized partial fragments on proliferation of lymphocytes and immunoglobulin production were investigated in mouse spleen cell cultures. The parent fragment 1-28 and all fragments containing SerP-Leu-SerP and/or SerP-SerP-SerP had a significant mitogenic effect, stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide, phytohemagglutinin, or concanavalin A, and increased immunoglobulin (IgG + IgM + IgA) or IgA levels in the cell cultures. In contrast, dephosphorylated beta-casein (14-21) and SerP-SerP amide had hardly any immunoregulatory activity. On the other hand, SerP-Leu-SerP amide reacted little with antibodies specific to bovine beta-casein (1-28), but beta-casein (14-21), and SerP-SerP-SerP amide obviously reacted with the antibody. These results confirm that the immunoregulatory activity of casein phosphopeptides is attributable to SerP-X-SerP, which may well be available as a non-allergic food ingredient having an adjuvant activity for mucosal IgA responses.

Intracranial aneurysms in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV in early childhood

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV is of special interest to neurologists because of the risk of cerebrovascular complications. We describe a 5-year-old female with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV, demonstrating multiple intracranial aneurysms and right middle cerebral artery stenosis. The diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV was confirmed by electron microscopic examination of a skin biopsy. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported patient with intracranial aneurysms associated with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebrovascular disorder and stroke in early childhood.

Effect of lipophilicity on in vivo iontophoretic delivery. II. Beta-blockers

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between drug lipophilicity and the transdermal absorption processes in the iontophoretic delivery in vivo. Anodal iontophoresis of beta-blockers as model drugs having different lipophilicity (atenolol, pindolol, metoprolol, acebutolol, oxprenolol and propranolol) was performed with rats (electrical current, 0.625 mA/cm2; application period, 90 min), and the drug concentrations in skin, cutaneous vein and systemic vein were determined. Increasing the lipophilicity of beta-blockers caused a greater absorption into the skin. Exceptionally, it was found that pindolol had high skin absorption, irrespective of its hydrophilic nature. Further, the drug transfer rate from skin to cutaneous vein (R(SC)) was evaluated from the arterio-venous plasma concentration difference of drug in the skin. Normalized R(SC) by skin concentration showed a negative correlation with the logarithm of n-octanol/buffer partition coefficient (Log P, pH 7.4), suggesting the partitioning between stratum corneum and viable epidermis was a primary process to determine the transfer properties of beta-blockers to local blood circulation. Pindolol exhibited both high skin absorption and high transfer from skin to cutaneous vein. These characteristics of pindolol could be explained by the chemical structure, molecular size and hydrophilicity. These findings for pindolol should be valuable for the optimal design of drug candidates for iontophoretic transdermal delivery.