Carbohydrate structures of acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica and distribution of oligosaccharides among the subunits

The structure of carbohydrates in acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo californica is reported. Oligosaccharides released quantitatively from the whole molecule by N-oligosaccharide glycopeptidase digestion were fractionated by thin-layer chromatography and further purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. We show that more than 70% of the total oligosaccharide chains in Torpedo AChR are of the high-mannose type with the structures (Man)8(GlcNAc)2 and (Man)9(GlcNAc)2. The structure of these oligosaccharides were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These two types of oligosaccharides were shown to be distributed different proportions in all subunits of Torpedo AChR. We also show that several kinds of complex-type oligosaccharides comprising the rest of the carbohydrate in the protein exist mainly in the gamma and delta subunits. The structure of the carbohydrate moiety that is distributed on the four subunits of AChR was also examined by susceptibility to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and sialidase and by binding affinity to lectins, e.g. concanavalin A, leucoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin, and wheat germ agglutinin.

CXCL10 Expression Status is Prognostic in Patients with Advanced Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

CXCL10, a member of the CXC chemokine family, is known to mediate chemotaxis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell growth. It is also reportedly involved in tumor development and can affect prognosis in several cancers. However, the precise relationship between CXCL10 and the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not fully understood.

METHODS

We used ESCC tissue microarrays containing samples from 177 patients to test whether the CXCL10 expression status, determined using immunohistochemical analysis, is predictive of prognosis. We also tested whether CXCL10 expression status could serve as a clinically useful marker for evaluating the need for adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.

RESULTS

We found that high CXCL10 expression in clinical samples was an independent prognostic factor and was predictive of a favorable 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival (p = 0.0102 and 0.0332, respectively). Additionally, no significant difference was detected between patients in the CXCL10-high group treated with surgery alone and those treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. In the CXCL10-low group, on the other hand, patients treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy had better 5-year overall survival than those treated with surgery alone.

CONCLUSIONS

High CXCL10 expression is an independent prognostic factor and has the potential to serve as a clinically useful marker of the need for adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery in patients with advanced thoracic ESCC.

Highly selective aldose reductase inhibitors. 3. Structural diversity of 3-(arylmethyl)-2,4,5-trioxoimidazolidine-1-acetic acids

Accumulation of intracellular sorbitol, the reduced product of glucose, catalyzed by aldose reductase (AR) (EC 1.1.1.21), is thought to be the cause of the development of diabetic complications. Our attention is focused on finding compounds which inhibit AR without significantly inhibiting aldehyde reductase (ALR) (EC 1.1.1.2). The uracil or 2,4-dioxoimidazolidine skeleton having the benzothiazolyl or 4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl group as an aryl part indicated not only extremely high AR inhibitory activity but also AR selectivity. The ratio of IC50(ALR)/IC50(AR) of 3-[(5-chlorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,4- dioxopyrimidine-1-acetic acid (47d) was more than 17 500. The uracil skeleton with the benzothiazolyl moiety seemed to be the best combination for selective AR inhibition.

m6 A demethylase ALKBH5 promotes proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma associated with poor prognosis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most fatal types of malignant tumors worldwide. Epitranscriptome, such as N⁶ -methyladenosine (m⁶ A) of mRNA, is an abundant post-transcriptional mRNA modification and has been recently implicated to play roles in several cancers, whereas the significance of m⁶ A modifications is virtually unknown in ESCC. Analysis of tissue microarray of the tumors in 177 ESCC patients showed that higher expression of m⁶ A demethylase ALKBH5 correlated with poor prognosis and that ALKBH5 was an independent prognostic factor of the survival of patients. There was no correlation between the other demethylase FTO and prognosis. siRNA knockdown of ALKBH5 but not FTO significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of human ESCC cells. ALKBH5 knockdown delayed progression of cell cycle and accumulated the cells to G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, expression of CDKN1A (p21) was significantly up-regulated in ALKBH5-depleted cells, and m⁶ A modification and stability of CDKN1A mRNA were increased by ALKBH5 knockdown. Furthermore, depletion of ALKBH5 substantially suppressed tumor growth of ESCC cells subcutaneously transplanted in BALB/c nude mice. Collectively, we identify ALKBH5 as the first m⁶ A demethylase that accelerates cell cycle progression and promotes cell proliferation of ESCC cells, which is associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients.

Cataract progression in patients with atopic dermatitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possible causes of cataract progression in Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.

METHODS

This prospective study comprised 41 patients (81 eyes) with atopic dermatitis. Cataract progression was determined by photographs and visual acuity results. Mean follow-up was 2.5 years (range 1.0 to 3.5 years).

RESULTS

Of 41 patients, 10 (24.4%) had progression of cataract. Of 81 eyes, 10 (12.3%) had slow progression and 9 (11.1%), rapid. Cataract progression was not statistically significantly related to patient sex or severity of systemic skin lesions but was to facial skin lesions. Soft contact lens wear and eye rubbing were also correlated with cataract progression.

CONCLUSION

Patients with facial atopic dermatitis, contact lenses, or both may rub their eyes more frequently than those with lesions on other body parts, increasing their risk of cataract progression.

Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone in the treatment of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME).

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

METHODS

Four patients with pseudophakic CME who reported decreased visual acuities were treated with oral prednisolone (20 mg daily for 5 days), oral acetazolamide (500 mg daily for 5 days), and topical dexamethasone 0.1% and diclofenac 0.1% (4 times a day for 14 days). The CME did not resolve. Next, they were treated with high-dose (1000 mg daily) intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 days.

RESULTS

In 3 of 4 eyes, the CME resolved and visual acuity improved.

CONCLUSION

High-dose methylprednisolone may be effective in the treatment of pseudophakic CME.

Highly selective aldose reductase inhibitors. 1. 3-(Arylalkyl)-2,4,5-trioxoimidazolidine-1-acetic acids

A series of 3-(arylalkyl)-2,4,5-trioxoimidazolidine-1-acetic acids (1) was prepared and tested for aldose reductase (AR) and aldehyde reductase (ALR) inhibitory activities. These compounds showed strong inhibitory activity against AR without significant inhibitory activity for ALR. The ratio of IC50(ALR)/IC50(AR) was > 1000 in some compounds. On the basis of pharmacological tests such as the recovery of reduced motor nerve conduction velocity and toxicological profile, 3-(3-nitrobenzyl)-2,4,5-trioxoimidazolidine-1-acetic acid (NZ-314) was selected as the candidate for clinical development.

Extensive Lymph Node Dissection Around the Left Laryngeal Nerve Achieved With Robot-assisted Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND/AIM

The potential advantages of robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (RATE) have yet to be verified. This study focused on the degree of lymph node dissection around the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 21 consecutive patients who received RATE (RATE group) and 38 who received conventional thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE) (TE group), both with extended lymphadenectomy, for thoracic squamous cell esophageal carcinoma, were enrolled in this study. We compared the numbers of lymph nodes dissected from the mediastinum, especially around the left RLN.

RESULTS

The median number of lymph nodes dissected from around the left RLN was 6 in the RATE group and 4 in the TE group, and the ratio of the dissected lymph nodes around the left RLN to all lymph nodes was significantly higher in the RATE group (p=0.048).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that a robot-assisted surgical system enables for more extensive dissection of lymph nodes around the left RLN.

Effects of Scutellariae Radix Extract and its Components (Baicalein, Baicalin, and Wogonin) on the Experimental Elevation of Aqueous Flare in Pigmented Rabbits

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possible inhibitory effects of hot water extract of Scutellariae radix and its major components (baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin) on experimental elevation of aqueous flare in pigmented rabbits.

METHODS

To produce aqueous flare elevation in rabbits, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), 25 microg/mL, was applied to the cornea with the use of a glass cylinder, or lipopolysaccharides (LPS), 0.5 microg/kg, were injected into an ear vein. Animals were pretreated by the oral administration of 150 g/day of food containing 0.02%, 0.07%, or 0.2% (w/w) extract of Scutellariae radix for 5 days, or by intravenous injection of baicalein, baicalin, or wogonin, 60 microg/kg or 600 microg/kg, 30 minutes before experimental uveitis was induced. Aqueous flare was measured with a laser flare-cell meter. Aqueous flare intensity was expressed as the area under the curve (AUC) in arbitrary units.

RESULTS

The AUC of PGE(2)- and LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation was 1,343 and 5,066 arbitrary units, respectively. Pretreatment by oral administration of 0.07% or 0.2% extract of Scutellariae radix did not inhibit PGE(2)-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 1,252 and 1,210, respectively), but it did inhibit LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 2,248 and 1,973, respectively). Pretreatment by intravenous injection of 600 microg/kg of baicalein, baicalin, or wogonin inhibited LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 2,289, 2,163, and 1,509, respectively). Pretreatment with 60 microg/kg of wogonin also inhibited LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 1,980).

CONCLUSION

Hot water extract of Scutellariae radix may have an inhibitory effect on experimental anterior uveitis induced by LPS in pigmented rabbits.

High TLR4 expression predicts a poor prognosis after esophagectomy for advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health is an independent risk factor for upper aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The pattern recognition receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes lipopolysaccharide in the cell walls of Gram-negative periodontal pathogens associated with the development and progression of ESCC. It is, therefore, plausible that TLR4 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ESCC.

METHODS

We used an ESCC tissue microarray to confirm expression of TLR4 in patients with ESCC and to determine whether TLR4 expression status correlates with the clinicopathological features of these patients or their prognosis after esophagectomy. We also tested whether the combined expression statuses of TLR4 and TLR3 better correlate with prognosis in these patients than either parameter alone.

RESULTS

Clinical ESCC samples from all 177 patients tested showed expression of TLR4. Moreover, high TLR4 expression (3 + and 2 +) correlated with poorer 5-year overall survival after esophagectomy than lower TLR4 expression (1 +) (p = 0.0491). Patients showing high TLR4 expression tended to have a poorer prognosis whether treated with surgery alone or with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed TLR4 expression status to be an independent prognostic factor affecting 5-year overall survival. Patients exhibiting high TLR4 expression with low TLR3 expression had a much poorer prognosis than other patients (p = < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

High TLR4 expression predicts a poor prognosis in advanced thoracic ESCC patients after esophagectomy.

Decreases in the Psoas Muscle Index Correlate More Strongly with Survival than Other Prognostic Markers in Esophageal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite wide acknowledgement of the importance of sarcopenia and prognostic markers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, the impact on cancer patient survival of the timing of sarcopenia's emergence and its severity is not well understood, nor is the association between sarcopenia and prognostic markers. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of the severity and timing of changes in the psoas muscle index (PMI) on survival of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) plus esophagectomy and the association between PMI and known prognostic markers.

METHODS

Included in this study were 113 ESCC patients who underwent NACRT followed by esophagectomy. PMI and prognostic markers were measured at their initial visit, just before surgery (after NACRT), and 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

All patients were classified into four groups according to the percent decrease in PMI after NACRT and after NACRT plus esophagectomy. Patients exhibiting a larger PMI decrease (≥20%) after NACRT plus esophagectomy had significantly poorer overall survival than those showing a smaller PMI decrease. Furthermore, multivariable analysis showed that a larger decrease in PMI after NACRT plus esophagectomy was a significant risk factor for overall (P < 0.0001) and recurrence-free (P = 0.0097) survival. Neither pretherapeutic PMI nor a decrease in PMI after NACRT significantly affected survival. PMI also showed weak, but significant, correlations with several prognostic markers postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased PMI after NACRT plus esophagectomy is a strong prognostic indicator in ESCC patients.

Bilateral angle closure glaucoma and visual loss precipitated by antidepressant and antianxiety agents in a patient with depression

A 71-year-old woman with depression had been treated with an antidepressant (maprotiline) and antianxiety agents (clotiazepam and alprazolam). She had previously complained of ocular pain and blurred vision. However, thorough ocular examination was not performed at those times. On examination, visual acuity was no light perception OD and hand motion OS. Intraocular pressures were 33 mm Hg OU. Moderately dilated pupils, atrophic irises, shallow anterior chambers and closed angles were seen in both eyes. Despite treatment, her visual acuity decreased to no light perception bilaterally. Psychiatrists and ophthalmologists should be aware that antidepressants and antianxiety agents can precipitate angle closure glaucoma in susceptible eyes.

Branch retinal vein occlusion in the right eye and retinal hemorrhage in the left in a patient with classical Tsutsugamushi disease

PURPOSE

To report branch retinal vein occlusion and retinal hemorrhages associated with tsutsugamushi disease.

METHODS

Case report of a 60-year-old woman who complained of fever, chills, headache, lymphadenopathy, and blurred vision in the right eye following an insect bite to the lower right forehead.

RESULTS

Serological findings showed elevated titers for the strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. Ophthalmologic examination disclosed bilateral conjunctival injection, flame-shaped hemorrhage in her right fundus, and scattered hemorrhage in her left fundus. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated dye leakage and dilation of capillaries.

CONCLUSIONS

Branch retinal vein occlusion associated with classical tsutsugamushi disease, as demonstrated in our patient, may be rare.

REG1A expression status suggests chemosensitivity among advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Regenerating gene 1A (REG1A) plays an important role in tissue regeneration and in cell proliferation in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. We previously reported that the positive expression status of REG1A was predictive of chemoradiosensitivity in patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy before esophagectomy or with definitive chemoradiotherapy. To further confirm the utility of REG1A as a chemosensitivity marker, we carried out an additional retrospective clinical study aimed at determining whether REG1A is a reliable chemosensitivity marker in patients treated with esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHOD

A total of 177 patients with T2-4 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma received curative surgery without preoperative treatment at Akita University Hospital between 2001 and 2011. A tissue microarray was constructed, and REG1A expression status was analyzed immunohistochemically. We then statistically analyzed the relationships between REG1A expression status and 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

In the adjuvant group (n=105), REG1A-positive patients showed significantly better prognoses than REG1A-negative patients. (5-year OS, p=.0022; DSS, p=.0004; and DFS, p=.0040). However, there were no significant differences between REG1A-positive and REG1A-negative patients in the surgery group (n=72). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed REG1A expression status to be a significant prognostic factor affecting 5-year DSS, comparable to lymph node metastatic status.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests REG1A expression status has the potential to be a highly reliable and clinically useful chemosensitivity marker in patients treated with advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. REG1A expression status will provide a good indication of treatment strategy and enable more individualized treatment for patients.

TLR3 expression status predicts prognosis in patients with advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

The relationship between Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not completely understood.

METHODS

RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of TLR1-10 in 13 ESCC lines. We then used ESCC tissue microarray (TMA) to confirm expression of TLR3 protein in patients with ESCC.

RESULTS

All ESCC lines showed 10-60 times higher TLR3 mRNA expression than PBLs. High expression of TLR3 correlated with favorable 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) among patients with ESCC after esophagectomy (p < 0.01). Additionally, In the adjuvant chemotherapy group, TLR3 high patients had significantly better 5-year OS compared to TLR3 low patients (60.2%, 34.4%, respectively) but not in the surgery alone group.

CONCLUSION

High TLR3 expression is an independent prognostic factor and has the potential to serve as a clinically useful marker of the need for adjuvant chemotherapy after esophagectomy in patients with advanced thoracic ESCC.

Hypofluorescent spots on indocyanine green angiography at the recovery stage in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the fundus lesions in a young woman.

METHODS

Visual function, ophthalmoscopy, electrophysiology, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed.

RESULTS

A 24-year-old woman had decreased visual acuity (0.2), granularity in the macula, and multiple yellow-white patches in the fundus, reduced a wave on electroretinography, hyperfluorescence on fluorescein angiography, and hypofluorescence on indocyanine green angiography in the left eye. When visual acuity improved to 1.0, the white dots disappeared ophthalmoscopically, and fluorescein angiography showed normal findings. Hypofluorescent spots were found, however, on indocyanine green angiography.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that signs of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome may remain longer during examination by indocyanine green angiography than by visual function, ophthalmoscopy, or fluorescein angiography.

Ocular changes after intravitreal injection of methanol, formaldehyde, or formate in rabbits

We evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of methanol, formaldehyde, or formate on rabbit eyes. One hundred microl of 1% methanol, 1% or 0.1% formaldehyde, or 1% formate was injected in the vitreous cavity of the right eyes of rabbits. The eyes were examined by biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy weekly. One month after injection, the eyes were enucleated and examined histologically. One week after treatment the animals that received 0.1% formaldehyde showed retinal vessel dilation, and the rabbits that received 1% formaldehyde showed mild posterior subcapsular cataract and retinal vessel dilation and haemorrhages. One month after treatment, the animals that received 0.1% or 1% formaldehyde developed mild posterior subcapsular cataract and retinal lesions. Animals that received 1% methanol or 1% formate showed nearly normal optical media and fundi. Histologically disorganized retina and optic nerve were seen in eyes that received 0.1% or 1% formaldehyde. Eyes that received 1% methanol or 1% formate appeared histologically normal. Our findings indicate that intravitreal injection of formaldehyde causes retinal and optic nerve damage, while methanol and formate are not or less toxic to ocular tissues.

1147 del A mutation in the arrestin gene in Japanese patients with Oguchi disease

We examined the sequence of the arrestin gene in two unrelated patients with Oguchi disease. A 35-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including evaluation of visual acuity and color vision, fundus examination, and electroretinography. A golden-yellow discoloration was observed in their fundi. After 30 minutes of dark adaptation, the discoloration in the fundus disappeared. A deletion of an adenine in codon 309 of exon 11 of the arrestin gene was identified in both patients. Mutations in the arrestin are common in Japanese patients with Oguchi disease.

The cutler-beard bridge flap technique with use of donor sclera for upper eyelid reconstruction

We evaluated the Cutler-Beard bridge flap technique with the use of donor sclera for upper eyelid reconstruction. The right upper eyelid of a 22-year-old man (case 1) was bitten by a dog. A mass in the left upper eyelid of an 85-year-old man (case 2) was excised. Major full-thickness defects of the eyelid with small loss of tarsus were reconstructed with the use of donor sclera. Good cosmetic results were obtained. Major full-thickness defects of the upper eyelid with small loss of tarsus may be effectively reconstructed by the Cutler-Beard technique with use of donor sclera.

Effects of traditional Sino-Japanese herbal medicines on aqueous flare elevation after small-incision cataract surgery

We evaluated prospectively the effects of traditional Sino-Japanese herbal medicines on elevation of aqueous flare. Fifty-four patients with age-related cataract undergoing phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation were studied. In the control group, 20 patients received no herbal medicine. In the treated groups, 14 patients were given Orengedoku- to (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang in Chinese) granules (7.5 g daily), 10 patients were given Kakkon-to (Ge-Gen-Tang in Chinese) granules (7.5 g daily), and 10 patients were given Sairei-to (Cai-Ling-Tang in Chinese) granules (9.0 g daily), for 3 days before surgery, the day of surgery, and for 7 days after surgery. Aqueous flare was measured before and after surgery. The differences in preoperative flare intensities among the four groups were not significant. In the control group, the flare was 29.4 photon counts/msec on day 1, and then gradually decreased. The flare intensities on days 1, 3, and 5 in the Orengedoku-to and Kakkon-to groups were significantly lower than in the control group. The flare intensities in the Sairei-to group were the same as those of the controls. Oral administration of Orengedoku-to and Kakkon-to decreased aqueous flare elevation after small-incision cataract surgery. Sairei-to had no effect on the elevation.

Melanocytoma of the left optic nerve head and right retrobulbar optic neuropathy compressed by a tuberculum sellae meningioma

A 40-year-old woman had a highly pigmented, slightly elevated tumor on the left optic disc. She had no visual disturbance in the left eye. The tumor was stationary for 5 years. At age 45 years, she complained of decreased visual acuity in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a right-shifted homogeneous lesion at the tuberculum sellae. Histopathologic study of the excised lesion revealed interlacing bundles of spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells with whorl formation. We believe that a relationship between melanocytoma of the optic nerve head and a tuberculum sellae meningioma may exist rather than a chance occurrence, as previously suggested by others.

Effects of SLC31A1 and ATP7B polymorphisms on platinum resistance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

The relationship between the SLC31A1 (protein: copper transporter 1) rs10981694 A > C and ATP7B (protein: P-type adenosine triphosphatase 7B) rs9535828 A > G polymorphisms on the overall survival and disease-free survival of 104 Japanese patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was investigated. Chemotherapy consisted of protracted infusion of 5-fluoracil (800 mg/m²/day) on days 1-5 and cisplatin or nedaplatin (80 mg/m²/day) on day 1. The median (range) follow-up was 47 (6-127) months. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 71.2% and 60.6%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients with the SLC31A1 rs10981694 C allele compared with the rs10981694 A/A genotype (91.7% vs. 65.0%, P = 0.018). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients with the SLC31A1 rs10981694 C allele compared with the rs10981694 A/A genotype (79.2% vs. 55.0%, P = 0.043). In addition, univariate and multivariate analyses showed the SLC31A1 rs10981694 A > C polymorphism to be a significant prognostic factor affecting 5-year overall survival after neoadjuvant CRT. However, the overall and disease-free survival rates after surgery did not differ significantly among the ATP7B rs9535828 genotypes. In conclusion, only the SLC31A1 rs10981694 A/A genotype was an independent predictor of a poorer 5-year overall survival. Therefore, in neoadjuvant CRT for ESCC patients, the effect of platinum was affected by the SLC31A1 rs10981694 A > C polymorphism. The presence of this polymorphism should be considered when devising neoadjuvant CRT regimens or treatment strategies for ESCC.

Aqueous flare elevation induced by transcorneal application of highly selective agonists for prostaglandin E2 receptor subtypes in pigmented rabbits: effect of tetramethylpyrazine

We examined the disruptive effect of highly selective agonists for prostaglandin E2 receptor subtypes (EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4) on the blood-aqueous barrier, and evaluated the inhibitory effect of tetramethylpyrazine, an active component of Ligusticum wallichii, on the elevation of aqueous flare induced by the EP agonists in pigmented rabbits. Highly selective EP agonists (ONO-DI-004, EP1 agonist; ONO-AE1-259-01, EP2 agonist; ONO-AE-248, EP3 agonist; ONO-AE1-329, EP4 agonist) at 12.5 to 250 microg/ml were transcorneally administered to the eyes of pigmented rabbits using a glass cylinder. Animals were pretreated intravenously with tetramethylpyrazine (10 or 30 mg/kg) 30 minutes before application of the EP2 or the EP4 agonist. Aqueous flare was measured using a laser flare-cell meter. Aqueous flare intensity was expressed as the area under the curve (AUC) in arbitrary units. After administration of ONO-AE1-259-01 or ONO-AE1-329, aqueous flare increased and then gradually decreased. ONO-DI-004 and ONO-AE-248 had almost no effect on aqueous flare elevation. The AUC of eyes in rabbits pretreated with tetramethylpyrazine, 10 or 30 mg/kg i.v., was significantly smaller than that of eyes in rabbits treated with ONO-AEI-259-01 alone. The AUC of eyes in rabbits pretreated with tetramethylpyrazine, 10 or 30 mg/kg i.v., was not significantly smaller than that of eyes in rabbits treated with ONO-AEI-329 only. The results indicated that EP2 and EP4 agonists induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits, and that tetramethylpyrazine inhibited the aqueous flare elevation induced by the EP2 agonist but did not suppress the elevation induced by the EP4 agonist.