Search

Background aims Predicting autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection yield before leukapheresis is important for optimizing PBSC mobilization and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for treating hematological malignancies. Although guidelines for plerixafor usage based on peripheral blood CD34+ (PB-CD34+) cell count are available, their predictive performance in the real world remains unclear. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 55 mobilization procedures for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma and developed a novel quantitative prediction model for CD34+ cell collection yield that incorporated four clinical parameters available the day before leukapheresis; namely, PB-CD34+ cell count the day before apheresis (day -1 PB-CD34+), number of prior chemotherapy regimens, disease status at apheresis and mobilization protocol. Results The effects of PB-CD34+ cell counts on CD34+ cell collection yield varied widely per patient characteristics, and plerixafor usage was recommended in patients with poorly controlled disease or those with a history of heavy pre-treatments even with abundant day -1 PB-CD34+ cell count. This model suggested a more proactive use of plerixafor than that recommended by the guidelines for patients with poor pre-collection condition or those with a higher target number of CD34+ cells. Further, the authors analyzed the clinical outcomes of ASCT and found that plerixafor use for stem cell mobilization did not affect short- or long-term outcomes after ASCT. Conclusions Although external validations are necessary, the results can be beneficial for establishing more effective and safer mobilization strategies.

Aim: Posterior circulation stroke (PCS) has different clinical features and prognosis compared with anterior circulation stroke (ACS), and whether the effect of statin therapy on stroke prevention differs according to infarction location remains unclear. This post hoc analysis of the J-STARS study aimed to compare the usefulness of statin at different infarction locations (i.e., ACS and PCS). Methods: In the J-STARS study, 1578 patients were randomly assigned to the pravastatin or control group. The subjects were divided into two subgroups (ACS and PCS groups) based on the arteries responsible for the infarction. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate whether the all stroke recurrence rate was different between the ACS and PCS groups. Results: The PCS group (n = 499) had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes than the ACS group (n = 1022) (30.7% vs. 19.8%, P < 0.001). During the follow-up (4.9 ± 1.4 years), the incidence of all stroke was significantly lower in the pravastatin group than in the control group among patients with PCS (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25–0.83, P = 0.009); however, the stroke recurrence rates were not significantly different between both groups among patients with ACS (adjusted HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.93–1.88, P = 0.123). A significant interaction between the ACS and PCS groups in terms of pravastatin effects was noted (P = 0.003 for interaction). Conclusions: Pravastatin significantly reduced the recurrence rate of all stroke among patients with PCS. Thus, the effect of statin on the recurrence of stroke may differ according to infarction location.

Aims To understand the different influences of statins on the incidence rate of each stroke subtype in association with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, we performed a post hoc analysis on the data from the Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke (J-STARS) study. Methods Subjects (n=1,578) were divided into three groups according to their mean postrandomized LDL cholesterol level (＜100, 100-120, and ≥ 120 mg/dL) until the last observation before the event or the end of follow-up. A Cox proportional hazard model for time to events was used for calculating adjusted hazard ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and the trend tests. Results The event rates for atherothrombotic stroke did not decrease in accordance with the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level subgroups of either the control or the pravastatin group (p=0.15 and 0.33 for the trend, respectively). In the control group, however, no atherothrombotic stroke event was observed in the subgroup of the low postrandomized LDL cholesterol level (less than 100 mg/dL). The event rates for atherothrombotic stroke were lower in the middle postrandomized LDL cholesterol level subgroup (100-120 mg/dL) of the pravastatin group than that of the control group. The event rates for lacunar stroke decreased in the lower postrandomized LDL cholesterol level subgroup of the control group but not of the pravastatin group (p=0.004 and 0.06 for the trend, respectively). Conclusions Statins showed different influences on the risks of atherothromobotic and lacunar stroke according to postrandomized LDL cholesterol levels.

305 Background: The TRIP trial was a multicenter, phase 3 randomized investigation designed to determine whether 30 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was superior to 6 months of ADT when combined with brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized high-risk prostate cancer. Methods: The trial was done in 37 hospitals in Japan. Men between 40 to 79 years old with stage T2c-3a, or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/ml or a Gleason score >7 received 6 months of ADT combined with I-125 brachytherapy at a prescription dose of 110 Gy, followed by EBRT of 45 Gy. Patients were randomly assigned either no further treatment (short arm) or 24 months of adjuvant ADT (long arm) after stratification. The primary endpoint was biochemical progression-free survival using the Phoenix definition of failure. Secondary endpoints included clinical progression, metastasis, salvage treatment, disease-specific survival, overall survival, and grade 3 or higher of adverse events. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted with survival estimates determined using competing risk analyses. Results: Of 332 patients, 165 were randomized to the short and 167 to the long arm. The median follow-up periods were 9.43 and 9.24 years, respectively. 24 patients have died in each arm. The cumulative incidence for biochemical progression in the short vs. long arm were 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.62-16.42) vs 9.5% (5.85-15.46) at 9 years, respectively (p=0.647). The cumulative incidences for clinical progression, distant metastases, salvage treatment, and disease-specific mortality events were not significantly different between the two arms. The overall survival rates of the short arm vs long arm were 87.2% (82.13-92.63%) and 85.9% (80.41-91.77%) at 9 years, respectively (p=0.914). Endocrine-related grade 3 morbidity for short arm vs long arm was 0.6% vs 1.8% (p=0.623), and radiation-related grade 3 morbidity was 1.2% vs 0.6% (p=0.622). Conclusions: In localized high-risk prostate cancer, TRIP did not demonstrate the superiority of 30 months vs. 6 months of ADT when combined with brachytherapy and EBRT. These data suggest that ultra-high radiation doses can be combined with a shorter course of ADT without compromising survival. Clinical trial information: UMIN000003992 .

Granulocyte transfusion (GTX) is a therapeutic option for severe bacterial or fungal infection in patients with sustained neutropenia after chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation. However, high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch (HES), which has been used for selective sedimentation of red blood cells during apheresis, is not easily available in many countries including Japan. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of granulocyte collection using medium molecular weight HES (130 kDa) in combination with the Spectra Optia apheresis system. Apheresis was performed for 2 consecutive days from seven donors and the mean total neutrophil yield from the first and second apheresis was 5.27 ± 3.10 × 1010 and 2.91 ± 2.92 × 1010, respectively. Infusion of concentrates from the first apheresis resulted in a significant neutrophil count increase and concentrates from the second apheresis were enough for maintenance of the neutrophil counts in all the recipients. Although the number of cases is limited, our results clearly show that sufficient number of granulocytes can be harvested by using medium molecular weight HES and this strategy is a safe and effective clinical practice in countries where high molecular weight HES is not available.

A reusable and highly enantioselective catalyst for the intramolecular cyclopropanation of various diazo ester and Weinreb amide derivatives was developed. The reactions catalyzed by a water-soluble Ru(II)-Amm-Pheox catalyst proceeded smoothly at room temperature, affording the corresponding bicyclic cyclopropane ring-fused lactones and lactams in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). After screening of various catalysts, the Ru(II)-Amm-Pheox complex having an ammonium group proved to be crucial for the intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction in a water/ether biphasic medium. The water-soluble catalyst could be reused at least six times with little loss in yield and enantioselectivity.

As chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting CD19 has shown favorable outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) mature B cell lymphomas and B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), an increasing number of patients are waiting to receive these treatments. Optimized protocols for T cell collection by lymphapheresis for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy are urgently needed to provide CAR T cell therapy for patients with refractory and progressive disease and/or a low number of lymphocytes owing to prior chemotherapy. The predicted efficiency of CD³⁺ cell collection in apheresis can guide protocols for apheresis, but a clinically applicable model to produce reliable estimates has not yet been established. In this study, we prospectively analyzed 108 lymphapheresis procedures for tisagenlecleucel therapy at 2 centers. The apheresis procedures included 20 procedures in patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 88 procedures in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, with a median age at apheresis of 58 years (range, 1 to 71 years). After lymphapheresis with a median processing blood volume of 10 L (range, 3 to 16 L), a median of 3.2 × 10⁹ CD³⁺ cells (range, .1 to 15.0 × 10⁹ cells) were harvested. Collection efficiency 2 (CE2) for CD³⁺ cells was highly variable (median, 59.3%; range, 11.0% to 199.8%). Multivariate analyses revealed that lower hemoglobin levels, higher circulating CD3+ cell counts, and higher platelet counts before apheresis significantly decreased apheresis CE2. Based on multivariate analyses, we developed a novel formula that estimates CE2 from precollection parameters with high accuracy (r = .56; P < .01), which also suggests the necessary processing blood volume. Our strategy for lymphapheresis should help reduce collection failure, as well as achieve efficient utilization of medical resources in clinical practice, thereby allowing delivery of CAR T cell therapy to more patients in a timely manner., キメラ抗原受容体T細胞療法におけるリンパ球採取効率化の取り組み --最適な治療戦略策定への貢献に期待--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-06-20.

To perform chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy in heavily pretreated patients with progressive disease and depleted lymphocytes, an optimized leukapheresis protocol must be established. To probe the effects of patient-related parameters on the collection efficiency of CD3

A ligand exchange of one of the acetonitrile ligands of the (acetonitrile)4Ru(II)–phenyloxazoline complex (Ru(II)–Pheox) by pyridine was demonstrated, and the location of the exchange reaction was examined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the mechanism of its catalytic asymmetric reactions. The acetonitrile was smoothly exchanged with a pyridine to afford the corresponding (pyridine)(acetonitrile)3Ru(II)–Pheox complex with a trans orientation (C–Ru–N(pyridine)) in a quantitative yield, and the complex was analyzed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. DFT calculations indicated that the most eliminable acetonitrile is the trans group, which is consistent with the X-ray analysis. The direction of the ligand exchange is thus determined on the basis of the energy gap of the ligand elimination instead of the stability of the metal complex. These results suggested that a reactant in a Ru–Pheox-catalyzed reaction should approach trans to the C–Ru bond to generate chirality on the Ru center.

Aims: The J-STARS study examined whether pravastatin (10 mg/day) reduces recurrence of stroke in non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke patients who were enrolled within 1 month to 3 years after initial stroke events (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00221104). The main results showed that the frequency of atherothrombotic stroke was low in pravastatin-treated patients, although no effect of pravastatin was found for the other stroke subtypes. We evaluated differences of early (within 6 months) or late (after 6 months) pravastatin treatment benefits on the incidence of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), as well as atherothrombotic stroke and the other subtypes. Methods: Subjects in the J-STARS study were classified into two cohorts, depending on whether they enrolled early (1 to 6 months) or late (6 months to 3 years) following initial stroke events. Results: A total of 1578 patients (491 female, 66.2 ± 8.5 years) were randomly assigned to either the pravastatin group (n = 793; n = 426 in the early cohort, n = 367 in the late cohort) or the control group (n = 785; n = 417 in the early cohort, n = 368 in the late cohort). During the follow-up of 4.9 ± 1.4 years, the rate of atherothrombotic stroke was lower in the pravastatin group compared to controls in the early cohort (0.24 vs. 0.88%/year, p = 0.01) but not in the late cohort (0.17 vs. 0.39%/year, p = 0.29). However, this difference of pravastatin effect on atherothrombotic stroke was not significantly interacted by the early or late cohort (p = 0.59). The incidence rates of other stroke subtype were not different in between pravastatin and control groups despite the timing of entry. Conclusions: Pravastatin is likely to reduce atherothrombotic stroke in patients enrolled within 6 months after stroke onset. However, the clinical efficacy for prevention of recurrent stroke was not conclusive with earlier statin treatment.

We established a highly enantioselective Si-H insertion reaction to construct chiral centers at the carbon and silicon atoms, using a Ru(ii)-pheox catalyst. The catalytic asymmetric Si-H insertion reaction of α-methyl-α-diazoesters proceeded smoothly with excellent stereoinduction at both the neighboring carbon and silicon atoms (up to 99% yield and 99% ee).

This study expands the literature on multicultural counseling competencies (MCCs) in school psychology by outlining the relationship between client satisfaction, treatment approaches, and critical clinician variables such as clinician MCC. With growing emphasis on the integration of cultural considerations in evidence-based treatments (EBTs), this study specifically highlighted the differential impact of culturally adapted EBTs on counseling clients. In this nonrandomized repeated-measure study, two groups of clinicians were trained to deliver either culturally responsive cognitive behavioral therapy (CR-CBT) or traditional CBT to adolescent clients with depression symptoms. Clients rated therapy satisfaction on the Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ)-Form 5 (Stiles and Snow 1984). The results indicated improvement on all four SEQ dimensions for both groups with differential effects appearing more rapidly in the therapeutic process when CR-CBT was used. These findings support the need for client perspectives in treatment efficacy evaluations and continued efforts to study culturally adapted EBTs in school psychology.

Background Brain radiation necrosis (BRN) can be a complication of radiotherapy for primary and secondary brain tumors, as well as head and neck tumors. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is also a vascular permeability factor in the brain, bevacizumab, a humanized antibody that inhibits VEGF, would be expected to reduce perilesional edema that often accompanies BRN. Methods Patients with surgically untreatable, symptomatic BRN refractory to conventional medical treatments (eg, corticosteroid, anticoagulants, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy) were enrolled. We judged that a major cause of perilesional edema with a lesion-to-normal brain ratio ≤1.8 on 11C-methionine or ≤2.5 on 18F-boronophenylalanine PET was BRN, not tumor recurrence, and 6 cycles of biweekly bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) were administered. The primary endpoint was a ≥30% reduction from the patients' registration for perilesional edema continuing for ≥1 month. Results Of the 41 patients enrolled, 38 were fully eligible for the response assessment. The primary endpoint was achieved in 30 of the 38 (78.9%) patients at 3.0 months (median) after enrollment. Sixteen patients (42.1%) experienced improvement of their Karnofsy Performance Score. Corticosteroid use could be reduced in 29 patients (76.3%). Adverse events at grade ≥3 occurred in 10 patients (24.4%). Conclusions Bevacizumab treatment offers certain clinical benefits for patients with surgically untreatable, symptomatic BRN. The determination of BRN using amino-acid PET, not biopsy, is adequate and less invasive for determining eligibility to receive bevacizumab.

Optically active spirocyclopropyloxindole derivatives were efficiently synthesized from diazooxindoles and olefins in the presence of a Ru(II)-Pheox catalyst. Among a series of Ru(II)-Pheox catalysts, Ru(II)-Pheox 6e was determined to be the best catalyst for spirocyclopropanation reactions of diazooxindoles with various olefins in high yields (up to 98%) with high diastereoselectivities (up to trans:cis = >99:1

Computational chemical analysis of Ru(II)-Pheox-catalyzed highly enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation reactions was performed using density functional theory (DFT). In this study, cyclopropane ring-fused γ-lactones, which are 5.8 kcal/mol more stable than the corresponding minor enantiomer, are obtained as the major product. The results of the calculations suggest that the enantioselectivity of the Ru(II)-Pheox-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction is affected by the energy differences between the starting structures 5l and 5i. The reaction pathway was found to be a stepwise mechanism that proceeds through the formation of a metallacyclobutane intermediate. This is the first example of a computational chemical analysis of enantioselective control in an intramolecular carbene-transfer reaction using C1 -symmetric catalysts.

The emergence of new molecular targeting agents has improved the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, MM remains incurable because MM stem cells are likely resistant to these agents. Thus, it is important to further investigate the biology of MM stem cells, which reside in the hypoxic bone marrow niche. In this study, we established and investigated the characteristics of hypoxia-adapted MM (HA-MM) cells, which could proliferate for more than six months under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). The G0 fraction of HA-MM cells was larger than that of parental MM cells under normoxic conditions (20% O2). HA-MM cells possess enhanced tumorigenicity in primary and secondary transplantation studies. HA-MM cells also exhibited increased mRNA levels of stem cell markers and an enhanced self-renewal ability, and thus demonstrated characteristics of MM stem cells. These cells overexpressed phosphorylated Smad2, and treatment with a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling inhibitor decreased their clonogenicity in a replating assay. In conclusion, MM cells adapted to long-exposure of hypoxia exhibit stem cell characters with TGF-β/Smad pathway activation.

Background Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon cancer is still controversial. The SACURA trial is a randomised-controlled study evaluating the superiority of 1-year adjuvant treatment with oral tegafur–uracil (UFT) to surgery alone for stage II colon cancer. Methods Patients were randomly assigned to the surgery-alone group or UFT group (UFT at 500–600 mg/day for 5 days, followed by 2-day rest, for 1 year). The primary end-point was disease-free survival (DFS). Target sample size was 2000, determined with one-sided alpha of 0.05, power of 0.9 and assumed hazard ratio (HR) 0.729. Results A total of 1982 patients (997 in the surgery-alone group and 985 in the UFT group) were analysed. Median follow-up was 69.5 months, median age was 66 years and for stage IIA/IIB/IIC, the distribution was 84%/13%/3%. The 5-year DFS rate was 78.4% in the surgery-alone group and 80.2% in the UFT group. The HR for DFS was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–1.10; p = 0.31); superiority of UFT was not demonstrated. Approximately 9% of patients experienced second cancers, which consist 40.7% of the DFS events. The 5-year relapse-free and overall survival rates of the surgery-alone and UFT group were 84.6% and 87.2% (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65–1.04) and 94.3% and 94.5% (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.66–1.31), respectively. Subgroup analysis failed to disclose superiority in prognosis of adding UFT to the patients with risk factors for recurrence. Conclusions Superiority of 1-year adjuvant UFT over surgery alone was not demonstrated in stage II colon cancer. Patients with risk factors for recurrence did not benefit from UFT. Trial registration ClinicalTrials. Gov. # NCT00392899 .

γδT cell receptor (TCR)-positive T cells, which control the innate immune system, display anti-tumor immunity as well as other non-immune-mediated anti-cancer effects. γδT cells expanded ex vivo by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP) treatment can kill tumor cells. N-BP inhibits farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase in the mevalonate pathway, resulting in the accumulation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), which is a stimulatory antigen for γδT cells. We have previously observed that as they get closer, migrating γδT cells increase in speed toward target multiple myeloma (MM) cells. In the present study, we investigated the γδT cell chemotactic factors involving using a micro total analysis system-based microfluidic cellular analysis device. The addition of supernatant from RPMI8226 MM cells treated with the N-BP zoledronic acid (ZOL) or the addition of IPP to the device induced chemotaxis of γδT cells and increased the speed of migration compared to controls. Analysis of the ZOL-treated RPMI8226 cell supernatant revealed that it contained IPP secreted in a ZOL-dose-dependent manner. These observations indicate that IPP activates the chemotaxis of γδT cells toward target MM cells treated with ZOL.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical features of muscle haematoma in ischaemic stroke patients. Muscle haematomas are rare complications that occur during antithrombotic treatment for acute ischaemic stroke. Clinical and laboratory records of ischaemic stroke patients with muscle haematomas in the last 3.5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Muscular haematoma developed in three of 694 (0.4%) consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke who were admitted to our institution. In addition, one outpatient presenting with muscle haematoma was found during the same period. The types of haematomas were rectus sheath haematoma in two patients and iliopsoas haematoma in the remaining two. All three acute patients received both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. The outpatient was treated with warfarin. Initial symptoms of haematoma included pain (n = 3) and syncope (n = 1). No patient was correctly diagnosed at the onset of muscle haematoma. At initial examination of muscle haematoma, no patients showed skin lesions. An ecchymosis developed in the abdominal area at an average of 3 days after the initial symptoms. Mean decrease in haemoglobin was 6.8 g/dL from baseline. None required surgery whereas two patients required blood transfusion. Muscle haematomas in stroke patients receiving antithrombotic therapy are rare complications that are difficult to diagnose at onset. The possibility of muscle haematoma should be considered in patients with ischaemic stroke undergoing antithrombotic therapy and presenting with acute pain and syncope, even if skin manifestations or a palpable mass are lacking.

This study addresses the culturally responsive training process and highlights the integration of multicultural competence building in counseling consultation. Consultation was structured as client-centered case consultation. Before and after the intervention, clinician competence was assessed with the California Brief Multicultural Counseling Competence Scale (CBMCS). Half the clinicians were trained in a culturally responsive model of cognitive behavior therapy (CR-CBT) while the other half were trained in traditional cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). All clinicians participated in weekly client-centered case consultation. The change in CBMCS scores was analyzed and a case study of the sessions comparing two clinicians was completed. The combination of direct training in culturally responsive treatment and case consultation led to significantly greater cultural competence for clinicians in the CR-CBT group. The findings indicate that an intentional effort is required for integrating cultural fac...

Background and Purpose— To define desirable target low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels for the prevention of stroke recurrence, a post hoc analysis was performed in the J-STARS study (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke). Methods— Subjects (n=1578) were divided into groups based on mean value of postrandomized LDL cholesterol levels until the last observation in 20 mg/dL increments. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed for each group, with adjustments for baseline LDL cholesterol, baseline body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and statin usage. Results— The postrandomized LDL cholesterol level until the last observation were 104.1±19.3 mg/dL in the pravastatin group and 126.1±20.6 mg/dL in the control group. The adjusted HRs for stroke and transient ischemic attack and all vascular events decreased in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 80 to 100 mg/dL ( P =0.23 and 0.25 for the trend, respectively). The adjusted HR for atherothrombotic infarction significantly reduced with the usage of statin after adjusting baseline LDL cholesterol levels (HR, 0.39; 95% confidence intervals, 0.19–0.83). The adjusted HR for atherothrombotic infarction and intracranial hemorrhage were similar among the postrandomized LDL-cholesterol–level subgroups ( P =0.50 and 0.37 for the trend, respectively). The adjusted HR for lacunar infarction decreased in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 100 to 120 mg/dL (HR, 0.45; 95% confidence intervals, 0.20–0.99; P =0.41 for the trend). Conclusions— The composite risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack reduced in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 80 to 100 mg/dL after adjusting for statin usage. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00221104.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key rate-limiting enzyme for prostaglandin (PG) production cascades in the human body. The mechanisms of both the anti-inflammation effects and the side-effects of traditional COX inhibitors are associated with the existence of two COX isoforms. Thus while COX-1 is predominantly expressed ubiquitously and constitutively, and it serves a housekeeping role in processes such as gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa protection, COX-2 is absent or exhibits a low level of expression in most tissues, and is highly upregulated in response to endotoxin, virus, inflammatory or tissue-injury stimuli/signals, and tumour promoter in the various types of organs, tissues, and cells. Furthermore, COX-2 contribution to PGE2 and PGI2 production evokes and sustains systemic or peripheral inflammatory disease, but it is not involved in the COX-1-mediated GI tract events. Also, hypersensitivity of aspirin owing to its inhibitory action against COX-1 is a significant concern clinically. Consequently, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors have been needed for the treatment of inflammatory- and inflammation related-diseases that include pyrexia, inflammation, pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and cancers. In this study, a series of novel [2-{[(4-substituted or 4,5-disubstituted)-pyridin-2-yl]carbonyl}-(5- or 6-substituted or 5,6-disubstituted)-1H-indol-3-yl]acetic acid analogues was designed, synthesized, and evaluated to identify potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors as potential agents against inflammatory diseases. As significant findings, the present study clarified unique structure–activity relationship of the analogues toward potent and selective COX-2 inhibition in vitro, and identified 2-{6-fluoro-2-[4-methyl-2-pridinyl)carbonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}acetic acid as a potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor in vitro that demonstrated orally potent anti-inflammation efficacy against carrageenan-induced oedema formation in the foot of SPF/VAF male SD rats as a peripheral inflammation model in vivo.

Treatment with Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) drastically improves the prognosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. However, quiescent CML cells are insensitive to TKI and can lead to relapse of the disease. Thus, research is needed to elucidate the properties of these quiescent CML cells, including their microenvironment, in order to effectively target them. Hypoxia is known to be a common feature of solid tumors that contributes to therapeutic resistance. Leukemic cells are also able to survive and proliferate in severely hypoxic environments. The hypoxic conditions in the bone marrow (BM) allow leukemic cells that reside there to become insensitive to cell death stimuli. To target leukemic cells in hypoxic conditions, we focused on the hypoxia-selective cytotoxin, Rakicidin A. A previous report showed that Rakicidin A, a natural product produced by the Micromonospora strain, induced hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity in solid tumors. Here, we describe Rakicidin A-induced cell death in hypoxia-adapted (HA)-CML cells with stem cell-like characteristics. Interestingly, apoptosis was induced via caspase-dependent and -independent pathways. In addition, treatment with Rakicidin A in combination with the TKI, imatinib, resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity against HA-CML cells. In conclusion, Rakicidin A is a promising compound for targeting TKI-resistant quiescent CML stem cells in the hypoxic BM environment. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 591–596)

Galectins comprise a family of animal lectins that differ in their affinity for β-galactosides. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a tandem-repeat-type galectin that was recently shown to function as a ligand for T-cell immunoglobin domain and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) expressed on terminally differentiated CD4(+) Th1 cells. Gal-9 modulates immune reactions, including the induction of apoptosis in Th1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of Gal-9 in murine models of acute GVH disease (aGVHD). First, we demonstrated that recombinant human Gal-9 inhibit MLR in a dose-dependent manner, involving both Ca(2+) influx and apoptosis in T cells. Next, we revealed that recombinant human Gal-9 significantly inhibit the progression of aGVHD in murine BM transplantation models. In conclusion, Gal-9 ameliorates aGVHD, possibly by inducing T-cell apoptosis, suggesting that gal-9 may be an attractive candidate for the treatment of aGVHD.

We have previously shown that ectopic expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 in melanocytes is essential for both development and in vivo growth of melanoma using newly developed transgenic mice which conditionally express metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGluR1). In this study, we developed conditional transgenic mice, which harbor melanocytes not only in the dermis and hair follicles but also in the epidermis using stem cell factor transgenic mice. Pigmented plaques on the backs, tails, ears or groins of the transgenic mice began to appear 13 weeks after activation of the mGluR1 transgene, and the transgenic mice produced melanomas at a frequency of 100% 36 weeks after transgene activation. Although this transgenic mouse harbors melanocytes in the epidermis, proliferation of melanoma cells took place in the dermis. To elucidate the signals involved in development and growth of melanoma, inhibitors to phospholipase C, protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2, and antagonists to Ca(2+) and calmodulin were administrated to transgenic mice. Each signal inhibitor to phospholipase, protein kinase C, Ca(2+) release, calmodulin and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibited melanoma development. However, once melanoma was developed, the growth of melanoma was dramatically inhibited only by the inhibitor to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 with partial inhibition by inhibitors to protein kinase C and phospholipase C. This inhibition of melanoma growth was well correlated with the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Ki-67. These results indicate that for development of melanoma, activation of every signaling pathway from mGluR1 is required. However, for growth of melanoma, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway plays a key role.

Purpose: β-catenin is the downstream effector of the Wnt signaling pathway, and it regulates cell proliferation. β-catenin overexpression correlates positively with prognosis in several types of malignancies. We herein assessed its effects on growth of multiple myeloma cells using a xenograft model. Experimental Design: We first investigated the expression of β-catenin in multiple myeloma cell lines and multiple myeloma cells obtained from patients. Next, we investigated the growth inhibitory effects of β-catenin small interfering RNA on the growth of multiple myeloma cells in vivo. Six-week-old male BALB/c nu/nu mice were inoculated s.c. in the right flank with 5 × 106 RPMI8226 cells, followed by s.c. injections of β-catenin small interfering RNA, scramble small interfering RNA, or PBS/atelocollagen complex twice a week for a total of eight injections. Results: Significantly higher levels of β-catenin expression were observed in multiple myeloma cell lines and in samples from patients with multiple myeloma than those found in mononuclear cells obtained from healthy volunteers. In in vivo experiments, no inhibitory effects were observed following treatment with scramble small interfering RNA or PBS/atelocollagen complexes, whereas treatment with β-catenin small interfering RNA/atelocollagen complex significantly inhibited growth of multiple myeloma tumors (P < 0.05). Conclusions: β-catenin small interfering RNA treatment inhibited the growth of multiple myeloma tumors in a xenograft model. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that the treatment with β-catenin small interfering RNA produces an inhibitory effects on growth of hematologic malignancies in vivo. Because treatment with β-catenin small interfering RNA inhibited growth of multiple myeloma cells, β-catenin is the attractive novel target for treating multiple myeloma.

Although ascidians are hermaphroditic, many species including Halocynthia roretzi are self-sterile. We previously reported that a vitelline coat polymorphic protein HrVC70, consisting of 12 EGF (epidermal growth factor)-like repeats, is a candidate allorecognition protein in H. roretzi, because the isolated HrVC70 shows higher affinity to nonself-sperm than to self-sperm. Here, we show that a sperm 35-kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored CRISP (cysteine-rich secretory protein)-like protein HrUrabin in a low density detergent-insoluble membrane fraction is a physiological binding partner for HrVC70. We found that HrVC70 specifically interacts with HrUrabin, which had been separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane. HrUrabin has an N-linked sugar chain, essential for binding to HrVC70. HrUrabin mRNA is expressed in the testis but not in the ovary, and the protein appears to be localized on the surface of sperm head and tail. Anti-HrUrabin antibody, which neutralizes the interaction between HrUrabin and HrVC70, potently inhibited fertilization and allorecognizable sperm-binding to HrVC70-agarose. However, no significant difference in the binding ability of HrUrabin to HrVC70 was observed in autologous and allogeneic combinations by Far Western analyses. These results indicate that sperm-egg binding in H. roretzi is mediated by the molecular interaction between HrUrabin on the sperm surface and HrVC70 on the vitelline coat, but that HrUrabin per se is unlikely to be a direct allorecognition protein.

To improve the drug information service and standardize pharmaceutical care for inpatients of the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Toyama University Hospital, we created a Kampo (Oriental) medicine database and used it in the preparation of medication instruction sheets. The database was configured on a Power Mac G4 (Apple Computer, Inc. ; Cupertino, CA, USA) personal computer operating on Mac OS 10.4 using FileMaker Pro 6 database software. The database comprised 5 interlinked files-patient registration file, constituent crude drug registration file, Kampo formula registration file, and a file for the making and storing of instruction sheets. Information on 239 crude drugs and 560 Kampo formulae obtained from our “Hospital Manual for Japanese Oriental Medicine” was recorded in the database. Further, color photographs of the plants from which the herbal medicines were derived and other natural medicines were included in the instruction sheets to give patients a better understanding of Kampo pharmacotherapy. The database has made it easy to prepare personalized instruction sheets, which can be done by only entering the patient's ID and the Kampo formulae prescribed or crude drug name. In addition, the medication instructions for each inpatient and the indication(s) of prescribed Kampo formulae have been recorded in the database for later use in the management of inpatient histories and to provide utilization statistics for Kampo medicines.When a questionnaire survey of inpatients of the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of the medication instruction sheets prepared using the database, it was found that they gave patients a better understanding of Kampo pharmacotherapy and made them more interested in it. In conclusion, our database system will help improve the drug information service and quality of pharmaceutical care for inpatients treated with Kampo formulae prepared from crude drugs.

The first highly enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins, in the presence of Ru(II)–-Pheox catalyst, is reported. The corresponding cyclopropane-fused γ-lactones were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (ee up to 99%). Moreover, this method enables efficient access to enantioenriched dicarbonyl cyclopropane derivatives, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds.

The first highly enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins, in the presence of Ru(II)–-Pheox catalyst, is reported. The corresponding cyclopropane-fused γ-lactones were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (ee up to 99%). Moreover, this method enables efficient access to enantioenriched dicarbonyl cyclopropane derivatives, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds.

The clinical application of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) has been extensively explored. In this study, we examined the availability of freshly donated umbilical cord blood (UCB) units that do not qualify for the Japanese banking system for transplantation because of their small volume as a source of MSCs. Forty-five UCB units were used. The median volume of each UCB unit and number of nucleated cells per unit were 40 mL and 5.39 × 10(8), respectively. MSCs were successfully isolated from 18 of 45 units (40 %). The MSC isolation rate was not affected by cell processing method or the interval between delivery and cell processing. The volume of the UCB unit and the mononuclear cell count were predictive factors of the MSC isolation rate. MSCs were effectively isolated by selecting UCB units with a volume of ≥54 mL and containing ≥1.28 × 10(8) mononuclear cells, yielding a MSC isolation rate of70 %. UCB-derived MSCs were similar to bone marrow-derived MSCs in terms of their morphology, surface marker expression, and differentiation potential, apart from adipogenesis. Our data indicate that UCB units that are currently discarded due to inadequate volume should be reconsidered as a source of MSCs using the well-established UCB banking system.

In the present study, we report the characteristics of H(+)-coupled nicotinate transport in primary cultures of astrocytes from rat cerebral cortex. The [(3)H]nicotinate transport in rat astrocytes increased up to a pH 5.5. The nicotinic acid uptake at pH 6.0 was both energy-dependent and saturable with a Michaelis constant (K(t)) of 2.8+/-0.4 mM and the maximal uptake rate (V(max)) of 31+/-3.2 nmol/mg protein/10 min. This process was reduced by a protonophore, carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, and a typical monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) inhibitor, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, suggesting that nicotinate uptake by rat astrocytes is mediated by H(+)-coupled monocarboxylate transport system. [(3)H]Nicotinate transport in rat astrocytes was significantly inhibited by various monocarboxylic acids such as l-lactic acid and pyruvic acid with a relatively low affinity (K(i)>10 mM). On the other hand, the uptake process of l-lactic acid was also saturable with a high-affinity component (K(t)=0.27 mM) and a low-affinity component (K(t)=35.9 mM). Reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that three MCT subtypes, MCT1/Slc16a1, MCT2/Slc16a7, and MCT4/Slc16a3, were expressed in these cells. Because l-lactate reduced to 67% of the nicotinate uptake even at 10mM, it is unlikely that nicotinate uptake in rat astrocytes is mediated by MCT1 and/or MCT2. These results provide biochemical evidence of a H(+)-coupled and saturable transport system, presumed to be a low-affinity monocarboxylate transporter MCT4 or other unknown H(+)-coupled monocarboxylate transport system, for nicotinate in rat cerebrocortical astrocytes.

Nasal immunization of normal mice with HIVgp160-encapsulated hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome induced high titers of gp160-specific neutralizing IgG in serum and IgA in nasal wash, saliva, fecal extract, and vaginal wash, along with both Th1- and Th2-type responses. HIVgp160-specific IgG- and IgA-producing cells were also detected in mononuclear cells isolated from spleen, nasal cavity, salivary gland, intestinal lamina propria, and vaginal tissue of nasally immunized mice. In addition, CD8+ CTLs were induced in mice nasally immunized with gp160-HVJ-liposome. These findings suggest that two layers of effective HIV-specific humoral and cellular immunity, in mucosal and systemic sites, were induced by this nasal vaccine. In immunodeficient mice, nasal immunization with gp160-HVJ-liposome induced Ag-specific immune responses for the systemic and mucosal compartments of both Th1 (IFN-γ−/−) and Th2 (IL-4−/−). In vitro Ag-specific serum IgG Ab and vaginal wash samples possessing IgA and IgG Abs that had been induced by nasal immunization with gp160-HVJ-liposome were able to neutralize a clinically isolated strain of HIV-MN strain isolated from Japanese hemophiliac patients. Taken together, these results suggest that, for the prevention and control of AIDS, nasally administered gp160-HVJ-liposome is a powerful immunization tool that induces necessary Ag-specific immune responses at different stages of HIV infection.

The purpose of the present study was to define the influence of age and exercise training on the heart rate (HR) dynamic response (i.e. kinetics) to sinusoidal work. A total of 63 healthy subjects (31 men and 32 women; age range 19-69 years) underwent a three-step incremental work test, during which peak oxygen uptake (o2peak) was estimated by the YMCA method. Sinusoidal work varying between 20% and 60% of HRreserve was employed for periods of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12min. HR was monitored in a beat-by-beat manner with a cardiotachometer. The kinetics of the HR response were analysed by frequency analysis and estimated by a first-order transfer function with time constant (τ) and time delay (TD). Physical training status was estimated as stepping frequency, as measured with a pedometer during the daytime, and averaged over seven consecutive days. The mean response time of HR kinetics (HRMRT: τ pulse TD) tended to increase gradually with age (0.36sċyear-1), and linear regression analysis revealed that the correlation between HRMRT and age was significant (r = 0.31, P < 0.05), although not as highly significant as that between HRMRT and physical activity (r =-0.48, P < 0.0001). HRMRT was not related to the S.D. of HR variation (an indicator of parasympathetic mediation) at rest. In addition, o2peak showed a significantly greater correlation with age (r =-0.60, P < 0.0001) than with physical activity (r =-0.14, not significant). In conclusion, these findings suggest that HR dynamics, which may depend on sympathetic nervous activity, are more sensitive to physical activity than to age, but that o2peak, as estimated by the age-associated decline in maximum HR, is unrelated to physical training status.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are a major source of cell for cell therapy. MSCs derived from bone marrow (BMMSCs) have been mostly used in clinical applications. BMMSCs can be easily isolated as a cell population that adheres to plastic culture dishes within 1 week of culture. A recent report has demonstrated that cells that remain in suspension and fail to form adherent colonies contain a fraction of late adherent cells that resembles BMMSCs (Biomed Res Int, 2013; 2013: 790842). Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is as accessible as bone marrow for the isolation of MSCs. In this study, we identified a late adherent subpopulation in UCB and determined its hematopoiesis-supporting activity. Forty-five UCB units, which were not matched to the eligibility criterion defined in the Japan UCB donation program, were collected after delivery of placenta. Written informed consent was obtained before delivery from all pregnant women who participated in the study. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. Mononuclear cells were isolated from UCB by the density gradient centrifugation method with (n = 19) and without (n = 18) subsequent separation of CD34 negative cells using anti-CD34 immunomagnetic microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany). Nucleated cells were separated by the hydroxyethyl starch sedimentation method from the other eight UCB units. The cells were then seeded into a culture flask and cultured in alpha minimal essential medium supplemented with 15% FBS (Culture 1; C1). After 1 week of culture, non-adherent cells in C1 supernatant were collected and re-seeded into a new flask (C2). The attached cells in C1 were cultured until adherent colonies emerged, after which they were detached using trypsin/EDTA and twice passaged to obtain a sufficient number of cells (C1 cells). In the same way, after 1 week of culture, non-adherent cells in C2 supernatant were collected and re-seeded into a new flask (C3). The attached cells in C2 were cultured to obtain C2 cells. Afterwards, re-seeding and culture (C4, C5c) were repeated until no new colonies were formed. Collected cells were cryopreserved and thawed when required in experiments. BMMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow cells purchased from AllCells (Emeryville, CA). C1 cells, the so-called UCBMSCs, were successfully isolated from 18 units (40 %). Adherent cells isolated from C2 and later were defined as elate adherent cellsf and, were obtained from 9 units: these cells were referred to as C2 cells (from 9 units), C3 cells (from 9 units), C4 cells (from 6 units) and C5 cells (from 2 units). The interval from seeding to the first colony formation in C1 was shorter in these 9 units than that in the other 9 units that contained only C1 cells: 10.8 } 1.4 vs 15.9 } 4.5 days, p < 0.01. The volume of the former 9 units tended to be large compared to the latter 9 units: 49.6 } 10.5 vs 33.7 } 21.0 mL, p = 0.07. These findings indicated that UCB containing late adherent cells was suitable for a cell source of MSCs. Next, we examined whether these late adherent cells (C2 and C3 cells) had properties consistent with those of MSCs. Both C2 and C3 cells showed spindle-shaped fibroblast-like morphology and the same immunophenotype as C1 cells: positive for CD73, CD90 and CD105, and negative for CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. They had osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potentials in vitro. These findings are the minimal criteria for MSCs (Cytotherapy, 2006; 8:315). Finally, we evaluated the hematopoiesis-supporting activity of these cells in vitro and in vivo. CD45-positive hematopoietic cells were expanded when co-cultured of CD34-positive hematopoietic progenitor cells (6 ~ 102 cells) with C2 or C3 cells (2 ~ 104 cells) in vitro as much as when co-cultured with C1 cells (Figure A). In vivo analysis was conducted by using subcutaneous transplantation of MSCs on NOD/SCID mice (Int J Hematol, 2015; 102: 218). C2 cells induced trabecular bone formation and bone marrow hematopoiesis as well as C1 cells, however, C3 cells did not induce hematopoiesis (Figure B). In conclusion, we demonstrated that UCB contains a late adherent cell subpopulation with the same characteristics and hematopoiesis-supporting activity as those of UCBMSCs isolated using the conventional method. The continuance of cell culture without discarding suspension cells could improve the efficiency of isolation of MSCs from UCB. Disclosures Hirai: Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Research Funding; Novartis Pharma: Research Funding. Maekawa:Bristol-Myers K.K.: Research Funding.

The geometry of the external shell sculpture in the Late Cretaceous inoceramid bivalve Inoceramus hobetsensis Nagao & Matsumoto, 1939 was studied both empirically and theoretically. A large sample, collected from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan, shows remarkably high intraspecific variation in the shell sculptural pattern. Quasi-commarginal ribs, slightly oblique to the external growth increments, occur in some specimens. These sculptures are commonly irregular in strength and spacing, and their features are successfully modelled by computer simulations when the commarginal ribs are superposed with nearly concentric divaricate rib. Computer models indicate that the divergent sculpture element, often found in other inoceramids, was present throughout the evolution of I. hobetsensis and was developing in the evolutionary lineage from I. hobetsensis nonsulcatus to I. hobetsensis hobetsensis, although it was only weakly expressed. The results also suggest that some apparently distinct sculptural patterns of I. hobetsensis are the result of minor changes in the morphogenetic program.

We have developed a simple system for rapid detection and measurement of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GSTP1) that detoxify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the cultured rat normal liver epithelial cell line, (RL34) cells. Survey of fruit extracts for GST inducing ability identified both papaya and avocado as significant sources. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was isolated from papaya methanol extract as a principal inducer of GST activity. Further, the GST inducing ability of a total of 20 isothiocyanates (ITCs) and their derivatives was investigated. Some ITCs showed significant induction, and BITC was one of the most potent inducers among all compounds tested in the present study. The modification of isothiocyanate group (-NCS) or introduction of substituent group to the alpha-carbon modifies GST induction. Moreover, a significant correlation (P

PROBLEM Are cell adhesion molecules involved in the murine model of immunologically-mediated spontaneous abortion? METHOD OF STUDY Pregnant CBA/J female mice mated with DBA/2 male mice were injected with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leukocyte function-associate antigen-1 (LFA-1). On day 13 of gestation. viable and resorbed embryos were counted. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the spleen, mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), mixed lymphocyte-placenta reactions (MLPR), and levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma were assayed. RESULTS Significant suppression of fetal resorption was observed by the injection of MAb to ICAM-1 and LFA-1. NK cell activity and the MLR anti-(CBA/J x DBA/ 2)F1 were reduced in the antibody-treated CBA/J spleen. Moreover, the level of IFN-gamma was significantly lower in the MLPR supernatants from the antibody-treated group than those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS One mechanism in the murine model of spontaneous abortion may be through the interaction of cell adhesion molecules, which may modulate NK cell activities and cytokine production.

6-Methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate (MS-ITC) was isolated from wasabi (Wasabia japonica, Japanese domestic horseradish) as a potential inhibitor of human platelet aggregation in vitro through our extensive screening of vegetables and fruits. In the course of another screening for the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in RL34 cells. MS-ITC was inadvertently isolated from wasabi as a potential inducer of GST. MS-ITC administered to rats or mice also showed both activities in vivo. As a result from elucidation of the platelet aggregation inhibition and the GST induction mechanisms of MS-ITC, the isothiocyanate moiety of MS-ITC plays an important role for antiplatelet and anticancer activities because of its highly reactivity with sulfhydryl (-SH) groups in biomolecules (GSH, cysteine residue in a certain protein, etc.).

A polymer gel film (poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-co-N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide), PVPD) containing a simple aromatic compound (p-diacetylbenzene p-DAB, dimethyl-or terephthalate, p-DMP or p-DEP), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and an electrolyte salt is synthesized and its optical responses to applied voltages are investigated. The p-DAB/PVDP film is coloured in green on cathodic polarization at −1.2 V versus Pt wire (quasi-reference electrode), and p-DMP/PVPD and p-DEP/PVPD films are coloured in red on cathodic polarization at −2.5 V and −1.5 V versus Pt, respectively. They respond to the applied potential for about a few seconds. Their bleaching process is also rapid even under open-circuit condition. Therefore, the gel films have no optical memory effect. Furthermore, the gel film containing two kinds of colouring materials, p-DAB and p-DMP, is also prepared. The gel film shows multi-colouring behaviour, colourless, green and red, on cathodic polarization.

The IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) consists of three subunits, the IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta, and IL-2R gamma chains, the last of which is also used in the receptors for IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-15. The IL-2-induced proliferative signals emanate from the cytoplasmic domains of IL-2R beta and IL-2R gamma, but the nature and function of the signaling molecules that transmit these signals are not fully understood. Here we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms by which IL-2R transmit signals by using multiple protein kinases. In fact, at least four protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are physically associated with IL-2R: p56lck (and its members), Syk PTK, and the Janus kinases, Jak1 and Jak3. cDNA expression studies revealed that the activation of these PTKs is critical for IL-2-induced proliferative signal transmission. Our findings indicate that a unique property of the IL-2R cytoplasmic domains is to recruit a variety of signaling molecules, which may suggest a mechanism by which these PTKs and other signaling molecules function in concert.

Existence of an endothelio-endothelial placenta is controversial. Insectivores may have a placenta of this type or the endothelio-chorial type; thus, studies of the placentae of Suncus murinus, the laboratory shrew, were undertaken. Cellular components of the interhemal membrane included maternal endothelium, intermediate trophoblast (syncytiotrophoblast) and fetal endothelium. Up to day 20 of gestation, the intermediate trophoblast clearly intervened between the hypertrophied maternal endothelium and the fetal endothelium throughout the labyrinthine zone. From day 20 to 24, the intermediate trophoblast was sieve-like in appearance with extensive infoldings at both surfaces. Basal laminae of both the maternal endothelium and the intermediate trophoblast were broad, irregular and continuous. Therefore, at this stage the placenta was endothelio-chorial in type. After day 24 of gestation, the intermediate trophoblast could scarcely be recognized as an obvious and continuous layer. Only cytoplasmic processes of the intermediate trophoblast were present between the maternal and the fetal endothelium. Finally, projections of both the maternal and the fetal endothelium contacted each other. We conclude that the intermediate trophoblast does not play a central role within the placental barrier throughout the last week of gestation. Hence, the placenta of Suncus murinus is endothelio-endothelial in type.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells. Although new molecular targeting agents against MM have been developed based on the better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis, MM still remains an incurable disease. We previously demonstrated that β-catenin, a downstream effector in the Wnt pathway, is a potential target in MM using RNA interference in an in vivo experimental mouse model. In this study, we have screened a library of more than 100 000 small-molecule chemical compounds for novel Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitors using a high-throughput transcriptional screening technology. We identified AV-65, which diminished β-catenin protein levels and T-cell factor transcriptional activity. AV-65 then decreased c-myc, cyclin D1 and survivin expression, resulting in the inhibition of MM cell proliferation through the apoptotic pathway. AV-65 treatment prolonged the survival of MM-bearing mice. These findings indicate that this compound represents a novel and attractive therapeutic agent against MM. This study also illustrates the potential of high-throughput transcriptional screening to identify candidates for anticancer drug discovery.

Allograft inflammatory factor (AIF)-1 has been identified in chronic rejection of rat cardiac allografts and is thought to be involved in the immune response. We previously showed that AIF-1 was strongly expressed in synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis and that rAIF-1 increased the IL-6 production of synoviocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recently, the expression of AIF-1 has been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc) tissues, whose clinical features and histopathology are similar to those of chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). To clarify the pathogenic mechanism of fibrosis, we examined the expression and function of AIF in sclerodermatous (Scl) GVHD mice. We demonstrated that immunoreactive AIF-1 and IL-6 were significantly expressed in infiltrating mononuclear cells and fibroblasts in thickened skin of Scl GVHD mice compared with control. The immunohistochemical findings were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Wound healing assay also revealed that rAIF-1 increased the migration of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) directly, but cell growth assay did not show that rAIF-1 increased the proliferation of them. These findings suggest that AIF-1, which can induce the migration of fibroblasts and the production of IL-6 in affected skin tissues, is an important molecule promoting fibrosis in GVHD. Although the biological function of AIF-1 has not been completely elucidated, AIF-1 can induce IL-6 secretion on mononuclear cells and fibroblast chemotaxis. AIF-1 may accordingly provide an attractive new target for antifibrotic therapy in SSc as well as Scl GVHD.