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• We assessed the measurement of sodium metabolism-related hormones to predict SVS. • AVP, ACTH, and cortisol were elevated on day 1 after SAH in patients with SVS. • Serum sodium fluctuations were associated with SVS occurrence. • Serum sodium fluctuations were associated with stress-related hormonal dynamics. Symptomatic vasospasm (SVS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and serum sodium frequently decreases before SVS. Serum sodium changes might be regulated by sodium metabolism-related hormones. This multi-institutional prospective cohort study therefore investigated the measurement of sodium metabolism-related hormones to elucidate the pathophysiology of serum sodium changes in SAH. SAH patients were treated with clipping or coiling from September 2017 to August 2020 at five hospitals. The laboratory data of 133 SAH patients were collected over 14 days and correlations between changes in serum sodium, sodium metabolism-related hormones (plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum cortisol, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP)), and SVS were determined. Serum sodium concentrations were measured every day and serum sodium levels >135 mEq/L were maintained until day 14. Of the 133 patients, 18 developed SVS within 14 days of subarachnoid hemorrhage onset (SVS group) and 115 did not suffer from SVS (non-SVS group). Circulating AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher on day 1 in the SVS group compared with the non-SVS group. Fluctuations in serum sodium in the SVS group were significantly higher than those in the non-SVS group. There were antiparallel fluctuations in serum sodium and potassium from days 2 to 14. Elevated levels of ACTH/cortisol and AVP on day 1 may be predictive markers for the occurrence of SVS. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum sodium fluctuations were associated with SVS occurrence. Serum sodium fluctuations were associated with stress-related hormonal dynamics. (249 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Soil temperature cycles entrain the circadian eclosion rhythm of the onion fly. • Eclosion time is advanced as the amplitude of the temperature cycle decreases. • A high- or low-temperature pulse with an amplitude of 1 °C or 4 °C reset the phase. • Four phase transition curves and four phase response curves were constructed. • How the onion fly responds to temperature amplitudes in the soil is discussed. With increasing soil depth, the amplitude and phase of the daily temperature cycle decreases and is delayed, respectively. The onion fly, Delia antiqua , which pupates at a soil depth of 2–20 cm, advances the eclosion phase of its circadian clock as the temperature amplitude decreases. This "temperature-amplitude response" compensates for the depth-dependent phase delay of the temperature change and ensures eclosion in the early morning. To clarify the physiological mechanisms that induce a temperature-amplitude response, we performed phase-resetting experiments using a 12-h high- or low-temperature pulse with an amplitude of 1 °C or 4 °C. Based on the results obtained, four phase transition curves and four phase response curves were constructed. These curves show that the phase of the eclosion clock shifted more as the magnitude of the temperature change increased. The 24-h temperature cycle delayed, rather than advanced, the phase of the D. antiqua circadian eclosion rhythm. Therefore, we propose that a small phase delay is caused by a small temperature amplitude at a deep site in the soil and a large phase delay is caused by a large temperature amplitude at a shallow site, leading to the temperature-amplitude response exhibited by D. antiqua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy in glioblastoma patients significantly reduces their quality of life; however, little is known about the association between predicting epilepsy and metabolites in tumors. In this study, we used 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify metabolite concentrations in patients with varying epilepsy histories. Fifty-one patients with glioblastoma underwent pretreatment 3.0-T MRI/1H-MRS scanning. Single-voxel (1.5 cm3) MRS, in an enhanced lesion, was acquired using a double-echo point-resolved spectroscopic sequence with chemical-shift selective water suppression. MRS data were quantified with linear combination model (LC-Model) software. We compared the MRS data between groups with and without epilepsy during the postoperative course (EP). The ratios of glutamate (Glu) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) to total creatine (Glu/tCr and Glx/tCr) in the tumor were associated with epilepsy history. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a Glu/tCr value of 1.81 was 70% sensitive and 90% specific for the prediction of EP (area under curve: 0.82). In the analysis excluding patients with preoperative epilepsy, a Glu/tCr value of 1.81 was 75% sensitive and 88% specific for the prediction (area under curve: 0.87). Intratumoral metabolite concentrations measured using pretreatment 3.0-T MRI/1H-MRS changed characteristically in the group with EP. Our study suggests that the Glu/tCr ratio in tumors has adequate reliability in predicting EP. Pretreatment MRS is a minimally invasive and simple procedure that can provide useful information on glioblastoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The concentration of CSF IL-6 was statistically correlated with the percentage of TAMs infiltration in the glioblastoma tissues. • The TAM-like macrophages promote the production and secretion of IL-6 in GBM cells, and activate IL-6 signal pathway. • The IL-6 in CSF of GBM patients promote tumor cell migration. • In univariate and multivariate analysis, high concentrations of CSF IL-6 were associated with shorter overall survival. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the pleiotropic cytokines and has received attention as a critical factor implicated in the invasion and the angiogenesis of various cancers. In glioma, IL-6 is known to be associated with the prognosis; however, the roles of IL-6 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been studied sufficiently. We examined the concentration of CSF IL-6 using 75 CSF samples of glioma (54 glioblastomas (GBMs) and 21 other grades of gliomas) and analyzed the association CSF IL-6 with infiltration levels of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and prognosis. The concentration of CSF IL-6 in GBM patients was significantly higher than that in other grades of gliomas. CSF IL-6 levels were associated with the infiltration rate of TAMs in GBMs, and IL-6 levels were increased in the GBM cells co-cultured with TAM-like macrophages. The CSF of GBM patients, which contained high concentration of IL-6, promoted the migration ability of GBM cells, and neutralization antibodies of IL-6 inhibited its migration ability. Finally, in both univariate and multivariate analysis, higher CSF IL-6 levels were associated with poorer prognosis in GBM patients. These results indicated that the concentration of CSF IL-6 is associated with TAMs' infiltration level and may be a useful prognostic biomarker for the GBM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2007 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) categorized embryonal tumors of the CNS into three classes: medulloblastoma, CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. Due to the lack of specific histological features, it was sometimes difficult to accurately differentiate CNS embryonal tumors pathologically. Here, we report a case of a young man, who presented with headache. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated massive lesions in the cerebrospinal fluid space, which strongly suggested leptomeningeal dissemination of a brain tumor. The histology showed the tumor comprised densely packed, small cells with scant cytoplasm. Immunoreactivities were positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A, and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100, EMA, and CD20. Because the tumors were located in multiple sites and most of them were within the cerebrospinal fluid space, the primary lesion could not be determined. We diagnosed this case as ‘CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumor’ by the patient age and predominantly supratentorial distribution of the lesions. After the induction therapy, WHO published its updated classification in 2016. Considering the possibility that the diagnosis is medulloblastoma, we performed additional immunohistochemical analyses, and diagnosed Group 3 medulloblastoma because of the expression of natriuretic peptide receptor 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data about the prognostic factors predicting outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers for the elderly. Here, we evaluated outcomes in elderly patients in a real-world setting.Methods: Between April 2015 and January 2017, 80 patients with anterior intracranial acute large vessel occlusion, who had lived independently before ictus, were treated with mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever at our institute. We compared outcomes between patients ≥80 years old (n = 36) and those <80 years old (n = 44), and assessed prognostic factors for favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) at 90 days in all patients.Results: There was no significant difference in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score between the 2 groups. Successful revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] scores 2b/3) (83% versus 93%, P = .286), complete recanalization (mTICI 3) (47% versus 50%, P = .826), and favorable outcomes (42% versus 57%, P = .261) were achieved more often in those <80 years old, but differences did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate regression analysis showed that baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (P = .013) and mTICI scores of 3 (P = .006) were significant predictive factors, but being ≥80 years old and baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score were not. In those ≥80 years old, mTICI score of 3 was an influential factor for favorable outcome (P = .017).Conclusions: Being aged 80 years or older was not a significant predictor for outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy, whereas complete recanalization was an influential predictor of outcome in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is effective for central neurocytoma (CN), the long-term outcome of SRS remains unclear. We present a case of recurrent CN that was diagnosed 10 years after surgical resection and consecutive stereotactic radiotherapy. The patient was treated with SRS for the recurrent tumor, but underwent two-staged surgery once again due to rapid tumor growth. Histological features of the recurrent tumor were consistent with the diagnosis of CN. However, an increased Ki-67 proliferation index (3.4%), aberrant angiogenesis and glial differentiation of the tumor cells were observed, which were not identified in the initial CN. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor were highly expressed in the recurrent tumor cells, as well as in the vascular endothelial cells. Our case suggests that malignant transition with aberrant angiogenesis and glial differentiation may be attributable to SRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We discuss the QCD sum rule calculation of the heavy-quark effective theory parameters, and , which correspond to matrix elements representing quark–gluon three-body components in the B-meson wavefunction. We derive the sum rules for calculating the new higher-order QCD corrections, i.e., the order radiative corrections to the Wilson coefficients associated with the dimension-5 quark–gluon mixed condensates, and the power corrections due to the dimension-6 vacuum condensates. We find that the new radiative corrections significantly improve the stability of the corresponding Borel sum rules and lead to the reduction of the values of . We also discuss the renormalization-group improvement for the sum rules and present update on the values of . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) is a core hallmark of cancer, but the molecular mechanisms underlying it remain unclear. Here, we identify an unexpected central role for mTORC2 in cancer metabolic reprogramming where it controls glycolytic metabolism by ultimately regulating the cellular level of c-Myc. We show that mTORC2 promotes inactivating phosphorylation of class IIa histone deacetylases, which leads to the acetylation of FoxO1 and FoxO3, and this in turn releases c-Myc from a suppressive miR-34c-dependent network. These central features of activated mTORC2 signaling, acetylated FoxO, and c-Myc levels are highly intercorrelated in clinical samples and with shorter survival of GBM patients. These results identify a specific, Akt-independent role for mTORC2 in regulating glycolytic metabolism in cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Alternative splicing contributes to diverse aspects of cancer pathogenesis including altered cellular metabolism, but the specificity of the process or its consequences are not well understood. We characterized genome-wide alternative splicing induced by the activating EGFRvIII mutation in glioblastoma (GBM). EGFRvIII upregulates the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 splicing factor, promoting glycolytic gene expression and conferring significantly shorter survival in patients. HnRNPA1 promotes splicing of a transcript encoding the Myc-interacting partner Max, generating Delta Max, an enhancer of Myc-dependent transformation. Delta Max, but not full-length Max, rescues Myc-dependent glycolytic gene expression upon induced EGFRvIII loss, and correlates with hnRNPA1 expression and downstream Myc-dependent gene transcription in patients. Finally, Delta Max is shown to promote glioma cell proliferation in vitro and augment EGFRvIII expressing GBM growth in vivo. These results demonstrate an important role for alternative splicing in GBM and identify Delta Max as a mediator of Myc-dependent tumor cell metabolism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In reconstruction by vascularized fibular graft (VFG) after wide resection of musculoskeletal tumors, there are problems such as the method of fixing the fibular graft, the period of achieving bone union, and the avoidance of postoperative fractures. We have performed VFG on 19 cases over a 30-year period. We have investigated these problems and now report the results. Methods: From 1980 to 2009, we performed VFG on 19 cases to reconstruct the bone defect after resection of a musculoskeletal tumor. The mean age was 19.5 years. Reconstructed bone defects were located in the femur in 10 cases (1 of inlay graft, 1 of individual intercalary graft, 7 of intercalary graft into treated bone, 1 of curettaged bone marrow), the tibia in 3 cases (1 of individual intercalary graft, 2 of intercalary graft into treated bone), the humerus in 3 cases (2 of sling procedure, 1 of individual intercalary graft), the foot in 2 cases individual intercalary graft, and the sacroiliac joint in 1 case of individual intercalary graft. The mean follow-up period after surgery was 7.25 years. We evaluated the success of primary bone union, the period required to achieve bone union, complications, clinical outcome, and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. Results: Successful bone union was achieved for 79% of cases (15/19 patients). The average period required to achieve bone union was 7.8 months. There were 4 cases of non-union and 2 other complications. Clinical outcome status was continuous disease-free in 12 cases and died of disease in 7. The mean MSTS score was 98% (93-100%). Conclusion: Vascularized fibular graft is a useful reconstructive procedure for long-bone defects after wide excision of musculoskeletal tumors. The method of fixation can be selected according to the situation; although times required for bone union are long, it is possible to prevent postoperative fractures by a combined approach with treated bone and/or double barrel fibular grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although it is predicted that vitamin A and its active form, retinoic acid, regulate osteoblast lineage, this has not been elucidated in growing mammalians. To clarify the direct effect of retinoic acid on bone, we observed the process of filling up newly generating bone into a drill-hole of the bone, which is understood as membranous ossification, in vitamin A-deficient mice. Mice were assigned to three groups: a vitamin A-deficient group (VAD), which was fed a diet without vitamin A from the 10th day of gestation to the end of the experiments; a vitamin A-deficient-sufficient group (VADS), which was fed a diet without vitamin A from the 10th day of gestation to 4weeks of age; and a vitamin A-sufficient group (VAS), which was fed a standard diet to the end of the experiment. In mice at 10weeks of age (day 0), a drill-hole injury was made with a diameter of 1mm at the anterior portion of the diaphysis of the bilateral femurs. In VAD, retardation in repairing the drill-hole was demonstrated by in vivo micro-CT and histomorphometry from day7 and after surgery. During repair of the bone defect, increases of bmp2, dlx5, msx2, col1a1, and osteocalcin mRNA expression were suppressed, and runx2-p2 mRNA expression was accelerated in VAD. Implantation of BMP2 in the bone defect of VAD normalized the delayed bone healing and mRNA expressions. We concluded that vitamin A regulates bmp2 mRNA expression and plays a crucial role in osteoblastogenesis and bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Daily light and temperature cycles entrain adult eclosion rhythms in many insect species, but little is known about their interaction. We studied this problem in the onion fly, Delia antiqua. Pupae were subjected to various combinations of a photoperiod of 12L:12D and thermoperiods. The thermoperiods consisted of 12h warm phase (W) and 12h cool phase (C), giving a mean temperature of 25°C with different temperature steps of 8, 4 and 1°C. As the phase relation of the two Zeitgebers was varied, the phase of eclosion rhythm was shifted, depending on the phase angle with the light cycle and the amplitude of the temperature cycle. When the temperature step in the thermoperiod was 8°C (WC 29:21°C), the eclosion rhythm was entrained mainly to thermoperiod rather than photoperiod. In the regime with a 4°C temperature step (WC 27:23°C), both thermoperiod and photoperiod affected eclosion rhythm, and a phase jump of the eclosion rhythm occurred when the warm phase of thermoperiod was delayed 15–18h from light-on. In regimes with a 1°C temperature step (WC 25.5:24.5°C), the eclosion rhythm was completely entrained to photoperiod. The observed interacting effect of light and temperature cycle on the eclosion rhythm in D. antiqua can be explained by the two-oscillator model proposed by . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12) generates the EWS–Fli1 fusion gene, which contributes to the development of Ewing Family Tumors (EFTs). Although p53 mutations are found only in 5–20% of EFTs, the p53 pathway is thought to be abrogated in EFTs. The role of EWS–Fli1 in the p53 pathway in the tumor is still poorly understood. In this study, using immunoprecipitation and co-localization, we show that EWS–Fli1 interacts with p53 within the nucleus in vivo. The introduction of EWS–Fli1 resulted in significant reduction of promoter activities and mRNA levels of p21 and mdm2, meanwhile it canceled p53-dependent growth suppression. In contrast, knockdown of EWS–Fli1 expression mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNA) also augmented the induction of p21 and mdm2 in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, using serial deletion constructs of the EWS–Fli1 fusion protein, we determined that EWS–Fli1 binding to p53 as well as inhibition of p21 and mdm2 promoter activities was mediated by its N-terminal domain (amino acid residues 65–109). These observations suggest that the N-terminal region of EWS–Fli1 might associate with p53 and impair its transcriptional activity, subsequently inhibiting the expression of its downstream genes. These results might provide new insight into the oncogenesis of EFTs by EWS–Fli1 via the inhibition of p53 function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aquaporins (AQPs) comprise a family of water channel proteins, some of which are expressed in brain. Expressions of brain AQPs are altered after brain insults, such as ischemia and head trauma. However, little is known about the regulation of brain AQP expression. Endothelins (ETs), vasoconstrictor peptides, regulate several pathophysiolgical responses of damaged nerve tissues via ETB receptors. To show possible roles of ETB receptors in the regulation of brain AQP expression, the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of an ETB agonist were examined in rat brain. In the cerebrum, the copy numbers of AQP4 mRNAs were highest among AQP1, 3, 4, 5 and 9. Continuous administration of 500pmol/day Ala1,3,11,15-ET-1, an ETB selective agonist, into rat brain for 7 days decreased the level of AQP4 mRNA in the cerebrum, but had no effect on AQP1, 3, 5 and 9 mRNA levels. The level of AQP4 protein in the cerebrum decreased by the administration of Ala1,3,11,15-ET-1. Immunohistochemical observations of Ala1,3,11,15-ET-1-infused rats showed that GFAP-positive astrocytes, but not neurons, activated microglia or brain capillary endothelial cells, had immunoreactivity for AQP4. These findings indicate that activation of brain ETB receptors causes a decrease in AQP4 expression, suggesting that ET down-regulates brain AQP4 via ETB receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we propose a planate actuator which can transform only its central part locally. We have developed a planate conducting polymer actuator based on polypyrrole (PPy) and two types of acids, such as p-phenol sulfonic acid and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, by electrodeposition. Its structure was patterned bimorph structure with anion-driven, cation-driven and bimorph layers. The planate conducting polymer actuator could deform only its central part locally. Moreover, we introduce a micro-pump that operates by planate conducting polymer actuator as the drive source. The water level in the flow channel of micro-pump shows the reciprocating motion measuring ±2mm in accordance with the oscillation of the bimorph conducting polymer actuator which was approximately 28μl/min. The oscillating volume can be controlled by the application of electrochemical potential and its scan rate applied to the actuator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Choroid plexus papilloma usually occurs in the lateral or the fourth ventricle. Primary choroid plexus papilloma of the cerebellopontine angle, as described here, is an uncommon lesion. A 42-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of dysphagia and gait unsteadiness. CT scans and MRI showed a large extra-axial tumor in the right cerebellopontine angle. Pathological study revealed that the lesion was choroid plexus papilloma. Repeat imaging conducted 1 year after the operation showed that the tumor had recurred with distinct cystic features. Pathological examination again revealed increased mitotic activity and supported a diagnosis of atypical choroid plexus papilloma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rationale and Objectives: An automated method for identification of patients with cerebral atrophy due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was developed based on three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Materials and Methods: Our proposed method consisted of determination of atrophic image features and identification of AD patients. The atrophic image features included white matter and gray matter volumes, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, and cerebral cortical thickness determined based on a level set method. The cortical thickness was measured with normal vectors on a voxel-by-voxel basis, which were determined by differentiating a level set function. The CSF spaces within cerebral sulci and lateral ventricles (LVs) were extracted by wrapping the brain tightly in a propagating surface determined with a level set method. Identification of AD cases was performed using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, which was trained by the atrophic image features of AD and non-AD cases, and then an unknown case was classified into either AD or non-AD group based on an SVM model. We applied our proposed method to MR images of the whole brains obtained from 54 cases, including 29 clinically diagnosed AD cases (age range, 52−82 years; mean age, 70 years) and 25 non-AD cases (age range, 49−78 years; mean age, 62 years). Results: As a result, the area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (Az value) obtained by our computerized method was 0.909 based on a leave-one-out test in identification of AD cases among 54 cases. Conclusion: This preliminary result showed that our method may be promising for detecting AD patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An up-flow biological anoxic filter (BANF) has been developed to achieve high removal performance of suspended solids and BOD removal as well as nitrogen. With a view to understand treatment mechanisms, we developed a filtration model that incorporates filtration, deposit scoring and biological reactions simultaneously. The biological reactions consist of four types of reaction; dissolution of organic particles; utilization of dissolved organic matter; denitrification; and self-degradation of bacteria. Whereas the reactor is generally assumed to be a plug flow reactor in the filtration model, it is assumed a continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in the model of biological reactions. The hydrodynamics is supposed that the filter bottom (the portion sludge settled) is a CSTR and the filter bed (the portion filled with filter media) consists of number of CSTR of equal size arranged in series. The model obtained in this study was verified and simulated using experimental results taken from a pilot-scale plant and predicted the experimental data well, applying to design and operate BANF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Giant-cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) or a solid variant of an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is an uncommon benign reactive lesion with a predilection for the small tubular bones of the hands and feet. Treatment usually involves wide resection or amputation because of unacceptable high recurrence rates after curettage. Adjuvant therapy usually is applied to reduce the recurrence of locally aggressive bone tumors. We report 2 cases of GCRG that were treated successfully with curettage, adjuvant phenol and ethanol, and autogenous bone grafting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 52-year-old man fell from standing and a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed traumatic intracerebral haematoma and subarachnoid haemorrhage in the temporal cortex. He was treated without surgery and discharged. On day 30 after the accident, he had no neurological deficit. On day 37 he complained of headache and urinary incontinence, and on day 39 he was hospitalized due to progressive neurological deterioration (reduced conciousness, dilated pupils, and left hemiplegia). A CT scan revealed a diffuse low-density in the right cerebral hemisphere with marked midline shift. Emergency decompressive craniectomy and right temporal lobectomy were performed. Angiography after surgery revealed moderate vasospasm in the right middle and anterior cerebral arteries. The patient remained severely disabled. Delayed onset neurological deterioration can be caused by brain oedema and vasospasm after traumatic brain injury, despite an intervening period of improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Nuclear β-catenin staining in soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) has been shown to correlate with tumor progression as assessed by proliferative activity or poor prognosis. Frequent activation of Wnt signaling pathway has been also shown in synovial sarcoma (SS), suggesting a specific role of this pathway in SS. We examined roles of nuclear β-catenin staining within soft tissue sarcomas. Immunohistochemical detection of nuclear β-catenin accumulation correlated with cyclin D1 overexpression in spindle cell and pleomorphic sarcomas (P = .037), and the expression of these proteins evenly distributed throughout each section. In some cases, strong β-catenin nuclear staining was observed in highly pleomorphic and mitotic cells. Furthermore, tumors with nuclear β-catenin accumulation showed statistically significant increasing cyclin D1 mRNA expression level compared with those without (P = .023). Cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels were statistically higher in tumors with cyclin D1 overexpression than in tumors without (P = .037), suggesting that cyclin D1 overexpression is due to transcriptional activation. However, these correlations could not be detected in SS. In biphasic SS, β-catenin nuclear staining was observed in spindle cells, whereas cyclin D1 nuclear staining was seen in glandular areas where β-catenin kept membranous expression. Mutations in exon 3 of the β-catenin gene and in the mutation cluster region of adenomatous polyposis coli gene were absent in this series of cases. Thus, cyclin D1 could be considered as one of the targets of the nuclear β-catenin in spindle cell and pleomorphic sarcomas. A possible association between β-catenin accumulation and spindle cell morphogenesis may exist in SS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Permeability and selectivity of pure gas H2, CO2, O2, N2 and CH4 as well as a mixture of CO2/N2 for sulfonated homopolyimides prepared from 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoro propane disulfonic acid (BAPHFDS) were measured and compared to those of the non-sulfonated homopolyimide having the same polymer backbone. The polyimide in a proton form (NTDA–BAPHFDS(H)) displayed higher selectivity of H2 over CH4 without loss of H2 permeability. Strong intermolecular interaction induced by sulfonic acid groups decreased diffusivity of the larger molecules. The CO2/N2 (19/81) mixed gas permeation was investigated as a function of humidity. With increasing relative humidity from 0% RH to 90% RH, the CO2 permeability for NTDA–BAPHFDS(H) polyimide increased by more than one order of magnitude, and the selectivity of CO2/N2 also increased twice or more. On the other hand, the gas permeability for the non-sulfonated polyimide slightly decreased with increasing humidity. NTDA–BAPHFDS(H) polyimide displayed a CO2 permeability of 290×10−10 cm3 (STP) cm/(cm2 scmHg) and a separation factor of CO2/N2 of 51 at 96% RH, 50°C and total pressure of 1atm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-deficient mice, we investigated whether PACAP is involved in the intoxicating effects of ethanol. The structure of PACAP is highly conserved during evolution, and in Drosophila, loss-of-function mutations in a PACAP-like neuropeptide gene, amnesiac, result in impairment of memory retention and increased sensitivity to ethanol. In mice, PACAP deficiency is associated with impaired memory performance and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), however, sensitivity to ethanol has not been well investigated. Here, we addressed this issue in our recently developed PACAP-deficient mice. Sleep time (duration of the loss of righting reflex) was markedly shortened in PACAP-deficient mice compared with wild-type, although latency to the loss of righting reflex was not different between the two groups. Ethanol-induced hypothermia in wild-type control mice was significantly reduced in PACAP-deficient mice. Blood ethanol levels were not different between the two groups, excluding the possibility of increased ethanol metabolism. Thus, in contrast to that in Drosophila, PACAP deficiency in mammals caused a reduced sensitivity to ethanol. However, in both cases, PACAP or amnesiac products are likely to play significant roles in modifying the intoxicating effects of ethanol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents the direct association of EWS-Flil oncogenic fusion protein with ETS consensus sequences using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Use of reporter gene assays to reveal the activity of the p21[supWAF1/CIP1] promoter through two ETS-binding sites; Interaction between EWS-Fli1 and the p300 cotransactivator; Suppression of the histone acetyltransferase activity leading to the down regulation of p21[supWAF1/CIP1].