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Spermine oxidase (SMOX) catalyzes oxidation of spermine to generate spermidine, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and 3-aminopropanal, which is spontaneously converted to acrolein. SMOX is induced by a variety of stimuli including bacterial infection, polyamine analogues and acetaldehyde exposure. However, the physiological functions of SMOX are not yet fully understood. We investigated the physiological role of SMOX in liver cells using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. SMOX localized to the bile canalicular lumen, as determined by F-actin staining. Knockdown of SMOX reduced the formation of bile canalicular lumen. We also found that phospho-Akt (phosphorylated protein kinase B) was localized to canalicular lumen. Treatment with Akt inhibitor significantly reduced the formation of bile canalicular lumen. Acrolein scavenger also inhibited the formation of bile canalicular lumen. PTEN, phosphatase and tensin homolog and an inhibitor of Akt, was alkylated in a SMOX-dependent manner. Our results suggest that SMOX plays a central role in the formation of bile canalicular lumen in liver cells by activating Akt pathway through acrolein production.

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a life-threatening condition that can present with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. AEFs have been classified into primary and secondary types. Primary AEF (PAEF) is a direct communication between the aorta and the GI tract. Secondary AEF (SAEF) is the result of a previous abdominal aortic aneurysm repair involving placement of a synthetic aortic graft. Diagnosis of AEF, especially PAEF, is difficult largely because AEF is so rarely encountered in practice. Computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy (EGD) are most frequently used to diagnose AEF, with abdominal contrast-enhanced CT being the preferred initial diagnostic test of choice. Although EGD can exclude other common causes of GI hemorrhage, it cannot be used to rule out AEF when another source of bleeding is identified, as the two conditions can coexist. We discuss here two patients with GI bleeding who were diagnosed as PAEF and SAEF. We tried to diagnose and treat with EGD, but failed. That bleeding was due to an AEF became evident when abdominal CT scans revealed direct extravasation of contrast media from the abdominal aorta into the GI tract. The lack of awareness of AEF, coupled with the inaccessibility to the distal duodenum via EGD, were probably responsible for initial misdiagnosis and delay of appropriate management. We suggest that the diagnosis of AEF remains dependent on the clinician's heightened suspicion.

Introduction: The literature described that neural damage caused by ischemia definitely occurs in brain areas. However, few studies have shown real-time changes of extracellular monoamine levels at the time of transient ischemia., Methods: We examined changes in the responses of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) release in the nucleus accumbens (ACC) of rats treated with four-vessel occlusion (4VO) in experiment 1. In the second experiment, we investigated the selective neural vulnerabilities among the ACC, lateral hypothalamus (LH), and frontal cortex (FC) of rats treated with 4VO and four days of reperfusion., Results: The extracellular levels of DA and 5-HT were remarkably increased 200- and 20-fold upon the 10-min clipping of both common carotid arteries in transient cerebral ischemia, respectively. Each increased monoamine release returned to the baseline levels immediately. The release of DA in the ACC and FC was significantly decreased in the rats treated with the coagulation of bilateral vertebral arteries (2VO), compared with that of sham-operated rats. K(+)-induced DA release in the ACC and FC of 4VO-treated rats was increased without alteration of DA content., Discussion: Surviving dopaminergic neurons in the ACC and FC showed neural hyperfunction associated with the monoamine release, serotonergic neurons in particular these areas exhibiting functional resistance to the transient ischemic change., Conclusion: It is suggested that the remarkable extracellular release of DA and 5-HT was not the cause of the ischemic delayed neural degeneration in each brain area, and that the functions of neurotransmitter release involved remarkable resistance to the transient ischemia., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Combination regimens containing bevacizumab(BV)are regarded as one of the standard first-line chemotherapy (1stCTx) regimens in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, some patients cannot be treated with BV because of the short interval from the palliative operation or other reasons. We present a study of some patients who were treated with add-on BV in the middle of the 1stCTx before disease progression(referred to as "midway BV" regimen hereafter), and here, we report the efficacy of the midway BV regimen as observed in our patients., Results: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 74 mCRC patients, who were undergoing 1stCTx treatment at our hospital from January 2010 to September 2012. We divided the patients into 3 groups, depending on when BV was introduced in their regimen: 40, 25, and 9 patients were respectively included in the "no-BV" group (patients who were treated without BV in the 1stCTx), BV group(patients treated with BV from the 1st cycle in the 1stCTx), and the midway-BV group (patients who were initially treated without BV and then received add-on BV). The response rates of patients in the no-BV, BV, and midway-BV groups were 27.5%, 44.0%, and 55.6%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and median survival time of patients in the no-BV, BV, and midway-BV groups were, respectively, 9.7 months, 9.3 months, and 12.8 months, and 20.3 months, 22.2 months, and N. R., Conclusion: Although few cases were analyzed and there might be many confounding factors, our study suggests that midway BV is potentially useful for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who are not initially treated with BV in the first cycle of the 1stCTx regimen.

Ethanol consumption causes serious liver injury including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Ethanol is metabolized mainly in the liver to acetic acid through acetaldehyde. We investigated the effect of ethanol and acetaldehyde on polyamine metabolism since polyamines are essential factors for normal cellular functions. We found that acetaldehyde induced spermine oxidase (SMO) at the transcriptional level in HepG2 cells. The levels and activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase (SSAT) were not affected by acetaldehyde. Spermidine content was increased and spermine content was decreased by acetaldehyde treatment. Knockdown of SMO expression using siRNA reduced acetaldehyde toxicity. Acetaldehyde exposure increased free acrolein levels. An increase of acrolein by acetaldehyde was SMO dependent. Our results indicate that cytotoxicity of acetaldehyde involves, at least in part, oxidation of spermine to spermidine by SMO, which is induced by acetaldehyde., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Factors that give rise to a large variation in the urinary ratio of free cortisone to cortisol (UFE/UFF) were investigated to accurately estimate 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) activity in humans in vivo. A water loading test was first carried out in two healthy subjects to examine the effect of water intake or urine volume on the urinary ratio of free cortisone to cortisol (UFE/UFF). The ratio was found to increase by water loading. We also examined urinary concentrations and amounts of cortisol, cortisone, creatinine, Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-), and urine volume, as possible factors affecting the urinary ratio (UFE/UFF), in 60 urine samples obtained from 15 healthy volunteers. Among these factors tested, the urinary concentration of cortisol was most highly correlated with the UFE/UFF ratio (r=-0.858), indicating that the in vivo activity of 11β-HSD2 (UFE/UFF) should fluctuate with the changes of the urinary concentration of cortisol. Based on the findings, we proposed a new estimation method of in vivo activity of 11β-HSD2 in humans, using the UFE/UFF ratio correlated with the urinary concentration of cortisol (UFE/UFF-cortisol concentration). Taking into consideration the intra-individual variabilities in the urinary concentration of cortisol, there were no significant within-day variations in 11β-HSD2 activity. The findings indicate that 11β-HSD2 activities can be accurately evaluated by simply measuring free cortisol and cortisone concentrations in spot urine samples. Furthermore, administrations of glycyrrhetinic acid in three healthy volunteers were performed to confirm the usefulness of the present assessment for the activity of 11β-HSD2., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In criminal investigations, usually it is necessary to identify whether blood spots found at crime scenes are from humans or not. Nowadays, immunohistochemical methods and DNA analysis are usually used for this purpose. However, such methods and DNA analysis are labor intensive and expensive, and require highly trained skilled technicians. Recently, the genome profiling method (GP method) was developed. However, its use as a human DNA analysis method has not been reported. In this report, an attempt was made to differentiate human blood samples from animal blood samples using the GP method for forensic purposes. DNA extracted from a rat, squirrel, cat, dog, cow, and antelope along with human blood samples were analyzed. Following cluster analysis the human samples clustered into a single group separate from the animal samples. Therefore, although the number of samples was small the results suggest that the GP method might enable us to differentiate human samples from various animal samples. It may become a powerful tool in the field of forensic science., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The identification of sperm at the scene of a sexual crime is important evidence that can be used to prove that a crime took place. We used the new genome profiling (GP) method in this study to identify sperm and vaginal fluid from RNA extracted from bodily fluids. We randomly amplified genes via a PCR approach from these semen and vaginal fluid samples and performed temperature gradient gel electrophoresis between 15-65°C. We identified specific species identification dots (spiddos) for semen and vaginal fluid. The results showed that the GP method is effective for the identification of bodily fluids at the scene of a sex crime., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recently, in the field of forensic medicine the number of unidentified cadavers has increased due to mass disasters and international terrorism. In addition to the conventional anthropological methods, a simple and precise method to estimate the age of these unidentified cadavers to assist in the personal identification is necessary. On the other hand, many researchers have reported that mitochondrial respiratory activity decreases with aging because of the production of reactive oxidative species in the process of ATP generation. Therefore, it may be possible for us to estimate human age by analyzing mitochondrial activity. In this report we attempted to analyze cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity, and the amount of protein and mRNA expression in various aged rats. The age of human subjects was estimated through the analysis of human CCO activity from 28 actual forensic cases. The CCO activity, the amount of protein and the mRNA expression increased in the 3rd week and decreased afterwards in rats. Furthermore, human CCO activity was decreased gradually with aging. Therefore, CCO activity analysis may be useful for age estimation in forensic cases., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To evaluate the risk of accidental hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we examined whether anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA were detectable in HCV-infected blood samples from living donors, cadavers, and bloodstains. We showed that even after blood has left the body for several days, anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA may persist in it.

BK polyomavirus (BKV) is ubiquitous in human populations, infecting children asymptomatically and then persisting in the kidney, in which it can cause nephropathy in renal transplant patients. BKV isolates are classified into four subtypes (I-IV) using serological or genotyping methods, and subtype I is further divided into four subgroups, Ia, Ib-1, Ib-2, and Ic, based on DNA sequence variations. To clarify whether there is an association between BK virus lineages and human populations, we examined BKV-positive urine samples collected from immunocompetent individuals at various locations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Partial BKV DNA sequences (n=299) in these samples were determined and subjected to phylogenetic and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis to classify BKV isolates around the world. The validity of the classification was confirmed by analyses based on complete BKV DNA sequences. Subtype I was the major subtype throughout the studied regions, and subtype IV was prevalent only in Asia and Europe. Subtype-I subgroups showed close relationships to major geographical areas. It has recently been shown that JC virus (a human polyomavirus closely related to BKV) co-evolved with human populations, and the present study thus suggests that host-linked evolution is the general mode of polyomavirus evolution. Additionally, our results indicate certain unique aspects of the relationship between BKV and humans.

The human polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) is ubiquitous in humans, infecting children asymptomatically. BKV is the only primate polyomavirus that has subtypes (I-IV) distinguishable by immunological reactivity. Nucleotide (nt) variations in a major capsid protein (VP1) gene region (designated the epitope region), probably responsible for antigenic diversity, have been used to classify BKV isolates into subtypes. Here, with all the protein-encoding gene sequences, we attempted to elucidate the evolutionary relationships among 28 BKV isolates belonging to subtypes I, III, and IV (no isolate belonging to subtype II, a minor one, was included). First, using the GTR + Gamma + I model, maximum likelihood trees were reconstructed for individual viral genes as well as for concatenated viral genes. On the resultant trees, the 28 BKV isolates were consistently divided into three clades corresponding to subtypes I, III, and IV, although bootstrap probabilities are not always high. Then we used more sophisticated likelihood models, one of which takes account of codon structure, to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among BKV subtypes, but the phylogeny of the deep branchings remained ambiguous. Furthermore, the possibility of positive selection in the evolution of BKV was examined using the nonsynonymous/synonymous rate ratio as a measure of selection. An analysis based on entire genes could not detect any strong evidence for positive selection, but that based on the epitope region identified a few sites potentially under positive selection (these sites were among those showing subtype linked polymorphisms).

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is ubiquitous in human populations, infecting children without obvious symptoms and persisting in the kidney. BKPyV isolates have been classified into four subtypes (I-IV) using either serological or genotyping methods. In general, subtype I occurs most frequently, followed by subtype IV, with subtypes II and III rarely detected. As differences in growth capacity in human cells possibly determine the proportion of the four subtypes of BKPyV in human populations, here the growth properties of representative BKPyV strains classified as subtype I or IV in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HPTE cells) of human origin were analysed. HPTE cells were transfected with four and three full-length BKPyV DNAs belonging to subtypes I and IV, respectively, and cultivated in growth medium. Virus replication, detected using the haemagglutination assay, was observed in all HPTE cells transfected with subtype I BKPyV DNAs, whereas it was markedly delayed or not detected in those transfected with subtype IV BKPyV DNAs. It was confirmed that the transfected viral DNAs induced virus replication in HPTE cells. Furthermore, it was found that BKPyVs with archetypal transcriptional control regions replicated in HPTE cells, with only the occasional emergence of variants carrying rearranged transcriptional control regions. Essentially the same results as described above were obtained with renal epithelial cells derived from whole kidney. Thus, it was concluded that subtype I BKPyV replicates more efficiently than subtype IV BKPyV in human renal epithelial cells, supporting the hypothesis that growth capacity in human cells is related to the proportion of BKPyV subtypes in human populations.

Both mtDNA and the Y chromosome have been used to investigate how modern humans dispersed within and out of Africa. This issue can also be studied using the JC virus (JCV) genotype, a novel marker with which to trace human migrations. Africa is mainly occupied by two genotypes of JCV, designated Af1 and Af2. Af1 is localized to central/western Africa, while Af2 is spread throughout Africa and in neighboring areas of Asia and Europe. It was recently suggested that Af1 represents the ancestral type of JCV, which agrees with the African origin of modern humans. To better understand the origin of modern Africans, we examined the phylogenetic relationships among Af2 isolates worldwide. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the complete JCV DNA sequences of 51 Af2 isolates from Africa and neighboring areas. According to the resultant tree, Af2 isolates diverged into two major clusters, designated Af2-a and -b, with high bootstrap probabilities. Af2-a contained isolates mainly from South Africa, while Af2-b contained those from the other parts of Africa and neighboring regions of Asia and Europe. These findings suggest that Af2-carrying Africans diverged into two groups, one carrying Af2-a and the other carrying Af2-b; and that the former moved to southern Africa, while the latter dispersed throughout Africa and to neighboring regions of Asia and Europe. The present findings are discussed with reference to relevant findings in genetic and linguistic studies., ((c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

To clarify the stability of the BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genome in renal transplant (RT) recipients, three to five complete BKPyV genomes from each of six RT recipients with surviving renal allografts were molecularly cloned. The complete sequences of these clones were determined and compared in each patient. No nucleotide difference was detected among clones in two patients, and a few nucleotide variations were found among those in four patients. In each of these patients a parental sequence (usually the major sequence), from which variant sequences (usually minor sequences) with nucleotide substitutions would have been generated, were identified. A comparison between the parental and variant sequences in each patient identified a single nucleotide substitution in each variant sequence. From these findings, it was concluded that the genome of BKPyV is stable in RT recipients without nephropathy, with only minor nucleotide substitutions in the coding region.

The JC virus (JCV) genotyping method was used to gain insights into the population history of the Saami and the Finns, both speaking Finno-Ugric languages and living in close geographic proximity. Urine samples from Saami and Finns, collected in northern and southern Finland, respectively, were used to amplify a 610-bp JCV-DNA region containing abundant type-specific mutations. Based on restriction site polymorphisms in the amplified fragments, we classified JCV isolates into one of the three superclusters of JCV, type A, B, or C. All 15 Saami isolates analyzed and 41 of 43 Finnish isolates analyzed were classified as type A, the European type, and two samples from Finns were classified as type B, the African/Asian type. We then amplified and sequenced a 583-bp JCV-DNA region from the type A isolates of Saami and Finns. According to type-determining nucleotides within the region, we classified type A isolates into EU-a1, -a2, or -b. Most type A isolates from Saami were classified as EU-a1, while type A isolates from Finns were distributed among EU-a1, EU-a2, and EU-b. This trend in the JCV-genotype distribution was statistically significant. On a phylogenetic tree based on complete sequences, most of the type A isolates from Saami were clustered in a single clade within EU-a1, while those from Finns were distributed throughout EU-a1, EU-a2, and EU-b. These findings are discussed in the context of the population history of the Saami and the Finns. This study provides new complete JCV DNA sequences derived from populations of anthropological interest., ((c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Recently, we found that JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) frequently undergoes amino acid substitutions (designated VP1 loop mutations) in the outer loops of the major capsid protein, VP1. To further characterize the mutations, we analyzed the VP1 region of the JCPyV genome in brain-tissue or cerebrospinal fluid samples from 20 PML patients. VP1 loop mutations occurred far more frequently than silent mutations. Polymorphic residues were essentially restricted to three positions (55, 60, and 66) within the BC loop, one (123) within the DE loop, and three (265, 267, and 269) within the HI loop. The mutations at most polymorphic residues showed a trend toward a change to specific amino acids. Finally, we presented evidence that the VP1 loop mutations were associated with the progression of PML. These findings should form the basis for elucidating the biological significance of the VP1 loop mutations.

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with decreased immune competence. To elucidate genetic changes in JCPyV associated with the pathogenesis of PML, multiple complete JCPyV DNA clones originating from the brains of three PML cases were established and sequenced. Although unique rearranged control regions occurred in all clones, a low level of nucleotide variation was also found in the coding region. In each case, a parental coding sequence was identified, from which variant coding sequences with nucleotide substitutions would have been generated. A comparison between the parental and variant coding sequences demonstrated that all 12 detected nucleotide substitutions gave rise to amino acid changes. Interestingly, seven of these changes were located in the surface loops of the major capsid protein (VP1). Finally, 16 reported VP1 sequences of PML-type JCPyV (i.e. derived from the brain or cerebrospinal fluid of PML patients) were compared with their genotypic prototypes, generated as consensus sequences of representative archetypal isolates belonging to the same genotypes; 13 VP1 proteins had amino acid changes in the surface loops. In contrast, VP1 proteins from isolates from the urine of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients rarely underwent mutations in the VP1 loops. The present findings suggest that PML-type JCPyV frequently undergoes amino acid substitutions in the VP1 loops. These polymorphisms should serve as a new marker for the identification of JCPyV isolates associated with PML. The biological significance of these mutations, however, remains unclear.

BK polyomavirus (BKV) is ubiquitous in the human population, infecting children without obvious symptoms, and persisting in the kidney in a latent state. In immunosuppressed patients, BKV is reactivated and excreted in urine. BKV isolates have been classified into four subtypes (I-IV) using either serological or genotyping methods. To elucidate the subtypes of BKV prevalent in Japan, the 287 bp typing region in the viral genome was PCR-amplified from urine samples of 45 renal transplant (RT) and 31 bone-marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. The amplified fragments were subjected to a phylogenetic or RFLP analysis to determine the subtypes of BKV isolates in urine samples. Subtypes I, II, III and IV were detected, respectively, in 70-80, 0, 2-3 and 10-20 % of the BKV-positive patients in both patient groups. This pattern of distribution was virtually identical to patterns previously demonstrated in England, Tanzania and the United States, suggesting that BKV subtypes are distributed similarly in various human populations. Furthermore, transcriptional control regions (TCRs) were PCR-amplified from the urine samples of 25 RT and 20 BMT recipients, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The basic TCR structure (the so-called archetype configuration) was observed in most isolates belonging to subtypes I, III and IV (subtype II isolates were not available), albeit with several nucleotide substitutions and a few single-nucleotide deletions (or insertions). Only three TCRs carried extensive sequence rearrangements. Thus, it was concluded that the archetypal configuration of the BKV TCR has been conserved during the evolution of BKV.

The regulatory regions of JC virus (JCV) DNAs in the brain of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) (designated as PML-type regulatory regions) are hypervariable, whereas those in the urine and renal tissue of individuals without PML have the same basic structure, designated as the archetype. It is thought that JCV strains with the archetypal regulatory region circulate in the human population. Nevertheless, Monaco et al (J Virol 70: 7004-7012, 1996) reported that PML-type regulatory regions occur in human tonsil tissue. The purpose of this study is to confirm their findings. Using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the authors detected the regulatory region of JCV DNA in the tonsil tissue from 14 (44%) of 32 donors with tonsillitis and tonsilar hypertrophy. Sequencing of the detected regulatory regions indicated that they were identical with the archetypal regulatory regions detected previously or, in a few cases, slightly deviated from the archetype. This finding suggests not only that tonsil tissue is the potential site of initial JCV infection but also that archetypal JCV strains circulate in the human population.

A small DNA virus, named JC virus (JCV) and belonging to the Polyomaviridae, is attracting the attention of anthropologists worldwide, as JCV genotyping appears to be a novel means of elucidating human migrations and the origins of various ethnic groups. The basic properties of JCV, the regional distributions of JCV genotypes, and the phylogenetic relationships among various JCV genotypes are described. Then, a study is described in which the origin of the modern Japanese was extensively investigated using the JCV genotyping method. Based on JCV genotypes in neighboring areas, the origins of people who carried JCV genotypes to the Japanese Archipelago are discussed. Finally, the relationships between JCV genotypes and Y-chromosome haplogroups are examined, as genetic variation on the Y chromosome has recently been examined in detail to investigate ancient human migrations and the population structures of human groups., (Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

JC virus (JCV) is a useful marker to trace human dispersal. Two genotypes of JCV (MY and CY) are mainly distributed in Northeast Asia. The population history of people carrying MY has been studied in some detail but that of people carrying CY remains poorly understood. To gain insights into the population history of Northeast Asians carrying CY we analyzed the genetic variation in CY isolates. We constructed a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree from 28 complete CY DNA sequences: on the resultant tree the CY DNA sequences diverged into two clades, designated CY-a and -b, each clustered with a high bootstrap probability. The split into CY-a and -b was estimated to have occurred about 10 000 years ago, based on K(s) values (synonymous substitutions per synonymous site) and the suggested rate of synonymous nucleotide substitutions. Comparison of the 28 complete CY sequences revealed six nucleotide mismatches between CY-a and -b, one of which showed a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). We then PCR-amplified a region of the genome containing this polymorphic site from many CY isolates in various Northeast Asian populations and classified the isolates into CY-a or -b according to the RFLP analysis. CY-a was more abundant than CY-b in various Chinese and Japanese populations but CY-b was more abundant than CY-a in South Koreans. On the basis of the present findings we inferred the population history in East Asians carrying CY.

The Philippines is generally believed to have been established by various peoples who migrated from neighboring areas. To gain new insights into the peopling of the Philippines, we used the JC virus (JCV) genotyping approach. We collected about 50 urine samples on each of two representative islands of the Philippines, Luzon and Cebu. DNA was extracted from the urine samples and used to amplify the 610-bp region (IG region) of the viral genome. For each island, we determined about 20 IG sequences, from which a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed to classify the JCV isolates detected into distinct genotypes. The predominant genotype detected was SC, the Southeast Asian genotype. Minor JCV genotypes were SC/Phi, B1-a, and B3. SC/Phi was a subcluster of SC and has not been detected in areas other than the Philippines. B1-a was detected previously in mainland China, Pamalican Island (Palawan, Philippines), and Taiwan (an aboriginal tribe). B3 was classified in this study into two subgroups, one (B3-a) containing three Luzon isolates and several Chinese, Thai, and Uzbek isolates, the other (B3-b) containing two Luzon, one Cebu, and one Indonesian isolate. These findings suggest that the modern Filipino population was formed not only by Southeast Asians carrying SC but also by a few distinct ethnic groups carrying SC/Phi, B1-a, and B3-a or -b., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

To examine the mode of JC virus (JCV) transmission, we collected urine samples from second- and third-generation Japanese-Americans in Los Angeles, Calif., whose parents and grandparents were all Japanese. From the urine samples of these Japanese-Americans, we mainly detected two subtypes (CY and MY) of JCV that are predominantly found among native Japanese. This finding provides support for the hypothesis that JCV is transmitted mainly within the family through long-term cohabitation.

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is characterized by deafness and hypopigmentation because of the lack of melanocytes in the inner ear and skin. WS type 2 is associated with mutations in the gene encoding microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) that is required for melanocyte differentiation. MITF consists of multiple isoforms with different N-termini, one of which is exclusively expressed in melanocytes, named MITF-M. Its N-terminus is encoded by exon 1M that is under the regulation of the melanocyte-specific (M) promoter. Here we identify a distal regulatory region of 298 bp, located 14.5 kb upstream from exon 1M, which enhances the M promoter activity in cultured melanoma cells. This enhancer activity depends on the proximal M promoter region (-120 to -46). The MITF-M distal enhancer (MDE), thus identified, contains the binding sites for SOX10, a transcription factor responsible for another type of WS, known as Waardenburg-Hirschsprung syndrome. Characterization of MDE has suggested SOX10 as one of factors that are involved in the function of MDE. A putative MDE counterpart is located 12 kb upstream from mouse exon 1M and its role is discussed in relevance to the pathogenesis of red-eyed white Mitf mi-rw mice that exhibit small red eyes and white coat. Moreover, by in situ hybridization analysis, we suggest that Sox10 and Mitf-M (mRNA) are expressed in melanoblasts migrating toward the otic vesicle (prospective inner ear) of mouse embryos but are separately expressed in different cell types of the newborn cochlea. Thus, SOX10 regulates transcription from the M promoter in a developmental stage-specific manner.

Objective: Apoptotic changes have been reported in the aged gerbil cochlea and are speculated to be one of the principal causes of presbyacusis. The objective of the study was to determine the underlying mechanism of apoptotic change in the aged gerbil cochlea., Study Design: Prospective controlled animal study., Methods: We examined the tissue distribution of bcl-2, bax, caspase-3p20, and caspase-3p32 using immunohistochemical techniques in the young and aged gerbil cochlea, together with the measurement of the distortion product of otoacoustic emission (DPOAE)., Results: Aged gerbils showed a significant reduction of the DPOAE amplitude as compared with that of the young gerbils, suggesting a disturbance of the auditory function in the aged cochlea. There was a significant decrease in the number of bcl-2-positive cells in the aged gerbils. The expression of bax in the aged group was slightly increased but did not significantly differ from that in the young gerbils. A significantly increased number of caspase-3p20-positive cells was observed in the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion, and lateral wall of cochlea in the aged gerbils as compared with those of the young gerbils. There was no significant difference in the expression levels of caspase-3p32 between the young and aged groups. In the aged cochlea, the degree of deterioration of DPOAE responses was compatible with those of both the reduction of bcl-2 and the activation of caspase-3p20., Conclusion: These data suggest that the suppression of bcl-2 protein expression may lead to apoptosis-induced presbyacusis through activation of caspase-3 in the aged gerbil cochlea.

Dynamic changes in the pharyngeal airway of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were evaluated by quantitating the findings of real-time imaging performed during wakefulness and spontaneous sleep by means of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Six patients with OSAS and 3 non-OSAS subjects, selected prospectively and randomly, underwent polysomnography and dynamic MRI. The cross-sectional areas of the soft palate and oropharynx and the anterior-posterior airway dimensions seen during wakefulness and spontaneous sleep were calculated by US National Institutes of Health imaging software. On the basis of a case control study, comparisons were made with age-matched and body mass index-matched obese non-OSAS snorers. Spontaneous sleep caused significant obstruction and narrowing of various sites of the pharyngeal airway in the OSAS patients, but not in the non-OSAS subjects. During wakefulness, the non-OSAS subjects showed no marked narrowing of the pharyngeal airways, whereas a transient but significant narrowing was observed in the OSAS patients. The mean values of both the cross-sectional area and the anterior-posterior diameter at the soft palate were significantly reduced by spontaneous sleep in the OSAS patients. Dynamic MRI in awake OSAS patients shows promise as a routine diagnostic tool for localizing the upper airway collapse for appropriate selection of surgical therapy.

Mutations in the SOX10 gene, encoding a cell-lineage specific transcription factor, are associated with congenital deafness. We analyzed the expression of Sox10 mRNA in developing mouse inner ear by in situ hybridization. Sox10 mRNA is expressed in the entire epithelia of the otic vesicle at embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and in the developing cochlea and vestibule at E13.5. In postnatal day 8 and adult cochleas, Sox10 expression is restricted to the supporting cells of the organ of Corti. These expression profiles suggest that Sox10 is important for development of the cochlea.

It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection might be associated with not only gastric ulcers but also gastric malignancies. Recently, it was reported that the Streptococcus anginosus (S. anginosus) DNA sequence was found in DNA samples extracted from esophageal cancers. Because smoking and alcohol abuse are regarded as risk factors for both esophgeal cancer and head and neck cancer, infection of S. anginosus might be associated with carcinogenesis of head and neck cancer. To investgate the involvement of S. anginosus infection in head and neck cancer, we analyzed 217 DNA samples prepared from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. We performed PCR analysis with S. anginosus-16S ribosomal DNA-specific primers, and Southern blot analysis. For detection of S. anginosus in the oral and pharyngeal cavities, we used oropharyngeal bacteriological culture and PCR analysis of gingival smears of the patients. By PCR analysis, the S. anginosus DNA sequence was found in 217 out of 217 (100%) DNA samples obtained from head and neck cancers. By Southern blot analysis, positive bands were detected in 41 out of 125 (33%) samples. We could find no S. anginosus colony in oropharyngeal bacteriological culture dishes of 53 patients with and without head and neck cancer. On the other hand, we found the S. anginosus DNA fragment in 8 out of 8 DNA samples obtained from gingival smears by PCR analysis. These data indicate that the upper aerodigestive environment of the patients permitting S. anginosus infection was implicated in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.