Effect of Growth Hormone Receptor Deficiency on Androgen-Associated Gene Expression of Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Drug Transporters in Pigs.

Growth hormone receptor (GHR)-deficient pigs were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to investigate the involvement of GHR-mediated growth hormone (GH) signaling in androgen-associated gene expression of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and drug transporters. We initially confirmed that no wild-type GHR mRNA was present in GHR-/- (GHR-KO) pigs; in addition, as previously reported, those pigs exhibited decreases in body weight and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration and an increase in serum GH concentration compared with the levels in GHR-/+ and GHR+/+ pigs with a wild-type GHR mRNA. The real-time RT-PCR results on the mRNA levels of hepatic DMEs and drug transporters in the GHR-KO pigs and the pigs with a wild-type GHR mRNA revealed that, among the examined hepatic DMEs, the mRNA levels of CYP1A2, CYP2A19, sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1, and SULT2A1 were higher in GHR-KO pigs than in the pigs with a wild-type GHR mRNA, whereas the opposite trend was observed for the mRNA level of uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6. No such significant differences in the mRNA levels of three hepatic drug transporters including multidrug resistance protein 1 were observed. In addition, the mRNA level of hepatic cut-like homeobox 2 (CUX2), which is expressed in an androgen-dependent manner and associated with the hepatic mRNA expression of several DMEs, was significantly decreased in GHR-KO pigs. The present findings strongly suggest that not only serum androgen but also GHR-mediated GH signaling contributes to the mRNA expression of several DMEs and CUX2, but not transporters, in the pig liver.

Generation of germ cell-deficient pigs by NANOS3 knockout.

NANOS3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene expressed in primordial germ cells that is important for germ cell development. Germ cell deletion by NANOS3 knockout has been reported in several mammalian species, but its function in pigs is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the germline effects of NANOS3 knockout in pigs using CRISPR/Cas9. Embryo transfer of CRISPR/Cas9-modified embryos produced ten offspring, of which one showed wild-type NANOS3 alleles, eight had two mutant NANOS3 alleles, and the other exhibited mosaicism (four mutant alleles). Histological analysis revealed no germ cells in the testes or ovaries of any of the nine mutant pigs. These results demonstrated that NANOS3 is crucial for porcine germ cell production.

Suppression of mosaic mutation by co-delivery of CRISPR associated protein 9 and three-prime repair exonuclease 2 into porcine zygotes via electroporation.

Gene-modified animals, including pigs, can be generated efficiently by introducing CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) into zygotes. However, in many cases, these zygotes tend to become mosaic mutants with various different mutant cell types, making it difficult to analyze the phenotype of gene-modified founder animals. To reduce the mosaic mutations, we introduced three-prime repair exonuclease 2 (Trex2), an exonuclease that improves gene editing efficiency, into porcine zygotes along with CRISPR/Cas9 via electroporation. Although the rate of porcine blastocyst formation decreased due to electroporation (25.9 ± 4.6% vs. 41.2 ± 2.0%), co-delivery of murine Trex2 (mTrex2) mRNA with CRISPR/Cas9 did not affect it any further (25.9 ± 4.6% vs. 31.0 ± 4.6%). In addition, there was no significant difference in the diameter of blastocysts carrying CRISPR/Cas9 (164.7 ± 10.2 µm), and those with CRISPR/Cas9 + mTrex2 (151.9 ± 5.1 µm) as compared to those from the control group (178.9 ± 9.0 µm). These results revealed that mTrex2 did not affect the development of pre-implantation embryo. We also found bi-allelic, as well as mono-allelic, non-mosaic homozygous mutations in the blastocysts. Most importantly, co-delivery of mTrex2 mRNA with CRISPR/Cas9 increased non-mosaic mutant blastocysts (29.3 ± 4.5%) and reduced mosaic mutant blastocysts (70.7 ± 4.5%) as compared to CRISPR/Cas9 alone (5.6 ± 6.4% and 92.6 ± 8.6%, respectively). These data suggest that the co-delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 and mTrex2 is a useful method to suppress mosaic mutation.

Generation of exogenous germ cells in the ovaries of sterile NANOS3-null beef cattle.

Blastocyst complementation (BC) systems have enabled in vivo generation of organs from allogeneic pluripotent cells, compensating for an empty germ cell niche in gene knockout (KO) animals. Here, we succeeded in producing chimeric beef cattle (Wagyu) by transferring allogenic germ cells into ovaries using somatic cell nuclear transfer and BC technology. The KO of NANOS3 (NANOS3(-/-)) in Wagyu bovine ovaries produced a complete loss of germ cells. Holstein blastomeres (NANOS3(+/+)) were injected into NANOS3(-/-) Wagyu embryos. Subsequently, exogenous germ cells (NANOS3(+/+)) were identified in the NANOS3(-/-) ovary. These results clearly indicate that allogeneic germ cells can be generated in recipient germ cell-free gonads using cloning and BC technologies.

Visit-to-visit variability in systolic blood pressure is a novel risk factor for the growth of intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Although rupture of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is closely associated with UIA growth during follow-up, few studies have investigated how UIAs grow during observation. Hypertension appears to affect the formation of intracranial aneurysms. However, few studies have investigated the association of blood pressure variability with UIA growth. Visit-to-visit variability (VVV) in systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a newly defined concept which appears to be a good predictor of stroke. With this factor in mind, here we conducted a prospective analysis of the results of 2 years of observation of UIAs by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and sought to identify risk factors for UIA growth and rupture. METHODS: From December 2006 through June 2010, two hundred patients with 212 UIAs were followed for 2 years. Patient ages ranged from 31 to 91 years. Putative risk factors for the growth of UIAs were evaluated. Subjects were divided into two groups: a UIA growth group consisting of patients whose UIAs increased by 1 mm or more in size or who developed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and an unchanged group. Brachial blood pressure values were recorded at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up in the outpatient clinic. All blood pressure values were then averaged, and the VVV of SBP was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of a minimum of 5 blood pressure measurements at outpatient visits. RESULTS: UIA growth occurred in 20 patients and SAH occurred in 1 patient. Current smoking tended to be more prevalent in the UIA growth group (p < 0.01). Five of the 12 patients with multiple UIAs showed UIA growth within 2 years and multiplicity was a significant risk factor for UIA growth (p < 0.01). The mean baseline size in the UIA growth group was larger than that in the unchanged group (p = 0.01) and 7 of the 18 patients with large UIAs, categorized as having an initial diameter of 7 mm or more, had an increase in UIA size over the 2 years (p < 0.01). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, current smoking, multiplicity, and UIA size ≥7 mm were significant risk factors for UIA growth. Although no significant difference was seen between the UIA growth and unchanged groups in office SBP during the observation period, VVV in SBP was significantly higher in the UIA growth group than in the unchanged group, and it was significantly and independently associated with UIA growth. CONCLUSIONS: VVV in SBP is a novel risk factor for the growth of UIAs and may be a key factor for the prevention of UIA rupture. Future research is needed to confirm that SBP stability prevents UIA rupture.

Usefulness of intraoperative computed tomography for the evacuation of lobar hemorrhage.

There is a lot of debate on the treatment method for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) provides excellent images of cerebrovascular lesions. In this paper, we describe the surgical procedure and the efficacy of iCT during lobar hemorrhage evacuations and subsequent patient outcomes. Fifty-eight patients with lobar hemorrhage were treated using iCT. We performed preoperative cerebral angiography and/or three-dimensional (3D) CT angiography to detect abnormal vessels and identify the spatial relationships between the cerebrovascular structures and the hematoma. After administration of local anesthesia, an enlarged burr-hole was created just above the hematoma. Microsurgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed, and an iCT image was obtained to assess real-time 3D information on residual hematoma or unexpected rebleeding. Mean hematoma volume, evacuation rate, and duration of the surgery were 42 mL, 93 %, and 89 min respectively. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 1 case. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score upon admission was 12. At discharge, most patients (60 %) had good functional outcomes defined by modified Rankin Scale scores of 0-3. Postoperative neurological findings and consciousness levels showed early improvement. Safe, accurate, and effective evacuation of lobar hemorrhage was possible with iCT as an image-guided intraoperative navigation tool.

Use of preoperative 3D CT/MR fusion images and intraoperative CT to detect lesions that spread onto the brain surface.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative 3D CT/MR fusion images were prepared for preoperative evaluations and intraoperative assistance for the following lesions: arteriovenous -malformations (AVMs), meningiomas, and metastatic tumors that spread onto the brain surface. METHOD: We prepared 3D CT/MR fusion images for 4 AVMs, 13 meningiomas, and 7 metastatic tumors, and demonstrate representative cases. Data acquired from 16-slice multidetector CT and 1.5-T MRI were used. The volume rendering technique was used. During operations, mobile 16-slice multidetector CT was used to update information. RESULTS: Even after opening the dura mater, the relationship between a brain surface lesion and the surrounding structures on the preoperative 3D fusion images corresponded to the patient's operation field. Updated information via intraoperative CT was useful because operation fields might change owing to the brain shift. These images made extirpations of lesions easier and less invasive. CONCLUSION: Not only the preoperative 3D information, but also intraoperative CT information are beneficial for smooth and safe operations.

Deep cerebral microbleeds are negatively associated with HDL-C in elderly first-time ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) detected on T2*-weighted MRI gradient-echo have been associated with increased risk of cerebral infarction. We evaluated risk factors for these lesions in a cohort of first-time ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: Presence of CMBs in consecutive first-time ischemic stroke patients was evaluated. The location of CMBs was classified by cerebral region as strictly lobar (lobar CMBs) and deep or infratentorial (deep CMBs). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of lipid profile to the presence of CMBs. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients with a mean age of 70±10years were recruited. CMBs were present in 74 patients. The deep CMBs group had significantly lower HDL-C levels than those without CMBs. In univariable analysis, advanced periventricular hyperintensity grade (PVH>2) and decreased HDL-C were significantly associated with the deep but not the lobar CMB group. On logistic regression analysis, HDL-C (beta=-0.06, p=0.002) and PVH grade >2 (beta=3.40, p=0.005) were independent determinants of deep CMBs. CONCLUSIONS: Low HDL-C may be a risk factor of deep CMBs, including advanced PVH status, in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. Management of HDL-C levels might be a therapeutic target for the prevention of recurrence of stroke.

Predictive value of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio for the prevention of stroke recurrence in Japanese patients treated with rosuvastatin.

BACKGROUND: HMG-CoA-reductase (statin) therapy to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in patients with coronary heart disease can substantially improve outcomes; however, the benefits of statins in stroke patients, particularly for secondary stroke prevention, remain poorly understood. Moreover, the degree of decrease in LDL-C that is required to prevent the recurrence of stroke is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the on-treatment LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C) is a predictive marker of stroke recurrence in patients with acute ischaemic stroke, and whether medical management of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio would be of strategic significance for stroke prevention. METHODS: A total of 137 dyslipidaemic patients who had suffered acute ischaemic stroke were enrolled and treated with rosuvastatin 2.5 mg within 24 hours of onset. Blood pressure and serum lipids were assessed at baseline and after 1 month of treatment with rosuvastatin. Fatal and non-fatal stroke events were recorded during a follow-up period of 36 months. We used univariate and multivariate analyses, as well as Kaplan-Meier analysis, to assess the predictive value of various parameters and to identify factors independently associated with stroke recurrence. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 34.9 ± 0.8 months, there were ten cases of stroke recurrence. Age, chronic kidney disease (CKD) at baseline, and an on-treatment LDL-C/HDL-C ratio >2 after 1 month of rosuvastatin treatment were predictors of stroke recurrence in univariate analyses. Stepwise regression analysis showed that CKD (standardized adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 36.43; p = 0.030) and on-treatment LDL-C/HDL-C ratio >2 (standardized adjusted OR 9.70; 95% CI 1.70, 55.33; p = 0.011) were independent risk factors for stroke recurrence. Post hoc analysis indicated that more intensive lipid control, to an LDL-C/HDL-C ratio ≤1.5, may reduce the risk of stroke recurrence. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the use of statin therapy to achieve an on-treatment LDL-C/HDL-C ratio ≤2 is a suitable treatment strategy in patients having suffered acute ischaemic stroke. Further studies are required to confirm the clinical benefits of reducing the on-treatment LDL-C/HDL-C ratio to ≤1.5.

Thrombin preconditioning attenuates iron-induced neuronal death.

Pretreatment with a low dose of thrombin attenuated brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or cerebral ischemia. This phenomenon has been called thrombin preconditioning (TPC). The current study investigated whether or not TPC reduces neuronal death induced by iron in cultured neurons. The roles of protease-activated receptors (PARs) and the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42MAPK)/70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signal transduction pathway in TPC were also examined. This study had three parts: (1) primary cultured neurons were pretreated with vehicle, thrombin or PAR agonists. Cell death was induced by ferrous iron (500 µM) 24 h later. After 48 h, culture medium was collected for lactate dehydrogenase measurement; (2) neurons were treated with vehicle, thrombin or thrombin plus PPACK (D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethylketone) thrombin and were collected for Western blotting; (3) the effect PD098059 on TPC was examined. Cells were treated with 20 µM PD098059 or vehicle 1 h before TPC. Neuron viability was measured 24 h following exposure to ferrous iron. Preconditioning with thrombin or PAR agonists reduced iron-induced neuronal death (p<0.05). Thrombin, but not PPACK thrombin, upregulated the protein levels of activated p44/42 MAPK and p70 S6K (p<0.05) in neurons. PD098059 also abolished the TPC-induced neuronal protection against iron (p<0.05). In conclusion, the protective effect of thrombin preconditioning is partially achieved through activating PARs and the p44/42 MAPK/p70S6K signal transduction pathway.

Reversible magnetic resonance imaging changes associated with hypoglycemia. Case report.

A 63-year-old man was found with confusion and right limb monoparesis. He was taken to the emergency center under suspicion of stroke. Head computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography were immediately conducted, which revealed no abnormality, but diffusion-weighted imaging showed increased intensity areas in the splenium of the corpus callosum and the left posterior limb of the internal capsule with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the same areas. Immediately after the head scan, blood sugar level was measured, which revealed hypoglycemia (23 mg/dl). He quickly became lucid after intravenous administration of 20 ml of 50% glucose solution, and the paresis disappeared. Follow-up brain MR imaging was conducted 3 days later, but no clearly abnormal findings were seen on T(2)-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted, or ADC images. Reports of reversible high intensity area in the splenium of the corpus callosum on diffusion-weighted imaging due to transient hypoglycemia are rare. Hemiparesis is one of the manifestations of hypoglycemia, so verifying the blood sugar level is important. Since MR imaging can be conducted easily now, we may need to consider the imaging findings in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia.

Thrombin-induced neuronal protection: role of the mitogen activated protein kinase/ribosomal protein S6 kinase pathway.

Our previous studies have found that intracerebral pretreatment with a low dose of thrombin (thrombin preconditioning, TPC) reduces infarct volume and attenuates brain edema after focal cerebral ischemia. In this study, we examined whether TPC protects against the neuronal death induced by oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), and whether the protection is through thrombin receptors and the p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ribosomal protein S6 kinases (p70 S6K) pathway. Expression of protease-activated receptors (PARs) mRNA was detected in cultured primary rat neurons and thrombin upregulated PAR-1 and PAR-4 mRNA expression. TPC reduced OGD-induced neuronal death (e.g. dead cells: 52.5 ± 5.4% vs. 72.3 ± 7.2% in the control group, n=6, p<0.01). Agonists of PAR-1 and PAR-4 mimicked the effects of thrombin and reduced OGD-induced neuronal death. Pretreatment with thrombin or PAR agonists induced the upregulation of activated p44/42 MAPK and p70S6K (Thr 421/Ser 424). PD98059, an inhibitor of p44/42 MAPK kinase, blocked thrombin-induced upregulation of activated p44/42 MAPK and p70S6K. It also reduced TPC-induced neuronal protection (e.g. dead cells: 68.2 ± 5.2% vs. 56.9 ± 4.6% in vehicle+TPC group, n=6, p<0.05). These results suggest that TPC-induced ischemic tolerance is through activation of thrombin receptors and the p44/42 MAPK/p70S6K pathway.

Mechanical thrombolysis for treatment of acute sinus thrombosis--case report.

A 55-year-old woman presented with consciousness disorders. Computed tomography revealed hemorrhage in the left temporoparietal region. The angiographic diagnosis was progressive sinus thrombosis from the superior sagittal sinus to the bilateral transverse sinuses. Her condition deteriorated despite heparin administration. Therefore, mechanical thrombolysis was performed for sinus thrombosis using a balloon catheter, in addition to supportive thrombolytic therapy with urokinase, resulting in sinus patency. Mechanical thrombolysis is an effective therapeutic modality for sinus thrombosis refractory to heparin administration.

Improvement of cerebral arterial stenosis associated with Basedow's disease. Case report.

A 29-year-old female presented with Basedow's disease manifesting as sudden vomiting, diarrhea, fever over 38 degrees C, transient aphasia, and numbness in her extremities. These symptoms were considered due to cerebral ischemia at a local clinic. Magnetic resonance angiography indicated stenosis of the bilateral distal internal carotid arteries and the bilateral proximal anterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries. Thyroid swelling and exophthalmos were observed. She was transferred to our hospital. Endocrine function tests showed hyperthyroidism. The diagnosis was Basedow's disease. Her symptoms disappeared after receiving intravenous drip infusion of fluid replacement, and antithyroid and antiplatelet medication. After she became euthyroid, cerebral angiography and magnetic resonance angiography revealed improvement of the stenosis of the cerebral arteries. Stenosis of the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery associated with Basedow's disease is extremely rare. Conservative treatment mainly including antithyroid medications for Basedow's disease, and antiplatelet drugs and intravenous replacement fluid for the ischemic manifestations should be the first choice of treatment unless immediate vascular reconstruction is necessary.

Disappearance of hemifacial spasm after ventriculoperitoneal shunting in a patient with achondroplasia--case report.

A 15-year-old boy with achondroplasia developed right hemifacial spasm associated with headache, vomiting, and hearing disturbance. Computed tomography showed hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. His hydrocephalus subsequently resolved, the hemifacial spasm and headache disappeared, and his hearing disturbance improved. The episodes of hemifacial spasm were probably related to a small posterior cranial fossa volume, the so-called crowding of the posterior fossa. Increased intracranial pressure due to hydrocephalus apparently contributed to further reduction in the posterior cranial fossa volume and led to the hemifacial spasms. In addition, his hearing disturbance may have been the result of dysfunction of the cochlear nerve due to the increase in intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus.

Parietal lipomeningocele--case report.

A 2-month-old female infant had had a parietal mass since birth. Neuroimaging revealed a lipoma under the splenium of the corpus callosum that was connected to the subcutaneous lipoma via a bone defect in the cranium bifidum of the parietal region. At the age of 5 months, partial resection of only the extracranial mass was carried out. The histological diagnosis was lipoma. She grew up normally without neurological disorders during follow up for 12 years after the surgery. In the present case, the intracranial lipoma was associated with the cranium bifidum, and dysraphism was possibly involved in the pathogenesis. Resection of only the extracranial subcutaneous tumor can be performed for cosmetic reasons.

Craniopharyngiomas with intratumoral hemorrhage--two case reports.

Two cases of craniopharyngioma with intratumoral hemorrhage are reported. A 22-year-old male was admitted with meningitis. Lumbar tapping was performed twice. He subsequently developed reduced visual acuity and field deterioration due to intratumoral hemorrhage from an intra- and suprasellar tumor. He underwent emergency craniotomy and total extirpation of the tumor. A 29-year-old female underwent partial extirpation of an intra- and suprasellar cystic tumor via transsphenoidal surgery. Two months after the first operation, she suffered intratumoral hemorrhage necessitating emergency surgery and subsequent gamma-knife therapy. The histological diagnosis was craniopharyngioma in both cases. Hemorrhage is extremely rare in craniopharyngiomas and difficult to discriminate from that in pituitary adenoma, but both diseases require decompression by clot extirpation.

Role of the hippocampal CA2 region following postischemic hypothermia in gerbil.

To investigate the changes in the principal subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 1 (NR1) following the transient ischemia and postischemic hypothermia, in situ hybridization was used in the gerbil hippocampus. One of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, Glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) was also investigated to compare with NR1. Even at 1 day, NR1 and GluR2 mRNAs in the CA1 region were reduced following ischemia. Although postischemic hypothermia prevented almost all the neuronal cell death by ischemia and inhibited the reduction of NR1 and GluR2 mRNAs in the CA1 region after 7 days, the downregulation of NR1 mRNA in the CA2 region was observed even at 1 day. This change was specific for NR1 and not for GluR2. These results suggest that the changes in NR1 and GluR2 receptors at the mRNA level would occur in spite of postischemic hypothermia. The phenomenon in the CA2 region may play an important role to rescue neuronal cell death by ischemia.