Dynamics of depressive states among university students in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was reported to have increased depression among university students which was associated with impairments in their campus lives. This study examined changes in depressive states among Japanese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A secondary data analysis from a factorial randomized controlled trial involving smartphone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was performed. Six cohorts (N = 1626) underwent an 8-week intervention during the spring or autumn of 2019-2021, with a 9-month follow-up. We evaluated participants' depressive states weekly using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) during the intervention, with monthly evaluations thereafter. The follow-up periods included Japan's four states of emergency (SOEs) to control COVID-19. Hypothesizing that SOEs caused a sudden worsening of depressive states, Study 1 compared the cohorts' PHQ-9 scores, and Study 2 employed time series analysis with a mixed-effects model to estimate identified changes in PHQ-9 scores. RESULTS: Although no changes in depressive states were observed in relation to the SOEs, Study 1 identified sudden increases in PHQ-9 scores at the 28-week evaluation point, which corresponded to the beginning of the new academic year for the three autumn cohorts. In contrast, the three spring cohorts did not exhibit similar changes. Study 2 showed that, for all three autumn cohorts (n = 522), the 0.60-point change was significant (95% CI 0.42-0.78; p < .001) at 28 weeks; that is, when their timeline was interrupted. CONCLUSIONS: While the results do not indicate any notable impact of the SOEs, they highlight the influence of the new academic year on university students' mental health during COVID-19. Trial registration UMIN, CTR-000031307. Registered on February 14, 2018.

A phase I/II study of KW-2478, an Hsp90 inhibitor, in combination with bortezomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: KW-2478 is a novel non-ansamycin Hsp90 inhibitor with modest single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory myeloma but which shows synergistic antimyeloma activity with bortezomib (BTZ) in preclinical studies. This study determined the safety, preliminary clinical activity, and pharmacokinetics of KW-2478, an Hsp90 inhibitor, in combination with BTZ in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Phase I dose escalation determined the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of KW-2478 plus BTZ, which was then used during phase II. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose was not reached during phase I and the RP2D was KW-2478 175 mg m-2 plus BTZ 1.3 mg m-2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 3 weeks. In the efficacy evaluable phase I/II population treated at the RP2D (n=79), the objective response rate was 39.2% (95% confidence interval: 28.4-50.9%), clinical benefit rate 51.9% (40.4-63.3%), median progression-free survival 6.7 (5.9-not reached (NR)) months, and median duration of response 5.5 (4.9-NR) months. In the phase I/II safety population (n=95), the most frequently observed treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events were diarrhoea, fatigue, and neutropenia (each in 7.4% of patients), and nausea and thrombocytopenia (each in 5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: KW-2478 plus BTZ was well tolerated with no apparent overlapping toxicity in patients with relapsed/refractory MM. The antimyeloma activity of KW-2478 in combination with BTZ as scheduled in this trial appeared relatively modest; however, the good tolerability of the combination would support further exploration of alternate dosing schedules and combinations.

Morphology and morphometry of the human embryonic brain: A three-dimensional analysis.

The three-dimensional dynamics and morphology of the human embryonic brain have not been previously analyzed using modern imaging techniques. The morphogenesis of the cerebral vesicles and ventricles was analyzed using images derived from human embryo specimens from the Kyoto Collection, which were acquired with a magnetic resonance microscope equipped with a 2.35-T superconducting magnet. A total of 101 embryos between Carnegie stages (CS) 13 and 23, without apparent morphological damage or torsion in the brain ventricles and axes, were studied. To estimate the uneven development of the cerebral vesicles, the volumes of the whole embryo and brain, prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon with their respective ventricles were measured using image analyzing Amira™ software. The brain volume, excluding the ventricles (brain tissue), was 1.15 ± 0.43 mm(3) (mean ± SD) at CS13 and increased exponentially to 189.10 ± 36.91 mm(3) at CS23, a 164.4-fold increase, which is consistent with the observed morphological changes. The mean volume of the prosencephalon was 0.26 ± 0.15 mm(3) at CS13. The volume increased exponentially until CS23, when it reached 110.99 ± 27.58 mm(3). The mean volumes of the mesencephalon and rhombencephalon were 0.20 ± 0.07 mm(3) and 0.69 ± 0.23 mm(3) at CS13, respectively; the volumes reached 21.86 ± 3.30 mm(3) and 56.45 ± 7.64 mm(3) at CS23, respectively. The ratio of the cerebellum to the rhombencephalon was approximately 7.2% at CS20, and increased to 12.8% at CS23. The ratio of the volume of the cerebral vesicles to that of the whole embryo remained nearly constant between CS15 and CS23 (11.6-15.5%). The non-uniform thickness of the brain tissue during development, which may indicate the differentiation of the brain, was visualized with surface color mapping by thickness. At CS23, the basal regions of the prosencephalon and rhombencephalon were thicker than the corresponding dorsal regions. The brain was further studied by the serial digital subtraction of layers of tissue from both the external and internal surfaces to visualize the core region (COR) of the thickening brain tissue. The COR, associated with the development of nuclei, became apparent after CS16; this was particularly visible in the prosencephalon. The anatomical positions of the COR were mostly consistent with the formation of the basal ganglia, thalamus, and pyramidal tract. This was confirmed through comparisons with serial histological sections of the human embryonic brain. The approach used in this study may be suitable as a convenient alternative method for estimating the development and differentiation of the neural ganglia and tracts. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain and cerebral ventricle development.

Case of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis with cytomegalovirus-induced thrombotic microangiopathy.

Although the involvement of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in HIV patients and transplant recipients has been reported, it is still controversial whether CMV itself can cause TMA. We report herein a rare case with rapid improvement of TMA by ganciclovir treatment in a patient who is neither HIV-positive nor a transplant recipient, suggesting a pathogenic role for CMV in TMA.

A study of maintenance therapy after intravenous maxacalcitol for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

AIM: Intravenous vitamin D therapy is an established treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). However, no protocols have been established for maintenance therapy with intravenous or oral vitamin D after control of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) within the target range. METHODS: Step I. For patients with SHPT (200 ≤ iPTH ≤ 500 pg/ml), a dose of 2.5 mg maxacalcitol (OCT) was administered intravenously three times a week with oral sevelamer hydrochloride; the dose was increased to a 10 µg maximum three times a week to control iPTH to < 150 pg/ml. Step II. When iPTH reached the target level, patients were assigned to Group A (oral alfacalcidol 1.0 µg/day) or B (oral alfacalcidol 0.25 µg/ day). Serum iPTH, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus were measured each month for 6 months. Maintenance rates for the target iPTH levels were evaluated, < 150 pg/ml at Step I and < 200 pg/ml at Step II. RESULTS: iPTH decreased to < 150 pg/ml by OCT in 24 of 35 patients (68.6%). During the 24-week observation period, iPTH was controlled for 83.3% patients in Group A vs. 36.4% for Group B (p < 0.05). No dropouts due to hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia occurred. CONCLUSION: OCT dose titration was effective for SHPT. A higher daily dose of oral alfacalcidol (1.0 µg) appears to be more effective than a lower dose (0.25 µg) as maintenance therapy after iPTH control.

Submucosal tunneling using endoscopic submucosal dissection for peritoneal access and closure in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: a porcine survival study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Safe peritoneal access and gastric closure are the most important concerns in the clinical application of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). We aimed to clarify the feasibility of a submucosal tunnel technique using endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for transgastric peritoneal access and subsequent closure for NOTES. METHODS: Seven female pigs, each weighing about 40 kg were included in the study. The following procedures were performed: (i) after injection of normal saline into the submucosa, the mucosa was cut with a flex knife; (ii) the submucosal layer was dissected using an insulation-tipped electrosurgical knife to make a narrow longitudinal 50-mm submucosal tunnel; (iii) a small incision was made at the end of the tunnel and enlarged with a dilation balloon. After transgastric peritoneoscopy, the mucosal incision site was closed with clips. The following outcome measures were used: (a) evaluation of the technical feasibility of making a submucosal tunnel; (b) clinical monitoring for 7 days; (c) follow-up endoscopy and necropsy; and (d) peritoneal fluid culture. RESULTS: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic peritoneoscopy with a submucosal tunnel was successfully carried out in all pigs. The pigs recovered well, without signs of peritonitis. Follow-up endoscopy showed healing of mucosal incision sites without open defects. Necropsy revealed no findings of peritonitis, confirming completeness of gastric closure; there was a thin scar in one pig and adhesion of the omentum in six pigs. Peritoneal fluid culture demonstrated no bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS: The submucosal tunnel technique is feasible and effective for transgastric peritoneal access and closure.

Long-term quality of life after laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LAG) is gaining acceptance for treating early gastric cancer. However, the long-term quality of life after LAG for gastric cancer is unknown. This study compared the long-term quality of life after LAG versus open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for early gastric cancer. METHOD: This study included 53 patients who underwent LAG and 37 patients who underwent ODG for treatment of early gastric cancer. Quality of life was evaluated on the basis of a 22-item questionnaire that addressed food tolerance and mental and physical conditions, scored on a scale of 1-3. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods after LAG and ODG were 99.3 and 97.0 months, respectively. Although the majority of patients who had undergone LAG were consuming a normal diet and had weight loss of less than 5 kg, all 22 items and the total score of the LAG group were comparable to those of the ODG group. However, the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction was significantly lower in the LAG group than in the ODG group (1% vs. 13%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LAG is equivalent to ODG with respect to long-term quality of life and is associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction.

Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation achieved by infrared ray electronic endoscopy system in patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The sentinel node (SN) concept has attracted considerable attention recently for the treatment of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic SN navigation achieved by means of an infrared ray electronic endoscopy (IREE) system with indocyanine green (ICG) injection in patients with EGC. METHODS: Laparoscopic SN navigation was performed for 16 patients with preoperatively diagnosed EGC. After identification of SNs, routine laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. Lymph nodes were examined histologically for metastasis by hematoxylin and eosin staining on one section of each node. RESULTS: One or more SNs and lymphatic basins were detected in all 16 patients. The average number of SNs detected was 2.9. Lymph node metastasis was found in 2 of the 16 patients (13%). In one of these two patients, lymph node metastasis was found in SNs. In the other patient, metastasis was found in a non-SN rather than a SN, but in the same lymphatic basin. The accuracy of this detection method was 94%, and there was one false-negative case. No adverse events occurred after injection of ICG. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic SN navigation by means of IREE combined with ICG injection is feasible for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for EGC.

Antimyeloma activity of two novel N-substituted and tetraflourinated thalidomide analogs.

Thalidomide alone or in combination with steroids has significant activity in multiple myeloma (MM). However, given its teratogenic potential, analogs have been synthesized, retaining the anti-MM activity without these side effects. We examined the anti-MM activity of two thalidomide analogs, CPS11 and CPS49. Direct cytotoxicity of the drugs on myeloma cell lines and patient myeloma cells was examined using thymidine uptake. Tumor cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry as well as Western blotting for caspase and PARP cleavage. Cellular signaling events were examined by immunoblotting for phosphorylated proteins. Both drugs inhibit proliferation of several MM cell lines sensitive and resistant to conventional therapies. They decrease secretion of IL-6, IGF, and VEGF by marrow stromal cells. Importantly, they inhibit proliferation of MM cells adherent to stromal cells. These drugs induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in MM cell lines, as well as patient MM cells. They inhibit the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) pathways in MM cells and are antiangiogenic in matrigel-based assays. CPS11 and CPS49 have potent antimyeloma activity and can overcome protective effects of the tumor microenvironment. They have potent antiangiogenic activity and direct effect on bone marrow stroma. These encouraging preclinical data provide the basis for further evaluation in the clinic.

Establishment and chromosome studies of in vitro lines of chemically induced rat erythroblastic leukemia cells.

Eight cultured lines with a normal diploid karyotype, no. 2 trisomy, and markers involving chromosome No. 2 were established from three 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)- and two N-butyl-N-nitrosourea (BNU)-induced erythroblastic leukemias in noninbred Long-Evans rats. Serial in vivo and in vitro passage of these cells frequently evoked karyotype changes in stemline cells. In both lines from DMBA- and BNU-induced leukemias, ordinary and translocation no. 2 trisomy cells appeared and gradually replaced the normal diploid stemline cells. Obvious secondary karyotypic changes were also recognized in the "cloned" leukemia cells. Nucleolar chromosomes such as chromosomes no. 3 and no. 12 were frequently involved in aneuploidy and translocation. One cell line from a BNU-induced leukemia did not change its normal diploid karyotype during 12 months of in vitro passage. The above preferential growth of cells with no. 2 trisomy and the related changes during in vivo and in vitro passage as well as in-colony formation in soft agar suggest that these chromosome changes are somehow associated with the growth behavior of the leukemia cells. No positive correlation was demonstrated between karyotype and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced erythroid differentiation of the leukemia cells.

Circumvention of multiple-drug resistance in human cancer cells by thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and chlorpromazine.

Human KB carcinoma cells were selected in four sequential steps for increasing resistance to colchicine and were found to be cross-resistant to multiple drugs. Thioridazine, a phenothiazine calmodulin inhibitor, almost completely reversed the resistance of the multiple-drug-resistant cells to doxorubicin, vinblastine, dactinomycin, and daunorubicin, and partially reversed the resistance to colchicine and vincristine. Other phenothiazine calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine, were also found to show similar but somewhat weaker effects on drug resistance. However, a well-known naphthalenesulfonamide derivative calmodulin inhibitor, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), could not reverse the drug resistance. Very low accumulation of vincristine or daunorubicin was observed in the multiple-drug-resistant KB cells in comparison with accumulation in the parental KB cells. Increased rate of accumulation of the drugs by thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and chlorpromazine was most prominent in the resistant KB-ChR-24 cells than in KB cells. We have observed enhanced efflux of the drugs from the resistant cells, and thioridazine inhibited this efflux. These studies suggest a role for increased drug efflux in the development of the multiple-drug resistance phenotype in human carcinoma cells.

Overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells with synthetic isoprenoids.

A cultured subline (P388/ADM) of mouse P388 leukemia resistant to doxorubicin, vinblastine, vincristine, dactinomycin, and daunorubicin became sensitive again when treated with noncytotoxic doses of either of two synthetic isoprenoids: N-solanesyl-N,N'-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)ethylenediamine (SDB-ethylenediamine) and N-(p-methylbenzyl)decaprenylamine X HCI (PMB-decaprenylamine). The isoprenoids also reversed resistance to doxorubicin and vincristine in a cultured vincristine-resistant P388 leukemia subline (P388/VCR). Median lethal doses (LD50) for PMB-decaprenylamine and SDB-ethylenediamine administered ip were 123 and 350 mg/kg against mice, whereas the LD50 for verapamil, another modifier of cellular drug resistance, was about 7.6 mg/kg. In vivo experiments with P388/VCR-bearing mice showed that both SDB-ethylenediamine and verapamil overcame vincristine resistance, but PMB-decaprenylamine showed only slight activity. SDB-ethylenediamine was especially effective, overcoming the vincristine resistance at 1 mg drug/kg. Since the structure of SDB-ethylenediamine resembles that of verapamil, a calcium-blocking agent that overcomes drug resistance, it was checked for calcium-blocking activity. However, calcium channel-blocking activity was not observed with 20 micrograms isoprenoid/ml, whereas calcium channel activity was completely blocked by 1 microgram verapamil/ml.

Chemical carcinogenesis in the rat: common mode of action of carcinogens at the chromosome level.

The chromosomal distribution of chromosome aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) induced by various chemical carcinogens such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 7,8,12-trimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 1-butyl-1-nitrosourea, urethan, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide, and the antineoplastic compound mitomycin C was studied with the use of noninbred Long-Evans male rat bone marrow cells in vivo and in vitro. The CA and SCE induced by these structurally different chemicals were distributed in a similar pattern among and along chromosomes when the chemicals were given a short time (6 hr) before the metaphase cells were harvested. The specific distribution pattern of chemically induced CA and SCE along chromosomes was attributed to the late DNA replication of the vulnerable chromosome regions. Conversely, X-ray-induced CA were distributed more randomly. Thus the different chemical carcinogens were shown to exert a similar genetic effect at the chromosome level.

Cell surface asparagine-linked sugar chains of human early myeloblastic leukemic cells (KG-1a).

The asparagine-linked sugar chains obtained from total cell surface membrane glycoproteins of human early myeloblastic leukemic cells (KG-1a cells) were studied. The sugar chains liberated by hydrazinolysis were purified by paper electrophoresis, paper chromatography, and Bio-Gel P-4 chromatography followed by analysis of exoglycosidase digestion and methylation study. Neutral oligosaccharides were all composed of high mannose type sugar chains. Acidic oligosaccharides were chiefly composed of typical bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary complex type sugar chains with Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----groups and Neu-Ac alpha 2----3 or 6Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----groups (in which Gal is galactosyl, GlcNac is N-acetylglucosamine, and NeuAc is N-acetylneuraminic acid) as side chains. Moreover the following two structures were identified in (in which Fuc is fucosyl): monosialyl bi- and triantennary sugar chains with a Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----group (X determinant) as one of the side chains; and monosialyl tetraantennary sugar chains with a Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc group (repeating N-acetyllactosamine unit) as one of the side chains. These data together with our previous studies on sugar chains of K562 cells [early erythroblast], adult erythrocytes [H. Yoshima, N. Shiraishi, A. Matsumoto, S. Maeda, T. Sugiyama, and A. Kobata, J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 91: 233-246, 1982], and HL-60 cells [promyelocyte] [A. Mizoguchi, S. Takasaki, S. Maeda, and A. Kobata, J. Biol. Chem., 259: 11943-11957, 1984] strongly suggest that the cell surface asparagine-linked sugar chains alter in an orderly fashion, systematically in association with lineage and maturation stages during hematopoietic cell differentiation.

Effect of bisbenzylisoquinoline (biscoclaurine) alkaloids on multidrug resistance in KB human cancer cells.

Cepharanthine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline (biscoclaurine) alkaloid, completely overcomes resistance of a multidrug-resistant subline, ChR-24, derived from human KB carcinoma cells, to vincristine, actinomycin D, and daunomycin, and partially overcomes resistance to Adriamycin. Another biscoclaurine alkaloid, berbamine, partially overcomes resistance to these anticancer agents. Accumulation of [3H]daunomycin in ChR-24 cells is about 10% of that in both the parental KB and revertant cell line (Rev-2) which is derived from ChR-24. Cepharanthine prominently increases the accumulation of daunomycin in resistant ChR-24 cells, but not in parental KB and Rev-2 cells. Enhanced efflux of daunomycin from the resistant cells is completely inhibited by cepharanthine. Cellular uptake of [3H]daunomycin is not significantly affected in the resistant cells by cepharanthine. Accumulation of [3H]cepharanthine is observed at similar levels in both KB and ChR-24. Phosphatidylserine specifically inhibited the accumulation of [3H]cepharanthine in KB and ChR-24 cells when tested by adding various phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin to culture medium. The enhanced accumulation of [3H]daunomycin in cepharanthine-treated ChR-24 cells is inhibited in the presence of 20 micrograms/ml phosphatidylserine. Cepharanthine may overcome multidrug resistance by binding to phosphatidylserine in the plasma membrane and perturbing membrane function.

Reversal of multidrug resistance by synthetic isoprenoids in the KB human cancer cell line.

A colchicine resistant clone, Chr-24, derived from the human carcinoma KB cell line is extensively resistant to multiple drugs including vinblastine, vincristine, Adriamycin, actinomycin D, and daunomycin. In comparison with KB cells, very low accumulation of daunomycin or vincristine is observed in multidrug-resistant cells. Two isoprenoids with 9 to 10 isoprene chains (polyprenoids), N-(p-methylbenzyl)decaprenylamine and N-solanesyl-N,N'-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)ethylenediamine overcame the multidrug resistance almost completely in cultured Chr-24, whereas they only slightly sensitized the parental KB cells to anticancer agents. Both isoprenoids enhance the accumulation of vincristine or daunomycin in Chr-24, possibly by inhibiting efflux and also by enhancing influx of anticancer agents. A verapamil-like structure of N-solanesyl-N,N'-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)ethylenediamine is discussed in relation to its ability to overcome drug resistance.

Potentiation by a biscoclaurine alkaloid, cepharanthine, of the toxicity of conjugates of epidermal growth factor with Pseudomonas exotoxin in HeLa cells.

Cepharanthine, a biscoclaurine alkaloid, causes an 8-fold enhancement of the cytotoxic effect of a conjugate of epidermal growth factor (EGF) coupled with Pseudomonas exotoxin in HeLa cells. Cepharanthine also potentiates the effect of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Cepharanthine does not affect the binding and uptake of 125I-EGF by HeLa cells, but it delays the release of radioactivity associated with 125I-EGF into the medium. Analysis by colloidal silica gradients using cell homogenates suggests that 125I-EGF accumulates in the lysosomes of cells treated with cepharanthine and that [3H]cepharanthine accumulates in lysosomes. The pH in HeLa cell lysosomes is 5.2, and cepharanthine does not significantly increase the pH. Electron microscopy shows an increased number of electron-dense bodies and dilated Golgi apparatus after cepharanthine treatment. Cepharanthine appears to accumulate in lysosomes, and it may delay degradation of EGF-Pseudomonas exotoxin in the cells as does 125I-EGF.

Cell surface glycoprotein and asparagine-linked sugar chain patterns of rat erythroleukemic cell lines.

In order to elucidate whether chromosomal change or induction of differentiation is correlated with the change of the patterns of cell surface glycoproteins and asparagine-linked sugar chains, glycoproteins and carbohydrates of five rat erythroleukemic cell lines (K1DB, D5A1, K2D, K2DA, and K4D) were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate:polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and hydrazinolysis followed by gel chromatography, respectively. The surface glycoprotein patterns of five cell lines were very similar, each containing four glycoproteins with molecular weights of 250,000, 115,000, 80,000, and 28,000, respectively. Only D5A1, which can be induced to erythroid differentiation, had two additional glycoproteins, with molecular weights of 135,000 and 65,000, respectively. All neutral oligosaccharides obtained from plasma membranes of five cell lines by hydrazinolysis were of the high-mannose type, and the acidic oligosaccharides were of the complex type with three different types of outer chains in various combinations: +/- NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc; Gal beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc; and Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNac beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc. An interesting finding was that two sugar chains, NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(+/-Fuc alpha 1 leads to 6)GlcNAcOT (in which the subscript OT indicates a NaB3H4-reduced oligosaccharide), were found only in surface carbohydrates of D5A1.

Recent developments of ion sources for life-science studies at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (invited).

With about 1000-h of relativistic high-energy ion beams provided by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, about 70 users are performing various biology experiments every year. A rich variety of ion species from hydrogen to xenon ions with a dose rate of several Gy/min is available. Carbon, iron, silicon, helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, and oxygen ions were utilized between 2012 and 2014. Presently, three electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs) and one Penning ion source are available. Especially, the two frequency heating techniques have improved the performance of an 18 GHz ECRIS. The results have satisfied most requirements for life-science studies. In addition, this improved performance has realized a feasible solution for similar biology experiments with a hospital-specified accelerator complex.

Copper-catalyzed autoxidations of GSH and L-ascorbic acid: mutual inhibition of the respective oxidations by their coexistence.

Glutathione (GSH) is known to inhibit copper-catalyzed autoxidation of L-ascorbic acid (AA); in this study, AA was found to conversely inhibit copper-catalyzed autoxidation of GSH. To elucidate the mechanism of the mutual inhibition of the autoxidations of these two reducing substances in their coexistence, we have kinetically investigated these phenomena. The study of the former phenomenon revealed that GSH forms a 1:1 chelate with Cu(+) and thereby prevents the autoxidation of AA. By the analysis of the latter phenomenon, it was postulated that the inhibition of GSH oxidation by AA is due to rapid reduction of thiyl radical of GSH by AA rather than competition of AA with GSH in the reduction of Cu(2+). The effect of GSH on the formation of hydroxyl radical by the copper-catalyzed autoxidation of AA was also studied and it was found that the hydroxyl radical formation was delayed dose-dependently by GSH with time lags comparable to those of the oxidation of AA. Because there are several lines of evidence that redox-active copper ions are released from tissues under pathological conditions, it is possible that such copper ions coexist with AA and GSH in vivo, and in such a situation, GSH may exert an inhibitory effect on the hydroxyl radical formation caused by the autoxidation of AA.