Down-modulation of nucleoporin RanBP2/Nup358 impaired chromosomal alignment and induced mitotic catastrophe.

Chromosomal missegregation is a common feature of many human tumors. Recent studies have indicated a link between nucleoporin RanBP2/Nup358 and chromosomal segregation during mitosis; however, the molecular details have yet to be fully established. Observed through live cell imaging and flow cytometry, here we show that RNA interference-mediated knockdown of RanBP2 induced G2/M phase arrest, metaphase catastrophe and mitotic cell death. Furthermore, RanBP2 down-modulation disrupted importin/karyopherin ß1 as well as the expression and localization of the Ran GTPase activating protein 1. We found that N-terminal of RanBP2 interacted with the N-terminal of importin ß1. Moreover, at least a portion of RanBP2 partially localizes at the centrosome during mitosis. Notably, we also found that GTPase Ran is also involved in the regulation of RanBP2-importin ß1 interaction. Overall, our results suggest that mitotic arrest and the following cell death were caused by depletion of RanBP2. Our findings point to a crucial role for RanBP2 in proper mitotic progression and faithful chromosomal segregation.

Association analysis between canine behavioural traits and genetic polymorphisms in the Shiba Inu breed.

The relationships between behavioural trait data and the genotype of 15 polymorphisms in eight neurotransmitter-related genes were analysed in 77 dogs of the Shiba Inu breed, an indigenous Japanese dog. The data were obtained from a 26-item questionnaire on the dog's behaviour, distributed to the dog's owners, through veterinary hospitals and the Shiba Inu breed magazine. A factor analysis of the questionnaire items extracted eight factors accounting for 66.8% of the variance. An association analysis between these factors and genetic polymorphisms indicated that the polymorphism of c.471T>C in the solute carrier family 1 (neuronal/epithelial high-affinity glutamate transporter) member 2 (SLC1A2) gene was significantly associated with Factor 1, referred to as 'aggression to strangers'. This association remained stable in separate analyses of data from surveys obtained from the hospitals and those obtained from the magazine. The results suggest that the c.471T>C polymorphism is associated with some types of aggressive behaviour in the Shiba Inu. Further studies using other dog breeds are necessary to extend these findings to dogs in general.

An approach to canine behavioural genetics employing guide dogs for the blind.

The purpose of this study was to attempt to find related variables of the canine genome with behavioural traits of dogs maintained and tested in a guide dog facility which provided a relatively uniform environment. The study involved 81 Labrador Retrievers that were being trained as guide dogs. Each dog was taken on walk-out sessions in which the trainer weekly recorded observations that were related to behavioural traits. The records were subjected to key-word analysis of 14 behaviour-related words. A factor analysis on the appearance rate of the 14 key words or phrases resulted in the extraction of six factors that accounted for 67.4% of the variance. Factor 1, referred to as aggressiveness, was significantly related to the success or failure of the dog in qualifying as a guide dog, and was also related to the variable of litter identification. Factor 2, referred to as distraction, was related to the variable of trainer. Factor 3, activity level, was related to the variable of sex, and was significantly related to the polymorphisms of c.471T>C in the solute carrier family 1 (neuronal/epithelial high affinity glutamate transporter) member 2 gene and c.216G>A in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene. The involvement of polymorphisms c.471T>C and c.216G>A in behavioural patterns related to activity level is similar to comparable genetic studies in other mammalian species. These results contribute to a greater understanding of the role of these genes in behaviour.

Car-driving abilities of people with tetraplegia.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between the spinal cord injury (SCI) level, age, and car-driving ability in people with tetraplegia and to explore the association between car-driving ability and social activity. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical survey. SETTING: Rehabilitation center in Japan. PATIENTS: Sixty-two subjects with traumatic complete tetraplegia. INTERVENTIONS: Driving evaluation; comprehensive driver's training (muscle strengthening, transfer training, adjustment of equipment, on-road training); and questionnaire (car-driving status, employment, participation in sports). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SCI level (Zancolli's classification), age, functional status of activities of daily living (ADLs), and driving ability were obtained from the medical records. Vocational status and engagement in sports activities were investigated by questionnaire. RESULTS: The SCI level and age strongly influenced the patients' ability to drive a car independently. The highest neurologic level in which independent driving was achievable was C6A. Toilet transfer ability almost paralleled the ability to drive a car. Eighty-four percent of the people with tetraplegia who had a defined job could drive independently and 70% of the driving-independent individuals held a job. Half of driving-independent individuals participated in some sports activities. CONCLUSIONS: Toilet transfer ability is a reliable indicator for driver's training. Driving ability is an important factor that allows individuals with tetraplegia to participate in work and sports-related activities.

Improvement of urological-management abilities in individuals with tetraplegia by reconstructive hand surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether reconstructive hand surgery could improve the ability of tetraplegic patients to perform clean intermittent self-catheterization (CIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were patients with complete traumatic tetraplegia admitted to the Nagano Rehabilitation Center between 1977 and 1996. A total of 63 subjects were included in this study with an age range of 18-73 years (mean 38.2 years). Reconstructive hand surgery was performed on 44 hands (28 cases). Current urological conditions were assessed by interview or mail questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-one per cent (22/43) of the patients with C6 level of tetraplegia and 86% (12/14) of those with C7 or C8 neurological level of injury could perform CIC independently and only one subject needed assisted CIC. CONCLUSION: CIC is the preferred option for people with tetraplegia. Reconstructive hand surgery is thus recommended to make urological management more independent for a selected group of people with tetraplegia.

Cervical spinal arachnoid cyst in a dog.

An 18-month-old, intact male Akita presented with a 12-month history of progressive ataxia, hypermetria, and loss of conscious proprioception of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Neurological examination and myelography localized a lesion at cervical vertebrae 1 and 2 consistent with an arachnoid cyst. Hemilaminectomy and cyst fenestration led to virtually full recovery.

Kinetic analysis of yeast inactivation by high pressure treatment at low temperatures.

Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by high pressure treatment from 120 to 300 MPa in the range of -20 to 50 degrees C followed pseudo first order reaction kinetics. The regression analysis of 43 inactivation rates showed that pressurization at sub-zero temperatures (-20 and -10 degrees C) enhanced the effects of pressure as pressurization at higher temperatures: i.e., pressurization at 190 MPa and -20 degrees C gave the same effect as pressurization at 320 MPa and room temperature. The results imply that high pressure treatment applied to food sterilization at lower temperatures has a greater effect with smaller pressure without destroying the original taste and flavor. Additional effects of sugars and salts on inactivation of yeast are also described.

Improvement of upper limb function with respect to urination techniques in quadriplegia.

A follow up study of urological management was carried out on 38 cervical spinal cord injury patients who were admitted to the Nagano Rehabilitation Centre Hospital and whose surgical reconstructions of their paralytic hands were performed since 1977. Self catheterisation was possible after reconstructive hand surgery in patients whose lowest functioning cord segment was C5-6. All of them had been unable to perform self catheterisation before surgery. Handling of instruments related to the act of urination was possible in two patients where the lowest functioning cord segment was C6-7 and where ileal conduit formation and reconstructive hand surgery had been performed.

The results of arthrodesis of the ankle for leprotic neuroarthropathy.

Twenty-four patients who had arthrodesis of one or both ankles for leprotic neuroarthropathy were followed for an average of nine years and five months. At operation, after the removal of cartilage, joint debris, and sclerotic bone, the ankle joint was transfixed with a Küntscher intramedullary nail, and staples or Kirschner wires were used to control rotation. Fusion of bone was obtained in nineteen (73 per cent) of the twenty-six ankles. Failure to obtain fusion was due to postoperative infection in four patients, deficiency of the site of arthrodesis in one patient, and refracture through the site of fusion in two patients. When arthrodesis was successful, additional neuroarthropathic destruction of the mid-tarsal joint was halted, and the preoperative clinical symptoms of dull pain, local warmth, swelling, and instability were relieved.

[Parascalene brachial plexus block].

The supraclavicular brachial plexus block originated by Kulenkampff is useful but accompanies the danger of injury to the lung, i.e. pneumothorax, because the needle is directed caudad. Reviewing the anatomy of the brachial plexus in cadavers, we have found that the parascalene brachial plexus block originated by Vongvises is safer than Kulenkampff's method. We modified this block as follows: (1) An assistant pulls lightly the affected upper extremity caudad. (2) A 23-gauge 35 mm needle is inserted at right angles to the clavicle and directed cephalad at an angle of 0-30 degrees. One hundred and eighty four ASA I and II patients were operated under this block. Their ages ranged from 11 to 77, and there were 31 patients whose cervical spinal cord had been injured. Our success rate was 92%. The only complication we encountered was Horner's syndrome which occurred in 20% of our cases. None of our patients showed clinical symptoms of pneumothorax, hematoma, epidural as well as subarachnoideal block, recurrent nerve paralysis or phrenic nerve paralysis.