Factors affecting cryopreservation-associated damages in sperm motility of cockerels (Gallus gallus domesticus).

1. Sperm are exposed to severe osmotic stress during cryopreservation, which results in impairment of fertilisation ability, including motility and viability, in poultry. Sperm osmotolerance is regulated by many extracellular factors and varies widely in birds, leading to uncertainty in the nature of the osmotic injury.2. Tail bending is a primary response resulting from cell swelling from excessive osmotic stress. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for tail bending is largely unknown. This study examined the relationship between osmotic stress and post-thaw motility, with a particular focus on the role of Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) in the tail bending response.3. Cryopreserved sperm exhibited rapidly reduced motility when maintained at 37°C. The combination of temperature change and osmotic stress was a primary factor responsible for tail bending. This work tested a hypothesis known to be associated with post-thaw tail abnormality in other species and found that cold shock, that is not accompanied by an apoptotic response, may occur. Ouabain inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity alleviated the tail bending response in fresh and post-thaw sperm.4. These results demonstrated that the combination of temperature change and osmotic stress has a primary impact on the reduction of post-thaw motility, with a particular role in NKA activity, in the tail bending response of chicken sperm. These results provide a foundation for establishing cryopreservation methodology to ensure the optimal fertilisation potential of cryopreserved chicken sperm.

Renin-angiotensin system and cancer: epidemiology, cell signaling, genetics and epigenetics

Day by day, the health and economical burden of cancer increases globally. Indeed it can be considered that there is ‘’cancer pandemic’’. Blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) are widely used measures to treat hypertension and heart failure. It has been recently suggested the activation and blocking of RAS has been associated with various types of cancer in epidemiological and experimental studies. Various studies have shown that RAS blockage is protective in some cancers. However, although fewer, contradictory data also showed that RAS blockage is either not related or adversely related to cancer. Although the reasons for these findings are not exactly known, different types of receptors and effectors in RAS may account for these findings. In the current review, we summarize the different RAS receptors and cancer development with regard to epidemiology, and pathogenesis including cell signaling pathways, apoptosis, genetic and epigenetic factors (AU)

Renin-angiotensin system and cancer: epidemiology, cell signaling, genetics and epigenetics.

Day by day, the health and economical burden of cancer increases globally. Indeed it can be considered that there is ''cancer pandemic''. Blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) are widely used measures to treat hypertension and heart failure. It has been recently suggested the activation and blocking of RAS has been associated with various types of cancer in epidemiological and experimental studies. Various studies have shown that RAS blockage is protective in some cancers. However, although fewer, contradictory data also showed that RAS blockage is either not related or adversely related to cancer. Although the reasons for these findings are not exactly known, different types of receptors and effectors in RAS may account for these findings. In the current review, we summarize the different RAS receptors and cancer development with regard to epidemiology, and pathogenesis including cell signaling pathways, apoptosis, genetic and epigenetic factors.

Light wine consumption is associated with a lower odd for cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease.

AIMS: To examine the association between wine consumption and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). DATA SYNTHESIS: We performed a cross-sectional logistic regression analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in participants 21 years of age or older from 2003 to 2006 in a large representative study of the U.S. POPULATION: Wine consumption was categorized as none (0 glass per day), light (<1 glass per day), or moderate (≥1 glasses per day). Prevalent CKD was defined as a urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. CVD was defined as history of CVD including angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Only 27 (0.5%) individuals reported moderate wine consumption, whereas 57.5% and 42% reported abstinence and light wine consumption, respectively. Light wine consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of CKD as opposed to abstinence in unadjusted analysis. After adjusting for demographics and CVD risk factors light wine consumption was associated with lower prevalence of CKD defined as UACR ≥30 mg/g but not with low eGFR. Furthermore, light wine consumption was associated with significantly lower rates of CVD in the general population and in subjects with CKD. The adjusted odd of CVD for those with light wine consumption was 0.72 (CI 0.52-0.99, p = 0.046) for the subjects with CKD. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that light wine consumption (compared to abstinence) is associated with lower prevalence of CKD and a lower odd of CVD in those with CKD in the U.S.

Evaluation of hydrogen absorption cells for observations of the planetary coronas.

Newly designed Lyman-alpha absorption cells for imaging hydrogen planetary corona were characterized using an ultra high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer installed on the DESIRS (Dichroïsme Et Spectroscopie par Interaction avec le Rayonnement Synchrotron) beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL in France. The early absorption cell installed in the Japanese Mars orbiter NOZOMI launched in 1998 had not been sufficiently optimized due to its short development time. The new absorption cells are equipped with the ability to change various parameters, such as filament shape, applied power, H2 gas pressure, and geometrical configuration. We found that the optical thickness of the new absorption cell was ∼4 times higher than the earlier one at the center wavelength of Lyman-alpha absorption, by optimizing the condition to promote thermal dissociation of H2 molecules into two H atoms on a hot tungsten filament. The Doppler temperature of planetary coronas could be determined with an accuracy better than 100 K with the performance of the newly developed absorption cell.

Effect of Antihypertensive Drugs on Uric Acid Metabolism in Patients with Hypertension: Cross-Sectional Cohort Study.

Background: Hypertension is a common complication in patients with gout and/or hyperuricemia. Besides, hyperuricemia is a risk factor of gout as well as ischemic heart disease in hypertensive patients. Moreover, the risk of gout is modified by antihypertensive drugs. However, it remains unclear how antihypertensive agents affect uric acid metabolism. Purpose: In the present study, we investigated the uric acid metabolism in treated hypertensive patients to find out whether any of them would influence serum levels of uric acid. Patients and methods: 751 hypertensive patients (313 men and 438 women) under antihypertensive treatment were selected. Blood pressure (BP), serum uric acid (SUA) and serum creatinine (Scr) were measured and evaluated statistically. Results: In patients treated with diuretics, beta-blockers and/or alpha-1 blockers SUA levels were significantly higher than in patients who were not taking these drugs. Besides, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients treated with diuretics, beta-blockers and/or alpha-1 blockers was negatively correlated with SUA level. There were gender differences in the effects of beta-blockers and alpha-1 blockers. Multiple regression analysis indicated that both diuretics and beta-blockers significantly contributed to hyperuricemia in patients with medication for hypertension. Conclusion: Diuretics, beta-blockers and alpha-1 blockers reduced glomerular filtration rate and raised SUA levels. Calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, including losartan, did not increase SUA levels.

Effects of Uric Acid on the NO Production of HUVECs and its Restoration by Urate Lowering Agents.

BACKGROUND: Although urate impaired the endothelial function, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. We hypothesized that urate impaired nitric oxide (NO) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via activation of uric acid transporters (UATs). PURPOSE AND METHOD: In the present study, we studied effects of urate on NO production and eNOS protein expression in HUVEC cells in the presence and absence of urate lowering agents using molecular biological and biochemical assays. RESULTS: HUVECs expressed the 4 kinds of UATs, URATv1, ABCG2, MRP4 and MCT9. Exposure to urate at 7 mg/dl for 24 h significantly reduced production of NO. Pretreatment with benzbromarone, losartan or irbesartan normalized NO production. The same exposure resulted in dephosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in HUVECs. Again pretreatment with benzbromarone, losartan or irbesartan abolished this effect. CONCLUSION: Urate reduced NO production by impaired phosphorylation of eNOS in HUVEC via activation of UATs, which could be normalized by urate lowering agents.

Sporadic isolations of a multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone during a 14-month epidemic in a general hospital in Hiroshima.

BACKGROUND: During 2005-2007, we experienced sporadic isolations of multidrug-resistant (MDRP) Pseudomonas aeruginosa from wards in a general hospital in Hiroshima. The objective of this study was to analyze epidemiology relationships and the mode of spread of the strains. METHODS: Clonality was assessed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and serotyping. MICs were determined using the microdilution broth method. Investigations of the affected patients' movements and environmental sampling from the affected wards were conducted. RESULTS: An abrupt increase in MDRP isolations began at the end of 2005 and ended in February 2007. A total of 25 MDRP strains were sporadically isolated from nine wards. Fourteen strains were genotypically and serologically identical. Analysis of the patients' movements identified that six of the 14 MDRP-positive patients became positive for MDRP when they were in the intensive care unit (ICU), and two became positive after the patients moved from the ICU to another nursing unit. Four MDRP strains were isolated from patients who did not stay in the ICU and were in ward E6, which had the second highest number of isolations. In July 2006, environmental sampling of the hospital identified a toilet brush in ward E6 that was contaminated with MDRP that was genotypically and serologically identical to the clinical isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the sporadic increase in MDRP isolates during 2005-2007 in the general hospital in Hiroshima was due to an epidemic of an MDRP clone. Continuity and spread of infection was probably due to cross infection and contamination in the hospital with the MDRP strain.

Inhibition of HIF-1alpha by the anticancer drug TAS106 enhances X-ray-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

In a previous study, we showed that a novel anticancer drug, 1-(3-C-ethynyl-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (TAS106, ECyd) increased the antitumour efficacy of X-irradiation. However, its effects on hypoxic cells in tumours remain unclarified. Here, we show that TAS106 enhances the induction of apoptosis in X-irradiated human gastric adenocarcinoma MKN45 and MKN28 cells under hypoxia in vitro. At the same time, the accumulation of HIF-1alpha observed under hypoxia was shown to be decreased to the level of normoxia in the presence of 0.1 microM TAS106. To study the function of HIF-1alpha protein in apoptosis of hypoxic cells, we employed an HIF-1alpha reductive approach using its specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. The reduction of HIF-1alpha gene expression dramatically enhanced X-ray-induced apoptosis in hypoxic cells. In in vivo experiments in which MKN45 cells were transplanted into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, TAS106 (0.5 mg kg(-1)) suppressed HIF-1alpha expression and subsequently reduced the area of the hypoxic region in the tumour and enhanced the induction of apoptosis in the hypoxic region when combined with 2 Gy of X-irradiation. These results suggest the possibility that TAS106 acts as a potent radiosensitiser through the inhibition of HIF-1alpha expression and can be a useful agent against radiotherapy-resistant hypoxic cells in solid tumours.

[Torsion of the right upper lobe due to primary lung cancer with pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy; report of a case].

A 61-year-old woman was admitted due to severe coughing. Chest X-ray revealed a mass in the right lower lung field at standing position and in the right upper lung field at supine position. A position of the mass changed with change in her posture because of lobar torsion. Bronchoscopic biopsy of the polypoid tumor obstructing the right upper bronchus revealed adenocarcinoma. She had hypertrophic osteoarthropathy simultaneously. Right pneumonectomy was performed. Postoperative course has been uneventful for 3 years.

Urodynamic study on postsurgical bladder function in cervical cancer treated with systematic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

The objective of this study was to assess the postsurgical bladder function by urodynamic study in patients with cervical cancer treated with nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. A total of 27 consecutive patients were included in the study. Of the 27 patients, autonomic nerves had been completely preserved at least on one side in 22 patients (group A), and autonomic nerves could not be successfully preserved in five patients (group B). In group A, there was no significant difference in compliance at the moment of strong desire to void, maximum flow rate, and residual urine volume between before the operation and at 12 months after the operation. However, abdominal pressure at maximum flow had significantly increased in patients of group B than of group A. Detrusor contraction pressure at maximum flow had significantly decreased in patients of group B than of group A. Bladder sensation was diminished in three cases (60%) of group B but preserved in all the patients of group A. Although it is still preliminary, our surgical technique described in this report is thought to be effective for preservation of bladder function. For further evaluation of the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy in terms of quality of life and survival of patients, a prospective randomized trial needs to be performed.

Post-irradiation hypoxic incubation of X-irradiated MOLT-4 cells reduces apoptotic cell death by changing the intracellular redox state and modulating SAPK/JNK pathways.

To elucidate radiobiological effects of hypoxia on X-ray-induced apoptosis, MOLT-4 cells were treated under four set of conditions: (1) both X irradiation and incubation under normoxia, (2) X irradiation under hypoxia and subsequent incubation under normoxia, (3) X irradiation under normoxia and subsequent incubation under hypoxia, and (4) both X irradiation and incubation under hypoxia, and the induction of apoptosis was examined by fluorescence microscopy. About 28-33% apoptosis was observed in cells treated under conditions 1 and 2, but this value was significantly reduced to around 18-20% in cells treated under conditions 3 and 4, suggesting that post-irradiation hypoxic incubation rather than hypoxic irradiation mainly caused the reduction of apoptosis. The activation and expression of apoptosis signal-related molecules SAPK/JNK, Fas and caspase-3 were also suppressed by hypoxic incubation. Effects of hypoxic incubation were canceled when cells were treated under conditions 3 and 4 with an oxygen-mimicking hypoxic cell radiosensitizer, whereas the addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine again reduced the induction of apoptosis. From these results it was concluded that hypoxia reduced the induction of apoptosis by changing the intracellular redox state, followed by the regulation of apoptotic signals in X-irradiated MOLT-4 cells.

Effects of antioxidants on X-ray- or hyperthermia-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells.

Hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and superoxide anion radicals (O2.-) are known to play cardinal roles in cell killing and various types of cell damage. In order to elucidate the mechanism of the involvement of both free radicals on apoptosis, the correlation between anti-apoptotic effects and free radical scavenging abilities of anti-oxidants was studied. As an indicator of anti-apoptotic effects, C1/2 (antioxidant concentration to inhibit DNA fragmentation by 50%) was evaluated in human lymphoma cell line U937 cells 6 hr after X-ray (10 Gy) or hyperthermia (44 degrees C, 30 min) treatment. Rate constants of the reactions between antioxidants and .OH or O2.- were calculated as the scavenging ability of the antioxidants with graded concentration estimated by EPR spectroscopy. No apparent correlation between C1/2 obtained in apoptosis induced by X-rays or hyperthermia and the rate constants of antioxidants for .OH or O2.- was observed. On the other hand, the partition coefficients in 1-octanol/water of the antioxidants, an indicator of hydrophobicity, revealed a correlation with the C1/2 of the agents with hyperthermia, but not with X-ray irradiation. These results indicate that the prevention of apoptosis by an antioxidant is not simply associated with its scavenging ability for .OH or O2.-. The hydrophobicity of the antioxidant, among other possible factors, is involved in the inhibition of hyperthermia- induced apoptosis.

No evidence for adaptation of current egg drop syndrome 1976 viruses to chickens.

In order to determine whether the current field strains of egg drop syndrome (EDS) 1976 viruses adapt to chickens, we compared the growth efficiency of three Japanese field strains (PA-1/79, AWI/98, Gifu/01) in chicken and duck embryo liver cells. The growth efficiency in chicken or duck embryo liver cells was almost similar in these strains. The fiber protein may carry the type-specific antigen and the hemagglutination activity, and hexon protein may contain the subgroup-specific antigenic determinants. Therefore, the fiber head and hexon loop 1 DNA domain sequences of the six Japanese field strains UPA-1/79, ME/80, 44/81, Kyoto/91, AWI/98, Gifu/01) were compared, but these DNA domains were identical among the six field strains. Our data suggested that the EDS virus was maintained without discernible changes for the last two decades in the field.

Characterization of JNK-like protein derived from a mosquito cell line, C6/36.

When Western blot analysis of heat-killed bacteria- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line C6/36 was performed using antiphospholyrated c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) antibodies, approximately 46 kDa protein was clearly detected with a peak around 30 min. After the C6/36 cells were incubated at 45 degrees C in order to induce apoptosis, the 46 kDa protein continued to be detected for at least 3 h. The internalization of fluorescein-labelled bacteria was inhibited by a JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125, suggesting that phagocytosis involves the JNK signalling pathway in mosquito cells. Based on these results, we found one candidate for the nucleotide sequence of JNK (Ae-JNK) from the C6/36 cells. This study is the first report regarding the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of mosquito.

Lung herniation as an anatomic consequence of pneumonectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonectomy causes an overdistention of the remaining lung as an adaptive response. Excessive lung herniation occasionally causes serious lung dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were selected from 152 patients who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer between 1990 and 1998. Complete resections were accomplished; no recurrence was observed for 3 years in these 27 patients. To evaluate the extent of herniation, the Lung Herniation Index (LHI) was developed and defined as the sum of proportions of the maximal transverse length of the remaining lung divided by the transverse length of the thoracic cavity, measured at the level of the aortic arch and the inferior pulmonary vein on chest computed tomography. Sequential changes in LHI were compared between groups. RESULTS: Changes in LHI did not differ between groups delineated on the basis of an FEV1 of 70 % (p = 0.45) and RV/TLC of 40 % (p = 0.99). Patients with a low body mass index (BMI) (< 20 kg/m(2)), however, showed a significantly greater degree of lung herniation than those with a high BMI (> or = 20 kg/m(2)) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant COPD has no effect on lung herniation. Some preventive procedure should be considered for patients with low BMI.

Ex vivo expansion of human UC blood primitive hematopoietic progenitors and transplantable stem cells using human primary BM stromal cells and human AB serum.

BACKGROUND: In vitro maintenance and expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications, and investigators have been using xenogeneic, especially murine, stromal cells for stem-cell expansion. In addition, many such culture systems utilize FCS-containing medium or serum-free medium that contains human- or animal-derived proteins. However, the possible transmission of infectious diseases has led to a debate about the safety of the delivery of grafts expanded in culture using cells and proteins of allogeneic or xenogeneic origin. Using primary human BM stromal cells, we have established an AB serum-based co-culture system to expand human primitive progenitors and transplantable stem cells. METHODS: Cord blood CD34+ cells were cultured on a monolayer of human BM-derived primary stromal cells with thrombopoietin (TPO), stem-cell factor (SCF) and flt3/flk2 ligand (FL) in the presence of either FCS or AB serum. One to three weeks later, cells were examined for total cells, CD34+ cells, CD34+ CD38- cells, and clonogenic progenitors. SCID mouse reconstituting cell (SRC) activity was also studied. RESULTS: Three weeks of culture with TPO, SCF, and FL supported more than a 250-fold expansion of CD34+ cells, CD34+ CD38- cells and CFU-C, regardless of the kind of serum used. SRC assay revealed that transplantable stem cells were moderately expanded as well. DISCUSSION: This ex vivo expansion system should prove valuable in clinical settings in which stromal cells and serum are available from recipients or stem-cell donors.

Hypoxia and etanidazole alter radiation-induced apoptosis in HL60 cells but not in MOLT-4 cells.

PURPOSE: To examine how hypoxia influences ionizing irradiation-induced apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells and how a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer sensitizes apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cell lines derived from human lymphocytes, HL60 and MOLT-4, were exposed to 15 Gy X-rays under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Etanidazole was used as a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer. The apoptotic morphological changes of nuclei and the induction of ladder-like DNA fragmentation were assessed by fluorescence microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. RESULTS: In HL60 cells, apototic cell death and the activation of caspases 8, 9 and 3 were less induced under the hypoxic conditions than under the aerobic ones. Treatment of hypoxic cells with etanidazole enhanced X-ray-induced apoptosis and caspase activation. However, in MOLT-4 cells, neither hypoxia nor etanidazole influenced X-ray-induced apoptosis and caspase activation. In both cell lines, the frequency of X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) under hypoxia was significantly smaller than that in aerobic conditions. Treatment of hypoxic cells with etanidazole enhanced them. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that X-ray-induced apoptosis in HL60 cells was initiated by DNA DSB and the treatment of hypoxic cells with etanidazole sensitized them through the enhancement of DSB induction, whereas X-ray-induced apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells occurred through damage other than to DNA.

An amebic lung abscess: report of a case.

Recently the number of amebiasis cases has increased in Japan. Pleuropulmonary amebiasis is a very rare complication of liver amebiasis. We report herein the case of a 54-year-old man presenting with an amebic lung abscess in his right lower lung. The diagnosis of lung amebiasis was established from a direct examination of the pus in which trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were detected. After the oral administration of metronidazole, the laboratory findings improved and he thus underwent a right lower lobectomy. He was discharged without any relapse of infection 20 days after a thoracotomy. We conclude that a protozoan infection should thus be suspected in the case of a pleuropulmonary infection in which several types of antibiotics prove to be ineffective.