Somaclonal Variation in Plants Regenerated from Callus and Protoplasts of Taro cv. 'Yatsugashira'

Characters of plants regenerated from callus and protoplasts of taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott cv. Yatsugashira) were studied. Many green compact cell masses (calloid) and small number of yellow friable calli were formed by culturing segments of etiolated stem on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 30 g･liter-1 sucrose, 1 mg･liter-1 2,4-D and 2ip. Friable calli were proliferated by subculturing on the same fresh medium, and then they were suspension-cultured in a liquid medium. Protoplasts were isolated from these suspension cells. Shoots were regenerated from calloids, friable calli and protoplast derived-calli by transferring them to MS medium supplemented with 30 g･liter-1 sucrose, 0~2 mg ･liter-1 NAA and 2 mg･liter-1 BA or 2 ip. These shoots formed roots after being transferred to basal MS media. Plantlets were acclimatized and grown in the field. Original 'Yatsugashira' formed many shoots from the main corm, whereas 2 of 4 plants regenerated from calloid formed a single shoot from the main corm. Plants regenerated from friable calli were dwarf type and grew slowly. plants regenerated from both friable calli and protoplasts formed larger number of shoots than original 'Yatsugashira'.サトイモの品種'八頭'供試、カルスおよびプロトプラストから再生した植物の形成を調査した。無菌植物を暗黒下で培養した伸長させた黄化茎の切片を、30g･liter-1ショ糖、1mg･liter-1 2,4-D+ 1mg･liter-1 2ipおよび2g･liter-1ジェランガムを添加したMS培地で培養し、カルスを誘導した。黄化茎切片から形成した組織は、ほとんどが緑色の塊状であったが、一部黄白色の柔らかいカルスも形成された。この黄白色の柔らかいカルスを同組成の培地で継代培養して増殖させた。このカルスを振とう培養として懸濁細胞を形成し、それから、プロトプラストを単離した。緑色塊状組織、カルスおよびプロトプラストを、種々の濃度のNAAとBAを添加した培地で培養し、植物体の再生させた。'八頭'は、親芋から多くの菌条が伸長する性質を持っているが、緑色塊状組織から再生した植物4個体のうち2個体は、親芋から1本しか苗条が伸長しなかった。カルス由来の再生植物や、カルスから単離したプロトプラスト由来の再生植物は、元の'八頭'植物に比べて草丈が著しく低く、苗条数、葉数が多かった

Risk of Gynecologic Cancer as Second versus First Primary Cancer in Japan

This study aimed to determine whether the risk conferred by gynecologic cancer (GC) as second primary cancer (SPC) differs from that associated with GC as first primary cancer (FPC). We investigated the correlations between FPC/SPC and the characteristics and prognoses of 1,645 GC patients (701 with cervical cancer [CC], 641 with endometrial cancer [EM], and 303 with ovarian cancer [OV]). The χ2 test and the Kaplan–Meier method were used to determine whether FPC/SPC and the characteristics and prognoses of GC patients. Of the SPC patients, 26 (3.7%) had CC, 53 (8.3%) had EM, and 31 (10.2%) had OV. The most common previous cancer type in SPC of GC patients was breast cancer, which was observed in 13 patients (50.0%) with CC, 23 (43.4%) with EM, and 16 (51.6%) with OV. In all patients with CC, EM, and OV as SPC, the stage was significantly associated with recurrence. There were no significant differences in the morbidity or mortality of CC, EM, or OV patients between those with FPC and those with SPC. The risk of SPC development in GC patients varied, ranging from 3.5% (CC) to 10.3% (OV) of patients

The presence of chronic diseases contributes to the occurrence risk factors for gynecological cancers in Japan

The aim of the present study was to determine whether chronic diseases (CD), such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, are occurrence risk factors and affect the survival of patients with gynecological cancers (GC). The correlations between CD and the characteristics and survival of 1,590 GC patients [685 with cervical cancer (CC), 613 with endometrial cancer (EM) and 292 with ovarian cancer (OV)] were investigated in the present study. Of the CD patients, 189 had CC (27.6%), 265 had EM (43.2%) and 72 had OV (24.7%). The incidence of CD increased with age in GC patients. The number of CD patients aged ≥70 years, was 8.6‑fold higher in the CC group, 3.0‑fold higher in the EM group, and 9.6‑fold higher in the OV group compared with those aged 24% of the occurrence risk factors in GC patients in Japan

Suppression of Propionibacterium acnes

Purpose. Macrophages serve as sweepers of microbes and inflammation-derived wastes and regulators of inflammation. Some traditional Japanese medicines are reported to have adjuvant effects by modifying macrophages. Our aim was to characterize the actions of jumihaidokuto (JHT) for treatment of skin inflammations including acne vulgaris, in which Propionibacterium acnes has pathogenic roles. Methods. Dermatitis was induced in rat ears by intradermal injection of P. acnes. JHT or prednisolone (PDN) was given orally, and ear thickness and histology were evaluated. The effects of constituents and metabolites of JHT on monocytes were tested by cell-based assays using the human monocytic THP-1 cell. Results. JHT and PDN suppressed the ear thickness induced by P. acnes injection. Histological examinations revealed that JHT, but not PDN, promoted macrophage accumulation at 24 h after the injection. PDN suppressed the macrophage chemokine MCP-1 in the inflamed ears, while JHT did not affect it. The JHT constituents liquiritigenin and isoliquiritin increased expression of CD86 (type-1 macrophage marker) and CD192 (MCP-1 receptor) and enhanced phagocytosis by THP-1. Conclusions. JHT suppressed dermatitis, probably by enhancing type-1 macrophage functions, with an action different from PDN. JHT may be a beneficial drug in treatment of skin inflammation induced by P. acnes

Cholestasis induces reversible accumulation of periplakin in mouse liver

Abstract Background Periplakin (PPL) is a rod-shaped cytolinker protein thought to connect cellular adhesion junctional complexes to cytoskeletal filaments. PPL serves as a structural component of the cornified envelope in the skin and interacts with various types of proteins in cultured cells; its level decreases dramatically during tumorigenic progression in human epithelial tissues. Despite these intriguing observations, the physiological roles of PPL, especially in non-cutaneous tissues, are still largely unknown. Because we observed a marked fluctuation of PPL expression in mouse liver in association with the bile acid receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and cholestasis, we sought to characterize the role of PPL in the liver and determine its contributions to the etiology and pathogenesis of cholestasis. Methods Time- and context-dependent expression of PPL in various mouse models of hepatic and renal disorders were examined by immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. Results The hepatic expression of PPL was significantly decreased in Fxr −/− mice. In contrast, the expression was dramatically increased during cholestasis, with massive PPL accumulation observed at the boundaries of hepatocytes in wild-type mice. Interestingly, the hepatic accumulation of PPL resulting from cholestasis was reversible. In addition, similar accumulation of PPL at cellular boundaries was found in epithelial cells around renal tubules upon ureteral obstruction. Conclusions PPL may be involved in the temporal accommodation to fluid stasis in different tissues. Further examination of the roles for PPL may lead to the discovery of a novel mechanism for cellular protection by cytolinkers that is applicable to many tissues and in many contexts.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112610/1/12876_2013_Article_974.pd

Qualitative investigation of the factors that generate ambivalent feelings in women who give birth after receiving negative results from non-invasive prenatal testing

Background: Women who receive negative results from non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) may find that they later have mixed or ambivalent feelings, for example, feelings of accepting NIPT and regretting undergoing the test. This study aimed to investigate the factors generating ambivalent feelings among women who gave birth after having received negative results from NIPT. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to women who received a negative NIPT result, and a contents analysis was conducted focusing on ambivalent expressions for those 1562 women who responded the questionnaire. The qualitative data gathered from the questionnaire were analyzed using the N-Vivo software package. Results: Environmental factors, genetic counseling-related factors, and increased anticipatory anxiety, affected the feeling of ambivalence among pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnant women desired more information regarding the detailed prognosis for individuals with Down syndrome and living with them and/or termination, assuming the possibility that they were positive. Conclusions: Three major interrelated factors affected the feeling of ambivalence in women. Highlighting and discussing such factors during genetic counseling may resolve some of these ambivalences, thereby enhancing the quality of decisions made by pregnant women

Impact on cell to plasma ratio of miR-92a in patients with acute leukemia: in vivo assessment of cell to plasma ratio of miR-92a

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plasma microRNA (miRNA) has become a promising biomarker for detecting cancer; however, it remains uncertain whether miRNA expression levels in plasma reflect those in tumor cells. Our aim was to determine the biological relevance of miR-92a, which has been implicated as an oncomiR in both plasma and leukemia cells in patients with acute leukemia and to evaluate whether it could be a novel biomarker for monitoring these patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We quantified the expression level of miR-92a in both cells and plasma by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 91 patients with acute leukemia. We also determined miR-92a expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from normal controls. We compared miR-92a expression in plasma with its expression in leukemia cells. Synthetic anti-miR-92a inhibitor was transfected into Raji and OM9;22 cells, and apoptosis was assessed. For in vivo assessment, 6-week-old female nude mice were injected with U937 cells, and miR-92a expression in plasma and tumors was measured. The level of miR-92a expression in fresh leukemia cells was highly variable compared with PBMNC, but significantly lower compared with CD34-positive cells obtained from healthy volunteers. We also noticed that miR-92a was preferentially expressed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells in comparison with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. More specifically, cellular miR-92a expression was significantly increased in a subset of ALL cells, and ALL patients with overexpressed miR-92a had poor prognoses. The anti-miR-92a inhibitor-treated Raji and OM9;22 cells revealed an increase of apoptotic cells. Notably, the cell to plasma ratio of miR-92a expression was significantly higher in both AML and ALL cells compared with PBMNC from healthy volunteers. In tumor-bearing mice, the plasma miR-92a level was significantly decreased in accordance with tumor growth, while tumor tissue was strongly positive for miR-92a.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The miR-92a expression in leukemia cells could be a prognostic factor in ALL patients. The inverse correlation of miR-92a expression between cells and plasma and the cell to plasma ratio may be important to understanding the clinical and biological relevance of miR-92a in acute leukemia.</p

Down-Regulation of miR-92 in Human Plasma Is a Novel Marker for Acute Leukemia Patients

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are a family of 19- to 25-nucleotides noncoding small RNAs that primarily function as gene regulators. Aberrant microRNA expression has been described for several human malignancies, and this new class of small regulatory RNAs has both oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions. Despite this knowledge, there is little information regarding microRNAs in plasma especially because microRNAs in plasma, if exist, were thought to be digested by RNase. Recent studies, however, have revealed that microRNAs exist and escape digestion in plasma. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed microRNA microaray to obtain insight into microRNA deregulation in the plasma of a leukemia patient. We have revealed that microRNA-638 (miR-638) is stably present in human plasmas, and microRNA-92a (miR-92a) dramatically decreased in the plasmas of acute leukemia patients. Especially, the ratio of miR-92a/miR-638 in plasma was very useful for distinguishing leukemia patients from healthy body. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The ratio of miR-92a/miR-638 in plasma has strong potential for clinical application as a novel biomarker for detection of leukemia

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 2018

While primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to improve the mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction even in cardiogenic shock, primary PCI is a standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. Whereas there are high numbers of available facilities providing primary PCI in Japan, there are no clear guidelines focusing on procedural aspect of the standardized care. Whilst updated guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction were recently published by European Society of Cardiology, the following major changes are indicated; (1) radial access and drug-eluting stent over bare metal stent were recommended as Class I indication, and (2) complete revascularization before hospital discharge (either immediate or staged) is now considered as Class IIa recommendation. Although the primary PCI is consistently recommended in recent and previous guidelines, the device lag from Europe, the frequent usage of coronary imaging modalities in Japan, and the difference in available medical therapy or mechanical support may prevent direct application of European guidelines to Japanese population. The Task Force on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) has now proposed the expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction focusing on procedural aspect of primary PCI

Second nationwide surveillance of bacterial pathogens in patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis conducted by Japanese Surveillance Committee from 2015 to 2016: antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus

The Japanese Surveillance Committee conducted a second nationwide surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of uropathogens responsible for acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) in premenopausal patients aged 16–40 years old at 31 hospitals throughout Japan from March 2015 to February 2016. In this study, the susceptibility of causative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus) for various antimicrobial agents was investigated by isolation and culturing of organisms obtained from urine samples. In total, 324 strains were isolated from 361 patients, including E. coli (n = 220, 67.9%), S. saprophyticus (n = 36, 11.1%), and K. pneumoniae (n = 7, 2.2%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 20 antibacterial agents for these strains were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) manual. At least 93% of the E. coli isolates showed susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, whereas 100% of the S. saprophyticus isolates showed susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The proportions of fluoroquinolone-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli strains were 6.4% (13/220) and 4.1% (9/220), respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility of K. pneumoniae was retained during the surveillance period, while no multidrug-resistant strains were identified. In summary, antimicrobial susceptibility results of our second nationwide surveillance did not differ significantly from those of the first surveillance. Especially the numbers of fluoroquinolone-resistant and ESBL-producing E. coli strains were not increased in premenopausal patients with AUC in Japan