Transcriptional repression and DNA hypermethylation of a small set of ES cell marker genes in male germline stem cells

BACKGROUND: We previously identified a set of genes called ECATs (ES cell-associated transcripts) that are expressed at high levels in mouse ES cells. Here, we examine the expression and DNA methylation of ECATs in somatic cells and germ cells. RESULTS: In all ECATs examined, the promoter region had low methylation levels in ES cells, but higher levels in somatic cells. In contrast, in spite of their lack of pluripotency, male germline stem (GS) cells expressed most ECATs and exhibited hypomethylation of ECAT promoter regions. We observed a similar hypomethylation of ECAT loci in adult testis and isolated sperm. Some ECATs were even less methylated in male germ cells than in ES cells. However, a few ECATs were not expressed in GS cells, and most of them targets of Oct3/4 and Sox2. The Octamer/Sox regulatory elements were hypermethylated in these genes. In addition, we found that GS cells express little Sox2 protein and low Oct3/4 protein despite abundant expression of their transcripts. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DNA hypermethylation and transcriptional repression of a small set of ECATs, together with post-transcriptional repression of Oct3/4 and Sox2, contribute to the loss of pluripotency in male germ cells

Endoscopic therapy using an endoscopic variceal ligation for minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction complicated with esophageal varices: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Standard endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection is a procedure for patients with minute cancers, complicated with esophageal varices that puts them at high risk of bleeding.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 77-year-old Japanese man with alcoholic cirrhosis who underwent a routine endoscopy examination as a screening procedure for esophageal varices and was incidentally diagnosed as having minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction with esophageal varices. Endoscopic ultrasonography findings suggested that the minute cancer was a non-invasive carcinoma (carcinoma <it>in situ</it>) and a 2 mm in diameter blood vessel, feeding the esophageal varices, pierced the lesion. Following the examination, we carried out endoscopic treatment of the minute cancer and esophageal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation was performed using a pneumo-activated device (Sumitomo Bakelite, Tokyo, Japan). Two years after the treatment, during the follow-up endoscopic examination on the patient, recurrence of carcinoma was not detected endoscopically or histologically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Endoscopic therapy using an endoscopic variceal ligation device for minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction, complicated with esophageal varices, may be an acceptable and easily applicable method.</p

Muscle mass, quality, and strength; physical function and activity; and metabolic status in cachectic patients with head and neck cancer

Background & aims: Cancer cachexia is commonly associated with poor prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, its pathophysiology and treatment are not well established. The current study aimed to assess the muscle mass/quality/strength, physical function and activity, resting energy expenditure (REE), and respiratory quotient (RQ) in cachectic patients with HNC. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study analyzed 64 patients with HNC. Body composition was measured via direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and muscle quality was assessed using echo intensity on ultrasonography images. Muscle strength was investigated utilizing handgrip strength and isometric knee extension force (IKEF). Physical function was evaluated using the 10-mwalking speed test and the five times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test. Physical activity was examined using a wearable triaxial accelerometer. REE and RQ were measured via indirect calorimetry. These parameters were compared between the cachectic and noncachectic groups. Results: In total, 23 (36%) patients were diagnosed with cachexia. The cachectic group had a significantly lower muscle mass than the noncachectic group. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in terms of fat between the two groups. The cachectic group had a higher quadriceps echo intensity and a lower handgrip strength and IKEF than the noncachectic group. Moreover, they had a significantly slower normal and maximum walking speed and 5 STS speed. The number of steps, total activity time, and time of activity (<3 Mets) did not significantly differ between the two groups. The cachectic group had a shorter time of activity (≥3 Mets) than the noncachectic group. Furthermore, the cachectic group had a significantly higher REE/body weight and REE/fat free mass and a significantly lower RQ than the noncachectic group. Conclusions: The cachectic group had a lower muscle mass/quality/strength and physical function and activity and a higher REE than the noncachectic group. Thus, REE and physical activity should be evaluated to determine energy requirements. The RQ was lower in the cachectic group than that in the noncachectic group, indicating changes in energy substrate. Further studies must be conducted to examine effective nutritional and exercise interventions for patients with cancer cachexia

アスコルビン酸ステアリン酸エステルを投与したマウスにおける鉛毒性の軽減

We aimed to evaluate roles of hepatic ascorbic acid in ddY strain mice after a single injection of lead acetate (100μmol/kg body weight, i.p.). Lead decreased glutathione content, inhibited glutathione S-transferase activity, and increased calcium content in the liver four days after the injection. These lead-induced alterations were significantly antagonized by the treatment of mice with a diet containing 1(w/w) % ascorbyl stearate ester (ASE) for three days before and four days after lead injection, whereas ascorbate content was largely elevated in the livers of animals treated with both lead and ASE. Furthermore, the production of NADPH was enhanced by not only lead injection but also ASE-feeding. These results suggest that ASE-feeding could ameliorate cell damage through the restoration of intracellular redox states

Thymic Alterations in GM2 Gangliosidoses Model Mice

BACKGROUND: Sandhoff disease is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the absence of β-hexosaminidase and storage of GM2 ganglioside and related glycolipids. We have previously found that the progressive neurologic disease induced in Hexb(-/-) mice, an animal model for Sandhoff disease, is associated with the production of pathogenic anti-glycolipid autoantibodies. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In our current study, we report on the alterations in the thymus during the development of mild to severe progressive neurologic disease. The thymus from Hexb(-/-) mice of greater than 15 weeks of age showed a marked decrease in the percentage of immature CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cells and a significantly increased number of CD4(+)/CD8(-) T cells. During involution, the levels of both apoptotic thymic cells and IgG deposits to T cells were found to have increased, whilst swollen macrophages were prominently observed, particularly in the cortex. We employed cDNA microarray analysis to monitor gene expression during the involution process and found that genes associated with the immune responses were upregulated, particularly those expressed in macrophages. CXCL13 was one of these upregulated genes and is expressed specifically in the thymus. B1 cells were also found to have increased in the thy mus. It is significant that these alterations in the thymus were reduced in FcRγ additionally disrupted Hexb(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that the FcRγ chain may render the usually poorly immunogenic thymus into an organ prone to autoimmune responses, including the chemotaxis of B1 cells toward CXCL13

CTが診断契機となったディスジャーミノーマIA期の再発症例

　ディスジャーミノーマの術後経過観察において、腫瘍マーカーや内診による身体診察が推奨される一方、CT検査での全身検索については一定の見解が得られていない。今回、ディスジャーミノーマIA期術後に、CTが診断契機となったディスジャーミノーマIA期の傍大動脈リンパ節への単独再発症例を経験したので報告する。　症例は17歳、未妊。下腹部痛を主訴に来院した。MRIで臍高に達する右卵巣の充実性腫瘍を認めた。血液検査にてLDH、ALP、CA125、β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)は高値を示したが、α-fetoprotein(AFP)は正常値であった。ディスジャーミノーマを疑い、右付属器切除および大網切除を施行した。術前のCTおよび腹腔内検索でリンパ節腫大や播種性病変を認めなかったため、リンパ節生検は省略した。術後病理でディスジャーミノーマIA期と診断され、術後化学療法は行わず、1ヵ月間隔で経過観察した。術後いずれの腫瘍マーカーも陰性化し、身体診察でも異常を認めず経過したが、術後6ヵ月で虫垂炎を発症。その際に撮影されたCTで、偶発的に傍大動脈リンパ節腫大を認めた。腹腔鏡下傍大動脈リンパ節摘出および虫垂切除術を施行し、ディスジャーミノーマの傍大動脈リンパ節への遠隔再発と診断された。術後BEP療法を3コース行い、現在再発なく経過している。　リンパ節郭清および術後補助化学療法が省略されたディスジャーミノーマIA期は再発のリスクが高いことを認識し、CT検査を含む厳重な経過観察が必要であることが示唆された。(著者抄録

看護基礎教育に関わる教員および実習指導者の意識

本研究の目的は、看護基礎教育において協働する大学と実習施設の双方向からの実習指導を通した看護教育への意識を調査し、臨地実習での学生をどのように捉え、どのように教育を行っているのかを明らかにすることである。調査対象はA大学看護学部専任教員およびA大学の実習の一部を受け入れている実習施設であるB病院にて学生の実習指導を担当している看護師とし、自作の自記式アンケート調査を実施した。調査内容は、どのような看護師になってほしいと思って教育しているか、指導の中で意識していることなどである。10名の教員および52名の看護師から回答を得た。その内容を質的帰納的方法で分析した結果、教育の方向性に大きな違いはなく、それぞれに学生の様子および特徴を捉え、教育において学生を尊重している様子が伺えた

Lymphatic dysfunction after ligation surgery for varicose vein

Objective: Although the lymphatic complications such as lymphocele sometimes occur after surgery for varicose veins, the lymphatic function of such patients has not been evaluated. In this case report, we present a case of lymphocele after ligation surgery for varicose vein. We also detected subclinical dysfunction in lower limb using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. Case report: A 76 year- old female underwent ligation surgery for right lower leg varicose vein, and she noticed the squashy lesion in the medial side of the right knee. Three years later, she consulted our clinic and we performed ICG lymphography. We observed dermal backflow around the mass, which indicated lymphatic dysfunction. After injecting additional ICG around the knee, we punctured and drained the clear, yellow fluid from the mass and it was contrasted with ICG during the examination and the involvement of the lymphatic system was proven