Camptothecin induces urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene-expression in human RC-K8 malignant lymphoma and H69 small cell lung cancer cells.

We previously reported that anthracyclines, which could generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), could induce the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene expression in human RC-K8 malignant lymphoma cells and in H69 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. In screening other uPA-inducible anti-cancer agents, we found that camptothecin (CPT) and its derivative, SN38, could induce uPA in RC-K8 and H69 cells. CPT and SN38, which are also used for the treatment of lymphoma and SCLC, significantly increased the uPA accumulation in the conditioned media of both cells in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum induction of uPA mRNA levels was observed 24 h after stimulation. Pretreatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an anti-oxidant, inhibited the CPT-induced uPA mRNA expression. Thus, CPT induces uPA through gene expression, and, therefore, CPT may influence the tumor-cell biology by up-regulating the uPA/plasmin system.</p

Characteristics of Damages of Severe Local Storms Based on Field Surveys in Bangladesh

This paper presents field survey results on damage from severe local storms, such as tornadoes. Surveys were conducted in Bangladesh in August 2009 and August 2010 to clarify damage details, meteorological features, factors related to damage generation and spread, recovery problems experienced by local residents due to storm damage and storms prediction in local areas

Postazacitidine clone size predicts long-term outcome of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and related myeloid neoplasms

Azacitidine is a mainstay of therapy for MDS-related diseases. The purpose of our study is to elucidate the effect of gene mutations on hematological response and overall survival (OS), particularly focusing on their post-treatment clone size. We enrolled a total of 449 patients with MDS or related myeloid neoplasms. They were analyzed for gene mutations in pre- (n=449) and post- (n=289) treatment bone marrow samples using targeted-capture sequencing to assess the impact of gene mutations and their post-treatment clone size on treatment outcomes. In Cox proportional hazard modeling, multi-hit TP53 mutation (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.42-2.91; P<.001), EZH2 mutation (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14-2.54; P=.009), and DDX41 mutations (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.62; P<.001), together with age, high-risk karyotypes, low platelet, and high blast counts, independently predicted OS. Post-treatment clone size accounting for all drivers significantly correlated with International Working Group (IWG)-response (P<.001, trend test), except for that of DDX41-mutated clones, which did not predict IWG-response. Combined, IWG-response and post-treatment clone size further improved the prediction of the original model and even that of a recently proposed molecular prediction model, IPSS-M (c-index, 0.653 vs 0.688; P<.001, likelihood ratio test). In conclusion, evaluation of post-treatment clone size, together with pre-treatment mutational profile as well as IWG-response have a role in better prognostication of azacitidine-treated myelodysplasia patients

Precocious Metamorphosis in the Juvenile Hormone–Deficient Mutant of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Insect molting and metamorphosis are intricately governed by two hormones, ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JHs). JHs prevent precocious metamorphosis and allow the larva to undergo multiple rounds of molting until it attains the proper size for metamorphosis. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, several “moltinism” mutations have been identified that exhibit variations in the number of larval molts; however, none of them have been characterized molecularly. Here we report the identification and characterization of the gene responsible for the dimolting (mod) mutant that undergoes precocious metamorphosis with fewer larval–larval molts. We show that the mod mutation results in complete loss of JHs in the larval hemolymph and that the mutant phenotype can be rescued by topical application of a JH analog. We performed positional cloning of mod and found a null mutation in the cytochrome P450 gene CYP15C1 in the mod allele. We also demonstrated that CYP15C1 is specifically expressed in the corpus allatum, an endocrine organ that synthesizes and secretes JHs. Furthermore, a biochemical experiment showed that CYP15C1 epoxidizes farnesoic acid to JH acid in a highly stereospecific manner. Precocious metamorphosis of mod larvae was rescued when the wild-type allele of CYP15C1 was expressed in transgenic mod larvae using the GAL4/UAS system. Our data therefore reveal that CYP15C1 is the gene responsible for the mod mutation and is essential for JH biosynthesis. Remarkably, precocious larval–pupal transition in mod larvae does not occur in the first or second instar, suggesting that authentic epoxidized JHs are not essential in very young larvae of B. mori. Our identification of a JH–deficient mutant in this model insect will lead to a greater understanding of the molecular basis of the hormonal control of development and metamorphosis

Implications of TP53 allelic state for genome stability, clinical presentation and outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes

Tumor protein p53 (TP53) is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer1,2. In patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), TP53 mutations are associated with high-risk disease3,4, rapid transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML)5, resistance to conventional therapies6–8 and dismal outcomes9. Consistent with the tumor-suppressive role of TP53, patients harbor both mono- and biallelic mutations10. However, the biological and clinical implications of TP53 allelic state have not been fully investigated in MDS or any other cancer type. We analyzed 3,324 patients with MDS for TP53 mutations and allelic imbalances and delineated two subsets of patients with distinct phenotypes and outcomes. One-third of TP53-mutated patients had monoallelic mutations whereas two-thirds had multiple hits (multi-hit) consistent with biallelic targeting. Established associations with complex karyotype, few co-occurring mutations, high-risk presentation and poor outcomes were specific to multi-hit patients only. TP53 multi-hit state predicted risk of death and leukemic transformation independently of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R)11. Surprisingly, monoallelic patients did not differ from TP53 wild-type patients in outcomes and response to therapy. This study shows that consideration of TP53 allelic state is critical for diagnostic and prognostic precision in MDS as well as in future correlative studies of treatment response

Seasonal variation in isotopic composition and the origin of precipitation over Bangladesh

Abstract Water isotopic composition (δ18O and δD) in terrestrial proxies of past precipitation enable us to better understand and interpret variation in the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). Previous studies have suggested that the origin of precipitation is an important factor controlling the isotopic composition of precipitation around the Indian subcontinent; however, it is difficult to quantify using the Lagrangian approach because the approach does not satisfy the assumption of an adiabatic process over a convective area. We investigated the isotopic composition of precipitation at three sites over Bangladesh in 2010 and estimated the origins of precipitation by the Eulerian approach using an isotope-incorporating Atmospheric General Circulation Model. Our observations showed similar seasonal and intraseasonal variations in the δ18O values of precipitation among the sites, whereas the temporal characteristics of the precipitation amount differed among the sites. The isotopic composition was linked to the migration of organized convective activity around the region. The model showed that the pre-monsoon season (from mid-March to early June) was characterized by high δ18O values of precipitation originating from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. In the ISM season (from mid-June to early October), the contribution of these sources to precipitation gradually decreased, while the contribution from the Indian Ocean increased, resulting in decreasing δ18O values of precipitation due to the enhanced rainout process during the transportation. These moisture contributed less to precipitation over Bangladesh in the post-monsoon season (from mid-October to November), whereas moisture originating from the Pacific Ocean and land surface (i.e., recycling of water) contributed to precipitation in the season. Because the recycling of water originated from past precipitation with low δ18O values in the ISM season, its contribution to precipitation reduced the δ18O values of precipitation in the ISM and post-monsoon seasons. These results suggest that the origins of precipitation and the migration of organized convective activity are the dominant factors controlling the isotopic composition of precipitation in the region. These characteristics can be used to identify monsoon onset and withdrawal based on water isotopic composition

Pharmacokinetics of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin in disseminated intravascular coagulation patients with acute renal dysfunction

Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (ART-123) is a novel anticoagulant for patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is widely used in clinical settings throughout Japan. Furthermore, a global Phase 3 study is currently being conducted. In healthy subjects, ART-123 is excreted mainly via the kidneys. Therefore, ART-123 dose decrease was recommended in DIC patients with severe renal dysfunction. However, the pharmacokinetics of ART-123 in DIC patients with severe acute renal dysfunction has not been elucidated. In an open-label, multicentre, prospective, clinical pharmacological study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of ART-123 upon repeated administration to DIC patients. ART-123 was administered to patients at a dose of 130 or 380 U/kg/day for six consecutive days. Plasma concentrations of ART-123 were measured at 21 time points until eight days after the final administration. Urinary ex-cretion rates during the first 24 hours (h) were calculated. Patient renal functions were evaluated by measuring 24-h creatinine clearance (Ccr). Forty-three patients were enrolled in the present study. The urinary excretion rates of ART-123 correlated closely with 24-h Ccr. Total body clearance of ART-123 was also weakly related with 24-h Ccr. However, the plasma concentrations of ART-123 were not considerably different among patients with different renal function. Two patients had subcutaneous haemorrhage as an adverse event related to ART-123. In conclusion, plasma concentrations of ART-123 may not be different among patients with different renal functions. ART-123 was well tolerated in these patients

Doping effect of Dy on leakage current and oxygen sensing property of SrTiO3 thin film prepared by PLD

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