MicroRNAs and their therapeutic potential for human diseases: microRNAs, miR-143 and -145, function as anti-oncomirs and the application of chemically modified miR-143 as an anti-cancer drug

We examined the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) in colorectal tumors (63 cancer specimens and 65 adenoma specimens) compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Decreased expression of miR-143 and -145 was frequently observed in the adenoma and cancer samples. As the down-regulation of miR-143 and -145 was observed even in the early phase of adenoma formation, their decreased expression would appear to contribute mainly to the initiation of tumorigenesis. For clinical application, we added aromatic benzene-pyridine (BP-type) analogs to the 3'-overhang region of the RNA-strand and changed the sequences of the passenger strand in the miR-143 duplex (miR-143BPs), leading to greater activity and increased resistance to nuclease. The cell growth inhibitory effect of the chemically modified miR-143BPx in vitro was greater than that of the endogenous miR-143. The modified miR-143BPx showed a significant tumor-suppressive effect on xenografted tumors of human colorectal cancer DLD-1 cells. These findings suggest that miR-143 and -145 are important onco-related genes for the initiation of colorectal tumor development and that chemically modified miR-143BPx may be a candidate for an RNA medicine for the treatment of colorectal tumors.     

Exposure to phthalate esters from indoor environment

Phthalate esters and phosphate esters in samples of indoor air from 27 houses in the Tokyo Metropolitan area were quantified using gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph/flame photometric detector after adsorption on to charcoal and solvent extraction. The median concentrations of diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate were 0.10, 0.39, 0.01, 0.07 and 0.11 microg/m(3), respectively. The median concentrations of tributyl phosphate, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, triphenyl phosphate and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate were less than 0.001 microg/m(3). DBP was detected at the highest concentration (6.18 microg/m(3)) in a new residential housing. This research indicated that exposure to phthalate esters through inhalation of air from the indoor environment is as important as dietary intake of phthalate esters, and can contribute to daily intake to a much greater extent than has been assumed hitherto.     

Utility of immunostaining for S-100 protein subunits in gonadal sex cord-stromal tumors, with emphasis on the large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor of the testis

This study concerns the immunohistochemical localization of S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and whole brain S-100 (wbS-100) in testicular large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor (LCCSCT). We examined 8 LCCSCTs (7 benign and 1 malignant), 6 Sertoli cell tumors not otherwise specified (SCTs-NOS), 6 Leydig cell tumors (LCTs), 5 ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs), and 7 gonadoblastomas (GBLs). The 8 LCCSCTs showed immunoreactivity for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. Five of the 6 LCTs and the Leydig cell components in the ovarian SLCTs stained positively for S-100 alpha and wbS-100 but were negative for S-100 beta. SCTs-NOS and the Sertoli cell components in the SLCTs occasionally showed focal and weak/moderate positivity for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. Sex cord cells of the GBLs were positive for S-100 beta and wbS-100 and negative for S-100 alpha. Germ cell elements of the GBLs were negative for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. In nonneoplastic testicular parenchyma adjacent to the above-mentioned tumors, there was S-100 alpha reactivity in Leydig cells, rete testis, and a few Sertoli cells. S-100 beta reactivity was seen in a few Sertoli cells, Schwann cells, and some endothelial cells. WbS-100 reactivity was present in Leydig cells, a few Sertoli cells, rete testis, Schwann cells, and some endothelial cells. The results indicate that S-100 alpha and S-100 beta can potentially be used as immunohistochemical markers for LCCSCT, especially when differentiating it from LCT, which may mimic LCCSCT on routine histopathology. Although the biological significance of both S-100 subunits expression in LCCSCT remains unknown, these notable calcium-binding proteins may be associated with the characteristic calcification in LCCSCT through regulation of calcium levels in the tumor cells.     

Novel organosilicon-containing polymers for an oxygen permselective membrane

Synthesis and gas permeation measurements of several types of polymers from methylstyrene derivatives containing mono-and bis(trialkylsilyl) group(s) were carried out. Upon radical homo-and co-polymerization of silicon-containing monomers high-molecular-weight polymers were obtained. Results from gas permeation measurements showed that these types of silicon-containing polymers exhibit fairly high oxygen permselectivity (ratio of oxygen and nitrogen permeation coefficients P/P = 3,1 ? 4,6), keeping the oxygen permeation coefficients (P) in the range of between 1,4 · 10^?9 and 4,5·10^?9 cm³ (STP) · cm · cm^?2 · s^?1 · cmHg^?1. From time lag measurements, it was found that permeation coefficients are dependent on the solubility of gases in the membranes rather than on diffusivity. Actually, the oxygen solubility coefficients increase with increasing silicon content in the polymers. Permselectivity of oxygen against nitrogen is governed by polymer constitution rather than by silicon content.     

Clinical features of asthmatic patients with increased urinary leukotriene E4 excretion (hyperleukotrienuria): Involvement of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND: The urinary leukotriene E4 (U-LTE4) concentration is significantly increased in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). However, the relationship between the clinicopathogenetic factors of asthma and the U-LTE4 concentration remains undetermined. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the clinical features of asthmatic patients with increased excretion levels of U-LTE4 (hyperleukotrienuria). METHODS: We measured the U-LTE4 concentrations in 137 asthmatic patients (including 64 patients with AIA) who were in clinically stable condition. A U-LTE4 concentration of 150 pg/mg creatinine or greater (mean U-LTE4 + 3 SDs of normal healthy control subjects) was indicative of hyperleukotrienuria. RESULTS: The basal concentration of U-LTE4 was significantly higher in the patients with AIA than in those with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA; median, 227.2 vs 90.3 pg/mg creatinine; P <.01). Compared with normal leukotrienuria in the patients with AIA, hyperleukotrienuria in the patients with AIA was associated with older age and decrease in pulmonary function. On the other hand, compared with normal leukotrienuria in the patients with ATA, hyperleukotrienuria in the patients with ATA was associated with severe asthma and chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CHRS/NP), which are well-known symptoms of the aspirin triad, as well as hypereosinophilia and anosmia. The patients with ATA with CHRS/NP excreted U-LTE4 at significantly high concentrations. There were significant decreases in the U-LTE4 concentrations before and after the sinus surgery in both the AIA and ATA groups (P <.05). CONCLUSION: Cysteinyl leukotrienes are not strictly associated with aspirin intolerance itself but rather with clinical features, such as CHRS/NP, that are similar to those seen in AIA. CHRS/NP might be involved in cysteinyl leukotriene overproduction in asthmatic patients.     

Mutational analyses of Plasmodium falciparum and human S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolases

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase is a prospective target for developing new anti-malarial drugs. Inhibition of the hydrolase results in an anti-cellular effect due to the suppression of adenosylmethionine-dependent transmethylations. Based on the crystal structure of Plasmodium falciparum S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase which we have determined recently, we performed mutational analyses on P. falciparum and human enzymes. Cys59 and Ala84 of the parasite enzyme, and the equivalent residues on the human enzyme, Thr60 and Gln85, were examined. Mutations of Cys59 and Thr60 caused dramatic impact on inhibition by 2-fluoronoraristeromycin without significant effect both on its kinetic parameters and on inhibition constant against noraristeromycin. In addition, the impact was independent from the electronegativity of the side chain of the substituting residue. These results showed that steric hindrance between a functional group at the 2-position of an adenine nucleoside inhibitor and Thr60 of the human enzyme, not an electrostatic effect, contributed to inhibitor selectivity.     

Squamous differentiation and prognosis in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Squamous differentiation is the most common histological variation in urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, the clinical significance of squamous differentiation in upper urinary tract UC is unclear. To investigate the significance of squamous differentiation, hematoxylin and eosin stained slides from 140 patients with upper urinary tract UC who underwent nephroureterectomy were reviewed by a single pathologist and the presence of squamous differentiation was recorded. Squamous differentiation was observed in 23 out of 140 studied cases (16%). Squamous differentiation significantly correlated with several adverse prognostic factors including histological grade 3 tumors, presence of lymphovascular invasion, concomitant carcinoma in situ, advanced tumor stage, and occurrence of lymph node metastasis. The Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the presence of squamous differentiation was significantly associated with shorter metastasis-free survival [log-rank P = 0.030; univariate hazard ratio (HR), 2.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-4.99], cancer-specific survival (log-rank P = 0.0024; univariate HR 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.85), and overall survival (log-rank P = 0.018; univariate HR 2.39; 95% CI, 1.13-5.06) after nephroureterectomy. However, in multivariate analyses, squamous differentiation was not significantly associated with patient outcomes. These findings suggest that squamous differentiation is associated with disease progression, but is not an independent predictor of a worse prognosis in patients with upper urinary tract UC.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Grading System for Preoperative Diagnosis of Leiomyomas and Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors

Study Objective

To evaluate a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading system for preoperative differentiation between benign and variant-type uterine leiomyomas including smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs).

Neoplastic lesions in CADASIL syndrome: report of an autopsied Japanese case

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of the most common heritable causes of stroke and dementia in adults. The gene involved in the pathogenesis of CADASIL is Notch3; in which mutations affect the number of cysteine residues in its extracellular domain, causing its accumulation in small arteries and arterioles of the affected individuals. Besides the usual neurological and vascular findings that have been well-documented in CADASIL patients, this paper additionally reports multiple neoplastic lesions that were observed in an autopsy case of CADASIL patient; that could be related to Notch3 mutation. The patient was a 62 years old male, presented with a past history of neurological manifestations, including gait disturbance and frequent convulsive attacks. He was diagnosed as CADASIL syndrome with Notch3 Arg133Cys mutation. He eventually developed hemiplegia and died of systemic convulsions. Autopsy examination revealed-besides the vascular and neurological lesions characteristic of CADASIL- multiple neoplastic lesions in the body; carcinoid tumorlet and diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuro-endocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) in the lungs, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), prostatic adenocarcinoma (ADC) and adenomatoid tumor of the epididymis. This report describes a spectrum of neoplastic lesions that were found in a case of CADASIL patient that could be related to Notch3 gene mutations.