Worldwide Distribution of Four SNPs in X‐Ray and Repair and Cross‐Complementing Group 1 (XRCC1)

Purpose

X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group 1 (XRCC1) repairs single‐strand breaks in DNA. Several reports have shown the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Arg194Trp, Pro206Pro, Arg280His, Arg399Gln) in XRCC1 to diseases. Limited population data are available regarding SNPs in XRCC1, especially in African populations. In this study, genotype distributions of four SNPs in worldwide populations were examined and compared with those reported previously.

Materials and Methods

Four SNPs (Arg194Trp, Pro206Pro, Arg280His, Arg399Gln) in XRCC1 from genomic DNA samples of 10 populations were evaluated by using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results

The frequency of the minor allele corresponding to the Trp allele of XRCC1Arg194Trp was higher in Asian populations than in African and Caucasian populations. As for XRCC1Pro206Pro, Africans showed higher minor allele frequencies than did Asian populations, except for Tamils and Sinhalese. XRCC1 Arg280His frequencies were similar among Africans and Caucasians but differed among Asian populations. Similarly, lower mutant XRCC1 Arg399Gln frequencies were observed in Africans.

Conclusions

This study is the first to show the existence of a certain genetic heterogeneity in the worldwide distribution of four SNPs in XRCC1.     

Highly visible expression of an oxytocin-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 fusion gene in the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary of transgenic rats

We have generated rats bearing an oxytocin (OXT)-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion transgene. The mRFP1 fluorescence was highly visible in ventral part of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and the posterior pituitary in a whole mount. mRFP1 fluorescence in hypothalamic sections was also observed in the SON, the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and the internal layer of the median eminence. Salt loading for 5 d caused a marked increase in mRFP1 fluorescence in the SON, the PVN, the median eminence, and the posterior pituitary. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that the expression of the mRNA encoding the OXT-mRFP1 fusion gene was observed in the SON and the PVN of euhydrated rats and increased dramatically after chronic salt loading. The expression of the endogenous OXT and the arginine vasopressin (AVP) genes were significantly increased in the SON and the PVN after chronic salt loading in both nontransgenic and transgenic rats. These responses were not different between male and female rats. Compared with nontransgenic rats, euhydrated and salt-loaded male and female transgenic rats showed no significant differences in plasma osmolality, sodium concentration, OXT, and AVP levels. Finally, we succeeded in generating a double-transgenic rat that expresses both the OXT-mRFP1 fusion gene and the AVP-enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion gene. Our new transgenic rats are valuable new tools to study the physiology of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system.     

Assessment of macro‐ and microcirculation in contemporary critical limb ischemia

Objectives : A paucity of data exists regarding manifestations of macro‐ and microcirculation in contemporary critical limb ischemia (CLI). The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate the differences in foot circulation based on angiographic findings, (2) to clarify the relationship between macro‐ and microcirculation, and (3) to investigate the effects of postural changes on micro as well as macrocirculation between the supine position to the dependent position. Methods : A total of 40 critically ischemic limbs in 29 patients were included in this study. Noninvasive evaluation of macrocirculation, based on the ankle brachial index (ABI) and ankle pressure, and microcirculation, using skin perfusion pressure (SPP), was performed in both the supine and dependent positions. Results : There was no significant difference in macro‐ and microcirculations between any angiographical involvements. In the supine position, dorsal SPP correlated significantly with ABI (P = 0.021, r = 0.363) and ankle‐pressure (P = 0.001, r = 0.495), whereas plantar SPP failed to correlate with ABI (P = 0.198, r = 0.208) or ankle‐pressure (P = 0.185, r = 0.214). In the dependent position, however, SPP showed no significant correlation with ABI and ankle pressure. Postural change from the supine to dependent position yielded a significant increase in SPP (dorsal: 37.2 ± 16.2 to 77.9 ± 17.7 mm Hg, P < 0.001; plantar: 33.6 ± 17.3 to 75.7 ± 18.3 mm Hg, P < 0.001) as well as ABI and ankle‐pressure (ABI: 0.70 ± 0.35 to 0.78 ± 0.42, P = 0.003; ankle‐pressure; 108 ± 61 to 111 ± 60 mm Hg, P = 0.038). The effect of postural change on SPP showed no difference between patients with and without any clinical and angiographical complications. Conclusions : Of microcirculation assessed, only dorsal SPP correlated significantly with macrocirculation in the supine position. Furthermore, postural change from the supine to dependent position produced a dramatic improvement in microcirculation due to the effects of gravity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of New RE3+ Doped Li1+xTa1?xTixO3 (RE: Eu,Sm, Er,Tm, and Dy) Phosphors with Various Emission Colors

New phosphors with various emission colors for RE³⁺ doped Li_1+xTa_1−xTi_xO₃ (LTT) (RE: Eu, Sm, Er, Tm, and Dy) were synthesized by electric furnace at 1423 K for 15 h. The microstructure of the host material and the photoluminescence (PL) property were determined and compared to those of RE³⁺ doped Li_1+xNb_1−xTi_xO₃ (LNT)_. In the LTT phosphor, the highest PL intensity was achieved for the mixture composition Li_1.11Ta_0.89Ti_0.11O₃ with a LiTaO₃ structure, although it has an M-phase superstructure. In the LTT host material, the effective activators were Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ ions, in contrast to the LNT host material. Here, we discuss the relationship between PL property and the host material’s structure.     

Beneficial effect of a prone position for patients with hypoxemia after transthoracic esophagectomy

OBJECTIVE: Although the prone position has been reported to improve arterial oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, there have been no reports on its efficacy in patients with hypoxemia after transthoracic esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of the prone position on hypoxemia after three-field lymphadenectomy for thoracic esophageal carcinoma. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study. SETTING: General intensive care unit at a university hospital. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Sixteen patients who underwent three-field lymphadenectomy and showed hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 ratios of <200 under positive end-expiratory pressure of >5 cm H2O) on the fifth postoperative day were randomly assigned to prone (eight patients) and nonprone (eight patients) groups. Prone position for 6 hrs was carried out for four consecutive days. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio, the duration of ventilatory support, and length of stay, were measured. RESULTS: Oxygenation: The PaO2/FiO2 ratio markedly increased by 32% +/- 22% in seven of eight patients (p <.05) when the patients were moved from the supine to the prone position. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio after the fourth prone position (238 +/- 55, p <.05) was significantly higher than that before the first trial of prone position (166 +/- 25) in these seven patients. Duration of ventilatory support and intensive care unit length of stay: Both the ventilation period (11.6 +/- 2.2 vs. 14.0 +/- 1.6 days, p =.0029) and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (12.8 +/- 4.4 vs. 17.2 +/- 3.4 days, p =.0032) were significantly shorter in the prone group compared with the nonprone group. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio at the time of cessation of prone positioning was significantly higher than the corresponding value in the nonprone group. CONCLUSION: In hypoxemic patients after three-field lymphadenectomy, the prone position improved arterial oxygenation without any deleterious effects. The beneficial effect of the prone position is possibly attributable to opening of the bronchi obstructed by secretions.     

Rectal perforations and fistulae secondary to a glycerin enema: closure by over-the-scope-clip

Rectal perforations due to glycerin enemas (GE) typically occur when the patient is in a seated or lordotic standing position. Once the perforation occurs and peritonitis results, death is usually inevitable. We describe two cases of rectal perforation and fistula caused by a GE. An 88-year-old woman presented with a large rectal perforation and a fistula just after receiving a GE. Her case was further complicated by an abscess in the right rectal wall. The second patient was a 78-year-old woman who suffered from a rectovesical fistula after a GE. In both cases, we performed direct endoscopic abscess lavage with a saline solution and closed the fistula using an over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) procedure. These procedures resulted in dramatic improvement in both patients. Direct endoscopic lavage and OTSC closure are very useful for pararectal abscess lavage and fistula closure, respectively, in elderly patients who are in poor general condition. Our two cases are the first reports of the successful endoscopic closure of fistulae using double OTSCs after endoscopic lavage of the debris and an abscess of the rectum secondary to a GE.     

Increases in [3H]FK-506 and [3H]L-NG-Nitro-Arginine Binding in the Rat Brain After Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Denervation

Receptor autoradiographic technique was studied to investigate sequential changes in FK-506 binding proteins, nitric oxide synthase and dopamine uptake sites in the brain 1 week to 8 weeks after unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine injection of the medial forebrain bundle in rats. [³H]FK-506, [³H]L-N^G-nitro-arginine and [³H]mazindol were used to label FK-506 binding proteins (immunophilin), nitric oxide synthase and dopamine uptake sites, respectively. [³H]FK-506 binding showed about 13-25% increase in the ipsilateral striatum from 2 to 8 weeks after degeneration of nigrostriatal pathway. However, no significant change in [³H]FK-506 binding was observed in the ipsilateral substantia nigra during the postlesion periods. In the contralateral side, [³H]FK-506 binding also showed about 13-25% increase in the striatum from 2 to 8 weeks postlesion. The substantia nigra showed a 21% increase in [³H]FK-506 binding only 2 weeks after the lesioning. On the other hand, [³H]L-N^G-nitro-arginine binding showed about 21-31% increase in the parietal cortex and striatum 1 week or 2 weeks postlesion. In the contralateral side, a 21% increase in [³H]L-N^G-nitro-arginine binding was found in the dorsolateral striatum only 1 week postlesion. In contrast, degeneration of nigrostriatal pathway caused a conspicuous loss of [³H]mazindol binding in the ipsilateral striatum (87-96%), substantia nigra (36-73%) and ventral tegmental area (91-100%) during the postlesion periods. In the contralateral side, no significant changes in [³H]mazindol binding were observed in these areas upto 8 weeks after the postlesion. The present study demonstrates that unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle of rats can cause a significant increase in [3H]FK-506 and [³H]L-N^G-nitro-arginine bindings in the brains. In contrast, a marked reduction in [³H]mazindol binding is observed in the brains after the lesioning, indicating severe damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. These results suggest that immunophilin and nitric oxide synthase may play some role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.     

Novel and safer endoscopic cholecystectomy using only a flexible endoscope via single port

AIM: To apply the laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery concept, we investigated whether endoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed more safely and rapidly via only 1 port or not.METHODS: Two dogs(11 and 13-mo-old female Beagle) were used in this study. Only 1 blunt port was created, and a flexible endoscope with a tip attachment was inserted between the fundus of gallbladder and liver. After local injection of saline to the gallbladder bed, resection of the gallbladder bed from the liver was performed. After complete resection of the gallbladder bed, the gallbladder was pulled up to resect its neck using the Ring-shaped thread technique. The neck of the gallbladder was cut using scissor forceps. Resected gallbladder was retrieved using endoscopic net forceps via a port. RESULTS: The operation times from general anesthetizing with sevoflurane to finishing the closure of the blunt port site were about 50 min and 60 min respectively. The resection times of gallbladder bed were about 15 min and 13 min respectively without liver injury and bleeding at all. Feed were given just after next day of operation, and they had a good appetite. Two dogs are in good health now and no complications for 1 mo after endoscopic cholecystectomy using only a flexible endoscope via one port.CONCLUSION: We are sure of great feasibility of endoscopic cholecystectomy via single port for human.     

Association of estimated plasma volume and weight loss after long-term administration and subsequent discontinuation of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor tofogliflozin

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2) are drugs that have been reported to have several effects through the regulation of plasma volume, for example, antihypertensive effects. This study aimed to clarify the impact of long-term administration and subsequent discontinuation of the SGLT2 inhibitor tofogliflozin on estimated plasma volume (ePV), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the relationship between changes in ePV, BNP and body weight (BW). Data from 157 participants with type 2 diabetes receiving tofogliflozin monotherapy in a phase 3 study were analysed. Changes in variables or correlations among them during a 52-week administration and a 2-week post-treatment period were investigated. Percent change in ePV was calculated using the Strauss formula. Significant decreases in BW, ePV and ln-transformed BNP (ln-BNP) were noted by week 52. %ΔBW was not significantly correlated with %ΔePV and Δln-BNP, while %ΔePV was significantly correlated with Δln-BNP. Two weeks after discontinuation of tofogliflozin, BW, ePV and ln-BNP were significantly increased. %ΔBW was significantly correlated with %ΔePV and Δln-BNP. Furthermore, ePV and BNP were significantly higher than baseline levels.