Isolation and characterization of 25 polymorphic microsatellites of the large Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus)

The large Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus) is common, but endemic to Japan, and its population structure was affected by habitat fragmentation because of urbanization. It suggested that the species might be one of the important models for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity affected by humans, including the effect of radioactive discharge caused by nuclear power plant accidents at Fukushima. We developed and characterized 25 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from the next-generation sequencing data in an effort to provide an effective tool for genetic studies on this species. In 8 individuals from Aomori, Japan, the number of alleles and expected heterozygosities ranged from 5 to 13 and from 0.795 to 0.991, respectively, suggesting the availability of these markers for genetic studies in this species.     

Contact Patch to Rim Distance Predicts Metal Ion Levels in Hip Resurfacing

Background

Component design, size, acetabular orientation, patient gender, and activity level have been suggested as factors leading to elevated metal ion concentrations after-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty (MMHRA). The calculation of the contact patch to rim (CPR) distance integrates component size, design, and acetabular orientation and may be a good predictor of elevated metal ion levels.

Questions/purposes

We evaluated the effects and the predictive value of the CPR distance on serum cobalt (CoS) and chromium (CrS) ion levels.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 182 patients with Conserve Plus MMHRAs at a minimum of 12 months after surgery (median, 57 months; range, 12–165 months). CoS and CrS levels were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine which if any of the factors related to serum ion levels.

Results

Patients with CPR distances of 10 mm or less had a 37-fold increased risk of having elevated CoS of 7 μg/L or higher. Similarly, these patients had an 11-fold increased risk of having elevated CrS of 7 μg/L or higher. Sex and University of California Los Angeles activity scores did not influence the postoperative CoS and CrS levels. The negative predictive value for CPR distance less than 10 mm was 99.3% for CoS greater than 7 μg/L and 98.0% for CrS greater than 7 μg/L.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest the CPR distance would be a useful indicator to determine which patients are at risk for elevated ion levels. Patients with CPR distances greater than 10 mm need not be monitored unless they become symptomatic.     

Investigation of the prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma by tumor size

In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), extrathyroid extension (Ex) and clinical lymph node metastasis (N) significantly affect the prognosis. We investigated the prognosis of patients with PTC 1 cm or less (1,220 patients), 1.1-2 cm (2,101 patients), 2.1-3 cm (1,249 patients), 3.1-4 cm (645 patients), and larger than 4 cm (563 patients). We classified N factor into three categories: N0, no clinical node metastasis: N1, clinical node metastasis smaller than 3 cm and without extranodal tumor extension requiring at least partial excision of adjacent organs for node dissection: and N2, clinical node metastasis 3 cm or larger or showing extranodal tumor extension. N2 markedly affected lymph node and distant recurrence-free survivals and cause-specific survival, regardless of the tumor size. N1 also adversely affected lymph node and distant recurrence-free survival but not cause-specific survival. Ex did not affect patients' prognosis with PTC 1 cm or less. It became a prognostic factor with PTC larger than 1 cm, and worsened lymph node and distant recurrence-free survival not only for N0 but also for N1 PTC larger than 3 cm and larger than 2 cm, respectively. However, its influence is limited for N2 PTC patients. Furthermore, Ex worsened the CSS with PTC larger than 2 cm in combination with N2. We have to note that the prognostic significance for lymph node and distant recurrence-free and cause-specific survival of Ex and N varies according to the tumor size in order to accurately predict the clinical outcomes and establish therapeutic strategies for PTC patients.     

Hepatitis B virus X stimulates redox signaling through activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase

Hepatitis B virus X (HBX) protein plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, but its mechanism is unclear. The involvement of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase in the enhanced redox system was investigated by examining the phosphorylation level of ATM in HBX gene-transfected cells and in transgenic mice following redox system manipulation by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or antioxidant. Western blotting and immunostaining showed that phospho-ATM was significantly increased by HBX both in vitro (3.2-fold; p<0.05) and in vivo (4-fold; p<0.05), and this effect was abrogated by antioxidant treatment. The level of PKC-δ in HBX-expressing cells was increased 3.5-fold compared to controls. Nuclear localized NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was increased in HBX-expressing cells exposed to H₂O₂, but remained at lower levels after the treatment with rottlerin, KU55933, or caffeine. The levels of anti-oxidant molecules were increased in HBX expressing cells and in transgenic mice, indicating that HBX stimulates the Nrf2-mediated redox system. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly increased in HBX-expressing cells treated with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ATM inhibitor KU55933 or caffeine. Treatment of HBX-expressing cells with KU55933 or caffeine before the exposure to H₂O₂ increased the ratio of cell apoptosis to 33 ± 4% (p<0.05) and 22 ± 4% (p<0.05), respectively. Collectively, HBX stimulates the ATM-mediated PKC-δ/Nrf2 pathway, and maintains the enhanced activity of the redox system. Therefore, manipulating ATM kinase activity might be a useful strategy for treating HBX-induced carcinogenesis.