A prospective evaluation of the effects of salpingectomy on endometrial lymphocyte clusters in patients with hydrosalpinges.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hydrosalpinges on embryo implantation.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Private fertility and university hospitals.

Cancer chemopreventive activity of rotenoids from Derris trifoliata.

A study of the chemical constituents of the stems of Derris trifoliata Lour. (Leguminosae) led to the isolation and identification of one new rotenoid, 6aalpha,12aalpha-12a-hydroxyelliptone ( 3), together with five other known rotenoids. In a search for novel cancer chemopreventive agents (anti-tumor promoters), we carried out a primary screening of five of the rotenoids isolated from the plant for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.

Insect antifeedants from tropical plants: structures of dumnin and dumsenin.

Two novel A-seco limonoids, dumnin and dumsenin, were isolated from the methanolic extract of Croton jatrophoides by bioassay-guided fractionation, and the structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and mass spectrometry experiments. These compounds showed potent antifeedant activity (PC(50) View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Successful gene transfer using adeno-associated virus vectors into the kidney: comparison among adeno-associated virus serotype 1-5 vectors in vitro and in vivo.

Background/aim: Gene transfer into the kidney has great potential as a novel therapeutic approach. However, an efficient method of gene transfer into the kidney has not been established. We explored the transduction efficiency of renal cells in vitro and in vivo using adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 1-5 vectors encoding the beta-galactosidase gene.

Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia in mice lacking Cnot7, a regulator of retinoid X receptor beta.

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves cooperation of germ cells and testicular somatic cells. Various genetic disorders lead to impaired spermatogenesis, defective sperm function and male infertility. Here we show that Cnot7(-/-) males are sterile owing to oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, suggesting that Cnot7, a CCR4-associated transcriptional cofactor, is essential for spermatogenesis.

Surveillance of mortality among atomic bomb survivors living in the United States using the National Death Index.

Background: The National Death Index is a useful source to establish the death of an individual and to determine the cause of death. We identified deaths in atomic bomb survivors in the United States who were lost to follow-up through the National Death Index, and examined the completeness of mortality ascertainment in atomic bomb survivors in the US through the National Death Index.

Methods: Since 1977, biennial medical examinations of atomic bomb survivors in the US have been conducted.

Low heart rate variability is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between sudden cardiac death (SCD) and heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes and to determine whether low HRV can predict SCD in type 2 diabetes. Subjects were 8917 consecutively examined persons (3089 diabetic, and 5828 nondiabetic subjects) aged 35-69 years who underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) together with electrocardiography (ECG). HRV was calculated from the 12-lead ECG as the coefficient of variance for 100 R-R intervals (CV(R-R)).

Formation and organization of the mammalian sperm head.

The formation and organization of a mammalian sperm head occurs through diverse cellular and molecular processes during spermiogenesis. Such cellular events include sequential changes in the nucleus and the acrosome-which is derived from the Golgi apparatus-in concert with prominent bundles of microtubules, the manchette. However, these complex processes are readily impaired by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, eventually causing various types of male infertility--such as teratozoospermia--which include the deformation of the acrosome and nucleus.

Two new dimeric acridone alkaloids from Glycosmis citrifolia.

Two new acridone dimers, glycobismines-F (1) and -G (2), were isolated from the roots of Glycosmis citrifolia collected in Taiwan. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on spectral analysis.

Role of cyclins in cAMP inhibition of glomerular mesangial cell proliferation.

MC (mesangial cell) proliferation is closely linked to the progression of glomerular disease. It has been reported that cAMP effectors suppress MC proliferation, inhibiting activation of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). In fibroblasts, activation of MAPK induces the expression of type D cyclin, whereas, in MCs, this induction has not been shown.

Contralateral inferior petrosal sinus approach for transvenous embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula at isolated jugular bulb. Technical case report.

A contralateral inferior petrosal sinus approach is described for the successful treatment of a case of a dural arteriovenous fistula at an isolated right jugular bulb presenting with chemosis. A microcatheter could be inserted into the right jugular bulb from the left jugular bulb through the left inferior petrosal sinus, basilar sinus on the dorsum sellae, and the right inferior petrosal sinus. This unusual approach represents an alternative route to the jugular bulb.

Cancer chemopreventive activity of rotenoids from Derris trifoliata.

A study of the chemical constituents of the stems of Derris trifoliata Lour. (Leguminosae) led to the isolation and identification of one new rotenoid, 6aalpha,12aalpha-12a-hydroxyelliptone ( 3), together with five other known rotenoids. In a search for novel cancer chemopreventive agents (anti-tumor promoters), we carried out a primary screening of five of the rotenoids isolated from the plant for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.

Effect of the water-soluble and non-dialyzable fraction isolated from Senso (Chan Su) on lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer activity in C3H mice.

We found lymphocyte proliferating substances in the water-soluble and non-dialyzable fraction prepared from the crude drug Senso (Chan Su). The effect of this fraction was increased by affinity chromatography using the concanavalin A-agarose. By analyzing the fraction using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and lectin blotting, we estimated that one of the active substances of this fraction is a glycoprotein that has about 13 kDa of molecular weight and D-mannose within the molecule.

New cinnamylphenols from Dalbergia species with cancer chemopreventive activity.

Five new cinnamylphenols (1,3-diphenylpropenes), dalberatins A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), were isolated from plants of the Dalbergia species. They were characterized and tested for their inhibitory activities against Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. The cinnamylphenols were found to show remarkably potent activities.

Isoflavonoids from Dalbergia olivari.

Two isoflavonoids, named olibergin A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the stem bark of Dalbergia oliveri (Leguminosae). Along with three previously known compounds, they are inhibitors of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.

Retinal embolization and cerebellar asymptomatic embolization after carotid stenting using distal balloon protection. A case report.

We describe a rare case of having both symptomatic ipsilateral retinal embolization and asymptomatic cerebellar embolization occurring after carotid stenting with use of distal protect device. In this case, external carotid angiograms revealed accessory meningeal arteryophthalmic artery and occipital artery-vertebral artery anastomoses. This case suggested that the protection for external carotid artery should be considered during carotid stenting to avoid retinal embolization and cerebellar or cerebral embolization in cases showing angiographical anastomoses between external carotid artery and ophthalmic artery or intracranial arteries.

Decapeptide with fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-5 partial sequence inhibits hair growth suppressing activity of FGF-5.

Earlier studies demonstrated that knock-out of fibroblast growth factor-5 gene (Fgf-5) prolonged anagen VI phase of hair cycle, resulting long hairs in the mice. We showed the activities on hair growth of the two Fgf-5 gene products, one of which, FGF-5 suppressed hair growth by inhibiting anagen proceeding and inducing the transition from anagen to catagen, and FGF-5S, a shorter polypeptide with FGF-5-antagonizing activity translated from alternatively spliced mRNA, suppressed this activity of FGF-5. As the results suggested that FGF-5 antagonist would increase hair growth, we synthesized various peptides having partial sequences of human FGF-5 and FGF-5S and determined their FGF-5 antagonist activity.

Serum stem cell growth factor for monitoring hematopoietic recovery following stem cell transplantation.

Stem cell growth factor (SCGF) is a novel cytokine for primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells. Although it has burst-promoting activity and granulocyte/macrophage colony-promoting activity in vitro, its significance in hematopoiesis in vivo has not been elucidated. In this study, we have established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify human SCGF and measured serum cytokines in normal volunteers and 27 patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT), including six autologous and 21 allogeneic transplants.

Cancer chemopreventive activity of acridone alkaloids on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.

Seventeen acridone alkaloids isolated from the Rutaceous plants were tested for their inhibitory activities against Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. Some prenylated acridones were found to have remarkably potent activities. 1,3-Dihydroxy-10-methyl-2,4-diprenylacridone (18) as synthesized according to these results in vitro, exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on mouse skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test.

Chemical constituents of Calophyllum brasiliense. 2. Structure of three new coumarins and cancer chemopreventive activity of 4-substituted coumarins.

Continuing our search for cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources, we examined constituents of the stem bark of Calophyllum brasiliense. Three new 4-substituted coumarins named brasimarins A (2), B (3), and C (4) were isolated and characterized, along with 11 known coumarins belonging to the calanolides or inophyllums. We also discuss the inhibitory effects of these coumarins on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.

Polyprenylated benzophenones from Garcinia assigu and their potential cancer chemopreventive activities.

In a further study on the chemical constituents of Garcinia assigu, two new benzophenones corresponding to the 13-O-methyl ethers (1 and 2) of the known isogarcinol and garcinol, respectively, were isolated and characterized, along with known benzophenones (3-6). Inhibitory effects of the benzophenones isolated from this plant on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells and their radical-scavenging ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were demonstrated. The cyclized polyprenylbenzophenones (1-5) showed comparable or stronger potential cancer chemopreventive activity when compared to glycyrrhetic acid, a known anti-tumor promoter.

Chemical constituents of Garcinia fusca: structure elucidation of eight new xanthones and their cancer chemopreventive activity.

We describe the isolation and spectrometric structure elucidation of eight new xanthones, fuscaxanthone A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5), F (6), G (7), and H (8), together with eight known xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia fusca collected in Thailand. All the new xanthones were shown to have a terpenoid (prenyl and/or geranyl) side chain(s) in their molecules. We also present the results of a primary screening of the inhibitory effects of eight xanthones (9-16) isolated as major components of this plant on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation in Raji cells.

Mouse germ cell-less as an essential component for nuclear integrity.

A mouse homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster germ cell-less (mgcl-1) gene is expressed ubiquitously, and its gene product is localized to the nuclear envelope based on its binding to LAP2 beta (lamina-associated polypeptide 2 beta). To elucidate the role of mgcl-1, we analyzed two mutant mouse lines that lacked mgcl-1 gene expression. Abnormal nuclear morphologies that were probably due to impaired nuclear envelope integrity were observed in the liver, exocrine pancreas, and testis.

Increased methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity and behavioral sensitization in histamine-deficient mice.

We have recently suggested that the brain histamine has an inhibitory role on the behavioral effects of methamphetamine by pharmacological studies. In this study, we used the histidine decarboxylase gene knockout mice and measured the spontaneous locomotor activity, the changes of locomotion by single and repeated administrations of methamphetamine, and the contents of brain monoamines and amino acids at 1 h after a single administration of methamphetamine. In the histidine decarboxylase gene knockout mice, spontaneous locomotor activity during the dark period was significantly lower than in the wild-type mice.