Core fucosylation of E-cadherin enhances cell-cell adhesion in human colon carcinoma WiDr cells.

Alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8), an enzyme that catalyzes the introduction of alpha1,6 core fucose to the innermost N-acetylglucosamine residue of the N-glycan, has been implicated in the development, immune system, and tumorigenesis. We found that alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase and E-cadherin expression levels are significantly elevated in primary colorectal cancer samples. Interestingly, low molecular weight population of E-cadherin appeared as well as normal sized E-cadherin in cancer samples.

Ultrasonically assisted hydrothermal synthesis of polycrystalline PZT thin film on titanium substrate.

Ultrasonically assisted hydrothermal synthesis of PZT thin films was performed using an ultrasonic transducer integrated into the lid of an autoclave. Direct ultrasonic irradiation of 23 W at 53 kHz was carried out during the hydrothermal synthesis at a reaction temperature of 140 degrees C for 24 h. The resultant PZT thin film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD).

Pulmonary thromboembolism in obstetrics and gynecology increased by 6.5-fold over the past decade in Japan.

Background: Although pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has been considered relatively uncommon in Japan, its incidence has been on the increase in recent years.

Methods And Results: To verify the incidence of PTE in Japan, PTE cases of obstetrics and gynecology were investigated among 102 facilities throughout Japan between 1991 and 2000. A total of 254 cases were enrolled, showing a 6.

Mutational analysis of the human MBX gene in four Korean families demonstrating microphthalmia with congenital cataract.

The MBX gene is a novel paired-type homeobox gene. It plays a number of critical roles in the development of the eyes in the zebrafish. The knockdown of the mbx expression by morpholino antisense oligonucleotides leads to a reduction in the size of eyes and tectum in the zebrafish.

Is a genetic defect in Fkbp6 a common cause of azoospermia in humans?

FK506-binding protein 6 (Fkbp6) is a member of a gene family containing a prolyl isomerase/FK506-binding domain and tetratricopeptide protein-protein interaction domains. Recently, the targeted inactivation of Fkbp6 in mice has been observed to result in aspermic males and the absence of normal pachytene spermatocytes. The loss of Fkbp6 results in abnormal pairing and a misalignment of the homologous chromosomes, and in non-homologous partner switches and autosynapsis of the X chromosome cores in meiotic spermatocytes.

Polymorphic alleles of the human MEI1 gene are associated with human azoospermia by meiotic arrest.

Genetic mechanisms are implicated as a cause of some male infertility, yet are poorly understood. Mouse meiotic mutant mei1 (meiosis defective 1) was isolated by a screening of infertile mice. Male mei1 mice have azoospermia due to meiotic arrest, and the mouse Mei1 gene is responsible for the mei1 phenotype.

Suppression of invasive characteristics by antisense introduction of overexpressed HOX genes in ovarian cancer cells.

HOX genes encode transcription factors that function to establish basic body pattern during embryogenesis and maintain the function of specific organs in the adult. Recent studies have demonstrated that HOX genes are also involved in oncogenesis in a range of malignancies. To elucidate whether HOX genes contribute to ovarian carcinogenesis, we created an expression profile of HOX genes using ovarian derived materials from surgical samples and epithelial ovarian cancer cells derived from five different cell lines.

Regulation of tumor invasion by HOXB13 gene overexpressed in human endometrial cancer.

During the last two decades, a group of homeobox-containing genes, the HOX gene family, has been studied both in the context of embryonic development and neoplasia. In particular, there is accumulating evidence of the involvement of HOX abnormalities in a variety of malignancies, including breast cancer. However, little is known about the association of HOX genes with endometrial cancer, which is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract and is thought to be dependent on estrogen, like breast cancer.

The human transcript induced in spermatogenesis 50.

Recently, a number of genes that are expressed specifically in the testis have been identified in rat and mouse. In 2002, 80 transcript induced in spermatogenesis () genes with this specific expression were isolated in mice. In the human, however, the number of such genes isolated is much lower.

Isolation and expression analysis of the testis-specific gene, human OPPO1.

Purpose: To investigate human spermatogenesis, we isolated human testis-specific genes.

Methods: Using mouse amino acid sequences, we found the region including homology in amino acid level in the human genome sequences. The primers encompassing introns were made and RT-PCR and RACE were carried out.

Nuclear dynamics of parthenogenesis of human oocytes: effect of oocyte aging in vitro.

We investigated in detail the nuclear kinetics of oocyte activation of aged human oocytes following combined activation treatment with calcium ionophore and puromycin. Two types of oocytes were used: (a) 1-day-old oocytes after 20-24 h retrieval, and (b) 2-day-old oocytes after 44-50 h retrieval. A total of 185 unfertilized aged oocytes, 91 1-day-old and 94 2-day-old oocytes, were fixed at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after activation treatment and then metaphase II (MII), anaphase or telophase II (A/T II) or pronuclear stage were recorded.

The IHPK1 gene is disrupted at the 3p21.31 breakpoint of t(3;9) in a family with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a group of multifactorial disorders due to either defective insulin secretion or action. Despite the fact that numerous genetic researches of T2DM have been pursued, the pathogenic mechanisms remain obscure. We encountered a T2DM family associated with a balanced reciprocal translocation, t(3;9)(p21.

Differential expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in the rat ovary.

We investigated the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and its receptors in the rat ovary to define the role of HB-EGF in the ovarian function. The expression pattern of HB-EGF mRNA and protein were studied by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immuno-histochemistry using an antibody that was specifically stained for the precursor form of HB-EGF in naturally cycling rats and immature pseudo-pregnant rat models. The immuno-histochemical study showed that in naturally cycling rats, HB-EGF was expressed in most granulosa cells of early follicles and all the developing follicles but not in preovulatory follicles.

Integrins are not involved in the process of human sperm-oolemmal fusion.

Background: We investigated whether integrins are required for the human sperm-oocyte binding and fusion processes.

Methods: The expression of several integrin subunits at the human oocyte plasma membrane was investigated using immunofluorescence microscopy, and the functional role of integrins expressed at the human oocyte surface in sperm-oocyte interaction was studied using a zona-free human oocyte binding and fusion assay. A total of 144 unfertilized oocytes were stained with anti-integrin antibodies and 147 zona-free unfertilized oocytes were inseminated in the presence of various anti-integrin antibodies that were expressed in oocyte plasma membrane.

Treatment of climacteric symptoms with herbal formulas of traditional Chinese medicine.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not successful or is contraindicated for the treatment of climacteric symptoms in some patients. To investigate whether certain herbal formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (Kampo in Japanese) could be used as an alternative treatment, a longitudinal 'before and after' comparative study was carried out in 18 Japanese women, and the results were compared with those of 16 women who underwent HRT. Kampo improved all the climacteric symptoms.

Azoospermia in patients heterozygous for a mutation in SYCP3.

Background: Many cases of male infertility are diagnosed as idiopathic, reflecting poor understanding of the molecular defects underlying the abnormality. As more gene mutations causing male infertility in mice become known, there are improving prospects that knowledge about the genetic aetiology of human male infertility can be expanded. Sycp3 encodes a component of the synaptonemal complex.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the mouse Spot-2 gene in pituitary development.

Mouse Spot-1 is a DNA-binding protein with a domain (His-Thr) encoded by p(CA)n repeats. Spot-1 interacts with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) I of p53 through its His-Thr domain. In this study we describe the cloning and expression patterns of a novel gene encoding a protein containing a His-Thr domain, Spot-2.

Isolation and expression analysis of the testis-specific gene, STRA8, stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8.

Retinoids are known to be required for vertebrate reproduction, and in the male, for the maintenance of normal testicular structure and function. Previously several novel retinoic acid responsive genes, collectively designated as the Stra genes, had been isolated in the mouse. The Stra8 gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein and is expressed specific to the developing male gonad during mouse embryogenesis.

Laparoscopic treatment of endometrioma-associated infertility and pregnancy outcome.

Ovarian endometriomas do not respond well to medical treatment with hormonal suppression, and surgical removal of the endometriomas is usually required. In this study, we attempt to identify the optimal laparoscopic procedures in laparoscopic treatment of ovarian-endometrioma-associated infertility. Among cases in which patients received no IVF-ET after the laparoscopic treatment, the pregnancy rate after complete cystectomy of endometriomas was statistically lower than that after fenestration with electrocoagulation of the cyst wall.

A catalog of 106 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 11 other types of variations in genes for transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and its signaling pathway.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a multifunctional cytokine that is produced in the platelet, bone, placenta, and other tissues. It acts as a growth inhibitor in many types of cells, and also mediates extracellular matrix production and immunosuppression. Mutations in the specific domain of its gene ( TGFB1) cause Camurati-Engelmann disease, a bone-sclerosing disorder, and those in other domains may be associated with osteoporosis.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with previously untreated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer were enrolled in this study. CPT-11 60 mg/m(2) was administered intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 in combination with cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) on day 1.

The soluble and membrane-anchored forms of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor appear to play opposing roles in the survival and apoptosis of human luteinized granulosa cells.

This study aims to investigate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and its role in regulating apoptosis of human luteinized granulosa cells (LGC). By using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, the expression of HB-EGF and the EGF receptor family was demonstrated. HER4, one of the two cognate receptors for HB-EGF, was found translocated into the nucleus.

The human ASCL2 gene escaping genomic imprinting and its expression pattern.

The mouse achaete-scute homolog-2 gene (Ascl2 or Mash2) encodes a transcription factor playing a role in the development of the trophoblast. The Ascl2 is an imprinted gene with maternal expression and assigned to an imprinting gene cluster region (ICR) at a distal region of mouse chromosome 7. We previously isolated a phage clone carrying the human homolog, ASCL2, and mapped it to human chromosome 11p15.