Reduced Claudin-12 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Background: Within the claudin (CLDN) family, CLDN12 mRNA expression is altered in various types of cancer, but its clinicopathological relevance has yet to be established due to the absence of specific antibodies (Abs) with broad applications. Methods: We generated a monoclonal Ab (mAb) against human/mouse CLDN12 and verified its specificity. By performing immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification, we evaluated the relationship between CLDN12 expression and clinicopathological parameters in tissues from 138 cases of cervical cancer. Results: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the established mAb selectively recognized the CLDN12 protein. Twenty six of the 138 cases (18.8%) showed low CLDN12 expression, and the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly decreased compared with those in the high CLDN12 expression group. We also demonstrated, via univariable and multivariable analyses, that the low CLDN12 expression represents a significant prognostic factor for the DSS of cervical cancer patients (HR 3.412, p = 0.002 and HR 2.615, p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that a reduced CLDN12 expression predicts a poor outcome for cervical cancer. The novel anti-CLDN12 mAb could be a valuable tool to evaluate the biological relevance of the CLDN12 expression in diverse cancer types and other diseases.     

Dynamic probe of ZnTe(110) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy

The reconstructed surface structure of the II–VI semiconductor ZnTe (110), which is a promising material in the research field of semiconductor spintronics, was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). First, the surface states formed by reconstruction by the charge transfer of dangling bond electrons from cationic Zn to anionic Te atoms, which are similar to those of IV and III–V semiconductors, were confirmed in real space. Secondly, oscillation in tunneling current between binary states, which is considered to reflect a conformational change in the topmost Zn–Te structure between the reconstructed and bulk-like ideal structures, was directly observed by STM. Third, using the technique of charge injection, a surface atomic structure was successfully fabricated, suggesting the possibility of atomic-scale manipulation of this widely applicable surface of ZnTe.     

Visualization of mitochondria with green fluorescent protein in cultured fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial diseases

cDNAs for green fluorescent protein (GFP) and for a GFP fusion protein containing the presequence of human ornithine transcarbamylase (pOTC-GFP) were transfected into cultured human fibroblasts. GFP cDNA gave diffuse fluorescence throughout the cytoplasm and the nucleus, whereas pOTC-GFP cDNA gave mitochondria-associated fluorescence. Fluorescent mitochondrial structures could be classified into five patterns: thread-like mitochondria, fine thread-like ones, rod-like ones, granular ones, and granular ones with weak cytosolic fluorescence. pOTC-GFP mutants resulted in a loss of mitochondrial fluorescence and an appearance of weak fluorescence throughout the cytoplasm. pOTC-GFP cDNA was transfected into fibroblasts from patients with various mitochondrial diseases. Higher ratios of fibroblasts with granular mitochondria and those with fine thread-like ones were observed in a patient with Reye's syndrome and a patient with Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Weak cytosolic fluorescence was sometimes observed in fibroblasts from these patients. This method will be useful to analyze mitochondrial structural alterations and disorders of mitochondrial protein import.     

Polarity control of GaN epilayers grown on ZnO templates

We report the successful growth of Ga-polar GaN epilayers on O-polar ZnO templates pre-deposited on c-sapphire. Prior to GaN growth, NH₃ is exposed onto the ZnO template. The polarity of the GaN layers is confirmed by etching of the surface and by conversion beam electron diffraction (CBED), while the O-polar ZnO is confirmed by CBED. It is suggested that the NH₃ pre-exposure helps form a Zn₃N₂ layer, which possesses inversion symmetry and inverts the crystal from anion polar to cation polar.     

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

A case of primary carcinoid tumor arising in the liver of a 69 year old woman with no endocrine symptoms is reported. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed initially as a hepatocellular carcinoma in the biopsy specimen, and was shown subsequently to be a carcinoid tumor, demonstrating diffuse positive staining with Grimelius method. Mucin stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian-blue, and mucicarmine, and was shown partially in the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin-A, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense core granules, measuring 40-120 nm in diameter in some of the tumor cells. Intensive and careful searches pre- and post-operatively revealed no other primary source of tumor other than the liver. The patient was reported well with no symptoms 3 1/2 years after the operation. This case is considered to be a primary hepatic carcinoid tumor. The recent literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of hepatic carcinoid tumor is discussed.     

Catabolic fate of dietary trilinoleoylglycerol hydroperoxides in rat gastrointestines

To elucidate whether dietary lipid peroxides are absorbed in the body, the catabolic fate of trilinoleoylglycerol hydroperoxides (TL-OOH), in the gastrointestines of rats was examined. Oxidized trilinoleoylglycerol with a peroxide value of 1000 meq/kg, 0.5 or 20 mg, was dosed intragastrically to rat together with 59.5 or 40 mg unoxidized trilinoleoylglycerol, respectively. The fate of TL-OOH in gastric and intestinal lumina was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography periodically until 240 min after treatment. At low dose, TL-OOH was soon broken down to linoleic acid hydroperoxides (LA-OOH) and hydroxyls, probably through gastric lipases, whereas at high dose, TL-OOH was retained in the stomach. In both cases, TL-OOH did not reach the intestines, though the unoxidized lipids moved to the intestines. When LA-OOH was given intragastrically, the lipids decomposed in the stomach, and linoleic acid hydroxyls, hexanal, 9-oxononanoic acid, and two novel compounds were detected 30 min after treatment. The novel compounds were identified to be epoxyketones, 11-oxo-12,13-epoxy-9- and 11-oxo-9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoic acids. Thus, dietary TL-OOH was broken down in the stomach releasing, LA-OOH which decomposed further, and did not reach the intestines.     

Gene regulation of trkB and trkC in the chick retina by light/darkness exposure

The trk gene family members; the neurotrophic receptors for neurotrophins, are implicated in the survival and the differentiation of neurons. The roles of these protooncogenes have been argued in the pathological conditions and in the specific developmental stage when the programmed cell death occurs to neurons. Here we studied a physiological role of the trk family members in the retina through observations of their gene regulation by light/darkness exposure. Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry demonstrate that trkB and trkC are up-regulated by light exposure and down-regulated by darkness in the rod/cone layer, the outer nuclear layer, and the ganglion cell layer. This physiological regulation suggests that these trk family members play a protective role from the damaging effect of light exposure in the retinal neurons.     

Molecular aggregation of PEEK with PES blends and the block copolymers composed of PEEK and PES components

Polymer blends of PEEK with PES were prepared by the solution blending method. Copolymers composed of PEEK and PES components were synthesized from these oligomers. The formation conditions exerted an influence over the molecular aggregation and the crystallization behaviors of the blend films and block copolymers which were examined by X-ray diffractometry and DSC analysis. As a result, phase-separation in the blend films was found when the formation temperature was high. The blend films formed at 340°C, quenched and annealed at 180°C, exhibited the same crystallization behavior as those of PEEK. In the case of the blend films formed at 300°C, the annealing of the films at 250°C was required to crystallize the blend films. The T_g of a copolymer with a PEEK component content of more than 50% tends to shift toward a higher temperature than the T_g of PEEK itself, and the T_m of the copolymer toward a lower temperature than that of PEEK ist.     

Increased hepatic β-oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid, elongation of eicosapentaenoic acid, and acylation of lysophosphatidate in rats fed a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched diet

Rats were fed a diet supplemented with corn oil (n-3 deficient), soy oil, or a mixture containing 8% 22∶6n-3 ethyl ester for 6 wk. The hepatic capacities for the β-oxidation and synthesis of 22∶6n-3, in addition to the acylation of lysophosphatidate, were tested in vitro. In rats that were fed a 22∶6n-3-enriched diet, both the β-oxidation of 22∶6n-3 and elongation of 20∶5n-3 were enhanced compared to those in rats fed the other diets. Acylation of lysophosphatidate was also enhanced in rats fed a 22∶6n-3-enriched diet, while the rate of dephosphorylation of phosphatidate was not changed. The amount of 22∶6n-3 in the liver was much less than that consumed in a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched diet. These results suggest that a significant amount of dietary 22∶6n-3 was degraded via β-oxidation, and that a portion of the retroconverted 20∶5n-3 was recycled for the synthesis of 22∶6n-3. The recycling of 20∶5n-3 might contribute to the low level of 22∶6n-3 in rats fed an n-3-deficient diet.     

Prediction model of compressive strength development of fly-ash concrete

Based on experimental results concerning the compressive strength development of concrete containing fly ash, the authors derived an estimation equation for compressive strength development. The equation can express coefficient , which indicates the activity of fly ash as a binder, in the form of a function of age, fly-ash content, and Blaine specific surface area of fly ash.

This equation is capable of explaining the increases in the early strength due to fly ash in place of part of fine aggregate, the decreases in the early strength due to fly ash in place of part of cement, the increases in the long-term strength due to pozzolanic reaction, the relationship between the fly-ash replacement ratio and the ratio of strength increase/decrease, and the effect of fly ash's Blaine specific surface area on the strength.