Comparison of 18F-fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients with Breast Cancer.

The uptake of 18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) depends on cells' proliferative rates. We compared the characteristics of 18F-FLT positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with those of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT for breast cancer. We prospectively diagnosed patients with breast cancer who underwent 18F-FLT PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Subsequently, significant differences and correlation coefficients of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in primary breast cancer and axillary lymph nodes were statistically evaluated. We enrolled eight patients with breast cancer. In six treatment-naive patients, the SUVmax for primary lesions showed a significant difference (mean, 2.1 vs. 4.1, p = 0.031) and a strong correlation (r = 0.969) between 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG. Further, although the SUVmax for the axillary lymph nodes did not show a significant difference between 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG (P = 0.246), there was a strong correlation between the two (r = 0.999). In a patient-by-patient study, there were cases in which only 18F-FDG uptake was observed in lymph nodes and normal breasts. Bone metastases demonstrated lower accumulation than bone marrow on the 18F-FLT PET/CT. In conclusion, a strong correlation was observed between the 18F-FLT PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT uptake. Differences in the biochemical characteristics of 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG were reflected in the accumulation differences for breast cancer, metastatic lesions, and normal organs.

Relationship between the serum cancer antigen 125 level and the weight of surgically enucleated adenomyosis.

Elevated serum levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) are known to occur in adenomyosis. However, the relationship between the severity of adenomyosis and serum CA125 levels has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to examine the correlation between the weight of adenomyosis and the serum CA125 level. This retrospective study, after applying exclusion criteria, investigated 308 patients who underwent conservative surgery for adenomyosis. Serum CA125 levels were measured before surgery and weights of surgically enucleated adenomyosis were measured in the operating room. Both serum CA125 and surgically enucleated adenomyosis weight showed log-normal distributions. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient for the logarithmically converted values was 0.617 (95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.68).The serum CA125 level correlated positively with the weight of adenomyosis. Although the qualitative characteristics and clinical significance of adenomyosis lesions remain unclear, it seems that the investigation of the relative relationship between the serum CA125 level and the size of the affected lesion is useful to observe one of the qualitative features of adenomyosis. Furthermore, the present study supports the use of postoperative serum CA125 levels as an important indicator for determining the therapeutic effects of conservative surgical treatment for adenomyosis and detecting early signs of recurrence. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Elevated serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels are known to occur in adenomyosis and are widely recognised as helpful in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.What do the results of this study add? There is a positive correlation between the serum CA125 level and the weight of adenomyosis.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The postoperative serum CA125 level is an important indicator for evaluating the extent of the affected lesion remaining after conservative surgical treatment for adenomyosis and also helpful for detecting early signs of recurrence. Further study is required to examine whether it is possible to clarify the qualitative characteristics of adenomyosis in each different case based on the CA125-producing ability of the lesion.

Whole-genome sequencing of endangered Zhoushan cattle suggests its origin and the association of MC1R with black coat colour.

Zhoushan cattle are an endangered cattle breed in the Zhoushan islands in China. Since Zhoushan cattle have been bred in isolation, they show unique characteristics, such as dark black coat colour. However, no studies have been conducted on the genome of Zhoushan cattle. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of seven individuals of Zhoushan cattle and nine cattle in Wenling, geographically close to the Zhoushan islands. By integrating our data and publicly-available data, we found that Zhoushan cattle are genetically highly similar to Bos indicus cattle in south-eastern China. Furthermore, by identifying the genomic regions shared between Zhoushan cattle and Angus cattle, a Bos taurus breed, we found that the p.F195L mutation in melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R) could be associated with their dark black coat colour. Taken together, our results provide a valuable resource for characterising the uniqueness of Zhoushan cattle.

Whole-genome resequencing of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) reveals the population structure and signatures of environmental adaptation.

Large yellow croaker is an economically important fish in China and East Asia. Despite its economic importance, genome-wide adaptions of domesticated large yellow croaker are largely unknown. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing of 198 individuals of large yellow croaker obtained in the sea or from farmers in Zhoushan or Ningde. Population genomics analyses revealed the genetic population structure of our samples, reflecting the living environment. Each effective population size is estimated to be declining over generations. Moreover, we identified genetically differentiated genomic regions between the sea-captured population in the Zhoushan Sea area and that of the Ningde Sea area or between the sea-captured population and the farmed population in either area. Gene ontology analyses revealed the gene groups under selective sweep for the adaptation to the domesticated environment. All these results suggest that individuals of the large yellow croaker populations show genomic signatures of adaptation to different living environments.

Photoinduced Shape Changes of Mixed Molecular Glass Particles Containing Azobenzene-Based Photochromic Amorphous Molecular Materials Fixed in Agar Gel.

It has been found that mixed molecular glass particles exhibit photoinduced shape changes, elongating their shapes to form stringlike structures similar to single molecular glass particles of azobenzene-based photochromic amorphous molecular materials. Furthermore, interestingly, the addition of 15 mol % photochemically inert 4,4',4″-tris[3-methylphenyl(phenyl)amino]triphenylamine enhanced the phenomenon relative to single particles of 4-[bis(4-methylphenyl)amino]azobenzene. The present mixed systems allowed to elucidate the effects of Tg and of the apparent photochromic reactivity independently by changing the mixing ratio of suitable materials. It has been clearly demonstrated that increase in the apparent photochromic reactivity enhanced monotonically the photomechanical elongation of the particles. On the other hand, it has been found that increase in Tg was favorable for the present photoinduced elongation of the particle, whereas the effect of Tg became saturated at sufficiently high Tg values.

Difference in reproductive performance between two subtypes of bicornuate uterus.

PURPOSE: We compared reproductive outcome in patients with two subtypes of bicornuate uterus who underwent a Strassmann metroplasty procedure. METHODS: Eleven patients diagnosed using the R-AFS definition were divided into partial and complete type, then reproductive outcome following a Strassmann metroplasty was evaluated. RESULTS: All four patients with the partial type anomaly conceived and achieved a live birth, while none of the seven with the complete type anomaly were able to conceive. CONCLUSION: Patients with the partial type of bicornuate uterus showed a favorable prognosis after a Strassmann metroplasty. Conversely, those with the complete type should be treated as uterus didelphis, and not undergo a metroplasty.

Association of uterine wall thickness with pregnancy outcome following uterine-sparing surgery for diffuse uterine adenomyosis.

BACKGROUND: The risk of uterine rupture is a major concern for women who become pregnant after undergoing an adenomyomectomy. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of uterine wall thickness with pregnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uterine wall thickness was measured using sonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging in 23 pregnant women who underwent uterine-sparing surgery for diffuse uterine adenomyosis prior to conception. RESULTS: Of the 23 women, 10 (43.5%) had an early miscarriage and 13 (56.5%) proceeded to delivery. Of the ten early miscarriage cases, two had a uterine rupture caused by excision of the uterine wall to within 7 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Wall thickness of the excised uterus was highly associated with uterine rupture. We concluded that optimum wall thickness for conception and preventing uterine rupture during pregnancy may range from 9 to 15 mm.

New myomectomy technique for diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a new myomectomy technique for diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To enucleate multiple myomas, we developed a novel myomectomy technique involving longitudinal dissection of the uterus in the midline. On each side of the anterior and posterior walls, the uterine wall was further divided into two pieces from the incision site. Myomas were separated into serosal and mucosal sides, and then enucleated for removal from the thinned myometrium. RESULTS: This procedure was applied for seven patients with diffuse leiomyomatosis. The mean number of myomas enucleated from each patient was 117 (range, 74-226). Mean total weight of enucleated myomas was 147.6 g (range, 59-360 g). Mean operative time was 284 min (range, 212-407 min). Mean blood loss was 1614 g (range, 428-4421 g), with three patients requiring blood transfusion. Anemia due to menorrhagia improved in all women. Three patients became pregnant, with two undergoing cesarean section after a normal course of pregnancy and giving birth to healthy babies. The third pregnancy ended in miscarriage. We noticed intraoperatively that myoma nodules were connected to each other in every case. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure should be considered as a therapeutic option in women suffering from symptoms of diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis who wish to avoid hysterectomy.

Diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis in patient with successful pregnancy following new surgical management.

Diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis is associated with significant infertility and miscarriage complications. Appropriate diagnosis and therapy is essential. A 33-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of GnRH analogue treatment-resistant multiple myomas and infertility. Following new technical myomectomy, she conceived spontaneously and delivered a 2,470 g healthy baby by cesarean section. New technical myomectomy may become an important conservative treatment option for patients with diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis.

Traceable amino acid analyses of proteins and peptides by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry using precolumn derivatization reagent.

We have developed an accurate and traceable quantitation method of proteins and peptides by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry with the precolumn derivatization for hydrolyzed amino acid. This method utilized N-butylnicotinic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester iodide as the derivatization reagent and C-30 reversed phase column for the separation. Quantitative results of porcine insulin and human serum albumin obtained from the hydrolyzed six or seven amino acids showed a good agreement, with less than 3% of the expanded uncertainties. This method allows more accurate and more robust amino acid analysis in comparison with non-labeled methods.

Conservative surgical management for diffuse uterine adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of new conservative surgical management for diffuse uterine adenomyosis. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Gynecology department in a general hospital. PATIENT(S): A total of 44 women with diffuse adenomyosis. INTERVENTION(S): Conservative surgical management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mean visual analog scale score of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia after a 3-month follow-up. RESULT(S): After this surgery, the mean visual analog scale score of dysmenorrhea decreased from 9.4 to 0.8, and anemia due to menorrhagia improved in all women. Two patients became pregnant, with one interstitial pregnancy and one normal pregnancy that is continuing. No major complications or sequelae were observed. CONCLUSION(S): This procedure should be considered as a therapeutic option in women with symptoms of diffuse uterine adenomyosis who wish to avoid hysterectomy.

Identification of OS-2 MAP kinase-dependent genes induced in response to osmotic stress, antifungal agent fludioxonil, and heat shock in Neurospora crassa.

Two-component signal transduction comprising of OS-1 (histidine kinase), OS-4 (MAPKK kinase), OS-5 (MAPK kinase), and OS-2 (MAP kinase) plays an important role in osmotic regulation in Neurospora crassa. To identify the genes regulated downstream of OS-2 MAP kinase, quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis was conducted in selected genes based on Hog1 MAP kinase regulated genes in yeast. In response to osmotic stress and fludioxonil, expression of six genes that for glycerol synthesis (gcy-1, gcy-3, and dak-1), gluconeogenesis (fbp-1 and pck-1), and catalase (ctt-1) was activated in the wild-type strain, but not in the os-2 mutant. A heat shock treatment also induced their expression in the same way. Consisting with the gene expression, the enzyme activity of glycerol dehydrogenase, but not glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, was increased in response to osmotic stress and fludioxonil in the wild-type strain. OS-2 was phosphorylated by the OS-1 cascade in response to relatively low osmotic stress and fludioxonil. However, OS-2 phosphorylation by heat shock and a higher osmotic stress was found in the os-1 mutant normally but not in the os-4 and os-5 mutants. These results suggested that non-OS-1 signaling activates OS-2 in an OS-4-dependent manner in such conditions.