Disease and injury trends among evacuees in a shelter located at the epicenter of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, Japan.

Two huge earthquakes struck Kumamoto, Japan, in April 2016, forcing residents to evacuate. Few studies have reported early-phase disease and injury trends among evacuees following major inland earthquakes. We evaluated the trends among evacuees who visited a medical clinic in a shelter located at the epicenter of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. The clinic opened on April 15, the day after the foreshock, and closed 3 weeks later. We reviewed medical charts related to 929 outpatient visits and conducted descriptive analyses. The evacuees experienced mild injuries and common diseases. The types of diseases changed weekly. Elderly people needed medical support for longer than other age groups. Future earthquakes may be inevitable, but establishing arrangements for medical needs or making precautions for infectious diseases in shelters could reduce the effects of earthquake-related health problems.

The Corynebacterium glutamicum NCgl2281 gene encoding an RNase E/G family endoribonuclease can complement the Escherichia coli rng::cat mutation but not the rne-1 mutation.

The Corynebacterium glutamicum NCgl2281 gene encodes an RNase E/G family endoribonuclease having an additional N-terminal domain of unknown function. In this study, we constructed plasmids expressing the full length (FL) and the N-terminally truncated form (DeltaN) of NCgl2281 and examined their complementation ability as to Escherichia coli rng::cat and rne-1 mutations. Both FL- and DeltaN-NCgl2281 rescued the defects caused by the rng::cat mutation, i.e., accumulation of 16S rRNA precursor, overproduction of the AdhE protein, and growth inhibition on M9 glucose medium. On the other hand, they did not complement the rne-1 mutation. These results indicate that the C. glutamicum NCgl2281 endoribonuclease is functionally more closely related to the E. coli RNase G than to RNase E.

Plasmin-cleaved beta-2-glycoprotein 1 is an inhibitor of angiogenesis.

beta-2-Glycoprotein 1, an abundant plasma glycoprotein, binds anionic cell surfaces and functions as a regulator of thrombosis. Here, we show that cleavage of the kringle domain at Lys317/Thr318 switches its function to a regulator of angiogenesis. In vitro, the cleaved protein specifically inhibited the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. The protein was without effect on preformed endothelial cell tubes. In vivo, the cleaved protein inhibited neovascularization into subcutaneously implanted Matrigel and Gelfoam sponge implants and the growth of orthotopically injected tumors. Collectively, these data indicate that plasmin-cleaved beta-2-glycoprotein 1 is a potent antiangiogenic and antitumor molecule of potential therapeutic significance.

Increased production of pyruvic acid by Escherichia coli RNase G mutants in combination with cra mutations.

The Escherichia coli RNase G is known as an endoribonuclease responsible for the 5'-end maturation of 16S rRNA and degradation of several specific mRNAs such as adhE and eno mRNAs. In this study, we found that an RNase G mutant derived from the MC1061 strain did not grow on a glucose minimal medium. Genetic analysis revealed that simultaneous defects of cra and ilvIH, encoding a transcriptional regulator of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and one of isozymes of acetohydroxy acid synthase, respectively, were required for this phenomenon to occur. The results of additional experiments presented here indicate that the RNase G mutation, in combination with cra mutation, caused the increased production of pyruvic acid from glucose, which was then preferentially converted to valine due to the ilvIH mutation, resulting in depletion of isoleucine. In fact, the rng cra double mutant produced increased amount of pyruvate in the medium. These results suggest that the RNase G mutation could be applied in the breeding of producer strains of pyruvate and its derivatives such as valine.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on the link between regenerating gene expression and serum gastrin levels in Mongolian gerbils.

Although regenerating gene (Reg) protein is reported to have a trophic effect on gastric epithelial cells, its involvement in human gastric diseases is not clear. We have recently shown that both gastrin and gastric mucosal inflammation enhance Reg gene expression in the fundic mucosa in rats. This study was designed to clarify whether Reg protein is involved in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis and whether Reg gene expression is linked to serum gastrin levels in this condition. Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with an H. pylori strain isolated from a gastric cancer patient. Four weeks later, some of the gerbils with H. pylori infection were eradicated by lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. The time courses of changes in Reg gene expression, serum gastrin levels, gastric acidity, and histopathologic factors were examined. Four weeks after H. pylori infection, gastritis started spreading to the fundic mucosa, and gastric acidity started reducing. Serum gastrin levels and Reg mRNA expression in the fundus were significantly increased 6 weeks after infection. Reg mRNA expression in the fundus correlated significantly with both serum gastrin levels and the severity of fundic mucosal inflammation. After H. pylori eradication, serum gastrin levels and fundic mucosal inflammation were normalized, and the increase in Reg mRNA expression was abolished. The Reg gene is associated with hypergastrinemia and fundic mucosal inflammation and may be involved in H. pylori-induced gastritis.

Identification of genes differentially expressed in a newly isolated human metastasizing esophageal cancer cell line, T.Tn-AT1, by cDNA microarray.

We isolated a metastasizing human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line, T.Tn-AT1, from a parental non-metastasizing cell line, T.Tn, by in vitro selection and by use of a nude mouse orthotopic inoculation model. Then, we compared the expression profiles of 9206 genes in T.Tn-AT1 and T.Tn by cDNA microarray analysis. The gene expression profiles of T.Tn and T.Tn-AT1 were very similar, and only 34 genes showed more than 3-fold differential expression. Among the 34 genes, 29 genes were down-regulated and only 5 genes were up-regulated in T.Tn-AT1 cells. Subsequently, we confirmed the expression levels of 14 of the 34 genes in T.Tn and T.Tn-AT1 cells by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of 8 genes (KAL1, HPGD, NDN, REG1A, CXCR4, SPOCK, DIAPH2 and AIF1) was down-regulated and that of one gene (VNN2) was up-regulated in T.Tn-AT1 cells. These 9 genes encoded proteins associated with metastatic processes, such as adhesion, migration, inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, these genes might regulate the metastasis of esophageal SCC, and could be predictive markers for lymph node metastasis of esophageal SCC.

Evaluation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori gastritis using an image analysis processor.

BACKGROUND: Infection of the gastric mucosa by helicobacter pylori is primarily responsible for gastritis, gastric ulcer, adenocarcinoma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. H. pylori appears to accelerate apoptosis and the proliferation of the gastric epithelium directly or indirectly. To precisely assess the proliferative and apoptotic profile of .H pylori-infected gastric mucosa, a quantitative imaging system is now required. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with H. pylori gastritis were the subjects of the study. Biopsy materials were taken from at least two sites (usually three to five sites) including the antrum and corpus. The grade of gastritis was evaluated by the updated Sydney System. The proliferative and apoptotic profile was examined by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method. In addition, Ki-67-positive cells were quantitated by an image processor for analytical pathology (IPAP) system. RESULTS: H. pylori density and polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity were significantly decreased after H. pylori eradication ( P< 0.0001). Chronic inflammation (P< 0.0001) and lymphoid follicle numbers ( P < 0.0005) were also significantly decreased after the eradication. Glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were slightly decreased after eradication, but the decrease did not reach the significant level. the Ki-67 labeling index was significantly decreased after the eradication P< 0.0001). The apoptosis index was also decreased after the eradication, but this decrease did not reach the significant level ( P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: our data suggest that the activation of proliferative cells and induction of apoptosis in the gastric mucosa is a response to H. pylori-induced mucosal damage. Moreover, IPAP may be a useful technology for evaluating the results of immunohistochemistry, and it could provide quantitative and reliable data for studying H. pylori gastritis.

Cyclooxygenase expression during Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils.

We investigated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and COX-1 mRNAs during longterm Helicobacter pylori infection of the Mongolian gerbil (18 months) as well as the effect of eradication therapy and the cag pathogenicity island on COX mRNA expression. COX mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Pyloric channel ulcers were noted in one of 10 gerbils (10%) at 3 months, 33% at 6 months, 50% at 9 months, 17% at 10 months, 40% at 12 months and 25% at 18 months after inoculation of parental strains. Nineteen of 21 gerbils had successful H. pylori eradication and showed significant reduction of inflammation and no ulcerations. There were no significant differences in COX-1 mRNA expression between the groups. COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased 1 and 3 months after inoculation and then decreased to basal levels. In control animals, COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher at 12 and 18 months compared to younger animals. cagE knockout mutants did not induce gastric inflammation and induced significantly lower COX-2 mRNA expression compared to parental strains. COX-2 mRNA was induced early in H. pylori infection and then declined. COX-2 mRNA expression was also induced with aging.

Molecular and genetic characterization of a non-metastatic human esophageal cancer cell line, T.Tn expressing non-functional mutated p53.

Lymph node metastasis is commonly found in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, we examined the molecular and genetic characteristics of a human esophageal SCC cell line, T.Tn. T.Tn cells formed tumors at s.c. tissue in nude mice when inoculated with Matrigel, but did not metastasize to any organs. T.Tn cells expressed low level of proMMP2 and a trace level of proMMP9. However, T.Tn cells expressed high level of TIMP1 and TIMP2, and beta-catenin and E-cadherin. We found a point mutation of p53 gene at codon 213 (CAT-->CGT) in T.Tn cells. The mutated-p53 protein did not show transcriptional activity on p21(waf1), MDM2 and Bax promoters. Thus, T.Tn cells are low tumorigenic and weakly invasive but not metastasizing in nude mice, and T.Tn cells are suitable parental cells for establishing a model system to study invasion and metastasis of esophageal SCC.