Hideki Yamasaki

Zinc finger domain of Snail functions as a nuclear localization signal for importin β‐mediated nuclear import pathway

Snail, a DNA‐binding zinc finger protein, functions as a transcriptional repressor for genes including E‐cadherin during development and the acquisition of tumor cell invasiveness. Human Snail is a 264‐amino acid nuclear protein with an amino‐terminal basic amino acid‐rich domain (SNAG domain) and a carboxyl‐terminal DNA‐binding domain (zinc finger domain). A series of fusion proteins composed of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and portions of the Snail protein were generated, and their subcellular localization was examined. Fusion of the four zinc fingers to GFP led to the targeting of GFP to the nucleus, demonstrating that the zinc finger domain is sufficient for nuclear localization. Using an in vitro transport system, the nuclear import of Snail was reconstituted by importin (karyopherin) β in the presence of Ran and NTF2. We further demonstrated that Snail binds directly to importin β in a zinc finger domain‐dependent manner. These results indicate that zinc finger domain of Snail functions as a nuclear localization signal and Snail can be transported into the nucleus in an importin β‐mediated manner.

Relationship of upper body obesity to menstrual disorders

Background. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relative contribution of upper and lower body obesity to obesity‐related menstrual disorders.

Relationship of androgens to muscle size and bone mineral density in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship of androgens to regional muscle size and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS Seventy‐one amenorrheic and right‐side dominant women with PCOS (mean age ± standard deviation 28.1 ± 6.7 years) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics included age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Regional BMD and lean mass were measured by whole‐body scanning with dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione were measured by radioimmunoassay. Correlations between regional BMD and variables were investigated using a Pearson correlation test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS Serum testosterone levels correlated significantly with lean mass of the left arm, right arm, trunk, left leg, and right leg (r = .34, P < .05 to r = .50, P < .01). Regional lean mass correlated significantly with respective regional BMD (r = .30, P < .05 to r = .68, P < .001). These relationships remained significant after adjusting for age, height, and weight. Serum testosterone levels were not correlated with BMD of the bilateral arms and lumbar spine. Although serum testosterone levels correlated with leg BMD (r = .34, P < .05 to r = .45, P < .01), significance did not persist after adjusting for respective regional lean mass. CONCLUSION Testosterone influences regional BMD through increasing regional muscle mass in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Body fat distribution and body composition during GnRH agonist therapy.

Objective To identify the effects of GnRH agonist therapy on body composition (lean and fat mass components) and body fat distribution. Methods Fifteen women with uterine leiomyomas were given a GnRH agonist (leuprorelin acetate, 3.75 mg) monthly for 4 months. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI, weight/height2) were recorded. Regional and total body composition, trunk-leg fat ratio, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (L2–L4), and total body were assessed by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after treatment. Uterine volume was measured by transabdominal ultrasonography. Results The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) lean mass of total body, trunk, and leg decreased significantly (36.3 ± 4.9 to 35.4 ± 4.4 kg, P < .01; 18.8 ± 2.8 to 18.1 ± 2.8 kg, P < .05; and 11.4 ± 1.8 to 11.1 ± 1.6 kg, P < .05; respectively), whereas body fat mass, percentage of body fat, and trunk fat mass increased significantly (20.8 ± 4.8 to 21.8 ± 4.6 kg, P < .01; 34.9 ± 5.9 to 36.5 ± 5.2%, P < .01; and 8.6 ± 3.0 to 9.3 ± 3.0 kg, P < .01; respectively). Trunk-leg fat ratio increased significantly (1.03 ± 0.32 to 1.12 ± 0.33, P < .05). Weight, BMI, arm tissue composition (lean and fat mass components), and leg fat mass did not change during 4 months of GnRH agonist therapy. Bone mineral density and uterine volume decreased significantly. Conclusion Hypogonadism by GnRH agonist therapy induces lean mass loss, increased adiposity overall, and upper body fat accumulation.

The effects of physical exercise on body fat distribution and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE The present cross-sectional study investigated the effects of physical exercise on body fat distribution and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS Subjects were 57 postmenopausal women (mean age, 60.5+/-6.4 years) who had exercised regularly for at least 2 years. Controls were 130 age-matched sedentary women. Age, years since menopause (YSM), height, weight, and body mass index (BMI, wt./ht.(2)) were recorded. Total fat mass, percentage of body fat, trunk fat mass, leg fat mass, the ratio of trunk fat mass to leg fat mass (trunk-leg fat ratio), total body lean mass, percentage of body lean, and lumbar spine BMD (L2-L4) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS Baseline characteristics and leg fat mass did not differ between the two groups. Total fat mass, percentage of body fat, trunk fat mass, and trunk-leg fat ratio were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively), while total body lean mass, percentage of body lean mass, and lumbar spine BMD were higher in exercising women (P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Performing physical exercise was inversely correlated with trunk-leg fat ratio (standardized regression coefficient=-0.178, P<0.01), but positively correlated with BMD (0. 203, P<0.01) irrespective of age, height, YSM, and total fat mass. CONCLUSION Physical exercise has beneficial effects on body fat distribution and BMD in postmenopausal women. Reduction of upper body fat distribution with physical exercise may be more attributable to the decrease in trunk fat mass.

Effect of non–weight-bearing body fat on bone mineral density before and after menopause

Objective To investigate the difference in the effect of non–weight-bearing body fat mass on bone mineral density between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods We studied 252 regularly menstruating pre-menopausal women and 213 postmenopausal women with right side dominance. Age, years since menopause (in post-menopausal women), height, weight, and body mass index were recorded. Bone mineral density of non–weight-bearing sites (ie, arms), weight-bearing sites (ie, lumbar spine including L2–4 and legs), and body fat mass were measured by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Body fat mass was also measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results Body fat mass did not differ between groups. In postmenopausal women, body fat mass correlated positively with bone mineral density of the left leg (r = .41, P < .001), right leg (r = .36, P < .001), left arm (r = .31, P < .001), and lumbar spine (r = .27, P < .001). The correlation between body fat mass and bone mineral density of the left arm remained significant after adjusting for age, years since menopause, and height. In premenopausal women, body fat mass correlated positively with bone mineral density of left leg (r = .37, P < .001) and right leg (r = 0.31, P < .001), but correlated weakly with bilateral arms (r ≤ .19) and lumbar spine bone mineral density (r = 0.13, P < .05). Conclusion The effect of non–weight-bearing body fat on bone mineral density was greater in postmenopausal than premenopausal women.

Inguinal hernia containing functioning, rudimentary uterine horn and endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia containing uterus and endometriosis is exceedingly rare. Most inguinal endometriosis is located at an extrapelvic site near the round ligament. We report a case of a patient with inguinal hernia containing rudimentary uterine horn and endometriosis. CASE: A young, nulliparous, regularly menstruating woman manifested right inguinal mass and pain in the mass during menstruation. At 20 years old, she underwent a surgical procedure for right inguinal mass. Postoperative pathology findings demonstrated inguinal endometriosis. Based on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging, a history of inguinal endometriosis, and the occurrence of inguinal pain during menstruation, she was diagnosed as having incarcerated inguinal hernia containing anomalous uterus and endometriosis. A functioning, noncommunicating, rudimentary uterine horn and endometriosis were surgically removed from the hernia sac. Laparoscopy demonstrated intraabdominal unicornuate uterus, but no pelvic endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Functioning, incarcerated hernia uterus inguinale may be associated with müllerian abnormality and concomitant occurrence of inguinal endometriosis.

Body fat patterning in polycystic ovary syndrome women as a predictor of the response to clomiphene

Background.  To investigate the difference in the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) based on body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Differences in umbilical cord serum lipid levels with mode of delivery

Objective To investigate whether umbilical cord serum lipid levels differ with mode of delivery.

Large parasitic myomas in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue along a previous myomectomy scar

The incidence of iatrogenic parasitic uterine myomas associated with the use of a laparoscopic morcellator has been increasing over the past decade. Recently, we encountered a very rare case with a large parasitic myoma measuring 12 cm in diameter in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue along an abdominal longitudinal surgical scar. The patient had twice undergone abdominal myomectomy for multiple fundal myomas. This is the first report describing a case with as large a parasitic myoma presenting in the suprafascial adipose tissue under the surgical scar after laparotomy. In such a case demonstrating a solid tumor of unknown cause after a gynecologic surgical procedure, a parasitic myoma must be included in the differential diagnosis.