Iodoarene-catalyzed oxidative transformations using molecular oxygen

Molecular oxygen serves as an oxidant for the glycol scission of diols and the Hofmann rearrangement of amides using an iodoarene catalyst.

Effect of Genetic Information Regarding Salt-Sensitive Hypertension on the Intent to Maintain a Reduced Salt Diet: Implications for Health Communication in Japan

The authors investigated the relationship between the awareness of dietary salt and genetics and the intent to maintain a low-salt diet. In particular, they assessed whether hypothetical genetic information regarding salt-sensitive hypertension motivates the intent to reduce dietary salt for communicating the health benefits of lower salt consumption to citizens. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 2500 randomly sampled residents aged 30 to 69 years living in Nagahama, Japan. Genetic information regarding higher salt sensitivity increased motivation to reduce salt intake for both those who agreed that genes cause hypertension and those who did not. Less than 50% of those who agreed that genes cause hypertension lost their intention to lower their salt consumption when they found they did not possess the susceptibility gene. Communicating genetic information positively affected motivation to reduce salt intake. The present study clarifies the difficulty in changing the behavioral intent of those who have significantly less incentive to reduce salt intake. Therefore, a multidimensional approach is crucial to reduce salt consumption.

Tumour-suppressive miRNA-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p inhibit cell aggressiveness by regulating PLOD2 in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have revealed that miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p act as tumour suppressors in various types of cancer tissues. Here, we aimed to investigate the functional roles of these miRNAs and to identify their regulatory targets in bladder cancer (BC).

METHODS

We performed functional assays in BC cells using transfection of mature microRNAs (miRNAs). In silico and luciferase reporter analyses were applied to identify target genes of these miRNAs. The overall survival (OS) of patients with BC was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p were significantly downregulated in BC tissues. Restoration of these miRNAs inhibited cell migration and invasion in BC. The gene encoding procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), a collagen crosslinking enzyme, was directly regulated by miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with high PLOD2 expression had significantly shorter OS compared with those with low PLOD2 expression (P=0.0153).

CONCLUSIONS

PLOD2, which is associated with the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, was directly regulated by miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p and may be a good prognostic marker in patients with BC.

Experiences and attitudes of residents regarding a community-based genome cohort study in Japan: a population-based, cross-sectional study

Background

Because of the rapid development in genomics, more research findings have emerged. However, the association between society and research results remains controversial. This article examines the experiences and attitudes of residents regarding a community-based genomic cohort study.

Methods

This study was conducted as a part of the health survey of the City Health Promotion section. At the conclusion of the first stage of the project, a self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 2,500 residents in 2012.

Results

The response rate was 59 % (n = 1477/2500). The findings show that 70 % of males and 50 % of females knew nothing about the project. Females and elderly people were more likely to have knowledge of the study, indicating that self-rated understanding of the terminology is statistically associated with the level of awareness regarding the project. In addition, those who were aware of the project were also aware of the benefits of research utilizing genetic information, whereas unaware respondents, particularly males, believed that unexpected negative effects may occur. Those with higher self-rated understanding of the terminology and higher awareness of benefit of the research utilizing genetic information had more positive attitudes toward undergoing drug susceptibility genetic testing, indicating that the awareness of project in females and concerns toward genetic research are not statistically associated with the willingness to undergo.

Conclusions

This study suggests that a community-based genome cohort project helps raise awareness of benefit of genetic research and that knowledge, however, does not directly affect the willingness to participate in related activities, such as drug susceptibility genetic testing. Therefore, additional research that focuses on the circular relationship between risk and action must be conducted in the future.

Effect of Coulomb collision on the negative ion extraction mechanism in negative ion sources

To improve the H(-) ion beam optics, it is necessary to understand the energy relaxation process of surface produced H(-) ions in the extraction region of Cs seeded H(-) ion sources. Coulomb collisions of charged particles have been introduced to the 2D3V-PIC (two dimension in real space and three dimension in velocity space particle-in-cell) model for the H(-) extraction by using the binary collision model. Due to Coulomb collision, the lower energy part of the ion energy distribution function of H(-) ions has been greatly increased. The mean kinetic energy of the surface produced H(-) ions has been reduced to 0.65 eV from 1.5 eV. It has been suggested that the beam optics of the extracted H(-) ion beam is strongly affected by the energy relaxation process due to Coulomb collision.

Analysis of the beam halo in negative ion sources by using 3D3V PIC code

The physical mechanism of the formation of the negative ion beam halo and the heat loads of the multi-stage acceleration grids are investigated with the 3D PIC (particle in cell) simulation. The following physical mechanism of the beam halo formation is verified: The beam core and the halo consist of the negative ions extracted from the center and the periphery of the meniscus, respectively. This difference of negative ion extraction location results in a geometrical aberration. Furthermore, it is shown that the heat loads on the first acceleration grid and the second acceleration grid are quantitatively improved compared with those for the 2D PIC simulation result.

Semiempirical QM/MM calculations reveal a step-wise proton transfer and an unusual thiolate pocket in the mechanism of the unique arylpropionate racemase AMDase G74C

Semiempirical calculations on the mechanism of the arylpropionate racemase AMDase G74C reveal a step-wise mechanism involving a planar-enedionate intermediate.

Residents' awareness and attitudes about an ongoing community-based genome cohort study in Nagahama, Japan

This study's objective was to examine residents' attitudes toward and factors associated with an ongoing, real genome cohort study based on a community in Japan. After the genome cohort study's launch in 2007, in November and December 2009, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 2500 randomly sampled residents aged 30-74 years, living in Nagahama, Japan. Responses were received from 1363 people (response rate = 54.5%), of whom 187 respondents had already participated in the study. Although the local government and researchers disseminated information through leaflets and citizen-information papers to every household, sent notices by personalized letter, and held symposia and other meetings, 65.7% of males and 47.2% of females first became aware of the study when they received our questionnaire. Among all respondents, 81.2% of those who knew that the genome cohort study had begun and 68.6% of those who did not know had a positive attitude toward the study. Their attitudes were significantly associated with high health consciousness and the desire for an extensive health check-up. Although for males there were no particular negative aspects of the genome study, for females, positive aspects were associated with participating in community activities and desiring an extensive health check-up. Although promoting a community-based genome cohort study requires huge effort, it is essential to popularize it. Actions are vital both for monitoring public awareness and attitudes at a community level and for keeping communication channels open.

Social capital and health: implication for health promotion by lay citizens in Japan

A non-profit organization was formed in 2009 by lay citizens of Nagahama, Japan in response to a community-based genome-epidemiologic study, the ‘Nagahama Zero(0)-ji Prevention Cohort Project (N0PCP)’. This organization aims to promote health by taking advantage of citizens’ social networks. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion affirms the importance of creating supportive environments and coordinating social relationships. Supportive environments (infrastructure) and social relationships (resources) work together as aspects of social capital. This study sought to examine the association between self-rated health and social capital, at both individual and neighborhood levels, and to discuss suitable health promotion strategies for local circumstances.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011, using a self-administered postal questionnaire. Social capital indicators included aspects of support in the environment (social support, neighborhood connectedness, informal social controls, neighborhood trust, general trust, and attachment to place) and social relationships (number of activities; participation in neighborhood activities; participation in recreational activities; and social leverage regarding physical health, mental health, and acquisition of health information). Neighborhood-level social capital was calculated as the percentage of individuals in a neighborhood in the ‘high social capital’ category. At the individual level, participation in recreational activities, high general trust, and discussion regarding mental health problems with family members were associated with self-rated health positively, whereas discussion of mental health problems with acquaintances had a negative correlation. At the neighborhood level, a highly supportive environment did not contribute to good health, whereas aggregated attachment to place had a positive correlation. There were no significant inter-regional health differences.

The results of this study suggest that health promotion activities should aim at promoting the formation of empathetic friendships through individual networks, based on bringing individuals who need support to compatible places. Attachment to place should be incorporated into activities as an important and effective tool.

Seasonal changes in gene expression of corticoid receptors in anadromous and non-anadromous strains of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

To clarify the regulation of expression of corticoid receptor (CR) genes during period of parr-smolt transformation of salmonids, seasonal changes in mRNA levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-1, GR-2 and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) were examined in gill, leucocytes, spleen and brain of anadromous and non-anadromous forms of Oncorhynchus mykiss. Increases in gill Na(+) , K(+) ATPase activity, plasma thyroxine levels and hypo-osmoregulatory ability assessed by 24 h seawater challenge test represented characteristics of smoltification in anadromous O. mykiss from May to June, whereas there was no apparent increase in the values of non-anadromous O. mykiss. Plasma cortisol levels of anadromous O. mykiss were higher than levels of non-anadromous O. mykiss from April to June. In gill of non-anadromous O. mykiss, there were significant increases in mRNA levels of three types of CR in spring. Although there were significant seasonal variations of CR mRNA levels in gill of anadromous O. mykiss, they appear to be less clear than those variations in non-anadromous O. mykiss. In anadromous O. mykiss, significant elevations in mRNA levels of the three types of CR were observed especially in the spleen. In both preoptic area and basal hypothalamus of the brain, there were tendencies to increase in CR mRNA levels from spring to summer in both anadromous and non-anadromous O. mykiss. These results showed difference in regulation of CR gene expression between the two forms of O. mykiss for osmoregulatory, immune and central nervous systems.

Valley-dependent spin polarization in bulk MoS2 with broken inversion symmetry

The valley degree of freedom of electrons is attracting growing interest as a carrier of information in various materials, including graphene, diamond and monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides. The monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides are semiconducting and are unique due to the coupling between the spin and valley degrees of freedom originating from the relativistic spin-orbit interaction. Here, we report the direct observation of valley-dependent out-of-plane spin polarization in an archetypal transition-metal dichalcogenide--MoS2--using spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The result is in fair agreement with a first-principles theoretical prediction. This was made possible by choosing a 3R polytype crystal, which has a non-centrosymmetric structure, rather than the conventional centrosymmetric 2H form. We also confirm robust valley polarization in the 3R form by means of circularly polarized photoluminescence spectroscopy. Non-centrosymmetric transition-metal dichalcogenide crystals may provide a firm basis for the development of magnetic and electric manipulation of spin/valley degrees of freedom.

Photoelectron spin-polarization control in the topological insulator Bi2Se3

We study the manipulation of the spin polarization of photoemitted electrons in Bi2Se3 by spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. General rules are established that enable controlling the photoelectron spin-polarization. We demonstrate the ± 100% reversal of a single component of the measured spin-polarization vector upon the rotation of light polarization, as well as full three-dimensional manipulation by varying experimental configuration and photon energy. While a material-specific density-functional theory analysis is needed for the quantitative description, a minimal yet fully generalized two-atomic-layer model qualitatively accounts for the spin response based on the interplay of optical selection rules, photoelectron interference, and topological surface-state complex structure. It follows that photoelectron spin-polarization control is generically achievable in systems with a layer-dependent, entangled spin-orbital texture.

Study of plasma meniscus and beam halo in negative ion sources using three dimension in real space and three dimension in velocity space particle in cell model

Our previous study by two dimension in real space and three dimension in velocity space-particle in cell model shows that the curvature of the plasma meniscus causes the beam halo in the negative ion sources. The negative ions extracted from the periphery of the meniscus are over-focused in the extractor due to the electrostatic lens effect, and consequently become the beam halo. The purpose of this study is to verify this mechanism with the full 3D model. It is shown that the above mechanism is essentially unchanged even in the 3D model, while the fraction of the beam halo is significantly reduced to 6%. This value reasonably agrees with the experimental result.

Kinetic modeling of particle dynamics in H(-) negative ion sources (invited)

Progress in the kinetic modeling of particle dynamics in H(-) negative ion source plasmas and their comparisons with experiments are reviewed, and discussed with some new results. Main focus is placed on the following two topics, which are important for the research and development of large negative ion sources and high power H(-) ion beams: (i) Effects of non-equilibrium features of EEDF (electron energy distribution function) on H(-) production, and (ii) extraction physics of H(-) ions and beam optics.

Quantification and visualization of cellular NAD(P)H in young and aged female facial skin with in vivo two-photon tomography

BACKGROUND

In vivo two-photon tomography is a novel noninvasive three-dimensional optical skin imaging technology with subcellular resolution which enables the sensitive detection of endogenous fluorophores. One of these fluorophores, NAD(P)H (a coenzyme which plays an important role in the release of free energy during glycolysis, and influences filaggrin and lipid synthesis), can be selectively detected in keratinocytes (granular cells) with two-photon tomography.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify NAD(P)H levels in subsurface human facial skin in vivo as a measure to determine if there are changes with age.

METHODS

A total of 80 healthy Asian females were enrolled in this study, aged 21-68 years. Measurements were performed on facial skin using in vivo two-photon tomography (DermaInspect/MPTflex™, JenLab GmbH, Jena, Germany). The laser beam scans a skin field of interest in pulses, focused at a depth to reach the granular layer. The near-infrared laser pulses excite the endogenous fluorophores NAD(P)H. Image processing was performed to obtain high-resolution autofluorescence images (optical biopsies) and to quantify the fluorescent grey scale to determine NAD(P)H levels. Additional skin surface measures taken were hydration (corneometer), elasticity (cutometer) and wrinkles (image capture and analysis).

RESULTS

Statistically significant changes in all measured parameters as a function of age were observed. Most importantly, the mean fluorescent grey scale values for NAD(P)H in the youngest group studied (women in their 20s) was 38.8 (SD ± 12.39), while that of the oldest group studied (women in their 60s) was 32.7 (SD ± 12.47). These NAD(P)H levels are statistically significantly different (P = 0.0078).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of NAD(P)H in the epidermis is significantly greater in younger vs. older skin in vivo. This likely reflects decreased production and/or increased degradation of NAD(P)H in older skin, possibly as a result of chronological ageing and environmental damage (e.g. photodamage). NAD(P)H levels in epidermal skin may be a useful biomarker of skin ageing in vivo. It is also likely that maintaining NAD(P)H production is a useful approach to maintaining good skin condition and caring for ageing skin.

Close relationships between polar auxin transport and graviresponse in plants

Gravitational force on Earth is one of the major environmental factors affecting plant growth and development. Spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS), and a three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat have been available to clarify the effects of gravistimulation on plant growth and development in space and on ground conditions, respectively. Under a stimulus-free environment such as space conditions, plants show a growth and developmental habit designated as 'automorphosis' or 'automorphogenesis'. Recent studies in hormonal physiology, together with space and molecular biology, have demonstrated the close relationships between automorphosis and polar auxin transport. Reduced polar auxin transport in space conditions, or induced by the application of polar auxin transport inhibitors, substantially induced automorphosis or automorphosis-like growth and development, indicating that polar auxin transport is responsible for graviresponse in plants. This concise review covers graviresponse in plants and automorphosis observed in space conditions, and polar auxin transport related to graviresponse in etiolated Alaska and ageotropum pea seedlings. Molecular aspects of polar auxin transport clarified in recent studies are also described.

Impact of flow cytometry crossmatch B-cell positivity on living renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

Various studies have reported poorer graft survival among individuals displaying T-cell-positive flow cytometry crossmatches (FCXM). Good outcomes have been observed in immunologically high-risk patients with the use of rituximab, plasmapheresis, and γ-globulin. Because the relevance of FCXM B-cell-positivity (BCXM (+)) alone remains controversial, we examined its impact on living donor renal transplantations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 146 adult renal transplantation recipients from April 2007 to June 2012, dividing the patients into BCXM (+) (n = 31) versus BCXM (-) recipients (n = 115). We examined patient and graft survivals as well as rejection rates at 0 to 3, 3 to 12, and 12 to 24 months. We also determined the incidence of infectious diseases. We performed stepwise multivariate regression to identify risk factors contributing rejection episodes.

RESULTS

One-year patient and graft survivals were 100% in both groups. The BCXM (-) group have a 16.8% rejection probability whereas the BCXM (+) group, 33.2% (P = .201). There were no significantly differences in the incidence of infectious diseases. Only the rate of a sensitizing history was an independent risk factor for a rejection episode.

CONCLUSION

BCXM (+) showed only a tendency but not a significant impact on rejection episodes compared with BCXM (-); short-term graft survivals were similar.

Neurological deterioration due to missed thoracic spinal stenosis after decompressive lumbar surgery

There have been a few reports of patients with a combination of lumbar and thoracic spinal stenosis. We describe six patients who suffered unexpected acute neurological deterioration at a mean of 7.8 days (6 to 10) after lumbar decompressive surgery. Five had progressive weakness and one had recurrent pain in the lower limbs. There was incomplete recovery following subsequent thoracic decompressive surgery.

The neurological presentation can be confusing. Patients with compressive myelopathy due to lower thoracic lesions, especially epiconus lesions (T10 to T12/L1 disc level), present with similar symptoms to those with lumbar radiculopathy or cauda equina lesions. Despite the rarity of this condition we advise that patients who undergo lumbar decompressive surgery for stenosis should have sagittal whole spine MRI studies pre-operatively to exclude proximal neurological compression.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1388–91.

ANGPTL4 is a secreted tumor suppressor that inhibits angiogenesis

Tumor suppressors with extracellular function are likely to have advantages as targets for cancer therapy, but few are known. Here, we focused on angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), which is a secreted glycoprotein involved in lipoprotein metabolism and angiogenesis, is methylation-silenced in human cancers, but has unclear roles in cancer development and progression. We found a deletion mutation in its coiled-coil domain at its N-terminal in human gastric cancers, in addition to hypermethylation of the ANGPTL4 promoter CpG islands. Forced expression of wild-type ANGPTL4, but not ANGPTL4 with the deletion, at physiological levels markedly suppressed in vivo tumorigenicity and tumor angiogenesis, indicating that the latter caused the former. Tumor-derived ANGPTL4 suppressed in vitro vascular tube formation and proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells, partly due to suppression of ERK signaling. These showed that ANGPTL4 is a genetically and epigenetically inactivated secreted tumor suppressor that inhibits tumor angiogenesis.

Crystal structure of μ3-fluoro-tri-μ2-fluoro-tris(tetramethylethylenediamine nickel(II)) fluoride trihydrate, [Ni3(tmen)3F5]+·F–·3H2O, C18H54F6N6Ni3O3

C18H54F6N6O3Ni3, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 8.6908(7) Å, b = 13.717(1) Å, c = 14.281(1) Å, α = 72.997(1)°, β = 89.459(1)°, γ = 75.718(1)°, V = 1574.1(2) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0355, wRref(F2) = 0.0433, T = 273,2 K.

Topological surface states with persistent high spin polarization across the Dirac point in Bi2Te2Se and Bi2Se2Te

Helical spin textures with marked spin polarizations of topological surface states have been unveiled for the first time by state-of-the-art spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy for two promising topological insulators, Bi(2)Te(2)Se and Bi(2)Se(2)Te. Their highly spin-polarized natures are found to be persistent across the Dirac point in both compounds. This novel finding paves a pathway to extending the utilization of topological surface states of these compounds for future spintronic applications.

The surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylitis using posterior instrumentation without anterior debridement

There have been few reports regarding the efficacy of posterior instrumentation alone as surgical treatment for patients with pyogenic spondylitis, thus avoiding the morbidity of anterior surgery. We report the clinical outcomes of six patients with pyogenic spondylitis treated effectively with a single-stage posterior fusion without anterior debridement at a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2 to 5). Haematological data, including white cell count and level of C-reactive protein, returned to normal in all patients at a mean of 8.2 weeks (7 to 9) after the posterior fusion. Rigid bony fusion between the infected vertebrae was observed in five patients at a mean of 6.3 months (4.5 to 8) post-operatively, with the remaining patient having partial union. Severe back pain was immediately reduced following surgery and the activities of daily living showed a marked improvement. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected as the causative organism in four patients.

Single-stage posterior fusion may be effective in patients with pyogenic spondylitis who have relatively minor bony destruction.

Relationship between perifoveal capillaries and pathomorphology in macular oedema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between macular ischaemia on fluorescein angiography (FA) and pathomorphology at the foveal centre delineated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in macular oedema (MO) associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

METHODS

One hundred and five consecutive eyes of 105 patients with MO (centre point thickness (CPT) ≥ 300 μm) associated with BRVO in which FA using Heidelberg Retinal Angiography 2 and Spectralis OCT were performed on the same day were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the foveal pathomorphology using OCT images and the association with macular ischaemia.

RESULTS

Within 1 year from symptom onset, 94 eyes were classified with perfused macula (34 eyes) or non-perfused macula (60 eyes). Eyes with perfused macula had better visual acuity and less CPT than those with non-perfused macula (P=0.024 and P<0.001, respectively). Fourteen eyes with perfused macula had serous retinal detachment (SRD) alone at the presumed foveal centre (SRD type); seven, a sponge-like swelling at that area (retinal swelling type); 11, foveal cystoid spaces alone (cystoid MO (CMO) type), and 2, with both SRD and foveal cystoid spaces (SRD+CMO type). However, 58 eyes with non-perfused macula had foveal cystoid spaces (42 of CMO type and 16 of SRD+CMO type), with a significant association between them (P<0.001). Among 11 eyes with symptoms exceeding 1 year, 6 eyes had perfused macula, and none had the SRD type.

CONCLUSION

Most eyes without foveal cystoid spaces have perfused macula in MO associated with BRVO.

Experimental verification of PbBi2Te4 as a 3D topological insulator

The experimental evidence is presented of the topological insulator state in PbBi2Te4. A single surface Dirac cone is observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. Topological invariants Z2 are calculated from the ab initio band structure to be 1;(111). The observed two-dimensional isoenergy contours in the bulk energy gap are found to be the largest among the known three-dimensional topological insulators. This opens a pathway to achieving a sufficiently large spin current density in future spintronic devices.

Elimination of Teicoplanin by Adsorption to the Filter Membrane during Haemodiafiltration: Screening Experiments for Linezolid, Teicoplanin and Vancomycin followed by in vitro Haemodiafiltration Models for Teicoplanin

Pharmaceutical agents directed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus can be eliminated during haemodiafiltration, not only by diffusion and ultrafiltration, but also by adsorption onto haemofilters. The latter may be affected by the binding of agents to serum albumin. The present study therefore investigated the affinity of anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus agents (teicoplanin, linezolid, vancomycin) for haemofilters and the pharmacokinetic properties of teicoplanin during haemodiafiltration. Linezolid, teicoplanin and vancomycin were first screened for their in vitro affinity for three different kinds of filter membranes: polysulfone, polyacrylonitrile and polymethylmethacrylate. Only teicoplanin showed significant filter-binding activity. An in vitro haemodiafiltration circulation model was then developed that incorporated a one-litre beaker containing Krebs-Ringer's bicarbonate solution with/without human albumin (0 or 3 g/dl) as an artificial plasma. Teicoplanin (initial concentration 50 μg/ml, representing the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) resulting from a typical clinical dosage) was circulated throughout the beaker. Teicoplanin concentrations in the ‘plasma’ and ultrafiltrate were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. In the screening experiment, teicoplanin was predominantly adsorbed onto polysulfone and polymethylmethacrylate membranes. Furthermore, teicoplanin was primarily eliminated by adsorption onto these filters during in vitro haemodiafiltration. Albumin significantly reduced both haemodiafiltration clearance and the adsorption-dependent elimination, although there were complex but significant interactions between albumin and the filter membrane. Elimination of teicoplanin in an in vitro haemodiafiltration model was largely due to adsorption onto polysulfone and polymethylmethacrylate haemofilters. Future clinical studies should likely be designed to evaluate present recommendations of teicoplanin dosages in patients on haemodiafiltration.

Spin-polarized Dirac-cone-like surface state with d character at W(110)

The surface of W(110) exhibits a Dirac-cone-like state with d character within a spin-orbit-induced symmetry gap. As a function of the wave vector parallel to the surface, it shows a nearly massless energy dispersion and a pronounced spin polarization, which is antisymmetric with respect to the Brillouin zone center. In addition, the observed constant energy contours are strongly anisotropic for all energies. This discovery opens new pathways to the study of surface spin-density waves arising from a strong Fermi surface nesting as well as d-electron-based topological properties.

Numerical analysis of surface produced H- ions by using two-dimensional particle-in-cell method

The modeling and analysis of a negative ion source is proceeding by using a 2D particle-in-cell simulation. The effect of the H(-) ion production on the plasma grid (PG) surface is investigated. It is shown that with the increase of H(-) ions per time step, the H(-) ion current density is enhanced, while the electron current density decreases with increasing the H(-) production rate on the PG surface. These results agree well with the experimental results observed in typical negative ion sources. Moreover, it is found that plasma quasi-neutrality is held mainly by both H(+) and H(-) ions in the bulk plasma around the PG.

Analysis of the H- ion emissive surface in the extraction region of negative ion sources

To understand the plasma characteristics in the extraction region of negative H(-) sources is very important for the optimization of H(-) extraction from the sources. The profile of plasma density and electrostatic potential in the extraction region with and without extraction grid voltage are analyzed with a 2D particle in cell modeling of the NIFS-RD H(-) sources. The simulation results make clear the physical process forming a double ion plasma layer (which consists only of positive H(+) and negative H(-) ions) recently observed in the Cs-seeded experiments of the NIFS-R&D source in the vicinity of the extraction hole and the plasma grid. The results also give a useful insight into the formation mechanism of the plasma meniscus and the H(-) extraction process for such double ion plasma.

A P300-based BCI system for controlling computer cursor movement

A P300-based BCI (brain-computer interface) system for controlling the movement of the cursor displayed on the computer screen was proposed and evaluated. On the LCD computer screen, the cursor was displayed with the surrounded eight small circles, each of which was blinked sequentially in a random order. Five healthy subjects were requested to gaze at one of the circles placed in the preferred direction. The P300 activities elicited by the random blink of the target circle were detected by pattern classifier and they were used to move the cursor to the same direction as the target circle. It was shown that all of the subjects could control the movement of the cursor to their preferred direction by moving their gaze point in a short distance. This system can be applied to the voluntary control of the movement of the computer cursor, and the navigation of robot or video camera, without using users' extremities.

P1-01-11: CD4+CD25highCD127low/− Regulatory T Cells Have Immunosuppressive Function in Patients with Breast Cancer

CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T cells play a central role in self-tolerance and suppress antitumor immune response. Recent studies have shown that low levels of the IL-7 receptor (CD127) are expressed on CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T cells surfaces and the expression of CD127 is inversely correlated with the suppressive function of CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells. We evaluated the frequency of CD4+CD25highCD127low/− T cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 72 breast cancer patients and 21 healthy volunteers. The expression of Foxp3 mRNA was inversely correlated with the CD127 expression and correlated with CD25 expression. The frequency of CD4+CD25highCD127low/− T cells in breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers (p=0.0045). CD4+CD25highCD127low/− T cells were increased in hormone receptor negative patients and HER2 positive patients, but no statistical significant was observed in stage progression. In addition, the frequency of CD4+CD25highCD127low/− T cells decreased after curative resection in breast cancer patients (p=0.005). CD4+CD25highCD127low/−T cells also suppress proliferation of autologous CD4+CD25− helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in CFSE-based cell proliferation assay. These findings suggest that CD4+CD25highCD127low/− T cells a useful marker for regulatory T cells in breast cancer. Circulative peripheral regulatory T cells may participate in immune tolerance to breast carcinoma.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-11.

Breastfeeding information in midwifery textbooks in Japan: content analysis with evaluation standards based on Delphi method

The purpose of this study was to evaluate breastfeeding information in midwifery textbooks. Evaluation standards were developed in order to perform content analysis. A 3-round Delphi method using a panel of 32 midwives resulted in 36 evaluation items from the original 38 draft items based on 4 major international guidelines and statements on breastfeeding. Subsequently, breastfeeding descriptions in 4 midwifery textbooks most frequently used in Japan were examined using a 4-point scale (A, accurate and sufficient description; B, accurate but insufficient description; C, no description; and D, inaccurate or inconsistent description). Among the evaluation items, 40% were rated as A, 25% as C, 21% as B, and 15% as D across the 4 textbooks. In conclusion, a substantial proportion of breastfeeding information in these textbooks was found to be inaccurate, inconsistent, or insufficient in content.

Relationship between the localization of fibroblast growth factor 9 in prostate cancer cells and postoperative recurrence

BACKGROUND

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) enhances cell proliferation and invasiveness in several malignant diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of FGF9 in postoperative recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Cell viability and invasion of LNCaP cells were assessed using MTT assay and Matrigel invasion assay, respectively, in the presence or absence of treatment with recombinant FGF9. Tissues obtained during a radical prostatectomy in 133 male patients were immunohistochemically stained using anti-FGF9 antibody.

RESULTS

Cell viability and invasion of LNCaP was significantly enhanced by treatment with recombinant FGF9. Immunohistochemical staining detected FGF9-positive cells in 20 samples. The prevalence of FGF9-positive cells in cases with a Gleason score of 8 or higher was 34.2%, which was significantly higher than that in those with Gleason scores of 7 or lower (7.3%, P=0.0003), respectively. The 3-year biochemical relapse-free survival rate was 17.5% in cases with FGF9-positive cells, which was significantly lower than that in cases in which FGF9-positive cells were not detectable (75.5%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that FGF9 can stimulate proliferation and invasion in prostate cancer cells, thus FGF9 could be a candidate of a predictive factor for recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Abundance of calpain and aggrecan-cleavage products of calpain in degenerated human intervertebral discs

OBJECTIVE

To assess the expression of calpains and calpain-induced aggrecan fragmentation in early and advanced stages of degeneration of human intervertebral discs (IVDs).

DESIGN

Disc tissue samples of 55 patients (mean age, 51.2 ± 22.3 years) who underwent intervertebral fusion were divided into groups with early and advanced degeneration based on the Thompson magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scale. In advanced degeneration group, five patients (mean age, 35.5 ± 11.4 years) of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) were included. Protein levels of m- and μ-calpains and their inhibitor calpastatin were assayed, and immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize and quantify the production of the enzymes. To investigate calpain activity, we assayed purified aggrecan fragmentation in disc tissue by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with VPGVA antibody, which recognizes the m-calpain generated neo-epitope GVA.

RESULTS

Discs at early stages of degeneration expressed low levels of m- and μ-calpains and calpastatin, and few cells expressed degenerative enzymes. At more advanced stages of degeneration, the expression and number of cells immunopositive for m-calpain, μ-calpain and calpastatin were significantly higher. Further finding showed that anti-GVA-reactive aggrecan fragments were significantly higher in discs at advanced compared with early stages of degeneration. Herniated disc samples showed stronger expression and more cells immunopositive for calpains, calpastatin and GVA in the nucleus pulposus than in the annulus fibrous.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of calpains, together with m-calpain-induced degradation products of extracellular matrix, was correlated with the degree of disc degeneration in human IVD tissue. These findings suggest that calpains may be involved in IVD degeneration via proteoglycan (PG) cleavage.