Prognostic usefulness of arm circumference and nutritional screening tools in older patients with cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Arm circumference (AC) and nutritional screening tools have been shown to have prognostic capability in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to compare the prognostic predictive capabilities of AC and nutritional screening tools in older patients with CVD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population consisted of 949 admitted patients ≥60 years old with CVD. Patients underwent AC measurement and nutritional screening before hospital discharge. We used the controlling nutritional status index (CONUT), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as nutritional screening tools. The end point of the study was all-cause mortality. The mean age of the study population was 72.3 ± 7.2 years, and 68.2% of the patients were male. A total of 130 deaths occurred over a median follow-up period of 2.2 years (interquartile range, 1.1-3.8 years). After adjusting for other prognostic factors, AC (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.59; p < 0.001), CONUT (HR: 0.82; p = 0.016), GNRI (HR: 0.77; p = 0.040), and PNI (HR: 0.80; p = 0.014) were significant predictors of mortality. However, adding AC to the multivariate-adjusted model (0.739 vs. 0.714, respectively; p = 0.037), but not CONUT, GNRI, or PNI (0.724, 0.717, and 0.723 vs. 0.714; p = 0.072, p = 0.306, and p = 0.127, respectively), significantly increased the area under the curve on receiver operating characteristic curve.

CONCLUSIONS

AC, but not nutritional screening tools, plays a complementary role to preexisting prognostic factors for predicting prognosis in older patients with CVD.

Unusual Thermal Hall Effect in a Kitaev Spin Liquid Candidate α-RuCl_{3}

The Kitaev quantum spin liquid displays the fractionalization of quantum spins into Majorana fermions. The emergent Majorana edge current is predicted to manifest itself in the form of a finite thermal Hall effect, a feature commonly discussed in topological superconductors. Here we report on thermal Hall conductivity κ_{xy} measurements in α-RuCl_{3}, a candidate Kitaev magnet with the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. In a spin-liquid (Kitaev paramagnetic) state below the temperature characterized by the Kitaev interaction J_{K}/k_{B}∼80  K, positive κ_{xy} develops gradually upon cooling, demonstrating the presence of highly unusual itinerant excitations. Although the zero-temperature property is masked by the magnetic ordering at T_{N}=7  K, the sign, magnitude, and T dependence of κ_{xy}/T at intermediate temperatures follows the predicted trend of the itinerant Majorana excitations.

Effect of Anticoagulant on Biocompatibility in Membrane Plasmapheresis

The effect of heparin or citrate anticoagulation on blood cellular, complement pathway and coagulation pathway was investigated in a membrane plasma exchange procedure. Two membrane plasma separators constructed of cellulose di-acetate (CA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were evaluated with heparin or citrate alone for anticoagulation in a 26 year old male with myasthenia gravis. Maximum white blood cell counts decrease was 21% at 30 min for the CA with heparin while no decrease was observed for the other schemes. Platelet counts changes were comparable between heparin and citrate, while the PVC groups showed less changes than the CA groups. The CA groups, regardless of the type of anticoagulant used, indicated that complement activation occurred via the classical pathway within the module in addition to the activation via alternative pathway for the CA with heparin. In the PVC groups, complement activation was noted to occur only when heparin was used for anticoagulation. PT and PTT showed slight increases with citrate, while they were remarkably prolonged with heparin. Citrate showed less changes in cellular and humoral factors compared to heparin. CA with heparin was the most activating combination of membrane material and anticoagulant, while the PVC with citrate was the least activating combination.

Quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles in an organic Mott system

Strongly enhanced quantum fluctuations often lead to a rich variety of quantum-disordered states. Developing approaches to enhance quantum fluctuations may open paths to realize even more fascinating quantum states. Here, we demonstrate that a coupling of localized spins with the zero-point motion of hydrogen atoms, that is, proton fluctuations in a hydrogen-bonded organic Mott insulator provides a different class of quantum spin liquids (QSLs). We find that divergent dielectric behavior associated with the approach to hydrogen-bond order is suppressed by the quantum proton fluctuations, resulting in a quantum paraelectric (QPE) state. Furthermore, our thermal-transport measurements reveal that a QSL state with gapless spin excitations rapidly emerges upon entering the QPE state. These findings indicate that the quantum proton fluctuations give rise to a QSL—a quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles—through the coupling between the electron and proton degrees of freedom.

The organic material κ-H₃(Cat-EDT-TTF)₂ has been suggested to exhibit a quantum spin liquid phase in which quantum fluctuations prevent the formation of magnetic order. Here, the authors show that this may be a result of fluctuations of hydrogen atoms, rather than more conventional geometric frustration.

Effect of climatic elements on Campylobacter colonization in broiler flocks reared in southern Japan from 2008 to 2012

To demonstrate the effect of climatic elements on Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens reared in Japan, the correlation between Campylobacter isolated from chickens (191 of 236 flocks, 80.9%) between 2008 and 2012 and climatic elements was analyzed by logistic regression. We divided the rearing process into 13 terms of 5 d each (total: 65 d). Terms were numbered backwards, wherein a 0-term lag was considered as the sampling day plus 4 d before sampling; 1-term lag was the 5-d term before the 0-term lag, and so on, until the 12-term lag. We obtained climatic data tracing back from the 0-term to the 12-term lags. For evaluation in each season, we divided chickens reared during periods of rising temperature (spring, summer) and decreasing temperature (autumn, winter). Air temperature showed a positive correlation with Campylobacter colonization from the 0- to 12-term lags in chickens reared during the period of rising temperature (odds ratio [OR], 1.069 to 1.104), and from the 0- to 4- and 6-term lags (OR, 1.079 to 1.105) in chickens reared during the period of decreasing temperature. The strong positive effect of air temperature on Campylobacter colonization, particularly during the period of rising temperature, may be associated with the effect on the Campylobacter environmental sources and/or vectors. A positive correlation was observed between Campylobacter colonization and humidity when chicken houses were empty and new chicks were introduced (from the 9- to 12-term lags) during the period of decreasing temperature (OR, 1.076 to 1.141). Thus, high humidity would be an important factor causing carry-over of Campylobacter infection during the period of decreasing temperature. We also found that solar radiation increased Campylobacter colonization during the period of decreasing temperature, from the 2- to 8-term lags, except for the 4- and 5-term lags, in Japan. The results of this study demonstrate the effects of air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation on Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens, and are potentially important for developing strategies to reduce the risk of Campylobacter contamination in broiler chickens.

Thermal Hall Effect in a Phonon-Glass Ba_{3}CuSb_{2}O_{9}

A distinct thermal Hall signal is observed in a quantum spin liquid candidate Ba_{3}CuSb_{2}O_{9}. The transverse thermal conductivity shows a power-law temperature dependence below 50 K, where a spin gap opens. We suggest that because of the very low longitudinal thermal conductivity and the thermal Hall signals, a phonon Hall effect is induced by strong phonon scattering of orphan Cu^{2+} spins formed in the random domains of the Cu^{2+}-Sb^{5+} dumbbells in Ba_{3}CuSb_{2}O_{9}.

Detectable Dioxins in Human Saliva and Their Effects on Gingival Epithelial Cells

Dioxin, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical, exhibits serious health effects when it reaches body fat. Here we analyzed coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated-dibenzo- p-dioxins (PCDDs) in human saliva as compared with blood specimens, and examined their effects on human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC). High levels of tri- and tetrachlorinated PCBs were found in saliva, whereas we detected predominantly hexa- and heptachlorinated PCBs in blood. Among PCDDs, the saliva and blood specimens contained mainly 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-octachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (OCDD). Among the toxic dioxins proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998, 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 118) and OCDD, which were mainly found in saliva, significantly induced IL-8 production in HGEC. Furthermore, these two dioxins markedly augmented IL-8 production stimulated with fimbriae from Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is well-known as a pathogenic factor in periodontal diseases. These results suggest that dioxins in saliva may be a risk factor for periodontal diseases.

FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of cancer and the 5-year survival rate is only 5%. Several studies have suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be involved in recurrence and metastasis and so it is essential to establish an approach targeting CSCs. Here we have demonstrated that cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) suppressed CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs in PDAC. Microarray analysis suggested that cGMP inhibited Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), which is known as a tumor suppressor. Surprisingly, our data demonstrated that FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs. Our data also indicated that patients with high FOXO3 activation signatures had poor prognoses. This evidence suggested that cGMP induction and FOXO3 inhibition could be ideal candidates for pancreatic CSC.

Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase 3 Enhances Cytodifferentiation of Periodontal Ligament Cells

Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 ( Smpd3), which encodes neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2), is a key molecule for skeletal development as well as for the cytodifferentiation of odontoblasts and alveolar bone. However, the effects of nSMase2 on the cytodifferentiation of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are still unclear. In this study, the authors analyzed the effects of Smpd3 on the cytodifferentiation of human PDL (HPDL) cells. The authors found that Smpd3 increases the mRNA expression of calcification-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), type I collagen, osteopontin, Osterix (Osx), and runt-related transcription factor (Runx)-2 in HPDL cells. In contrast, GW4869, an inhibitor of nSMase2, clearly decreased the mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin in HPDL cells, suggesting that Smpd3 enhances HPDL cytodifferentiation. Next, the authors used exome sequencing to evaluate the genetic variants of Smpd3 in a Japanese population with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Among 44 unrelated subjects, the authors identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs145616324, in Smpd3 as a putative genetic variant for AgP among Japanese people. Moreover, Smpd3 harboring this SNP did not increase the sphingomyelinase activity or mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, osteopontin, Osx, or Runx2, suggesting that this SNP inhibits Smpd3 such that it has no effect on the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. These data suggest that Smpd3 plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of PDL tissue.

Molecular spintronics: the role of coordination chemistry

Welcome to this themed issue of Dalton Transactions entitled ‘Molecular spintronics: the role of coordination chemistry’.

Transcriptome Reveals Cathepsin K in Periodontal Ligament Differentiation

Periodontal ligaments (PDLs) play an important role in remodeling the alveolar bond and cementum. Characterization of the periodontal tissue transcriptome remains incomplete, and an improved understanding of PDL features could aid in developing new regenerative therapies. Here, we aimed to generate and analyze a large human PDL transcriptome. We obtained PDLs from orthodontic treatment patients, isolated the RNA, and used a vector-capping method to make a complementary DNA library from >20,000 clones. Our results revealed that 58% of the sequences were full length. Furthermore, our analysis showed that genes expressed at the highest frequencies included those for collagen type I, collagen type III, and proteases. We also found 5 genes whose expressions have not been previously reported in human PDL. To access which of the highly expressed genes might be important for PDL cell differentiation, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure their expression in differentiating cells. Among the genes tested, the cysteine protease cathepsin K had the highest upregulation, so we measured its relative expression in several tissues, as well as in osteoclasts, which are known to express high levels of cathepsin K. Our results revealed that PDL cells express cathepsin K at similar levels as osteoclasts, which are both expressed at higher levels than those of the other tissues tested. We also measured cathepsin K protein expression and enzyme activity during cell differentiation and found that both increased during this process. Immunocytochemistry experiments revealed that cathepsin K localizes to the interior of lysosomes. Last, we examined the effect of inhibiting cathepsin K during cell differentiation and found that cathepsin K inhibition stimulated calcified nodule formation and increased the levels of collagen type I and osteocalcin gene expression. Based on these results, cathepsin K seems to regulate collagen fiber accumulation during human PDL cell differentiation into hard tissue-forming cells.

Dome-shaped magnetic order competing with high-temperature superconductivity at high pressures in FeSe

The coexistence and competition between superconductivity and electronic orders, such as spin or charge density waves, have been a central issue in high transition-temperature (Tc) superconductors. Unlike other iron-based superconductors, FeSe exhibits nematic ordering without magnetism whose relationship with its superconductivity remains unclear. Moreover, a pressure-induced fourfold increase of Tc has been reported, which poses a profound mystery. Here we report high-pressure magnetotransport measurements in FeSe up to ∼15 GPa, which uncover the dome shape of magnetic phase superseding the nematic order. Above ∼6 GPa the sudden enhancement of superconductivity (Tc≤38.3 K) accompanies a suppression of magnetic order, demonstrating their competing nature with very similar energy scales. Above the magnetic dome, we find anomalous transport properties suggesting a possible pseudogap formation, whereas linear-in-temperature resistivity is observed in the normal states of the high-Tc phase above 6 GPa. The obtained phase diagram highlights unique features of FeSe among iron-based superconductors, but bears some resemblance to that of high-Tc cuprates.

Efficacy of Whole Bowel Irrigation Using Solutions with or without Adsorbent in the Removal of Paraquat in Dogs

1 The efficacy of whole bowel irrigation with a solution containing either polyethylene glycol (PEG) with electrolyte or an adsorbent (Kayexalate™) with a cathartic (sorbitol) was investigated in 18 dogs who had been given 250 mg kg -1 paraquat dichloride via a jejunal tube to eliminate the influence of gastric absorption.

2 Plasma paraquat concentrations 2 and 3 h after the initiation of bowel irrigation and at the end of the study (5 h later) were significantly lower in the bowel irrigation groups than in the control (no bowel irrigation) group.

3 The total body clearances of paraquat in the bowel irrigation groups were significantly greater than in the control group.

4 There were no significant differences between the two different irrigation solution groups in plasma paraquat concentration, the area under the plasma concentration time curve and the total body clearance.

5 In the PEG with electrolyte group, about 70% of the administered dose of paraquat was removed by means of bowel irrigation (n=4).

6 The adjunction of the adsorbent had no beneficial effects.

7 Haemodynamic changes associated with whole bowel irrigation were unremarkable except that right atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures were elevated in the latter part of the study.

Measurement and comparison of individual external doses of high-school students living in Japan, France, Poland and Belarus-the 'D-shuttle' project

Twelve high schools in Japan (of which six are in Fukushima Prefecture), four in France, eight in Poland and two in Belarus cooperated in the measurement and comparison of individual external doses in 2014. In total 216 high-school students and teachers participated in the study. Each participant wore an electronic personal dosimeter 'D-shuttle' for two weeks, and kept a journal of his/her whereabouts and activities. The distributions of annual external doses estimated for each region overlap with each other, demonstrating that the personal external individual doses in locations where residence is currently allowed in Fukushima Prefecture and in Belarus are well within the range of estimated annual doses due to the terrestrial background radiation level of other regions/countries.

Abstract P4-02-05: Predictors of MRI detection of occult lesions in newly diagnosed breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The appropriate use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer remains a topic of debate. We aimed to determine the usefulness of MRI in the detection of occult multicentric, multifocal and contralateral lesions not seen by ultrasound or mammography.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent preoperative MRI for newly diagnosed biopsy-proven stage 0-III breast cancer who were treated surgically from January 2006-March 2013. All newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at our two affiliated institutions were evaluated with pre-operative MRI. Patients who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy or surgery at an outside institution were excluded from our study. Demographic, radiographic and pathologic data points including age, race, body mass index (BMI), lesion size, mammographic density, biopsy histology, and biomarkers were assessed for each patient with respect to the findings of multifocality, multicentricity, and the presence of contralateral lesions on all three imaging modalities. We performed univariate analysis associating factors separately in each of three models with multicentric, multifocal and contralateral disease on surgical pathology followed by multivariable analysis using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios.

RESULTS: Of 857 patients undergoing breast MRI within this time period, 770 patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. All patients underwent diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound followed by MRI. The patient population was 44.2% Hispanic, reflective of the population of our two institutions. Mean age was 54.7 years. MRI identified 86 patients with biopsy-proven multicentricity compared to 66 on conventional imaging. MRI identified 170 patients with biopsy-proven multifocality compared to 132 on conventional imaging. Finally, MRI identified 24 patients with biopsy-proven contralateral cancers compared to 7 on conventional imaging. Biopsy histology of invasive lobular carcinoma was predictive of the presence of multifocality on MRI (p=0.038, OR=1.95, 95% CI 1.09-3.48). Mammographic density was found to be a predictor of multicentricity (p=0.015, OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.13-3.33). Lesion size trended towards statistical significance on multivariate analysis of the multicentric lesions (p=0.057, OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.00-3.51). For contralateral cancers seen on MRI the presence of invasive lobular carcinoma on biopsy (p=0.027, OR=4.83, 95% CI 1.25-16.21) was predictive of finding a contralateral cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: Predictive factors including breast density, biopsy histology, and lesion size should be taken into account as clinical predictors of utility of pre-operative breast MRI. This data is being used to construct nomograms to predict multicentric, multifocal and contralateral disease to aid clinicians in evaluating the potential clinical utility of preoperative breast MRI.

Citation Format: Wecsler JS, Raghavendra A, Mack WJ, Tripathy D, Yamashita M, Sheth P, Hovanessian-Larsen L, Sener SF, Russell CA, MacDonald H, Lang JE. Predictors of MRI detection of occult lesions in newly diagnosed breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-02-05.

Erratum: Intracellular amyloid β oligomers impair organelle transport and induce dendritic spine loss in primary neurons

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the presentation of Fig. 1 in both the PDF and HTML versions of this manuscript [1]. In the right panel of the corrected Fig. 1d, the images of Mock cells, which were visualized with GFP and stained with Abeta oligomer-specific antibody 11A1, were replaced with those of APPWT cells, and instead the images of APPWT cells were replaced with those of Mock cells. These images had been incorrectly placed in the original Fig. 1. The correct version of Fig. 1 is presented below.

The relationship between the daily step counts and low back pain during pregnancy

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between the change of daily step counts and low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy. Materials and

METHODS

Pregnant women at less than eight weeks of gestation (WG) were recruited. Daily step counts were measured with a pedometer. To assess LBP, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was recorded. Thirty-six individuals were divided into the LBP and non-LBP groups. The effect of step counts on LBP between the two groups was analyzed.

RESULTS

At 16-19 WG, step counts were not considerably changed in the non-LBP group but were significantly increased in the LBP group. At 24-27 and 32-35 WG, step counts were increased in the non-LBP group but were significantly decreased in the LBP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute increase of daily step counts in early pregnancy is a risk for LBP, and gradual increases of step counts after mid-pregnancy is recommended for women.

PLAP-1/Asporin Positively Regulates FGF-2 Activity

PLAP-1 is an extracellular matrix protein that is predominantly expressed in the periodontal ligament within periodontal tissue. It was previously revealed that PLAP-1 negatively regulates bone morphogenetic protein 2 and transforming growth factor β activity through direct interactions. However, the interaction between PLAP-1 and other growth factors has not been defined. Here, we revealed that PLAP-1 positively regulates the activity of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), a critical growth factor in tissue homeostasis and repair. In this study, we isolated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Plap-1(-/-) mice generated in our laboratory. Interestingly, Plap-1(-/-) MEFs exhibited enhanced responses to bone morphogenetic protein 2 but defective responses to FGF-2, and Plap-1 transfection into Plap-1(-/-) MEFs rescued these defective responses. In addition, binding assays revealed that PLAP-1 promotes FGF-2-FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) complex formation by direct binding to FGF-2. Immunocytochemistry analyses revealed colocalization of PLAP-1 and FGF-2 in wild-type MEFs and reduced colocalization of FGF-2 and FGFR1 in Plap-1(-/-) MEFs compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, PLAP-1 positively regulates FGF-2 activity through a direct interaction. Extracellular matrix-growth factor interactions have considerable effects; thus, this approach may be useful in several regenerative medicine applications.

Necrosis-induced TLR3 Activation Promotes TLR2 Expression in Gingival Cells

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), endogenous molecules released from injured or dying cells, evoke sterile inflammation that is not induced by microbial pathogens. Periodontal diseases are infectious diseases caused by oral microorganisms; however, in some circumstances, DAMPs might initiate inflammatory responses before host cells recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Here, we showed that the necrotic cell supernatant (NCS) functioned as an endogenous danger signal when released from necrotic epithelial cells exposed to repeat freeze thawing. The NCS contained RNA and stimulated the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 from gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts. Targeted knockdown of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in these cells significantly suppressed the ability of the NCS to induce IL-6 and IL-8 production. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts recognized the NCS from heterologous cells. Interestingly, the activation of TLR3, rather than other TLRs, induced TLR2 mRNA expression and proteins in gingival epithelial cells, and pretreatment with the NCS or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), a strong TLR3 activator, enhanced inflammatory cytokine production induced by subsequent stimulation with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide, a TLR2 agonist. Moreover, the NCS reduced the expression of epithelial tight junction molecules zona occludens 1 and occludin and increased the permeability of epithelial tight junctions. These findings suggest that endogenous danger signal molecules such as self-RNA released from necrotic cells are recognized by TLR3 and that a subsequent increase of TLR2 expression in periodontal compartments such as gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts may enhance the inflammatory response to periodontopathic microbes recognized by TLR2 such as P. gingivalis, which also disrupts epithelial barrier functions. Thus, DAMPs may be involved in the development and prolongation of periodontal disease.

Clinical efficacy of simultaneous splenectomy in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus

BACKGROUND

Interferon (IFN) therapy is a well-established antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) - infected patients. However, susceptibility to thrombocytopenia is a major obstacle in its initiation or continuation, particularly in patients with HCV who underwent liver transplantation (LT). We previously showed that the coexistence of splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia could result in persistent thrombocytopenia after LT. Here we retrospectively evaluated the validity of this criterion for simultaneous splenectomy in recipients with HCV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Subjects included 36 recipients with HCV who received LT between January 2006 and February 2012 at Hiroshima University. We analyzed the spleen volume, body surface area, platelet (PLT) count, and rate of completion or continuation with IFN therapy in these recipients.

RESULT

Of these recipients, 30 did not require simultaneous splenectomy according to the criterion, and 24 actually did not receive simultaneous splenectomy. In this group, 21 (87.5%) started IFN therapy. Fifteen (71.4%) of these recipients completed or continued IFN therapy, whereas 13 (61.9%) achieved either a sustained virological response (SVR) or an end-of-treatment response. The PLT count increased to >100,000/mm(3) 1 month after LT in 16 (66.7%) recipients from this group.

CONCLUSION

Our criterion detected the PLT count outcome after LT in recipients with HCV and achieved a better SVR result after IFN therapy.

Selenium recovery from kiln powder of cement manufacturing by chemical leaching and bioreduction

A novel process by using chemical leaching followed by bacterial reductive precipitation was proposed for selenium recovery from kiln powder as a byproduct of cement manufacturing. The kiln powder at a slurry concentration of 10 w/v% with 0.25 M Na2CO3 at 28°C produced wastewater containing about 30 mg-Se/L selenium. The wastewater was diluted four-fold and adjusted to pH 8.0 as preconditioning for bioreduction. A bacterial strain Pseudomonas stutzeri NT-I, capable of reducing selenate and selenite into insoluble elemental selenium, could recover about 90% selenium from the preconditioned wastewater containing selenium of 5 mg-Se/L when supplemented with lactate or glycerol. The selenium concentrations in the treated wastewater were low around the regulated effluent concentration of 0.1 mg-Se/L in Japan.

Search for bosonic superweakly interacting massive dark matter particles with the XMASS-I detector

Bosonic superweakly interacting massive particles (super-WIMPs) are a candidate for warm dark matter. With the absorption of such a boson by a xenon atom, these dark matter candidates would deposit an energy equivalent to their rest mass in the detector. This is the first direct detection experiment exploring the vector super-WIMPs in the mass range between 40 and 120 keV. With the use of 165.9 day of data, no significant excess above background was observed in the fiducial mass of 41 kg. The present limit for the vector super-WIMPs excludes the possibility that such particles constitute all of dark matter. The absence of a signal also provides the most stringent direct constraint on the coupling constant of pseudoscalar super-WIMPs to electrons. The unprecedented sensitivity was achieved exploiting the low background at a level 10(-4)  kg-1 keVee-1 day-1 in the detector.

Influence of genetic and environmental factors on oral diseases and function in aged twins

This study was conducted to quantify the genetic and environmental contributions to oral disease and function in twins. Participants were middle-aged and old twins, 116 monozygotic and 16 dizygotic pairs whose mean age was 66·1 ± 10·3 (SD) years. Number of teeth, percentage of decayed, filled and missing teeth and periodontal status were recorded as indicators of oral disease. The widths of upper and lower dental arch served as indicators of morphological figures. Furthermore, stimulated salivary flow rate, occlusal force and masticatory performance were measured as indicators of oral function. Univariate genetic analysis with monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs was conducted to detect the fittest structural equation model of each outcome. Both number of teeth and periodontal status fitted the model composed of common environmental factor and unique environmental factor. Decayed, filled and missing teeth, morphological figures and measurements of oral function fitted the model composed of additive genetic factor and unique environmental factor. The model fitting of each measurement suggested that periodontal disease was mainly affected by environmental factors, while morphological figures and oral functions were influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Stress-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis via the phosphorylation and activation of nSMase1 by JNK signaling

Neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) activation in response to environmental stress or inflammatory cytokine stimuli generates the second messenger ceramide, which mediates the stress-induced apoptosis. However, the signaling pathways and activation mechanism underlying this process have yet to be elucidated. Here we show that the phosphorylation of nSMase1 (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 2, SMPD2) by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling stimulates ceramide generation and apoptosis and provide evidence for a signaling mechanism that integrates stress- and cytokine-activated apoptosis in vertebrate cells. An nSMase1 was identified as a JNK substrate, and the phosphorylation site responsible for its effects on stress and cytokine induction was Ser-270. In zebrafish cells, the substitution of Ser-270 for alanine blocked the phosphorylation and activation of nSMase1, whereas the substitution of Ser-270 for negatively charged glutamic acid mimicked the effect of phosphorylation. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked the phosphorylation and activation of nSMase1, which in turn blocked ceramide signaling and apoptosis. A variety of stress conditions, including heat shock, UV exposure, hydrogen peroxide treatment, and anti-Fas antibody stimulation, led to the phosphorylation of nSMase1, activated nSMase1, and induced ceramide generation and apoptosis in zebrafish embryonic ZE and human Jurkat T cells. In addition, the depletion of MAPK8/9 or SMPD2 by RNAi knockdown decreased ceramide generation and stress- and cytokine-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Therefore the phosphorylation of nSMase1 is a pivotal step in JNK signaling, which leads to ceramide generation and apoptosis under stress conditions and in response to cytokine stimulation. nSMase1 has a common central role in ceramide signaling during the stress and cytokine responses and apoptosis.

Excitation-photon-energy selectivity of photoconversions in halogen-bridged Pd-chain compounds: Mott insulator to metal or charge-density-wave state

Ultrafast photoinduced transitions of a one-dimensional Mott insulator into two distinct electronic phases, metal and charge-density-wave (CDW) state, were achieved in a bromine-bridged Pd-chain compound [Pd(en)2Br](C5-Y)2H2O (en=ethylenediamine and C5-Y=dialkylsulfosuccinate), by selecting the photon energy of a femtosecond excitation pulse. For the resonant excitation of the Mott-gap transition, excitonic states are generated and converted to one-dimensional CDW domains. For the higher-energy excitation, free electron and hole carriers are produced, giving rise to a transition of the Mott insulator to a metal. Such selectivity in photoconversions by the choice of initial photoexcited states opens a new possibility for the developments of advanced optical switching and memory functions.

The Origin and Role of Autophagy in the Formation of Cytoplasmic Granules in Canine Lingual Granular Cell Tumors

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are histologically characterized by polygonal neoplastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules. In humans, these cells are considered to be derived from Schwann cells, and the cytoplasmic granules are assumed to be autophagosomes or autophagolysosomes. However, the origin and nature of the cytoplasmic granules in canine GCTs have not been well characterized. The present study examined 9 canine lingual GCTs using immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cell culture and xenotransplantation experiments. In some cases, the tumor cells expressed S100, CD133, and desmin. The cytoplasmic granules were positive for LC3, p62, NBR1, and ubiquitin. TEM revealed autophagosome-like structures in the cytoplasm of the granule-containing cells. The cultured GCT cells were round to spindle shaped and expressed S100, nestin, Melan-A, CD133, LC3, p62, NBR1, and ubiquitin, suggesting that they were of neural crest origin, redifferentiated into melanocytes, and exhibited upregulated autophagy. The xenotransplanted tumors consisted of spindle to polygonal cells. Only a few cells contained cytoplasmic granules, and some had melanin pigments in their cytoplasm. The xenotransplanted cells expressed S100, nestin, Melan-A, and CD133. P62 and ubiquitin were detected, regardless of the presence or absence of cytoplasmic granules, while LC3 and NBR1 were detected only in the neoplastic cells containing cytoplasmic granules. These findings suggest that some xenotransplanted cells redifferentiated into melanocytes and that autophagy was upregulated in the cytoplasmic granule-containing cells. In conclusion, canine lingual GCTs originate from the neural crest and develop cytoplasmic granules via autophagy. In addition, the microenvironment of GCT cells affects their morphology.

Effects of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, on cytodifferentiation and mineralization of periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, is known to induce osteoblastic differentiation in a number of cell lines, such as mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblastic precursor cells. As periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are multipotent, we examined whether bortezomib may induce the differentiation of PDL cells into hard-tissue-forming cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A mouse PDL clone cell line, MPDL22 cells, was cultured in mineralization medium in the presence or absence of bortezomib. Expression of calcification-related genes and calcified-nodule formation were evaluated by real-time PCR and Alizarin Red staining, respectively.

RESULTS

Bortezomib increased the expression of calcification-related mRNAs, such as tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (ALPase), bone sialoprotein (Bsp), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteopontin, and calcified-nodule formation in MPDL22 cells. These effects were induced, in part, by increasing the cytosolic accumulation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, leading to an increase in expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)-2, -4 and -6 mRNAs. In addition, bortezomib enhanced BMP-2-induced expression of Bsp and osteopontin mRNAs and increased calcified-nodule formation in MPDL22 cells.

CONCLUSION

Bortezomib induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells by enhancing the accumulation of β-catenin within the cytosol and the nucleus and increasing the expression of Bmp-2, -4 and -6 mRNAs. Moreover, bortezomib enhanced the BMP-2-induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells, suggesting that bortezomib may be efficacious for use in periodontal regeneration therapy.