Genetic analysis of novel avian A(H7N9) influenza viruses isolated from patients in China, February to April 2013

Novel influenza viruses of the H7N9 subtype have infected 33 and killed nine people in China as of 10 April 2013. Their haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase genes probably originated from Eurasian avian influenza viruses; the remaining genes are closely related to avian H9N2 influenza viruses. Several characteristic amino acid changes in HA and the PB2 RNA polymerase subunit probably facilitate binding to human-type receptors and efficient replication in mammals, respectively, highlighting the pandemic potential of the novel viruses.

Genetic analysis of novel avian A(H7N9) influenza viruses isolated from patients in China, February to April 2013

Novel influenza viruses of the H7N9 subtype have infected 33 and killed nine people in China as of 10 April 2013. Their haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase genes probably originated from Eurasian avian influenza viruses; the remaining genes are closely related to avian H9N2 influenza viruses. Several characteristic amino acid changes in HA and the PB2 RNA polymerase subunit probably facilitate binding to human-type receptors and efficient replication in mammals, respectively, highlighting the pandemic potential of the novel viruses.

Design of ridge filters for spread-out Bragg peaks with Monte Carlo simulation in carbon ion therapy

Spread-out Bragg peaks made by ridge filters or wheel range modulators are used in charged particle therapy with passive methods to achieve uniform biological responses in irradiated tumors. Following the biological responses needed to design the ridge filters, which were developed at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan, new ridge filters were designed using recent developments in heavy-ion reactions and dosimetry. The Monte Carlo code of Geant4 was used to calculate the qualities of carbon ion beams in a water phantom. The results obtained from the simulation were corrected so that they agreed with the measurements of depth dose distributions. The calculations of biological responses to fragments other than carbon ions were assumed to be for helium ions. The measured dose distributions with the designed ridge filters were compared to the calculated distributions. A beam modifying system using this adaptable method was successively applied to carbon ion therapy at Gunma University.

Adding diet and exercise counseling to the health promotion plan alleviates anthropometric and metabolic complications in patients with metabolic syndrome

We investigated the effects of individual (IC) and group (GC) diet and exercise counseling in men with metabolic syndrome. Participants received exercise instruction and exercise load was monitored. IC participants received individual diet counseling sessions and general consultations at baseline and monthly. GC participants received a group diet counseling session at baseline and general consultations at baseline and monthly. In the IC group, body mass index (BMI) percent body fat, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin A_1c, and liver function levels were reduced significantly after 3 months, whereas in the GC group, waist circumference and levels of liver function were reduced. Exercise load was negatively correlated with change in BMI and waist circumference in the IC group, and positively correlated with changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in all subjects and in the GC group. Diet and exercise counseling, especially IC, may benefit patients with metabolic syndrome.

Double core hole creation and subsequent Auger decay in NH3 and CH4 molecules

Energies of the hollow molecules CH(4)(2+) and NH(3)(2+) with double vacancies in the 1s shells have been measured using an efficient coincidence technique combined with synchrotron radiation. The energies of these states have been determined accurately by high level electronic structure calculations and can be well understood on the basis of a simple theoretical model. Their major decay pathway, successive Auger emissions, leads first to a new form of triply charged ion with a core hole and two valence vacancies; experimental evidence for such a state is presented with its theoretical interpretation. Preedge 2-hole-1-particle (2h-1p) states at energies below the double core-hole states are located in the same experiments and their decay pathways are also identified.

The compact electron cyclotron resonance ion source KeiGM for the carbon ion therapy facility at Gunma University

A high-energy carbon-ion radiotherapy facility is under construction at Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Centre (GHMC). Its design was based on a study of the heavy ion radiotherapy at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in order to reduce the size and construction cost of the facility. A compact electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) for Gunma University, called KeiGM, was installed in 2008. It is almost a copy of the prototype ECRIS Kei2 which was developed by NIRS; meanwhile this prototype produced over 1 e mA of C(4+) using C(2)H(2) gas (660 W and 40 kV). The beam intensity of C(4+) was 600 e microA with CH(4) gas (250 W and 30 kV). The beam intensity satisfies the required value of 300 e microA.

Application of positron emission tomography in physical medicine

Positron emission tomography (PET) is widely used in the fields of clinical and basic medicine. The PET device utilizes coincidence logic to detect annihilation photons emitted from positrons and estimates physiological functions of human organs in vivo. Radiopharmaceutical 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), an analogue of glucose, is trapped metabolically in cells after being administered into the body, and can be substantially used for evaluating physiological and biochemical functions in vivo. Here, we attempted to describe the basics of PET as well as to apply the technique together with 18F-FDG as a tracer for evaluating organ glucose metabolism induced by exercise. Three-dimensional (3D) FDG-PET was applied to normal volunteers who performed exercise to evaluate whole-body glucose metabolism. Regions of interest analysis were drawn on visually defined regions (i.e., lower limbs, thigh, liver, intestine, brain, heart, etc.) to determine radioactivity distribution. FDG-PET clearly showed the recruitment of energy resources from abdominal organs to lower limb skeletal muscles to balance energy expenditures. The results suggested that 3D FDG-PET can be applied as an imaging tool to physical medicine.

Increased expression of Smad6 deteriorates murine acute experimental pancreatitis in two models

BACKGROUND

Smad6 is implicated in the inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein signalling. However, the function of Smad6 in the pancreas remains obscure.

METHODS

To elucidate the unknown function of Smad6, we developed transgenic mice selectively expressing Smad6 in pancreatic acinar cells using a plasmid construct coding rat elastase 1 enhancer/promoter.

RESULTS

Smad6 transgenic mice had no specific distinguishing phenotype such as body weight, pancreatic wet weight and concentrations of pancreatic protein. However, Smad6 transgenic mice reacted to hyperstimulation by caerulein injection or a diet containing 0.5% ethionine. Maximal amylase release stimulated by CCK-8 was significantly decreased in Smad6 transgenic mice acini, and trypsin activities in transgenic mice acini were significantly increased after stimulation of CCK-8. There was no difference in effect of CCK-8 stimulation on the subsequent increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) between wild-type and transgenic mice acini. These findings suggest that reduced pancreatic enzyme secretion was caused by the disorder of its downstream signal transduction pathways in acinar cells. The amino acid sequence at the N-terminus of Smad6 was similar to that of synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP) 25 interacting protein, which plays an important role in regulating exocytosis of pancreatic enzymes in acinar cells. Pancreatic SNAP25 protein levels in transgenic mice were decreased after caerulein-induced pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that elevated expression of Smad6 inhibits normal function of SNAP25-interacting protein and SNAP25, reduces amylase secretion in acinar cells, and increases the susceptibility of acinar cells to the onset of pancreatitis.

Mechanism of NKT cell activation by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide, which can induce cross-protection against influenza viruses

In a nasal vaccine against influenza, the activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) can potently enhance protective immune responses. The results of this study show that the NKT cell-activated nasal vaccine can induce an effective cross-protection against different strains of influenza virus, including H5 type. To analyze the mechanism of NKT cell activation by this nasal vaccine, we prepared fluorescence-labeled alpha-GalCer by which we detect a direct interaction between NKT cells and alpha-GalCer-stored dendritic cells in nasal mucosa-associated tissues. Accordingly, although very few NKT cells exist at mucosa, the nasal vaccination induced a localized increase in NKT cell population, which is partly dependent on CXCL16/CXCR6. Furthermore, we found that NKT cell activation stimulates mucosal IgA production by a mechanism that is dependent on interleukin (IL)-4 production. These results strengthen the basis of nasal vaccination via NKT cell activation, which can induce immune cross-protection.

Endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer: comparison of two modifications of the cap method

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap (EMR-C) is an established method for curative resection of early neoplastic lesions; prelooping of the snare may however be difficult and lead to imprecise resection. We therefore compared two modifications of the conventional technique using outer snare placement with an accessory channel in a prospective, nonrandomized study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2004 and March 2007, 54 patients (men 37, women 17; mean age 71 years) underwent EMR. One method involved an internally retained snare (IRS) cap, with a fixed prelooped snare inside the cap; the other method used an externally guided snare (EGS) cap with the snare guided over an oblique cap. The main outcome parameters were specimen size, en bloc resection, and complications.

RESULTS

There was no difference between use of the IRS and EGS cap methods in relation to specimen size (27.6 vs. 27.1 mm), or rates of en bloc resection (88.9 % vs. 83.3 %); only one perforation occurred, and this was in the EGS group.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques appeared to provide similar efficacy, the inner rim of the IRS cap stabilizes aspiration of the lesion compared with the EGS cap that does not have it.

Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits ethanol-induced activation of pancreatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrogenesis and inflammation. Ethanol, a major cause of chronic pancreatitis, directly induces PSC activation and oxidative stress. Inhibition of PSC activation or stimulation to PSC might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of pancreatic fibrosis, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea extracts, is a potent antioxidant of polyphenols. Therefore, we examined the mechanisms through which ethanol induces oxidative stress on PSCs and evaluated the effect of EGCG on activation and cell functions of ethanol-stimulated PSCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PSCs were isolated from the pancreas of male Wister rats with Nycodenz gradient methods and cells between passages one and four were used. Isolated PSCs were cultured with ethanol (50 mM) in the absence or presence of EGCG (5 microM or 25 microM).

RESULTS

The EGCG pre-treatment abolished ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane, loss of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and suppressed ethanol-induced gene expressions of Mn- and Cu/Zn-SOD. EGCG also suppressed ethanol-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, alpha-smooth muscle actin production in PSCs and activated transforming growth factor-beta1 secretion into the medium. Furthermore, EGCG inhibited ethanol-induced type-I procollagen production and collagen secretion. In addition, EGCG inhibited transformation of freshly isolated cells to activated myofibroblast-like phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that green tea and polyphenols could prevent pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting PSC activation through the antioxidative effect.

A short γ-ray burst apparently associated with an elliptical galaxy at redshift z = 0.225

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) come in two classes: long (> 2 s), soft-spectrum bursts and short, hard events. Most progress has been made on understanding the long GRBs, which are typically observed at high redshift (z approximately 1) and found in subluminous star-forming host galaxies. They are likely to be produced in core-collapse explosions of massive stars. In contrast, no short GRB had been accurately (< 10'') and rapidly (minutes) located. Here we report the detection of the X-ray afterglow from--and the localization of--the short burst GRB 050509B. Its position on the sky is near a luminous, non-star-forming elliptical galaxy at a redshift of 0.225, which is the location one would expect if the origin of this GRB is through the merger of neutron-star or black-hole binaries. The X-ray afterglow was weak and faded below the detection limit within a few hours; no optical afterglow was detected to stringent limits, explaining the past difficulty in localizing short GRBs.