Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the SH2D1A intronic region with systemic lupus erythematosus

SH2D1A, also known as signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP), is an adaptor protein. Recently, it was reported that SAP deficient mice were protected from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we postulated SH2D1A gene to be a candidate susceptibility gene for SLE and analyzed its association with SLE. A case-control association study was conducted on 5 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SH2D1A region in 506 Japanese female SLE patients and 330 healthy female controls. The luciferase assay was performed to determine the functional role of the SNP associated with SLE. One SNP in the intron 2, rs2049995, showed association with SLE (p=0.0110, odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-3.34, under the dominant model). The association of rs2049995 seemed to be stronger in the subset with the age of onset less than 20 years (p=0.0067, OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.28-5.46). Functional evaluation of rs2049995 showed that reporter gene activity was increased 1.9-fold for the susceptible allele compared with the resistant allele. An intronic SNP of SH2D1A is associated with SLE.

[Contralateral suboccipital approach for clipping of an unruptured vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm]

Numerous approaches have been used to access aneurysms of the vertebral artery(VA)-posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA)complex for microsurgical clipping. Here, we report the case of a patient with an unruptured aneurysm of the left VA-PICA complex that was successfully treated using a contralateral suboccipital approach. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a small saccular aneurysm arising from the lateral aspect of the left V4 segment just distal to the PICA origin. The aneurysm deviated to the right from the midline at the level of the jugular tubercle on angiographic evaluation, so we selected a contralateral suboccipital approach. The aneurysm was completely obliterated by neck clipping. After surgery, slight dysphagia and hoarseness appeared, but dysphagia disappeared within several days and hoarseness disappeared within 5 months. VA-PICA aneurysms can vary in their relationship to cranial nerves, brainstem, and bones of the skull base. Neurosurgeons should consider using a contralateral approach for certain aneurysms arising from a tortuous VA that has crossed the midline.

Plasma protein adsorption to nanofabricated fluorinated polyimide surface

In this article, a series of fluorinated polyimides rubbed at different pressures was prepared, and the plasma protein adsorption on the rubbed polyimide films was evaluated using a micro-bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Interestingly, the amount of plasma protein adsorbed on the polyimide surface strongly depended on the rubbing pressure. The amounts of BSA and Fbg adsorbed on the rubbed polyimide film significantly decreased with an increase in the rubbing pressure. In contrast, the amounts of IgG adsorbed on the rubbed film dramatically increased with an increase in the rubbing pressure. In particular, it is interesting to note that a specific adsorption surface for IgG is formed by the rubbing process. We proposed that the nano-ordered hydrophilic and hydrophobic patternings formed on the top and bottom surfaces on the rubbed fluorinated polyimide film might have a significant influence on the plasma protein adsorption.

Photofragmentation of the K-shell excited perfluorocyclobutane: anisotropies in the fragments and breakdown pathways

Total ion yield spectrum of perfluorocyclobutane (c-C(4)F(8)) has been measured in the C and F K-shell excitation regions. The peak assignments are presented based on angle-resolved photofragment ion mass spectrometry. The peaks at 291.34 and 688.5 eV are found to come from the transitions from the C 1s and the F 1s to the lowest unoccupied b(2)σ(CF)* orbital, respectively. A photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence spectrum is acquired at 700.1 eV for clarifying the breakdown pathways of c-C(4)F(8)(2+). Two series of the pathways are identified; fission of F atom(s) followed by charge separation and elimination of CF(2) or CF(3) followed by charge separation.

Projection of Si 1s photoexcited orbitals into resonant Auger electron spectra in KLL decays of Si(CH3)4 and SiF4

Spectator resonant KL(23)L(23) Auger electron spectra have been measured in the Si 1s photoexcitation region of Si(CH(3))(4) using monochromatized undulator radiation combined with a hemispherical electron spectrometer. The broad peak with high intensity in a total ion yield spectrum, coming mainly from excitation of a 1s electron into the 6t(2) vacant orbital, induces a spectator Auger decay in which the excited electron remains in its excited orbital. The component on the higher energy side of this peak through 1s excitation into a Rydberg orbital produces resonant Auger decays in which the excited Rydberg electron moves into a slightly higher Rydberg orbital, or is partly shaken up to a significantly higher Rydberg orbital. These findings of Si(CH(3))(4) indicate a clear contrast to those for SiF(4), in which the 1s excitation into a Rydberg orbital induces a shake-down phenomenon as well as a shake-up one. The results of these molecules exhibit a clear splitting effect among excited orbitals which are smeared out by overlapping due to lifetime widths and due to densely populated levels in the 1s electron excitation spectrum. This is consistent with the calculation on photoexcitation within the framework of density functional theory.

Antimicrobial activity of sodium citrate against Streptococcus pneumoniae and several oral bacteria

AIMS

The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial activity of sodium citrate against Streptococcus pneumoniae and several oral bacteria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antibacterial activity was determined by broth microdilution method. The results showed that although Enterocuccus faecium OB7084 and Klebsiella pneumoniae OB7088 had high tolerance to sodium citrate, several oral bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM8532(T) , Streptococcus mutans JCM5705(T) and Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642(T) were susceptible. Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of sodium citrate against Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642(T) was not influenced by pH in the range of 5·0-8·0, whereas that of sodium lactate was weakened at neutral or weak alkaline pH. When Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642(T) was treated with sodium citrate for 2 h, many burst cells were observed. However, addition of MgCl(2) or CaCl(2) to an assay medium weakened the antimicrobial activity although ZnCl(2) or MnCl(2) did not influence.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of pH, sodium citrate inhibited the growth of oral bacteria, which suggests that the mechanism is different from that of sodium lactate.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results presented in this study would be available for understanding the antimicrobial property of sodium citrate.

Bacterial interactions in dental biofilm development

Recent analyses with ribosomal RNA-based technologies have revealed the diversity of bacterial populations within dental biofilms, and have highlighted their important contributions to oral health and disease. Dental biofilms are exceedingly complex and multispecies ecosystems, where oral bacteria interact cooperatively or competitively with other members. Bacterial interactions that influence dental biofilm communities include various different mechanisms. During the early stage of biofilm formation, it is known that planktonic bacterial cells directly attach to surfaces of the oral cavity or indirectly bind to other bacterial cells that have already colonized. Adherence through co-aggregation may be critical for the temporary retention of bacteria on dental surfaces, and may facilitate eventual bacterial colonization. It is likely that metabolic communication, genetic exchange, production of inhibitory factors (e.g., bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide, etc.), and quorum-sensing are pivotal regulatory factors that determine the bacterial composition and/or metabolism. Since each bacterium can easily access a neighboring bacterial cell and its metabolites, genetic exchanges and metabolic communication may occur frequently in dental biofilms. Quorum-sensing is defined as gene regulation in response to cell density, which influences various functions, e.g., virulence and bacteriocin production. In this review, we discuss these important interactions among oral bacteria within the dental biofilm communities.

Site-specific behavior in de-excitation spectra of F(3)SiCH(2)CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3) in the Si 1s excitation region

Excitation (total ion yield) and de-excitation (resonant photoemission) spectra have been measured in the Si 1s photoexcitation region of the F(3)SiCH(2)CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3) molecule using monochromatized undulator radiation. Theoretical calculations within the framework of density functional theory have reproduced the observed total ion yield spectrum very well. The first peak at the lowest photon energy, coming from Si 1s excitation at the trimethyl side into a vacant orbital, induces spectator Auger decays in which the excited electron remains in its valence orbital. The second peak produced through excitation of Si 1s electron at the trifluoride side generates resonant Auger decays in which the excited valence electron remains predominantly also in the valence orbital or is partly shaken up into higher Rydberg orbitals. The third peak generated through Si 1s excitation at the trifluoride side produces resonant Auger decays in which the excited Rydberg electron remains or is partly shaken down to a lower lying valence molecular orbital. These findings exhibit a clear distinction between resonant Auger decays following photoexcitation of Si 1s electrons under different chemical environments.

Reduction of vitamin K concentration by salivary Bifidobacterium strains and their possible nutritional competition with Porphyromonas gingivalis

AIMS

To assess the possibility that bifidobacteria compete with Porphyromonas gingivalis for their mutual growth factor vitamin K. This study also examined whether salivary Bifidobacterium species decrease vitamin K concentration in the growth medium.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-five strains of Bifidobacterium were obtained from 20 of 24 periodontally healthy subjects. Bifidobacterium dentium was most frequently detected in the saliva of subjects, followed by Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium urinalis. The growth of most Bifidobacterium isolates, except that of B. urinalis, was stimulated by vitamin K. Moreover, the isolates were capable of decreasing vitamin K after incubation, which suggests that bifidobacteria compete with P. gingivalis for vitamin K. In a co-culture, a representative strain -B. adolescentis S2-1 - inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis if it was inoculated in the medium before P. gingivalis.

CONCLUSIONS

B. adolescentis S2-1 decreased vitamin K concentration and inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis by possibly competing for the growth factor.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Salivary bifidobacteria may possess the potential to suppress the growth of P. gingivalis by reducing the growth factor(s) in the environment.

Protective effects of MnM2Py4P and Mn-salen against small bowel ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats using an in vivo and an ex vivo electron paramagnetic resonance technique with a spin probe

BACKGROUND

Reperfusion of ischemic tissues results in the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, hydroperoxide, and peroxynitrite. ROS are potent oxidizing agents, capable of damaging cellular membranes by lipid peroxidation. In the present study, we applied an in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)/spin probe and an ex vivo EPR technique to provide direct evidence of ROS following experimentally induced small bowel ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used a rat model of small bowel I/R injury to explore the possibility that MnM2Py4P or Mn-salen can prevent the accumulation of ROS species following experimentally induced I/R injury. We examined the ability of MnM2Py4P and Mn-salen to scavenge radicals in living Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using an in vivo and an ex vivo EPR technique with a spin probe.

RESULTS

The CP decay rates in the MnM2Py4P- and Mn-salen-treated rats were significantly higher than those in the untreated rats and almost equal to those in sham group rats. There were no significant differences between the MnM2Py4P-treated group and the Mn-salen-treated group. Superoxide scavenging activities (SSA) in the MnM2Py4P- and EUK-8-treated group were higher than those in the untreated group and almost equal to the sham group.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that the protective effects of MnM2Py4P and Mn-salen against small bowel IR injury were mediated by the inhibition of O2, H2O2, and NO production.

Depositional records of plutonium and (137)Cs released from Nagasaki atomic bomb in sediment of Nishiyama reservoir at Nagasaki

In a sediment core of Nishiyama reservoir at Nagasaki city, depth profiles of (240)Pu/(239)Pu isotopic ratio, (239+240)Pu and (137)Cs activities were determined. Sediments containing plutonium and (137)Cs, which were deposited immediately after a detonation of Nagasaki atomic bomb, were identified in the core. Observed below the sediments were macroscopic charcoals, providing evidence for initial deposit of the fallout of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. This is the first entire depositional records of plutonium and (137)Cs released from the Nagasaki atomic bomb together with those from atmospheric nuclear tests.

Cell wall sheath surrounding calcium oxalate crystals in mulberry idioblasts

The distribution and ultrastructural features of idioblasts containing calcium oxalate crystals were studied in leaf tissues of mulberry, Morus alba L. In addition to the calcium carbonate crystals formed in epidermal idioblasts, large calcium oxalate crystals were deposited in cells adjacent to the veins and surrounded by a cell wall sheath which had immunoreactivity with an antibody recognizing a xyloglucan epitope. The wall sheath formation indicates exclusion of the mature crystal from the protoplast.