Asymmetry in multiple-electron capture revealed by radiative charge transfer in Ar dimers

We measured kinetic energies of the fragment ions of argon dimers multiply ionized by low-energy Ar(9+) collisions. For (Ar2)(4+) dissociation, the asymmetric channel (Ar(3+) + Ar(+)) yield is found unexpectedly higher than the symmetric channel (Ar(2+) + Ar(2+)) yield in contrast with previous observation for covalent molecules or clusters. For the dissociation channel (Ar2)(2+)→Ar(+) + Ar(+), two well-separated peaks were observed, clearly evidencing that the direct Coulombic dissociation and the radiative charge transfer followed by ionic dissociation alternatively occur for the dicationic dimers. The respective intensity of these two peaks provides a direct mean to unravel the respective proportion of one-site and two-site double-electron capture, which are found equal for this collision system.

Hes1 functions downstream of growth factors to maintain oligodendrocyte lineage cells in the early progenitor stage

Expansion of the progenitor pool of oligodendrocytes (OLs) is a critical process for obtaining appropriate amounts of mature myelin-forming OLs in the developing and regenerating central nervous system. In vitro, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), together with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), is required to expand oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OLPs) in an unlimited manner, maintaining them in the early progenitor stage. However, the intracellular mechanisms that prevent OLP maturation remain elusive. In order to investigate these mechanisms, we established a mouse OLP primary culture, which enabled us to undertake biochemical analyses. We found that the suppressive effects on maturation of early OLP to the late O4(+) progenitor by PDGF+FGF2 treatment was abrogated by Mek inhibitor, while transfecting cells with a constitutively active Mek1 construct prevented OLP maturation, suggesting that the Mek-Erk pathway is implicated in the effects of the growth factor treatment. The activation of Mek-Erk pathway promoted proliferation of OLP suggesting that cell cycle progression has suppressive effects to the maturation of OLP. Furthermore, molecular screening using DNA microarrays revealed that Hes1, a negative regulator of bHLH transcription factors, is one of the downstream molecules induced by PDGF+FGF2 treatment. We confirmed that forced activation of Mek-Erk pathway is sufficient to induce Hes1 expression and that Hes1, in turn, exerts suppressive effects on the maturation of OL lineage by itself. Our observations thus indicate that Mek-Erk pathway plays pivotal role in preventing early OLP maturation to late OLPs and the effect is mediated by cell cycle progression as well as Hes1 induction.

Quantitative diffusion tensor tractography of the motor and sensory tract in children with cerebral palsy

AIM

the aim of this study was to compare the findings of quantitative diffusion tensor tractography of the motor and sensory tracts in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developed comparison individuals, and also to evaluate the correlation with gross motor function.

METHOD

thirty-four children with CP (mean age 2y 2.mo, SD 2y 0mo; 19 with spastic diplegia, eight with hemiplegia, six with spastic quadriplegia, and one with spastic triplegia) and 21 healthy comparison children (mean 2y 1.68mo, SD 2y 8.64mo) were evaluated. The distribution of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels in the CP group was as follows: level I, 7; level II, 14; level III, 5; level IV, 3; and level V, 5. The following three diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters including tractography were evaluated for each tract (corticospinal tract [CST] and posterior thalamic radiation [PTR]): number of fibres, tract-based fractional anisotropy, and region of interest (ROI)-based fractional anisotropy. We compared each value between the two groups, and correlated each value with the GMFCS level.

RESULTS

the number of fibres and ROI-based fractional anisotropy values of both tracts were significantly lower in children with CP than in the comparison group (p<0.05-0.001). Additionally, there was significant negative correlation between GMFCS level and motor-sensory parameters (p<0.001-0.05).

INTERPRETATION

DTI parameters of the CST and PTR in children with CP were significantly lower than in comparison children. In addition, these parameters were significantly correlated with GMFCS level.

Uterine changes during tamoxifen, toremifene, and other therapy for breast cancer: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

We have performed pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery before and after adjuvant drug therapy. Our purpose was to detect any radiographic uterine changes induced by various types of adjuvant therapy on pre- and postmenopausal patients by evaluating prospectively performed MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2004 and December 2007, a total of 41 women with breast cancer (11 premenopausal, 30 postmenopausal) were enrolled. All underwent MRI of the pelvis before and after drug therapy, and uterine changes were evaluated. Postoperative drugs used were selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) including tamoxifen and toremifene (n = 18), aromatase inhibitors (n = 13), and anticancer drugs (n = 10).

RESULTS

Only the postmenopausal patients receiving SERMs showed a significant increase in endometrial thickness: from 2.4 +/- 0.4 mm before therapy to 4.5 +/- 2.6 mm after therapy (P = 0.0485). No statistically significant endometrial change was evident in postmenopausal patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (P = 0.573) or anticancer drugs (P = 0.754). Also, in premenopausal patients treated with SERMs or anticancer drugs, the change in endometrial thickness was not statistically significant (P = 0.958, 0.370).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study using MRI has demonstrated that uterine changes associated with adjuvant drugs for breast cancer occur exclusively in postmenopausal patients receiving SERMs.

Concomitant expression of HER2 and HIF-1alpha is a predictor of poor prognosis in uterine cervical carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: prospective analysis (KGROG0501)

BACKGROUND

In previously reported retrospective analyses of uterine cervical carcinoma cases, HER2 was correlated with poor radiation sensitivity and poor treatment outcomes and HIF-1alpha was found to be an indicator of poor prognosis. To date, no prospective studies have been performed to evaluate the radiation sensitivity and treatment outcomes of patients with uterine cervical carcinoma relative to HER2 and HIF-1alpha expressions. We conducted a prospective evaluation of HER2 and HIF-1alpha in cases of locally advanced uterine cervical carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

Between June 2005 and April 2008, 25 patients with locally advanced uterine cervical carcinoma were registered in this study, KGROG0501. Their clinical stages were Ib2/IIb/IIIb/IVa in 1/2/22/1 cases, respectively. Nineteen cases had squamous cell carcinoma and six had adenocarcinoma. HER2 expression and HIF-1alpha expression were analyzed using an immunohistochemical kit on pretreatment biopsied specimens. HIF-1alpha expression was studied using another commercial immunohistochemical kit on pretreatment biopsied specimens. The survival rates were compared between patients with and without positive HER2 and HIF-1alpha expressions.

RESULTS

The 20-month survival of HER2(-) and HIF-1alpha(-) cases (n = 6) was 100% and that of HER2(+) and HIF-1alpha(+) cases (n = 4) was 37.5% (p = 0.0032).

CONCLUSIONS

In this first prospective analysis of patients with uterine cervical carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, concomitant expression of HER2 and HIF-1alpha was suggested to be a strong indicator of poor prognosis. A novel therapy including molecular targeted therapy such as anti-HER2 and anti-HIF-1alpha may be worth considering in patients with concomitant expression of HER2 and HIF-1alpha.

Water-quality monitoring technique for dioxins during dredging using on-site solid phase extraction with graphitic carbon and analysis with DR-CALUX

In Japan, water-quality monitoring with the environmental dioxin standard of 1 pg-TEQ/L at basic monitoring points set in a border between operation-area water and normal water is necessary for removal operations for bottom sediments containing dioxins. This paper presents a technique for combining on-site graphitic carbon (GrC) solid-phase extraction and bioassay method for the simplification and facilitation of water-quality monitoring. Using this method, we conducted experiments at an actual sediment removal site. Comparative analyses using high-resolution GC/MS (HRGC-HRMS) between the dioxin concentrations detected using a GrC solid-phase extraction kit and the official analytical method yielded similar concentrations and distributions of isomers for detected PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The GrC solid-phase extraction method is inferred to have capacity equal to official analytical method extraction. Toxicity equivalent concentrations estimated using DR-CALUX correlate with equivalent concentrations with HRGC/HRMS. No false positive or false negative result was obtained for the standard value 1 pg-TEQ/L.

Initial analysis of relationship between plasma platinum concentration and hematological adverse reaction associated with weekly chemotherapy using nedaplatin in combination with radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma

PURPOSE

Established therapeutic guidelines for cervical carcinoma recommend concurrent chemo- and radiotherapy as standard treatment for locally advanced cervical carcinoma. Nedaplatin (CDGP) is a platinum agent developed in Japan that is less nephrotoxic than cisplatin (CDDP), but with equivalent antitumor potency. In the standard dosage regimen for cervical carcinoma, CDGP is administered once every four weeks (monthly regimen). We investigated the efficacy and safety of a new dosage regimen, in which CDGP was administered once weekly for five weeks (weekly regimen).

METHODS

We measured plasma platinum concentration of patients after administration of CDGP, and analyzed the relationship between plasma platinum concentration and hematological adverse reactions such as thrombocytopenia and leucopenia.

RESULTS

The relative rates of change in platelet and white blood cell counts tended to increase as the plasma concentration of platinum increased. Furthermore, the rate of change in platelet counts in relation to the area under the curve was greater for the monthly regimen as compared to weekly. On the other hand, the relative rates of change in WBC were nearly the same between the regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that when using chemotherapy with CDGP for a patient with a cervical carcinoma, a weekly regimen might reduce the severity of thrombocytopenia, while still exhibiting the same therapeutic efficacy as the monthly regimen.

Effects of iodinated contrast agent on diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of iodine contrast agent on diffusion signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) studies in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination just after computed tomography (CT) contrast imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On a 1.5 T MRI scanner, ADC was calculated from the signal intensity of DWI (b = 0 and 1000) using phantoms filled with contrast agent (0, 4.5, 6.0, 9.0, 30, and 60 mgI/mL). We evaluated the signal intensities of DWI and ADC in 10 patients (3 women, 7 men, 35-68 years old) examined by MRI study less than 40 minutes after injection of 100 mL of iopamidol (300 mgI/mL) for CT study.

RESULTS

The DWI signal increased until a CT value of 190 HU, but showed no changes above this value. The ADC decreased with increases in CT value. Less than 40 minutes after injection of iopamidol (300 mgI/mL) for CT scan, the signal intensity of DWI was significantly increased and ADC was significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to recognize the rate of decrease of ADC, because it is dependent on the density of iodine contrast agents.

Imaging parameter effects in apparent diffusion coefficient determination of magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

Although an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value is often used for differential diagnosis of tumours, it varies with scanning parameters. The present study was performed to investigate the influence of imaging parameters, i.e., b value, repetition time (TR) and echo time (TE), on ADC value.

METHODS

The phantoms were scanned using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with changing b values (b=0-3000 s/mm(2)), TR and TE to determine the influence on ADC. Moreover, ADC of the brain in normal volunteers was determined with varying b values (b=0-1000 s/mm(2)).

RESULTS

Diffusion decay curves were obtained by biexponential fitting in all phantoms. The points where fast and slow components of the biexponential decay crossed were called turning points. The b values of turning points that crossed from the biexponential curve were different in each phantom. The b values of turning points depended on ADC of fast diffusion component. When ADC is calculated using two b values of front and back for the turning point, the ADC value may be different. Therefore, it was necessary to perform calculations by b value until the turning point to obtain the ADC value of the fast component. In addition, b≥100 was recommended to avoid the influence of perfusion by blood. Furthermore, the choice of long TR and short TE was effective for accurate measurement of ADC.

CONCLUSION

It is important to determine the turning point for measuring ADC.

Curative intended radiation therapy for young patients with invasive uterine cervical carcinoma: Clinical outcomes in 105 patients in a Japanese multi-institutional study

e16558

Background: Recently, the number of young patients with invasive uterine cervical carcinoma is increasing in Japan because of earlier sexual activity and low rate of receiving screening test of uterine cervical carcinoma in Japan. However, no large studies have been performed so far to evaluate the clinical outcomes of curative intended radiation therapy for young patients with invasive uterine cervical carcinoma in Japan. Then, the current study was designed. Methods: One hundred and five patients under 40 years old were registered in the mulitiinstitutional study. The median age was 34.5 years old (range: 24–39 years old). According to FIGO, clinical stage was as follows. Stage Ib/IIa/IIb/IIIa/IIIb/IVa were 10/4/38/2/47/3, respectively. The median maximal tumor diameter was 5.5 cm (range: 2–9.2 cm). Curative intended radiation therapy was the combination of high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) combined with external beam radiation therapy (ERT). The total dose of ERT ranged from 44 Gy to 68 Gy. The total dose of HDR-ICBT to point A ranged from 12 Gy to 48 Gy. Eighty five patients received chemotherapy. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate and local control rate of all patients was 58.4 % and 59.3 %, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates of stage Ib/IIa/IIb/IIIa/IIIb/IVa were 90.0 %/not available (NA)/73.8%/100%/37.4%/0%, respectively. The 5-year local control rates of Stage Ib/IIa/IIb/IIIa/IIIb/IVa were 80.0 %/50.0 %/73.8 %/100 %/54.6 %/NA, respectively. Sixteen patients experienced grade 3 or greater late radiation morbidity. Conclusions: Clinical outcomes of stage I-II in the young were equivalent to the Japanese standard treatment results of all ages. However, clinical outcomes of stage IIIb and IVa in the young were worse than those of all ages (5-year OS of all ages in Japan: IIIb: 50 %, IVa: 25 %).

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

In situ tissue engineering for tracheal reconstruction using a luminar remodeling type of artificial trachea

BACKGROUND

After successful trials of tracheal reconstruction using mesh-type prostheses in canine models, the technique has been applied clinically to human patients since 2002. To enhance tissue regeneration, we have applied a new tissue engineering approach to this mesh-type prosthesis.

METHODS

The prosthesis consists of a polypropylene mesh tube reinforced with a polypropylene spiral and atelocollagen layer. The cervical tracheas of 18 beagle dogs were replaced with the prosthesis. The collagen layer was soaked with peripheral blood in 6 of the dogs, with bone marrow aspirate in another 6, and with autologous multipotential bone marrow-derived cells (mesenchymal stem cells) in another 6. The dogs were humanely killed at 1 to 12 months after the operation.

RESULTS

All 18 dogs survived the postoperative period. Bronchoscopically, 3 of 4 dogs in the peripheral blood group showed stenosis, whereas no stenosis was evident in all 8 of the dogs in the bone marrow and mesenchymal stem cell groups 6 months after the operation. Faster epithelialization and fewer complications, such as mesh exposure and luminal stenosis, were observed in these two groups than in the peripheral blood group. Histologically, the cells from autologous bone marrow were found to proliferate into the tracheal tissue during the first month. Cilial movement in these two groups was faster than that in the peripheral blood group and recovered to 80% to 90% of the normal level.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone marrow aspirate and mesenchymal stem cells enhance the regeneration of the tracheal mucosa on this prosthesis. This in situ tissue engineering approach may facilitate tracheal reconstruction in the clinical setting.

Risk factors for severe impetiginized atopic dermatitis in Japan and assessment of its microbiological features

Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are susceptible to cutaneous bacterial infection. When such patients develop infection, some have extensive impetiginized dermatitis with high fever. To clarify the risk factors for severe impetiginized AD and its microbiological features, we reviewed clinical and microbiological data of 14 patients with impetiginized AD who were admitted to our hospital between the years 1999 and 2006. All patients had poorly controlled AD with eczematous lesions on the extensive body surface. The mean age was 28.2 years (range 18-35). Cultures of the lesional skin yielded both Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in 12 patients. S. pyogenes alone was isolated in two cases. These observations suggest that poorly controlled AD in adults is a risk factor for severe impetiginized AD and that S. pyogenes might play an important role in the development of severe clinical symptoms.

Uniaxial cyclic stretch increases glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes through a signaling pathway independent of insulin-like growth factor I

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), an autocrine/paracrine growth factor involved in myogenesis, has rapid effects on muscle metabolism. In a manner analogous to insulin and mechanical stimuli such as stretch, IGF-I stimulates glucose transport through recruitment of glucose transporters to surface membranes in skeletal muscles. It is known that IGF-I is secreted from skeletal muscle cells in response to stretch. Therefore, we examined whether IGF-I is involved in the mechanism by which mechanical stretch regulates glucose transport using cultured C2C12 myotubes. IGF-I increased 2-deoxy- D-glucose (2-DG) uptake, and this created an additive effect with mechanical stretch, suggesting that these stimuli enhance glucose transport through different mechanisms. In fact, IGF-I-stimulated 2-DG uptake was not blocked by dantrolene (an inhibitor of Ca (2+)release from sarcoplasmic reticulum), whereas the stretch-stimulated effect was abolished. Conversely, the IGF-I-stimulated 2-DG uptake was prevented by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, which did not prevent the stretch-stimulated 2-DG uptake. In addition, experiments using media conditioned by stretched myotubes indicated that a mechanically induced release of locally acting autocrine/paracrine growth factors was not sufficient for induction of 2-DG uptake. Thus, our results demonstrate that mechanical stretch signaling for glucose transport is independent of the mechanism through which IGF-I increases this transport.