Photoinduced electron transfer promoted radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) β-keto esters

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) promoted decarboxylation of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) β-keto esters undergoes radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions. This mild and environmentally friendly method can provide one-carbon expanded γ-keto esters and bicyclic alcohols, and the product distribution is strongly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain containing the terminal carboxylate group.

First demonstration of MC-EDFA-repeatered SDM transmission of 40 x 128-Gbit/s PDM-QPSK signals per core over 6,160-km 7-core MCF

We demonstrate the first 7-core multicore erbium-doped fiber amplified (MC-EDFA) transmission of 40 x 128-Gbit/s PDM-QPSK signals over 6,160-km 7-core multicore fiber (MCF). The crosstalk (XT) from all of the other 6 cores of a MC-EDFA and a 55-km length MCF are about -46.5 dB and -45.6 dB at center core, respectively. The core-to-core rotation approach at every amplified span is used to average the XT of all cores. The averaged optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) after 6,160-km transmission is 15.6 dB with 0.1 nm resolution bandwidth. The Q-factor of all 40 channels surpasses the threshold of the forward-error-correction of 6.4 dB with 1 dB margin after 6,160 km. The total net capacity is 28.8 Tbit/s per fiber and achieved capacity-distance product is 177 Pbit/s.km per fiber. We confirmed the feasibility of MC-EDFA repeatered systems for trans-oceanic transmission.

Radical photocyclization route for macrocyclic lactone ring expansion and conversion to macrocyclic lactams and ketones

A new method for the synthesis of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones, which utilizes photoinduced intramolecular radical cyclization reactions of substrates containing tethered carboxylic acids and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties, has been uncovered. Photocyclization of the carboxylic acids tethered acrylate ester, which were prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, gave the two-carbon elongated macrocyclic lactones via decarboxylation. Similar photoreactions of carboxylic acid tethered acryl amide or α,β-unsaturated ketone moieties, which were also prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, produced macrocyclic lactams or ketones, respectively. The simple approach can be readily applied to the preparation of a variety of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones with tunable ring sizes.

Observation of the (Λ)(7)He hypernucleus by the (e, e'K+) reaction

An experiment with a newly developed high-resolution kaon spectrometer and a scattered electron spectrometer with a novel configuration was performed in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. The ground state of a neutron-rich hypernucleus, (Λ)(7)He, was observed for the first time with the (e, e'K+) reaction with an energy resolution of ~0.6 MeV. This resolution is the best reported to date for hypernuclear reaction spectroscopy. The (Λ)(7)He binding energy supplies the last missing information of the A = 7, T = 1 hypernuclear isotriplet, providing a new input for the charge symmetry breaking effect of the ΛN potential.

Single-Incision plus One Port Laparoscopic Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer as a Reduced Port Surgery

Background:

Only limited data in the literature about single-incision laparoscopic rectal surgery, because the laparoscopic stapler does not allow low rectal transection without sufficient distal margins from the umbilicus port. We have developed single-incision plus one port laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum (SILS+1-AR) as a reduced port surgery in which we can utilize the incision for drainage as an additional access route for laparoscopic procedures including the transection the lower rectum.

Methods:

A Lap protector (LP) mini was inserted through a 2.5 cm transumbilical incision, and an EZ-access was mounted to LP and three 5-mm ports were placed in EZ-access. A 12 mm port was inserted in right lower quadrant. Almost all the procedures were performed with usual laparoscopic instruments, and the operative procedures were much the same as in usual laparoscopic low anterior resection of the rectum using a flexible 5mm scope. The rectum was transected normally using only one endoscopic linear stapler inserted from the right lower quadrant port.

Results:

We underwent modified SILS+1-AR in 16 patients with advanced rectal cancer. In all cases, there was no need to extend the skin incision. We transected the lower rectum with one laparoscopic stapler in all six cases. Postoperative follow-up did not reveal any umbilical wound complications or recurrences.

Conclusions:

The safety and feasibility of SILS+1-AR for advanced rectal cancer was established in this study. However, further studies are needed to prove the advantages of this procedure to conventional laparoscopic law anterior resection.

Porphyromonas gingivalis displays a competitive advantage over Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in co-cultured biofilm

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Biofilm formation occurs through the events of cooperative growth and competitive survival among multiple species. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are important periodontal pathogens. The aim of this study was to demonstrate competitive or cooperative interactions between these two species in co-cultured biofilm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

P. gingivalis strains and gingipain mutants were cultured with or without A. actinomycetemcomitans. Biofilms formed on glass surfaces were analyzed by crystal violet staining and colony counting. Preformed A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms were treated with P. gingivalis culture supernatants. Growth and proteolytic activities of gingipains were also determined.

RESULTS

Monocultured P. gingivalis strains exhibited a range of biofilm-formation abilities and proteolytic activities. The ATCC33277 strain, noted for its high biofilm-formation ability and proteolytic activity, was found to be dominant in biofilm co-cultured with A. actinomycetemcomitans. In a time-resolved assay, A. actinomycetemcomitans was primarily the dominant colonizer on a glass surface and subsequently detached in the presence of increasing numbers of ATCC33277. Detachment of preformed A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm was observed by incubation with culture supernatants from highly proteolytic strains.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that P. gingivalis possesses a competitive advantage over A. actinomycetemcomitans. As the required biofilm-formation abilities and proteolytic activities vary among P. gingivalis strains, the diversity of the competitive advantage is likely to affect disease recurrence during periodontal maintenance.

Combined evaluation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 expression in gastric carcinoma

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (UPA) is a serine protease implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. There are at least two kinds of specific inhibitor which act on UPA: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2). It has been reported that both UPA and PAI-1 antigen levels are associated with short survival in patients with breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the expression of UPA, PAI-2 and prognosis in gastric carcinoma. One hundred and twenty specimens resected from patients with gastric carcinoma were investigated by staining with monoclonal antibodies against UPA and PAI-2. UPA positive rate was significantly higher in patients with liver metastases than in those without such metastases, There was no significant association between PAI-2 expression and clinicopathologic factors. However, patients with UPA-positive and PAI-2-negative tumors had more advanced cancer than other patients. According to the prognosis, the patients with UPA-positive and PAI-2-negative tumors had a significantly poorer prognosis than other patients. In conclusion, the combined evaluation of UPA and PAI-2 expression is associated with tumor progression in gastric cancer.

Transporter-mediated drug--drug interactions involving OATP substrates: predictions based on in vitro inhibition studies

Transporter-mediated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are among the most important of the clinically relevant pharmacokinetic DDIs. We investigated the validity of a static prediction of area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) ratios (AUCRs; AUC(with inhibitor)/AUC(control) using in vitro inhibition profiles, and selected the types of assumptions that improved the prediction accuracy with minimizing false-negative predictions. We used data from 58 DDI studies involving 12 substrates of hepatic organic anion–transporting polypeptides (OATPs). With original assumptions regarding the maximal increase in intestinal availability, maximum unbound concentration at the inlet to the liver, and inhibition of only the hepatic uptake process, the predicted AUCRs were comparable to those reported within a two/threefold error margin in 44/52 studies, whereas in 16 studies, the predictions were judged to be falsenegatives. When the inhibitory effects on both hepatic uptake and efflux/metabolisms were considered, the overall prediction accuracy became worse, although the false-negative prediction decreased to 11 studies. This illustrates that if appropriate assumptions are selected, unnecessary clinical DDI studies can be reasonably avoided.

A comparative study of single-incision versus conventional multiport laparoscopic ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease with strictures

INTRODUCTION

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) offers excellent cosmetic results compared with conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery. Recently, this technique has been applied to colorectal disease. However, there have been few reports about its application to Crohn's disease (CD) in the literature. The aim of this study is to describe our early experience with SILS for 11 patients with CD and make comparisons with the conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients with CD who underwent laparoscopic surgery for the presence of ileocolic strictures at our institution between January 2006 and March 2011. Data from consecutive patients undergoing SILS were analyzed and compared with those from conventional multiport laparoscopic surgeries.

RESULTS

During the study period, 11 patients underwent SILS. All surgeries were completed with SILS. Operative time, blood loss and conversions were not significantly different between the two groups. Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay also had no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, SILS for CD may be safe and feasible in selected patients, and have better cosmetic results than conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate the outcome of SILS compared to that of conventional laparoscopic surgery.

MO-F-213AB-04: Biological Effect of Dose Shadowing by Fiducial Markers in Spot Scanning Proton Therapy with a Limited Number of Fields

PURPOSE

In spot scanning proton therapy, accurate patient positioning before and during treatment is essential. A small gold ball marker is suitable as a fiducial for prostate treatment. However, it has been pointed out that the marker causes dose shadowing because the protons are scattered with their energy quickly diminished. In this research we explore the possibility that the biological effect of dose shadowing can be mitigated with a limited number of fields.

METHODS

The proton dose distribution in prostate was simulated using Geant4. The simulations include the Hokkaido University spot scanning nozzle and a water phantom positioned isocentrically. The PTV was delineated at the center of the phantom and a gold ball of 2 mm in diameter was placed at the middle of the PTV. The plan was created by single-field optimization and each of the following beam arrangements was investigated; (1) single lateral field (2) two lateral fields (3) two lateral + one anterior fields (4) four-field box. The dose prescription was D95 = 74 GyE (37 fr). The minimum dose and tumor control probability (TCP) were compared for the four beam arrangements.

RESULTS

For (1)-(4), the minimum dose values were 55%, 77%, 78%, and 84% of the prescribed dose, respectively. The reduction of the TCP values from those in the absence of the gold marker were 50%, 2%, 1.1%, and 0.7%, using the TCP model by Wang et al. (Int.J.Radiat.Oncol.Biol.Phys. 55, 2003) and 2%, 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.4%, using the biological parameters in Levegrün et al. (Int.J.RadiatOncol.Biol.Phys. 51, 2001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although dose shadowing by the gold marker is locally non-negligible, the size of the affected domain is tiny. It was found that with a minimum number of fields, the TCP nearly recovers to the value without the gold marker.

The possibility of vertical transmission of human papillomavirus through maternal milk

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA has been detected in the oral cavity of infants and breast cancer tissue, suggesting its vertical transmission through maternal milk. We determined whether HPV is detected in maternal milk and is vertically transmitted by breast-feeding. Informed consent was obtained, and maternal milk samples (n=80) were analysed for high-risk HPV DNA. In 43 women, this DNA was measured in the uterine cervix. In women with positive samples, this DNA was measured in the oral cavities of their children. The domain including HPV E6 and E7 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using consensus primers, and HPV serotype determined by electrophoresis after restriction enzyme digestion. High-risk HPV-16 was detected in two of 80 samples (2.5%), and in these two cases, high-risk HPV was not detected in the uterine cervix or oral cavity of the child. It was concluded that the infection of HPV in maternal milk is rare (2/80); vertical transmission through maternal milk was not detected in this study (0/80). HPV infection through maternal milk may occur, but its likelihood is low.

Trends in the treatment for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer in Japan

The rate of liver metastasis before surgery of colorectal cancer is 11% in Japan. The survival rate of radical surgery with D-3 lymph node adenectomy is 83.7% in colon cancer and 77.1% in rectal cancer. The percentage of recurrent liver metastasis after curative surgery with D-3 lymph node extent resection is 7.1% within 5 years. Hepatectomy has the best survival rate: 52.8% after 3 years, 39.2% after 5 years. There is no difference in patients' survival rate between systemic anatomical hepatectomy and non-anatomical limited resection. For recurrent hepatic metastasis after curative surgery, hepatectomy should be done if no other metastasis is found in any other organ and the patient is suitable for surgery. Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAI) for metastasis of the liver is no longer used today. Radiofrequency ablation or microwave coagulation therapy may prolong the survival time but is not a curative procedure.

Bacterial community dynamics in aerated cow manure slurry at different aeration intensities

AIMS

This study aimed to characterize microbial community dynamics in aerated cow manure slurry at different aeration intensities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Batch aerobic treatments were set up in 5-l jar fermentor, each containing 3 l of manure slurry; the slurries were subjected to low, medium and high (50, 150 and 250 ml min(-1), respectively) aeration for 9 days. Microbial community composition was determined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and a clone library targeting 16S rRNA genes. High and medium aeration accelerated organic carbon degradation in parallel with the degree of aeration intensity; however, 90% of the initial total organic carbon was retained during low-aeration treatment. During the active stages of organic carbon decomposition, clones belonging to the class Bacilli accumulated. Moreover, Bacilli accumulation occurred earlier under high aeration than under medium aeration.

CONCLUSIONS

Organic matter degradation was mainly governed by a common microbial assemblage consisting of many lineages belonging to the class Bacilli. The timing of community development differed depending on aeration intensity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study reports on changes in several environmentally important parameters and the principal microbial assemblage during the pollution-reducing phase of cattle manure aeration treatment.

A novel gene required for natural competence in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Natural competence is the ability of bacteria to take up extracellular DNA and incorporate it into their genomes. Some strains of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a critical periodontal pathogen, are naturally competent for transformation. However, information on natural competence genes is limited for this species. The aim of this study was to confirm the involvement of a novel gene identified near the fimbriae gene cluster in natural competence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The functions of putative open reading frames (ORFs), designated AA00863-AA00865, in the Oralgen project database for A. actinomycetemcomitans strain HK1651, have not been determined. Using naturally transformable A. actinomycetemcomitans strains D7S-1 and ATCC29523, we created deletion mutants of homologous genes of these ORFs. Natural competence in the study strains was determined using an agar-based transformation frequency assay.

RESULTS

Mutation of the AA00865 homolog, which we named urpA in A. actinomycetemcomitans strain D7S-1, resulted in the loss of natural competence, whereas mutations of the AA00864 and AA00863 homologs, located downstream of urpA gene, did not. Similar results were also observed in the mutants of A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC29523. Complementation of the deleted sequence in the urpA mutant restored natural competence.

CONCLUSION

The urpA gene is a novel gene required for natural competence in A. actinomycetemcomitans and does not exhibit significant homology with any natural competence genes previously identified in other bacterial species.

Molecular mechanism of immunoglobulin V-region diversification regulated by transcription and RNA metabolism in antigen-driven B cells

The immune system produces specific antibodies (Ab) against any antigens (Ag) of exogenous and endogenous origins with a diverse repertoire of V-region specificities. The primary V-region repertoire is created by the rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) V-region, D- and J-segments with the insertion of N- and P-sequences during early B cell differentiation. Recent studies revealed that secondary diversification of the IgV-region generated in the peripheral lymphoid organs plays a critical role in the generation of effective Ab production for protection from various pathogens. Naïve B cells that react with Ags initiate proliferation and differentiation in the follicular region and create the germinal centres (GCs), where activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-dependent IgV-region somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class-switch recombination generate high-affinity and class-switched mature Ag-specific B cells. Our studies have discovered a 210-kDa nuclear protein, named GC-associated nuclear protein (GANP) that is up-regulated in GC B cells during the T cell-dependent (TD) immune responses. By studying mice with mutant forms of the ganp gene, we demonstrated that GANP is essential for the generation of high-affinity B cells against TD-Ag by affecting SHM at the IgV-regions. GANP is associated with AID in the cytoplasm and the GANP/AID complex is recruited to the nucleus, specifically, the chromatin, and targeted selectively to the IgV-region gene in B cells. GANP augments the access of AID towards IgV-regions in B cells. Here, we review the role of GANP in acquired immunity through the detailed analysis of the molecular mechanism generating SHM specifically at IgV-regions in B cells.

Mathematical modelling and experiments for the proliferation and differentiation of Drosophila intestinal stem cells II

The Drosophila posterior midgut epithelium mainly consists of intestinal stem cells (ISCs); semi-differentiated cells, i.e. enteroblasts (EBs); and two types of fully differentiated cells, i.e. enteroendocrine cells (EEs) and enterocytes (ECs), which are controlled by signalling pathways. In [M. Kuwamura, K. Maeda, and T. Adachi-Yamada, Mathematical modeling and experiments for the proliferation and differentiation of Drosophila intestinal stem cells I, J. Biol. Dyn. 4 (2009), pp. 248-257], on the basis of the functions of the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways, we studied the regulatory mechanism for the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs under the assumption that the Wnt proteins are supplied from outside the cellular system of ISCs. In this paper, we experimentally show that the Wnt proteins are specifically expressed in ISCs, EBs, and EEs, and theoretically show that the cellular system of ISCs can be self-maintained under the assumption that the Wnt proteins are produced in the cellular system of ISCs. These results provide a useful basis for determining whether an environmental niche is required for maintaining the cellular system of tissue stem cells.

stx genotype and molecular epidemiological analyses of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7/H- in human and cattle isolates

The relationship between human diseases caused by infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 strains and O157 strains isolated from cattle was investigated in an area where stockbreeding is prolific. For this purpose, the stx genotypes, the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 268 STEC O157 strains including 211 human-origin strains and 57 cattle-origin strains, and clinical manifestations of 210 STEC-infected people were analyzed. Of 211 human-origin strains, 92 strains (44%) were of the stx1/stx2 genotype, and 74 strains (35%) were of the stx2c genotype. Most of the people infected with stx2c genotype strains presented no symptoms or mild symptoms such as slight diarrhea, except for 3 patients with bloody diarrhea. Of the 57 cattle-origin strains, 27 strains (47%) were of the stx2c genotype and 17 strains (30%) were of the stx1/stx2 genotype. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and insertion sequence (IS) analysis demonstrated that 11 isolates (41%) of the 27 cattle isolates of the stx2c genotype had high homology (>95% identity) with human isolates. These results suggest that some genetic patterns of the stx2c genotype strains might be preserved in cattle or their surrounding environment for several years, and during these periods, they might have opportunities to infect people through various routes. Because of the mild virulence of the stx2c genotype strains, they seemed to be transmitted asymptomatically from cattle to humans and then spread from person to person. It may be a public health concern. Further, they occasionally cause severe symptoms in humans; therefore, caution is warranted for infections by stx2c genotype O157 strains, in addition to stx2-possessing genotype O157 strains.

Degradation of Zinc Oxide Varistors

The effect of ambient gases on degradation and rejuvenation of ZnO varistors was investigated from the viewpoint of voltage-current characteristics. Ambient oxygen gas suppressed increases in the leakage current during ac biasing, while it rejuvenated degraded samples. The time dependence of rejuvenation indicated that ion migrations, possibly the desorption and adsorption of oxygen ions at the grain boundaries, occur reversibly in degradation and rejuvenation. Moreover, a noticeable difference was observed between V–I curve shapes after ac biasing in nitrogen and in oxygen atmospheres.

Increased numbers of immature plasma cells in peripheral blood specifically overexpress chemokine receptor CXCR3 and CXCR4 in patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease featuring infiltration by plasma cells producing immunoglobulins. We have reported previously the specific and significant proliferation of immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic and pouch mucosa of UC patients. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood immature plasma cells and the migration mechanisms of such immature plasma cells to inflamed sites in UC. The characteristics of peripheral blood immature plasma cells and chemokine receptor expression were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of mucosal chemokine was quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The number of peripheral blood immature plasma cells was significantly higher in patients with active UC and active Crohn's disease (CD) than in healthy controls. The proportion of immature plasma cells was correlated positively with clinical activities of UC and CD. Many peripheral blood immature plasma cells were positive for CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR9 and CCR10. Expression of CXCR3 and CXCR4 in UC patients was significantly higher than in controls. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA levels in colonic mucosa of inflamed IBD were higher than in controls. Immunofluorescence study also showed abundant CXCR3-positive immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic mucosa of UC. Increased numbers of immature plasma cells may migrate towards inflammatory sites of UC via the CXCR3 axis, and may participate in UC pathogenesis.

FGF-2 stimulates periodontal regeneration: results of a multi-center randomized clinical trial

The efficacy of the local application of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in periodontal regeneration has been investigated. In this study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 253 adult patients with periodontitis. Modified Widman periodontal surgery was performed, during which 200 µL of the investigational formulation containing 0% (vehicle alone), 0.2%, 0.3%, or 0.4% FGF-2 was administered to 2- or 3-walled vertical bone defects. Each dose of FGF-2 showed significant superiority over vehicle alone (p < 0.01) for the percentage of bone fill at 36 wks after administration, and the percentage peaked in the 0.3% FGF-2 group. No significant differences among groups were observed in clinical attachment regained, scoring approximately 2 mm. No clinical safety problems, including an abnormal increase in alveolar bone or ankylosis, were identified. These results strongly suggest that topical application of FGF-2 can be efficacious in the regeneration of human periodontal tissue that has been destroyed by periodontitis.