Safety of clinical engineer-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) requires multiple staff members, including interventional cardiologists, with the physical burden of heavy protective measures to minimize radiation exposure. Here, we aimed to investigate the safety of task sharing with clinical engineers (CEs) working as 1st assistant during ad hoc PCI. We retrospectively included 286 patients who underwent ad hoc PCI following diagnostic catheterization for coronary artery disease between April 2019 and March 2021. Procedural complications including coronary perforation or rupture, myocardial infarction, cerebral embolism, cardiovascular death, decreased kidney function, and radiation parameters were compared between the two clinical settings [CE group, CEs as the 1st assistant from the beginning of diagnostic coronary angiography to the end of PCI vs. doctor (DR) group, others]. There was no increase in the ratio of procedural complications in the CE group (1.7%) versus the DR group (1.2%). Fluorescence time and radiation exposure dose were significantly reduced in the CE group {25 min [interquartile range (IQR), 19-35 min] vs. 28 min (IQR, 20-39 min), P = 0.036; 908 mGy (IQR, 654-1326 mGy) vs. 1062 mGy (IQR, 732-1594 mGy), P = 0.049}. The median amount of contrast medium was significantly reduced in the CE group [100 mL (IQR, 80-119 mL) vs. 110 mL (IQR 90-140 mL), P < 0.001]. After propensity matching, fluorescence time, radiation exposure dose, and contrast medium amount were similar between groups. Task sharing with CEs as the 1st assistant during ad hoc PCI could contribute to clinical safety in patients with coronary artery disease.

POS0432 MDSCs IN THE INFLAMMATORY JOINT OF SKG MICE HAVE BOTH T CELL SUPPRESSIVE ABILITY AND OSTEOCLAST DIFFERENTIATION POTENTIAL

Background

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous immature myeloid cells with suppressive functions (1). It is known that MDSCs are expanded in inflammatory sites after migrating from bone marrow (BM) or spleen. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized as polyarthritis. Although previous reports indicate that MDSCs are increased in BM and spleen of arthritis model mice, detailed analysis of MDSCs in inflammatory joints is limited.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to characterize the MDSCs in the joints of autoimmune arthritis.

Methods

We isolated CD11b+Gr1+ cells as MDSCs from joints (Jo-MDSCs), bone marrow (BM-MDSCs) and spleen (Sp-MDSCs) of arthritis-induced SKG mice, and investigated differential expressed genes (DEGs) among MDSCs from three tissues by microarray expression analysis. Furthermore, we analyzed the suppressive function of each MDSCs by investigating the effect of them on T cell -proliferation and the osteoclast differentiation of each MDSCs stimulated by M-CSF and RANKL.

Results

Microarray analysis revealed that Jo-MDSCs highly expressed immunosuppressive DEGs (Pdl1, Arg1, Egr2 and Egr3) compared to BM MDSCs or Sp MDSCs. In addition, Jo-MDCSs highly expressed NF-κB non-canonical pathway DEGs (Nfkb2 and Relb), which are related to osteoclast differentiation. BM-MDSCs differentiated into osteoclasts but didn’t suppress T cell-proliferation and Sp-MDSCs suppressed T cell-proliferation but didn’t differentiate into osteoclasts. On the other hand, Jo-MDSCs was found to have both functions: T cell suppression and osteoclast differentiation potential.

Conclusion

Jo-MDSCs have a strong inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation and have the ability osteoclast differentiation potential.

References

[1]Veglia F, Perego M, Gabrilovich D. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells coming of age. Nat Immunol. 2018;19(2):108–19.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

AB0036 BUTYRIC ACID SUPPRESSES MIGRATION OF MONOCYTE-DERIVED DENDRITIC CELLS BY INHIBITING MDIA1-MEDICATED ACTIN POLYMERIZATION

Background

Butyric acid is known to improve chronic inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis [1, 2]. Dendritic cells activate in inflammatory condition, migrate to regional lymph nodes, and activate naive T cells.

Objectives

In this study, we investigated the effect of butyric acid on the migration ability of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC).

Methods

Human CD14+ Monocytes were purified by positive selection from PBMC using CD14 magnetic beads. Cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF (50 ng/ml) and IL-4 (20 ng/ml) for 5 days. After culturing for 5 days, cells were matured with LPS (1ug/ml) for 24 hours. Butyric acid was administered at different dose or period. Surface antigen on moDC was analyzed by flow cytometry (BD FACS VERSE). Migration assay was performed on Boyden chamber CytoSelect 24-Well Cell Migration Assay (5um). Actin was stained with Alexa Fluor 488 Phalloidin before and after migration assay. After administration with butyric acid assigned to each period and concentration, moDC were lysed for western blot analysis for evaluating signaling. Chemiluminescent signals were detected and calculated by Amersham Imager.

Results

We demonstrated that butyric acid decreased the CCR7 expression of moDC, which has a key role in DC homing to the lymph nodes and intestinal Peyer’s patches. We also showed that butyric acid decreased the migration ability of moDC. Furthermore, moDCs cultured with butyric acid showed a round shape and poor formation of dendrites and pseudopodia. Then we studied the effect of butyric acid on cytoskeleton, which plays an important role in migration and pseudopodia formation of DCs. Polymerized Actin (F-Actin) staining revealed that butyrate suppressed actin polymerization of moDC in a dose dependent manner. CDC42 works important role of lamellipodia and membrane protrusions. RhoA is upstream of mDia1, and mDia1 was reported to accelerate actin nucleation and elongation. We revealed that butyrate decreased the protein expression of mDia1, RhoA, and CDC42, while beta actin was not downregulated, by Western blot analysis. Our results suggested that butyric acid suppresses migration of moDCs by inhibiting mDia1-medicated actin polymerization.

Conclusion

Butyric acid suppresses migration of moDCs by inhibiting mDia1-medicated actin polymerization.

References

[1]Mafalda R Couto 1, Pedro Gonçalves 2, Fernando Magro 3, Fátima Martel, et al. Microbiota-derived butyrate regulates intestinal inflammation: Focus on inflammatory bowel disease Pharmacol Res. 2020 Sep;159:104947.

[2]Wenpeng Hui, Dapeng Yu, Zhong Cao, Xiwu Zhao, et al. Butyrate inhibit collagen-induced arthritis via Treg/IL-10/Th17 axis Int Immunopharmacol. 2019 Mar;68:226-233.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Adverse Effect of Circadian Rhythm Disorder on Reparative Angiogenesis in Hind Limb Ischemia

Background Circadian rhythm disorders, often seen in modern lifestyles, are a major social health concern. The aim of this study was to examine whether circadian rhythm disorders would influence angiogenesis and blood perfusion recovery in a mouse model of hind limb ischemia. Methods and Results A jet-lag model was established in C57BL/6J mice using a light-controlled isolation box. Control mice were kept at a light/dark 12:12 (12-hour light and 12-hour dark) condition. Concentrations of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in control mice formed a circadian rhythm, which was diminished in the jet-lag model (P<0.05). The jet-lag condition deteriorated tissue capillary formation (P<0.001) and tissue blood perfusion recovery (P<0.01) in hind limb ischemia, which was associated with downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in local ischemic tissue and in the plasma. Although the expression of clock genes (ie, Clock, Bmal1, and Cry) in local tissues was upregulated after ischemic injury, the expression levels of cryptochrome (Cry) 1 and Cry2 were inhibited by the jet-lag condition. Next, Cry1 and Cry2 double-knockout mice were examined for blood perfusion recoveries and a reparative angiogenesis. Cry1 and Cry2 double-knockout mice revealed suppressed capillary density (P<0.001) and suppressed tissue blood perfusion recovery (P<0.05) in the hind limb ischemia model. Moreover, knockdown of CRY1/2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells was accompanied by increased expression of WEE1 and decreased expression of HOXC5. This was associated with decreased proliferative capacity, migration ability, and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, respectively, leading to impairment of angiogenesis. Conclusions Our data suggest that circadian rhythm disorder deteriorates reparative ischemia-induced angiogenesis and that maintenance of circadian rhythm plays an important role in angiogenesis.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Important Role of Concomitant Lymphangiogenesis for Reparative Angiogenesis in Hindlimb Ischemia

[Figure: see text].

Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ^{-}-^{14}N System

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21  MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

No influence on tumor growth by intramuscular injection of adipose-derived regenerative cells: safety evaluation of therapeutic angiogenesis with cell therapy

Therapeutic angiogenesis with autologous stem/progenitor cells is a promising novel strategy for treatment of severe ischemic diseases. Human clinical trials utilizing autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) have not reported treatment-related critical adverse effects thus far. However, there is still a large knowledge gap regarding whether treatment of ischemic diseases with angiogenic therapy using ADRCs would promote unfavorable angiogenesis associated with tumors in vivo. Herein, we addressed this clinical question using a mouse hindlimb ischemia (HLI) and simultaneous remote tumor implantation model. C57BL/6J background wild-type mice were injected with murine B16F10 melanoma cells on their back, 1 day before ischemic surgery. These mice were subjected to surgical unilateral hindlimb ischemia, followed by ADRC implantation or PBS injection into the hindlimb ischemic muscles on the next day. Intramuscular implantation of ADRCs enhanced tissue capillary density and blood flow examined by a laser Doppler blood perfusion analysis in hind limb. However, this therapeutic regimen for ischemic limb using ADRCs did not affect remote melanoma growth nor the density of its feeder artery, angiogenesis, and lymphatic vessels compared with the PBS group. In addition, no distant metastases were detected in any of the mice regardless of the group. In conclusion, local implantation of ADRCs promotes angiogenesis in response to tissue ischemia in the hindlimb without promoting remote tumor growth and related angio/lymphangiogenesis. Therapeutic angiogenesis to the ischemic hindlimb using ADRCs seems to be safe regarding remote tumor growth.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we demonstrated that local injection of ADRCs can promote angiogenesis in response to tissue ischemia without promoting remote tumor growth in a mouse model. Our findings indicate that therapeutic angiogenesis to the ischemic hindlimb using ADRCs seems to be safe regarding remote tumor growth.

Myonectin Is an Exercise-Induced Myokine That Protects the Heart From Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

RATIONALE

Physical exercise provides benefits for various organ systems, and some of systemic effects of exercise are mediated through modulation of muscle-derived secreted factors, also known as myokines. Myonectin/C1q (complement component 1q)/TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-related protein 15/erythroferrone is a myokine that is upregulated in skeletal muscle and blood by exercise.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the role of myonectin in myocardial ischemic injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ischemia-reperfusion in myonectin-knockout mice led to enhancement of myocardial infarct size, cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and proinflammatory gene expression compared with wild-type mice. Conversely, transgenic overexpression of myonectin in skeletal muscle reduced myocardial damage after ischemia-reperfusion. Treadmill exercise increased circulating myonectin levels in wild-type mice, and it reduced infarct size after ischemia-reperfusion in wild-type mice, but not in myonectin-knockout mice. Treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with myonectin protein attenuated hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis via S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate)-dependent activation of cAMP/Akt cascades. Similarly, myonectin suppressed inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in cultured macrophages through the S1P/cAMP/Akt-dependent signaling pathway. Moreover, blockade of S1P-dependent pathway reversed myonectin-mediated reduction of myocardial infarct size in mice after ischemia-reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that myonectin functions as an endurance exercise-induced myokine which ameliorates acute myocardial ischemic injury by suppressing apoptosis and inflammation in the heart, suggesting that myonectin mediates some of the beneficial actions of exercise on cardiovascular health.

Alteration in ventricular pressure stimulates cardiac repair and remodeling

The mammalian heart undergoes complex structural and functional remodeling to compensate for stresses such as pressure overload. While studies suggest that, at best, the adult mammalian heart is capable of very limited regeneration arising from the proliferation of existing cardiomyocytes, how myocardial stress affects endogenous cardiac regeneration or repair is unknown. To define the relationship between left ventricular afterload and cardiac repair, we induced left ventricle pressure overload in adult mice by constriction of the ascending aorta (AAC). One week following AAC, we normalized ventricular afterload in a subset of animals through removal of the aortic constriction (de-AAC). Subsequent monitoring of cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity via thymidine analog labeling revealed that an acute increase in ventricular afterload induced cardiomyocyte proliferation. Intriguingly, a release in ventricular overload (de-AAC) further increases cardiomyocyte proliferation. Following both AAC and de-AAC, thymidine analog-positive cardiomyocytes exhibited characteristics of newly generated cardiomyocytes, including single diploid nuclei and reduced cell size as compared to age-matched, sham-operated adult mouse myocytes. Notably, those smaller cardiomyocytes frequently resided alongside one another, consistent with local stimulation of cellular proliferation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that adult cardiomyocyte proliferation can be locally stimulated by an acute increase or decrease of ventricular pressure, and this mode of stimulation can be harnessed to promote cardiac repair.

Rikkunshito simultaneously improves dyspepsia correlated with anxiety in patients with functional dyspepsia: A randomized clinical trial (the DREAM study)

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD), a heterogeneous disorder, involves multiple pathogenetic mechanisms. Developing treatments for FD has been challenging. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to determine the efficacy of rikkunshito, a Japanese herbal medicine, in FD patients.

METHODS

FD patients (n = 192) who met the Rome III criteria without Helicobacter pylori infection, predominant heartburn, and depression were enrolled at 56 hospitals in Japan. After 2 weeks of single-blind placebo treatment, 128 patients with continuous symptoms were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of rikkunshito (n = 64) or placebo (n = 61). The primary efficacy endpoint was global assessment of overall treatment efficacy (OTE). The secondary efficacy endpoints were improvements in upper gastrointestinal symptoms evaluated by the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders-Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM), the Global Overall Symptom scale (GOS), and the modified Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (m-FSSG), and psychological symptoms evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

KEY RESULTS

Rikkunshito increased OTE compared to placebo at 8 weeks (P = .019). Rikkunshito improved upper gastrointestinal symptoms (PAGI-SYM, GOS, and m-FSSG) at 8 weeks, especially postprandial fullness/early satiety (P = .015 and P = .001) and bloating (P = .007 and P = .002) of the PAGI-SYM subscales at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Improvement of HADS at 8 weeks (P = .027) correlated with those of PAGI-SYM (r = .302, P = .001), GOS (r = .186, P = .044), and m-FSSG (r = .462, P < .001), postprandial fullness/early satiety (r = .226, P = .014), dyspepsia (r = .215, P = .019), and PDS (r = .221, P = .016).

CONCLUSION & INFERENCES

Rikkunshito may be beneficial for FD patients to simultaneously treat gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms.

Latent TGF-β binding protein 2 and 4 have essential overlapping functions in microfibril development

Microfibrils are exracellular matrix components necessary for elastic fiber assembly and for suspending lenses. We previously reported that latent TGF-β binding protein 2 (LTBP-2), a microfibril-associated protein, is required for forming stable microfibril bundles in ciliary zonules. However, it was not understood why Ltbp2 null mice only showed an eye-specific phenotype, whereas LTBP-2 is abundantly expressed in other tissues containing microfibrils in wild type mice. Here, we show that LTBP-4, another microfibril-associated protein, compensates for the loss of LTBP-2 in microfibril formation. Ltbp2/4S double knockout (DKO) mice showed increased lethality due to emphysema, which was much more severe than that found in Ltbp4S null mice. Elastic fibers in the lungs of Ltbp2/4S DKO mice were severely disorganized and fragmented. Cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Ltbp2/4S DKO embryos developed reduced microfibril meshwork in serum-free conditions, whereas the microfibril formation was restored by the addition of either recombinant LTBP-2 or -4. Finally, ectopic expression of LTBP-4 in the whole body restored ciliary zonule microfibril bundles in the eyes of Ltbp2 null mice. These data suggest that LTBP-2 and -4 have critical overlapping functions in forming the robust structure of microfibrils in vitro and in vivo.

Time-Reversal Measurement of the p-Wave Cross Sections of the ^{7}Be(n,α)^{4}He Reaction for the Cosmological Li Problem

The cross sections of the ^{7}Be(n,α)^{4}He reaction for p-wave neutrons were experimentally determined at E_{c.m.}=0.20-0.81  MeV slightly above the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) energy window for the first time on the basis of the detailed balance principle by measuring the time-reverse reaction. The obtained cross sections are much larger than the cross sections for s-wave neutrons inferred from the recent measurement at the n_TOF facility in CERN, but significantly smaller than the theoretical estimation widely used in the BBN calculations. The present results suggest the ^{7}Be(n,α)^{4}He reaction rate is not large enough to solve the cosmological lithium problem, and this conclusion agrees with the recent result from the direct measurement of the s-wave cross sections using a low-energy neutron beam and the evaluated nuclear data library ENDF/B-VII.1.

Enteric glial cells are associated with stress-induced colonic hyper-contraction in maternally separated rats

BACKGROUND

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) play important roles in enteric integrity and regulation of gastrointestinal function. However, whether EGCs undergo pathophysiological changes in stress-associated gastrointestinal disorders is unknown. We investigated structural and functional alterations in colonic EGCs and their roles in colonic contraction in an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) model.

METHODS

As a chronic stress, male Wistar rats underwent 3-h maternal separation during postnatal days 2-14. As an acute stress, we used water-immersion stress (4 h) in adulthood (at 8 weeks). We quantitatively and morphologically evaluated enteric neurons and EGCs using whole-mount longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations. Colonic contraction was analyzed with electrical field stimulation (EFS).

KEY RESULTS

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and the number of total, cholinergic, and nitrergic neurons were unchanged in maternally separated rats with acute stress (combined stress: an IBS model) compared with controls. However, the density of GFAP-positive EGC processes that apparently overlapped with the neurons and the extent of bulbous swelling of terminals increased according to the stress intensity: control, acute stress, maternal separation, and combined stress. EFS-induced colonic contractions were significantly greater in the combined stress rats than in controls. Higher dose of fluorocitrate, a selective inhibitor of EGC metabolism, was required to inhibit both EFS-induced contraction and EGCs activation in the combined stress rats than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Colonic EGCs exhibited structural alterations according to the stress intensity. EGCs were associated with stress-induced colonic hyper-contraction in the combined stress rats, which may underlie the pathogenesis of IBS.

Latent TGF-β binding protein-2 is essential for the development of ciliary zonule microfibrils

Latent TGF-β-binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) is an extracellular matrix protein associated with microfibrils. Homozygous mutations in LTBP2 have been found in humans with genetic eye diseases such as congenital glaucoma and microspherophakia, indicating a critical role of the protein in eye development, although the function of LTBP-2 in vivo has not been well understood. In this study, we explore the in vivo function of LTBP-2 by generating Ltbp2(-/-) mice. Ltbp2(-/-) mice survived to adulthood but developed lens luxation caused by compromised ciliary zonule formation without a typical phenotype related to glaucoma, suggesting that LTBP-2 deficiency primarily causes lens dislocation but not glaucoma. The suppression of LTBP2 expression in cultured human ciliary epithelial cells by siRNA disrupted the formation of the microfibril meshwork by the cells. Supplementation of recombinant LTBP-2 in culture medium not only rescued the microfibril meshwork formation in LTBP2-suppressed ciliary epithelial cells but also restored unfragmented and bundled ciliary zonules in Ltbp2(-/-) mouse eyes under organ culture. Although several reported human mutant LTBP-2 proteins retain normal domain structure and keep the fibrillin-1-binding site intact, none of these mutant proteins were secreted from their producing cells, suggesting secretion arrest occurred to the LTBP-2 mutants owing to conformational alteration. The findings of this study suggest that LTBP-2 is an essential component for the formation of microfibril bundles in ciliary zonules.

Osteoclast differentiation factor induces synovial macrophage-osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract The aim of this study was to clarify the role of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in synovial macrophage-osteoclast differentiation. Synovial macrophages were cultured in the presence of macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and/or ODF. OPG was added to cocultures of synovial macrophages and UMR106. The cultures on glass coverslips were stained with osteoclast-associated markers, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and vitronectin receptor (VNR), as well as macrophage-associated markers CD11b and CD14. Functional evidence of osteoclast formation was determined by a resorption pit assay. To investigate whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial cells expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) for ODF, OPG, and the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The addition of M-CSF or ODF alone induced TRAP-positive multinucleated cell formation. Resorption pits were rarely detected with M-CSF alone. ODF was capable of inducing bone resorption and enhancing osteoclastogenesis, as well as bone resorption in the presence of M-CSF. In the coculture system, both osteoclast formation and bone resorption were inhibited by OPG in a dose-dependent manner. In all experiments, synovial cells, including macrophages and fibroblasts, expressed the mRNA for RANK, ODF, and OPG. Our findings suggest that ODF plays a role in regulating RA synovial macrophage-osteoclast differentiation, and that synovial cells might have the ability to produce ODF. OPG might be further developed as a new strategy for treating bone destruction in RA joints.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for egg production traits in an F2 intercross of Oh-Shamo and White Leghorn chickens

We performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses for egg production traits, including age at first egg (AFE) and egg production rates (EPR) measured every 4 weeks from 22 to 62 weeks of hen age, in a population of 421 F(2) hens derived from an intercross between the Oh-Shamo (Japanese Large Game) and White Leghorn breeds of chickens. Simple interval mapping revealed a main-effect QTL for AFE on chromosome 1 and four main-effect QTL for EPR on chromosomes 1 and 11 (three on chromosome 1 and one on chromosome 11) at the genome-wide 5% levels. Among the three EPR QTL on chromosome 1, two were identified at the early stage of egg laying (26-34 weeks of hen age) and the remaining one was discovered at the late stage (54-58 weeks). The alleles at the two EPR QTL derived from the Oh-Shamo breed unexpectedly increased the trait values, irrespective of the Oh-Shamo being inferior to the White Leghorn in the trait. This suggests that the Oh-Shamo, one of the indigenous Japanese breeds, is an untapped resource that is important for further improvement of current elite commercial laying chickens. In addition, six epistatic QTL were identified on chromosomes 2, 4, 7, 8, 17 and 19, where none of the above main-effect QTL were located. This is the first example of detection of epistatic QTL affecting egg production traits. The main and epistatic QTL identified accounted for 4-8% of the phenotypic variance. The total contribution of all QTL detected for each trait to the phenotypic and genetic variances ranged from 4.1% to 16.9% and from 11.5% to 58.5%, respectively.

A simple energy filter for low energy electron microscopy/photoelectron emission microscopy instruments

Addition of an electron energy filter to low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) instruments greatly improves their analytical capabilities. However, such filters tend to be quite complex, both electron optically and mechanically. Here we describe a simple energy filter for the existing IBM LEEM/PEEM instrument, which is realized by adding a single scanning aperture slit to the objective transfer optics, without any further modifications to the microscope. This energy filter displays a very high energy resolution ΔE/E = 2 × 10(-5), and a non-isochromaticity of ∼0.5 eV/10 µm. The setup is capable of recording selected area electron energy spectra and angular distributions at 0.15 eV energy resolution, as well as energy filtered images with a 1.5 eV energy pass band at an estimated spatial resolution of ∼10 nm. We demonstrate the use of this energy filter in imaging and spectroscopy of surfaces using a laboratory-based He I (21.2 eV) light source, as well as imaging of Ag nanowires on Si(001) using the 4 eV energy loss Ag plasmon.

Comparative studies of pentacene and perfluoropentacene grown on a Bi(0001) surface

We report two distinct growth modes of pentacene (PEN) and perfluoropentacene (PFP) films on a Bi(0001) substrate investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). PEN grows epitaxially on Bi(0001) at room temperature (RT), resulting in the formation of bulk-like crystalline films. In contrast, submonolayer PFP forms a two-dimensional (2D) liquid-like phase with PFP molecules loosely bound on Bi(0001). Beyond one monolayer, the PFP molecules diffuse over very long distances to aggregate into three-dimensional (3D) islands, leading to a rough film morphology. Utilizing the stacking interaction at the PFP/PEN interface, we deposited PFP on the template of an ordered PEN monolayer formed on Bi. It is found that PFP molecules nucleate into ordered crystalline islands with PFP molecules standing-up. The different morphologies of PEN and PFP overlayers can be understood in terms of perfluorination induced decoupling of PFP molecules from the Bi substrate below.

Fluorine diffusion assisted by diffusing silicon on the Si(111)-(7x7) surface

The diffusion process of fluorine (F) atoms on the Si(111)-(7x7) surface is investigated using high-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. The kinetic parameters of F hopping agree well with those of the diffusing silicon (Si) atoms, which implies that of all reaction processes, the Si diffusion serves as the rate-determining one. Deposition of Si on the surface is found to enhance F hopping, which supports the above-mentioned observation. Theory reveals that the replacement of F adsorption sites by diffusing Si atoms is the key process in the diffusion mechanism.

Surface plasmon microscopy using an energy-filtered low energy electron microscope

We present low energy electron microscope (LEEM) spectromicroscopy studies of surface plasmons, localized on micro- and nanoscale epitaxial Ag islands. Excellent agreement is found in a direct comparison of wave vector dependent plasmon intensity with theory, demonstrating that high quality quantitative data can be obtained with a large improvement in both spatial and temporal resolution over traditional electron scattering experiments. The plasmon signal from Ag islands is successfully imaged with a spatial resolution of less than 35 nm. LEEM based plasmon spectromicroscopy promises to be a powerful tool for furthering our understanding of nanoplasmonics.

Single-nucleus polycrystallization in thin film epitaxial growth

We have observed, by use of low-energy electron microscopy, the first direct evidence of self-driven polycrystallization evolved from a single nucleus in the case of epitaxial pentacene growth on the Si(111)-H terminated surface. In this Letter we demonstrate that such polycrystallization can develop in anisotropic systems (in terms of crystal structure and/or the intermolecular interactions) when kinetic growth conditions force the alignment of the intrinsic preferential growth directions along the density gradient of diffusing molecules. This finding gives new insight into the crystallization of complex molecular systems, elucidating the importance of nanoscale control of the growth conditions.

Surface and interface studies of GaN epitaxy on Si(111) via buffer layers

Gallium nitride films, epitaxially grown on Si(111) via a lattice-matched ZrB(2) buffer layer by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, have been studied in situ by noncontact atomic force microscopy and also in real time by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The grown films were determined to be always N-polar. First-principles theoretical calculations modeling the interface structure between GaN(0001) and ZrB(2)(0001) clarify the origin of the N polarity.

Imaging of all dangling bonds and their potential on the Ge/Si105 surface by noncontact atomic force microscopy

High-resolution noncontact atomic force microscope (AFM) images were successfully taken on the Ge105-(1 x 2) structure formed on the Si105 substrate and revealed all dangling bonds of the surface regardless of their electronic situation, surpassing scanning tunneling microscopy, whose images strongly deviated from the atomic structure by the electronic states involved. An atomically resolved electrostatic potential profile by a Kelvin-probe method with AFM shows potential variations among the dangling bond states, directly observing a charge transfer between them. These results clearly demonstrate that high-resolution noncontact AFM with a Kelvin-probe method is an ideal tool for analysis of atomic structures and electronic properties of surfaces.

Nanofilm allotrope and phase transformation of ultrathin Bi film on Si(111)-7x7

Our scanning tunneling microscopy and electron diffraction experiments revealed that a new two-dimensional allotrope of Bi forms on the Si(111)-7x7 surface. This pseudocubic [012]-oriented allotrope is stable up to four atomic layers at room temperature. Above this critical thickness, the entire volume of the film starts to transform into a bulk single-crystal (001) phase, as the bulk contribution in the cohesion becomes dominant. Based on ab initio calculations, we propose that the new allotrope consists of black phosphorus-like puckered layers stabilized by saturating all the p(z) dangling bonds in the film.

Transforming growth factor-beta induces osteoclast formation in the absence of RANKL

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is a multifunctional growth factor that is produced by many cells in bone and is abundant in the bone matrix. TGFbeta is known to regulate RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorbing activity. In this study we sought to determine whether TGFbeta could directly induce osteoclast formation by a RANKL-independent mechanism. We found that the addition of TGFbeta to cultures of human monocytes and RAW 264.7 cells (in the presence of M-CSF and the absence of RANKL, TNFalpha or IL-6/IL-11) was sufficient to induce the formation of TRAP+ and VNR+ cells, which formed actin rings and were capable of extensive lacunar resorption. The addition of osteoprotegerin or antibodies to TNFalpha and its receptors, as well as antibodies to gp130, did not inhibit lacunar resorption, indicating that TGFbeta did not act by stimulating RANKL, TNF or IL-6 production by monocytes. TGFbeta-induced osteoclast formation was qualitatively different from that induced by RANKL with numerous TRAP+/VNR+ mononuclear and small multinucleated cells being formed; these cells produced many small resorption lacunae. Our results indicate that TGFbeta, which is abundant in the bone matrix, can, in the presence of M-CSF, directly induce mononuclear phagocyte osteoclast precursors to differentiate into osteoclastic cells capable of lacunar resorption.

Re-evaluation and reconstruction of water purification system using soil. I. Assessment of soil as a sorbent of humic substances and phosphate ion

The purpose of our study is to develop a treatment procedure for humic substances (HS hereafter) and phosphate ion in wastewater and environmental water by percolation of the water through a constructed soil layer at the hydraulic loading of a few metres per day. In the present work, batch sorption tests were conducted for more than 80 samples of soil, sludge, mineral and organic materials in order to find good sorbents for fulvic acid (FA hereafter) and phosphate ion. The results showed that the sorption of FA was high for some charcoal, and apatite and goethite minerals. Comparatively high sorption of FA was found for some Andosols and volcanic ash soil. Significant sorption of phosphate ion, on the other hand, was found for various types of soil, sludge from water treatment plants and some waste materials. The linear isotherm was obtained for the sorption of FA to a charcoal, apatite and goethite minerals, and Andosols.

Re-evaluation and re-construction of water purification system using soil. II. Removal of pollutants from infiltrating water

Presented in this paper are the results of a series of column experiments and a pilot scale test conducted to develop the treatment system of freshwater and wastewater by their percolation through soil and the other materials at the rate of a few metres per day. Materials that had high ability to sorb fulvic acid (FA hereafter) and phosphate ion were selected based on the results of the batch sorption tests and were processed into beads before subjecting them to the column test. The results of the column experiment suggested that the reagents added to increase the strength of the beads reduced the sorption of FA, thus causing the early breakthrough of the FA injected into the column. Less effect from the bead processing was observed for the removal of phosphate ion. Pilot scale test showed that the removal of particulate fraction of phosphorus differed among the materials used. The bead processing technique that can ensure the high water permeability while maintaining the sorption capacity of the material was required for further development of the treatment system.

Na adsorption on the Si111-(7 x 7) surface: from two-dimensional gas to nanocluster array

We have systematically investigated Na adsorption on the Si(111)-(7 x 7) surface at room temperature using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Below the critical coverage of 0.08 monolayer, we find intriguing contrast modulation instead of localized Na adsorbates, coupled with streaky noise in the STM images, which is accompanied by monotonic work function drop. Above the critical coverage, Na clusters emerge and form a self-assembled array. Combined with first-principles theoretical simulations, we conclude that the Na atoms on the (7 x 7) surface are, while strongly bound ( approximately 2.2 eV) to the surface, highly mobile in "basins" around the Si rest atoms, forming a two-dimensional gas phase at the initial coverage, and that the cluster at the higher coverage consists of six Na atoms together with three Si adatoms.

Menatetrenone (vitamin K2) acts directly on circulating human osteoclast precursors

It is still not certain what the direct effect of menatetrenone is on osteoclast precursors. In the present study, we investigated whether menatetrenone has a direct effect on circulating osteoclast precursors to influence osteoclast differentiation. Monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were cultured with receptor-activated NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Menatetrenone or vitamin K1 was then added to the cultures. Geranylgeraniol or phytol (the respective side chain) was also added to the cultures instead of menatetrenone or vitamin K1, respectively. After 7 and 14 days incubation, cultures were evaluated for cytochemical and functional evidence of osteoclast formation. The number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs) and the percentage area of lacunar resorption induced by RANKL and M-CSF were decreased when menatetrenone or geranylgeraniol was added to the cultures. Dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast formation and lacunar resorption was seen when the cultures were treated with menatetrenone or geranylgeraniol. In contrast, vitamin K1 or phytol did not affect the number of TRAP-positive MNCs nor the percentage area of lacunar resorption. These results indicate that menatetrenone not only influences osteoclast formation via bone stromal cells but also acts directly on circulating osteoclast precursors to influence osteoclast differentiation. These findings also suggest that geranylgeraniol, the side chain of menatetrenone, plays an important role in this inhibitory effect.

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-11 support human osteoclast formation by a RANKL-independent mechanism

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) are known to influence osteoclast formation and bone resorption. In order to determine whether IL-6 and IL-11 could independently support human osteoclast formation, these factors were added to cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the monocyte (CD14(+)) fraction in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Under these conditions, IL-6 and IL-11 induced the formation of multinucleated cells which were positive for TRAP, VNR, and calcitonin receptor and capable of lacunar resorption. Osteoclastogenesis induced by IL-6 and IL-11 was inhibited by the addition of an anti-gp130 antibody but not by osteoprotegerin. These results indicate that IL-6 and IL-11, which are thought to play a role in several osteolytic bone disorders, are directly capable of inducing osteoclast formation by a RANKL-independent mechanism.

Localization of group IB phospholipase A(2) isoform in the gills of the red sea bream, Pagrus (Chrysophrys) major

We previously reported that PLA(2) activity in the gills is higher than that in other tissues in red sea bream and purified PLA(2) from the gills belongs to the group IB PLA(2) as well as other red sea bream PLA(2)s. In this study, we reconfirmed that the level of PLA(2) activity is extremely high in the gills compared with other tissues, and gill PLA(2) was detected only in the gills by immunoblotting and inhibition test using anti-gill PLA(2) monoclonal antibody. The level of PLA(2) activity and protein expression in the gills are well correlated. Fish can be roughly divided into high and low groups based on the level of PLA(2) activity. Gill PLA(2) was detected in the gills of the high group, but not the low group by immunoblotting. In the gills of the high group, gill PLA(2) was detected in the mucous cells and pavement cells located on the surface of gill epithelia by immunohistochemistry. On the other hand, positive signals were observed only in the mucous cells by in situ hybridization. We also isolated inactive proPLA(2), having AR propeptide, preceding the mature enzyme from the gill extract. These results suggest that gill PLA(2) is synthesized as an inactive proPLA(2) in the mucous cells and is secreted to the surface of gill epithelia.

Long-term response to zonisamide in patients with West syndrome

The long-term effectiveness of zonisamide (ZNS) was evaluated in 11 patients with West syndrome (7 symptomatic) who had cessation of spasms with ZNS monotherapy. During the follow-up period (24 to 79 months, mean = 53 months), this response was maintained in 7 patients (3 symptomatic, relapse rate = 36%), including 2 children in whom ZNS was successfully discontinued. No serious adverse reactions were noted. ZNS may be both effective and well tolerated for the treatment of West syndrome.

Origin of the stability of Ge(105) on si: a new structure model and surface strain relaxation

The structure of Ge(105)-(1 x 2) grown on Si(105) is examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and first-principles calculations. The morphology evolution with an increasing amount of Ge deposited documents the existence of a tensile surface strain in Si(105) and its relaxation with increasing coverage of Ge. A detailed analysis of high-resolution STM images and first-principles calculations produce a new stable model for the Ge(105)-(1 x 2) structure formed on the Si(105) surface that includes the existence of surface strain. It corrects the model developed from early observations of the facets of "hut" clusters grown on Si(001).

Gender- and age-related differences in osteoclast formation from circulating precursors

A number of bone diseases characterised by excessive osteolysis (e.g. osteoporosis and Paget's disease) exhibit a marked gender difference in prevalence and are more common in the elderly population. Bone resorption is carried out by osteoclasts, which are formed by fusion of circulating mononuclear precursor cells of haematopoietic origin. In this study, we have determined whether there are gender- and age-related differences in osteoclast formation from circulating precursors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were co-cultured with UMR106 osteoblast-like cells in the presence of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) or cultured alone in the presence of sRANKL (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand) and M-CSF. As assessed by the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive (TRAP(+)) and vitronectin receptor-positive (VNR(+)) multinucleated cells (MNCs), there was no difference in the number of circulating osteoclast precursors in males and females. Lacunar resorption carried out by osteoclasts formed from these precursors was generally increased in males compared with females (P=0.03). An increase in the number of TRAP(+) and VNR(+) MNCs formed from male PBMCs was noted in response to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (P<0.005). An increase in lacunar resorption in cultures of PBMCs (10(5) per well) from males was also noted in response to 10(-9) M 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (P<0.05) and sRANKL (P=0.05), but not M-CSF. The addition of dexamethasone resulted in a marked increase in osteoclast formation and lacunar resorption in both males and females. Post-menopausal females and males of comparable age showed similar levels of osteoclastogenesis. Pre-menopausal women showed similar levels of osteoclastogenesis but less resorption (P=0.01) compared with males of comparable age. These results show that there are specific gender/age-related differences in osteoclast formation and bone resorption and have implications for evaluating osteoclastogenesis in skeletal diseases such as primary osteoporosis and Paget's disease.

Synthesis and biological evaluations of quinoline-based HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

A series of quinoline-based 3,5-dihydroxyheptenoic acid derivatives were synthesized from quinolinecarboxylic acid esters by homologation, aldol condensation with ethyl acetoacetate dianion, and reduction of 3-hydroxyketone to evaluate their ability to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in vitro. In agreement with previous literature, a strict structural requirement exists on the external ring, and 4-fluorophenyl is the most active in this system. For the central ring, substitution on positions 6, 7, and 8 of the central quinoline nucleus moderately affected the potency, whereas the alkyl side chain on the 2-position had a more pronounced influence on activity. Among the derivatives, NK-104 (pitavastatin calcium), which has a cyclopropyl group as the alkyl side chain, showed the greatest potency. We found that further modulation and improvement in potency at inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase was obtained by having the optimal substituents flanking the desmethylmevalonic acid portion, that is, 4-fluorophenyl and cyclopropyl, instead of the usual isopropyl group.