Reopening of ductus arteriosus in idiopathic premature constriction or closure of ductus arteriosus: A case series

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on managing pregnancy when the fetus is diagnosed with idiopathic premature constriction or closure of the ductus arteriosus (PCDA). Knowing whether the ductus reopens is valuable information for managing idiopathic PCDA. We conducted a case-series study to investigate the natural perinatal course of idiopathic PCDA and examined factors associated with ductal reopening.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected information about the perinatal course and echocardiographic findings at our institution, which, on principle, does not determine delivery timing based on fetal echocardiographic results. We also examined perinatal factors related to the reopening of the ductus arteriosus.

RESULTS

Thirteen cases of idiopathic PCDA were included in the analysis. The ductus reopened in 38% of cases. Among cases diagnosed in <  37 weeks of gestation, 71% reopened, which was confirmed seven days after diagnosis (interquartile range 4-7). Diagnosis earlier in gestation was associated with ductal reopening (p = 0.006). Two cases (15%) developed persistent pulmonary hypertension. No fetal hydrops or death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The ductus is likely to reopen when prenatally diagnosed before 37 weeks gestation. There were no complications due to our pregnancy management policy. In idiopathic PCDA, especially if the prenatal diagnosis is made before 37 weeks of gestational age, continuing the pregnancy with careful monitoring of the fetus's well-being is recommended.

Osteoarthritic changes in the knees of recently retired male professional footballers: a pilot study

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common amongst retired male professional footballers. There is limited understanding with respect to the interplay between imaging findings, clinical presentation and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in retired professional footballers with knee OA.

Objectives

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the extent of radiological and clinical knee OA in a cohort of retired male professional footballers, and to explore the relationship between these findings and knee-related PROMs.

Methods

Fifteen retired male professional footballers underwent knee radiographs and were surveyed on their history of clinical OA, severe knee injury and previous knee surgery. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health (PROMIS-GH) were used to assess health outcomes, such as level of function and pain.

Results

Radiological knee OA was diagnosed in six out of 15 participants. Seven of the participants had a clinical diagnosis of knee OA. Evidence of clinical and radiological OA was present amongst four participants. Radiological knee OA and clinical OA was significantly associated with a history of severe knee injury and previous knee surgery. Low correlations (ρ<-0.40) were found between knee OA severity and knee-related PROMs. Moderate correlation (ρ=-0.65) was found between clinical knee OA and KOOS-SP.

Conclusion

Clinical knee OA correlates with PROMs amongst retired professional footballers but radiological OA does not. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between imaging findings, clinical presentation and PROMs amongst retired professional footballers with knee OA.

The role of cellular senescence in aortic dissection

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic disease that occurs suddenly. The acute mortality is high and those who survived frequently suffer from serious complications such as aneurysm formation and distal ischemia due to progressive destruction of the aortic walls. Currently, no predictor of AD onset is available nor therapeutic intervention to specifically prevent the progressive destruction in AD, because the molecular pathogenesis is largely unknown. Clinical and experimental studies highlighted the importance of inflammation in AD, although the regulatory mechanism of inflammation remains unclear. Recently, we found that cell proliferation precedes the inflammatory response in AD. Because cell proliferation causes cellular senescence that can induce inflammatory response, we hypothesized that cellular senescence participates in AD pathogenesis.

Objective

We investigated if cellular senescence contributes to AD development and progression in mouse AD model.

Methods and results

A mouse AD model was created by continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile and angiotensin II (BAPN+AngII), where AD starts to develop in 3 days and occurs to most of the mice in 14 days accompanied by frequent AD rupture and death. Infusion of BAPN+AngII resulted in the induction of senescence markers Ink4a from day 3 before AD onset and persisted for the 14 days of the observational period.

Cellular senescence, as demonstrated by the expression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, was evident in intimal endothelial cells, medial smooth muscle cells, adventitial macrophages and fibroblasts. We examined the role of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis by oral administration of ABT263 which is known as “senolytics” that eliminates senescent cells. ABT263 treatment reduced the expression of the senescence marker, prevented the death by AD rupture, and ameliorated the severity of AD lesion compared to the vehicle treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ABT treatment suppressed the immune and inflammatory response in AD. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that ABT treatment prevented the induction of p21Cip1, interleukin-6, several chemokines and their receptors by 3-day infusion of BAPN+AngII.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that senescence of multiple cell types precedes AD development, which is likely to induce the inflammatory response. Elimination of senescent cells effectively prevented AD progression and death. Therefore, cellular senescence represents a potential predictor and a therapeutic target for AD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Colchicine protects against cartilage degeneration by inhibiting MMP13 expression via PLC-γ1 phosphorylation

OBJECTIVE

Low molecular weight compounds that reduce the expression of MMP13 at the mRNA level might serve as disease-modifying osteoarthritis (OA) drugs (DMOADs). The objective of this study was to identify a candidate DMOAD that targets MMP13 expression.

DESIGN

High-throughput screening was performed to identify compounds that suppress inflammatory cytokine-induced MMP13 expression. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based proteomic analysis was conducted to identify signaling pathways related to cytokines. MMP13 expression in chondrocytes was evaluated through RT-qPCR and western blotting analyses. Additionally, 10-week-old mice were subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce OA and were sacrificed 12 weeks post-surgery for pathological examination. OA was evaluated using the OARSI scoring system.

RESULTS

Colchicine was identified as a DMOAD candidate as it inhibited inflammatory cytokine-induced MMP13 expression in vitro, and the colchicine-administered mice with DMM presented significantly lower OARSI scores (adjusted P: 0.0242, mean difference: 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference: 0.1651-3.035) and significantly lower synovial membrane inflammation scores (adjusted P: 0.0243, mean difference: 0.6, 95% CI of difference: 0.06158-1.138) than mice with DMM. IPA further revealed that components of the Rho signaling pathways are regulated by cytokines and colchicine. IL-1β and TNF-α activate RAC1 and SRC signals, respectively, leading to the phosphorylation of PLC-γ1 and synergistic induction of MMP13 expression. Most notably, colchicine abrogates inflammatory cytokine-induced phosphorylation of PLC-γ1, leading to the induction of MMP13 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Colchicine is a potential DMOAD candidate that inhibits MMP13 expression and consequent cartilage degradation by disrupting the SRC/RAC1-phospho-PLCγ1-Ca2+ signaling pathway.

The role of cellular senescence in aortic dissection

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic disease that occurs suddenly. The acute mortality is high and those who survived frequently suffer from serious complications such as aneurysm formation and distal ischemia due to progressive destruction of the aortic walls. Currently, no reliable predictor is available for AD development and surgical intervention is the only therapeutic option to prevent the fatal events after AD development, because the pathogenesis of AD is largely unknown.

Clinical and experimental studies highlighted the importance of inflammation in AD pathogenesis, although the trigger of inflammation remains unclear. Recently, we found that cell proliferation precedes the inflammatory response in AD. Because cell proliferation triggers cellular senescence and senescent cells secrete of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, we hypothesized that cellular senescence may participate in AD pathogenesis.

Objective

We investigated if cellular senescence contributes to AD development and progression in a mouse model of AD.

Methods and results

A mouse AD model was created by continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile and angiotensin II (BAPN+AngII), where AD starts to develop in 3 days and occurs to most of the mice in 14 days accompanied by frequent AD rupture and death. Infusion of BAPN+AngII resulted in the appearance of senescent cells that are positive for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, and expression of senescence markers Arf and Ink4a in the aortic walls. Appearance of cellular senescence occurred in one day of BAPN+AngII infusion and continued throughout the observational period of 14 days. We examined the role of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis by oral administration of ABT263 which is known as “senolytics” that eliminates senescent cells. ABT263 treatment reduced the expression of the senescence markers. In the vehicle-treated group, the mortality was 66.7% (12/18), whereas that of ABT263-treated group was 35% (14/20, P&lt;0.05 by log-rank test). The severity of AD, as assessed by the lesion length in vehicle group was33.2±3.1 mm, whereas that in ABT263 group was 24.6±1.8 mm (P&lt;0.05).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that cellular senescence precedes AD development, and ABT263 effectively prevented AD progression and death, indicating the involvement of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis. Therefore, cellular senescence represents a potential predictor and a therapeutic target for AD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Involvement of FAK in aortic dissection: potential role in aortic interstitial cells

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal disease where the intimomedial layer of the aorta suddenly fail. Although it is widely accepted that hemodynamic stress on the aortic wall triggers its destruction that is further promoted by inflammatory response as exemplified by the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, molecular mechanism is unknown for the link of aortic wall stress, inflammation and tissue destruction. In general, mechanical stress to the tissue is converted to the cellular response through the cell adhesion molecules and the activation of focal adhesion kinase (Fak). Although it has been reported that Fak is involved in pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm by promoting migration and activation of macrophages, its role in AD is unknown. We hypothesized that Fak may be involved in AD pathogenesis.

Purpose

We investigated the involvement of Fak in AD pathogenesis, focusing on its role in inflammatory cells.

Methods and results

We created a mouse model of AD by continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile, a collagen crosslink inhibitor, and angiotensin II (BAPN + Ang II). Immunostaining for activated Fak revealed that Fak was not activated in normal aorta, but was activated in the infiltrating inflammatory cells and in interstitial cells of the aortic wall after AD development. We examined the role of Fak by oral administration of PND-1186, a specific Fak inhibitor, in mouse AD model. Vehicle-treated group showed 63.6% mortality, whereas PND-1186-treated group showed 20% mortality (P&lt;0.01, n=20 for each group) in 14 days of the observational period. The aortic arch lesion, the most critical part in AD, was improved from 1.96±0.41 mm in vehicle group to 0.66±0.29 mm in PND group (P&lt;0.05). We next examined the cell type-specific role of Fak in AD by creating macrophage and granulocyte-specific deletion of Fak driven by LysM-Cre and floxed Fak system. Unexpectedly, the genetic deletion of Fak in macrophages and granulocytes had no impact on the mortality nor the severity of AD.

Conclusions

These findings proved that Fak plays a critical role in AD progression and death. Because Fak is dispensable for macrophages and granulocytes, other cell types, possibly aortic wall interstitial cells, may be regulated by Fak in AD pathogenesis. Deciphering the role of Fak would provide the fundamental understanding of AD pathogenesis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effect of home-based rehabilitation of purposeful activity-based electrical stimulation therapy for chronic stroke survivors: a crossover randomized controlled trial

Background:

In this trial we combined the effect of purposeful activity and electrical stimulation therapy (PA-EST) to promote transition of severely hemiparetic upper limb to auxiliary upper limb in chronic stroke survivors in a single-case study.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PA-EST on the upper limb motor function in a crossover randomized controlled trial.

Methods:

The study included eight stroke survivors (age: 63.1±10.9 years) who were receiving home-based visiting occupational therapy. The average time since stroke onset was 8.8±5.6 years. All participants had severely hemiparetic upper limb, with the Fugl–Meyer Assessment upper extremity (FMA-U) score of 21.3±8.5. Participants were randomly assigned to group A or B. Group A received PA-EST for 3 months (phase 1), followed by standard stretching and exercise for 3 months (phase 2), whereas group B had the inverse order of treatments. To avoid carry-over effect, 1-month washout period was provided between the phase 1 and 2. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used for the analysis. The primary outcome was FMA-U, and the secondary outcomes were, Motor Activity Log (MAL; amount of use [AOU] and quality of movement [QOM]), and Goal attainment scale-light (GAS-light).

Results:

Repeated measures-ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between type of intervention and time for FMA-U (F = 16.303, P = 0.005), MAL AOU (F = 7.966, P = 0.026) and QOM (F = 6.408, P = 0.039), and GAS-light (F = 6.905, P = 0.034), where PA-EST was associated with significantly improved motor function and goal achievement compared with standard stretching.

Conclusions:

The PA-EST may have greater effects than stretch/exercise in the recovery of hand function as reflected in FMA-U, MAL, and GAS-light. Our results suggest that PA-EST is an important and useful home-based rehabilitation program for promoting the use of the severely hemiparetic upper limb in chronic stroke survivors.

The role of B cells and IgG in aortic dissection

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the destructive and fatal aortic diseases, for which molecular pathogenesis is largely unknown. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of inflammatory response in AD. We and others reported that B cells and immunoglobulins participate in pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, another form of aortic destructive disease, by promoting inflammatory response. It is not known whether and how B cells participate in AD pathogenesis.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemical staining of human AD tissue revealed that B cells were clustered together with T cells, macrophages and neutrophils at the entry site of AD with medial disruption. B cell cluster was also observed at the site of medial disruption in mouse model of AD that was induced by continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile and angiotensin II (BAPN+AngII). In muMT mouse, which is deficient for B cells and immunoglobulins due to genetic deletion of immunoglobulin heavy chain, BAPN+AngII induced significantly less severe AD compared to that in wild type. Depositions of IgG and fibrinogen, one of the endogenous antigen for natural IgG, were observed after BAPN+AngII infusion before and after AD development in wild type mice. Deposition of fibrinogen was also observed in mMT mice after BAPN+AngII infusion. The rate of aortic rupture and sudden death was approximately 42% in wild type mice, while that in muMT mouse was 12% (P&lt;0.05). Administration of mouse normal polyclonal IgG to muMT mice resulted in dramatic increase in aortic rupture and sudden death, starting at day 7 of BAPN+AngII infusion, and reaching 69% of rupture rate, indicating the critical role of IgG in AD.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated B cells and IgG are critically involved in the destructive inflammation of AD pathogenesis. Further, the deposition of fibrinogen, one of the targets of natural IgG, precedes the development of AD. Our findings may provide the conceptual foundation of the diagnostic strategy for on-going tissue destruction and for the therapeutic opportunities to intervene the progressive tissue destruction in AD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, but not Eriodictyon californicum extract, reduces human hair greying

OBJECTIVE

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium and Eriodictyon californicum) has been used for many years in traditional medicine. However, the effect of Yerba Santa on melanogenesis has not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the biological effects of Yerba Santa on hair pigmentation.

METHODS

Yerba Santa extracts were assessed for their cytological effects following X-ray irradiation treatment and then tested directly for the prevention of human hair greying. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was utilized to identify the individual extract components.

RESULTS

Eriodictyon angustifolium extract significantly increased melanin synthesis in the melanoma cell line through activation of the WNT/MITF/tyrosinase-signalling pathway. In contrast, E. californicum had no effect on melanin synthesis. E. angustifolium extract also demonstrated a protective effect against the damage induced by X-ray irradiation in human keratinocytes. Application of the extracts to subjects who had grey beards demonstrated a reduced number of grey beard hair per year specifically with the E. angustifolium extract. A significant decrease in grey head hair was also observed after application of E. angustifolium extract. Upregulation of gene expression related to melanin production and WNT signalling was observed after the application of E. angustifolium extract. Sterubin was the most abundant flavonoid detected by UPLC in E. angustifolium extract. In addition, sterubin showed the highest difference in terms of quantity, between E. angustifolium and E. californicum extract.

CONCLUSION

Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, which is abundant in sterubin, may be suitable as a potential cosmetic and medical agent for the prevention and improvement of hair greying.

Effective countermeasures for Salmonella contamination in actual oilmeal-manufacturing plant in India

AIMS

Salmonella contamination in the manufacturing process of an overseas oilmeal plant was investigated and countermeasures for Salmonella contamination were evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Salmonella was detected from deposits and adhered materials inside the main processing equipment. Specifically high contamination was observed in the equipment associated with the meal cooler, with several Salmonella serovars being detected. A number of Salmonella serovars were also detected in the equipment of the fine powder recovery process. To prevent Salmonella contamination of oilmeal products, effective countermeasures that have been employed in Japan were implemented. By removing residues from the equipment and disinfecting the interior of the equipment, a significant decrease in the contamination rate of oilmeal products was achieved compared to before sanitation (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

Effective countermeasures to control Salmonella contamination in the overseas manufacturing process of oilmeal were established.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report focusing on Salmonella countermeasures in an actual oilmeal-manufacturing plant overseas.

P6494Activation of focal adhesion kinase is involved in pathogenesis of aortic dissection in mice

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal disease where the media of the aorta suddenly fail. Currently, Molecular pathogenesis of AD is unknown. Recently, we discovered that the activity of MRTF-A, a mechanosensitive transcriptional regulator, promotes AD development. The activity of MRTF-A is regulated by mechanical stress to cells, which is transduced through focal adhesion and actin dynamics. However, it is currently unknown whether the mechanotransduction mechanism is involved in AD pathogenesis.

Purpose

We investigated the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signaling molecule that transduces mechanostress from focal adhesion to actin dynamics, in AD pathogenesis.

Methods

We created a mouse model of AD with a continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile (150 mg/kg/day), a collagen crosslink inhibitor, and angiotensin II (1,000 ng/kg/min) (BAPN + AngII) by an osmotic pump. This model caused about 60% death in all mice due to AD rupture within 2 weeks. In this model, we examined the severity and mortality rate of aortic dissection after 2 weeks in mice administered with PND-1186, an orally available FAK inhibitor, and in those treated with vehicle (n=20 for each group). We performed immunochemical staining, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot for activated (phosphorylated) FAK (pFAK) to evaluate the activation status of FAK in the aortic tissue. We also performed transcriptome analysis of the aortic tissue in with and without PND-1186 with BAPN + AngII stimulation before AD development.

Results

Immunochemical staining revealed that FAK was inactive in normal mouse aorta, but was strongly activated in the aortic walls after AD development. Immunofluorescence staining showed that FAK was activated mainly in smooth muscle cells after AD development. Western blot analysis also revealed that FAK was activated in 3 days after BAPN + AngII infusion before AD development, followed by transient reduction at day 7, and re-activation after AD at day 14. Significantly, administration of PND-1186 resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of AD in the aortic arch (1.96±0.41 mm in vehicle group, 0.66±0.29 mm in PND group, P<0.05). In addition, survival rate improved from 36.4% to 80.0% by administration of PND-1186 (P<0.01). In immunofluorescence staining, the PND-1186 treated group showed weaker staining of pFAK. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes for hematopoiesis and immune system were suppressed in PND-1186 treated group.

Conclusions

These findings proved that FAK plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD probably by transmitting pathological stress to the aortic wall to cause tissue destruction. We propose that FAK is a potential therapeutic target for limiting the fatal destruction of the aortic wall of AD.

P6493Syk activation is a defense mechanism in murine model of aortic dissection

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious clinical condition with unknown etiology that frequently results in fatal outcome. Recent studies showed essential role of inflammatory response both in promoting AD and aortic aneurysm (AA). However, the difference of the molecular pathogenesis between AD and AA is unclear. Previously, we reported that Syk, a tyrosine kinase that regulates differentiation and activation of inflammatory cells, promotes AA formation in a mouse model.

Objective

In the current study, we investigated the role of Syk in AD.

Methods and results

A mouse AD model was created by continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile (125 mg/kg/day) and angiotensin II (1,000 ng/min/kg) (BAPN+AngII), which caused AD in approximately 80% of mice within 14 days. Immunohistochemical staining for activated (phosphorylated) Syk (pSyk) revealed that Syk was inactive in normal mouse aorta, but was activated in the aortic walls after AD development. Double immunofluorescence staining for pSyk and smooth muscle alpha actin showed that Syk was active not only in the infiltrating inflammatory cells, but also in smooth muscle cells in AD tissue. Western blot analysis revealed that BAPN+AngII treatment caused Syk activation at 3 days before AD development, followed by transient suppression, and reactivation at 14 days after AD development. We examined the significance of Syk activation in AD by treating mice with fostamatinib, a specific Syk inhibitor, before and during BAPN+AngII infusion. Notably, fostamatinib-treated group developed more severe AD compared to the vehicle-treated group. The AD lesion length was 3.80±0.86 mm for vehicle group and 8.87±1.69 mm for fostamatinib group (P<0.05, n=12 for each group). In addition, fostamatinib significantly worsened the mortality of mice due to the rupture of the aorta from 0% to 42% (P<0.05, n=12 for each group). Transcriptome analysis revealed that fostamatinib suppressed both positive and negative regulators of immune response, defense response and inflammatory response.

Conclusions

These findings uncovered the previously unrecognized role of Syk for protecting the aortic tissue in AD pathogenesis, and suggested fundamentally different disease mechanisms of AD and AA.

Factors associated with a positive willingness to practise oral health care in the future amongst oral healthcare and nursing students

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify the weak points in the knowledge and attitudes of first-year oral health care and nursing students towards oral health care and to identify the factors associated with their positive willingness to practise oral health care after becoming a health professional in order to develop oral healthcare curricula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were 88 first-year dental students (DSs), 64 dental hygiene students (DHSs) and 119 nursing students (NSs) enrolled in schools in Japan, as of April 2017. A questionnaire was distributed to subjects in each school to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards oral health care.

RESULTS

Less than half knew that oral health care was also provided in cancer hospitals, hospices, acute care hospitals, maternity wards and psychiatric wards. Only 46.2% knew that oral health care was effective in the prevention of aspiration pneumonia. The level of knowledge and attitudes in NSs regarding oral health care were likely to be lowest amongst the student groups. Only NSs' high interest towards oral health care was associated with their positive willingness to practise oral health care in the future although oral health students' high perceptions and interest regarding oral health care were associated with the willingness.

CONCLUSION

This study showed oral healthcare and nursing students' weak points regarding their attitudes and knowledge of oral health care at early stages. Oral health academic staff and professionals should develop effective oral healthcare curricula for oral healthcare students and help nursing staff develop a collaborative nursing oral healthcare curriculum to motivate nursing students.

Synthesis of Conjugated Polymers Containing Octafluorobiphenylene Unit via Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reaction

Polycondensation via Pd-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative-coupling reaction of 2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-octafluorobiphenyl with thiophene analogues was studied. The synthetic protocol, in which employment of prefunctionalized starting monomers was fully avoided, allowed straightforward access to an alternating π-conjugated polymer. The addition of K₂CO₃ to the catalytic system promotes the cross-coupling reaction and suppresses the undesired homocoupling reaction, producing the corresponding donor-acceptor type π-conjugated polymers with minor homocoupling defects. The reaction also proceeded using O₂ as the terminal oxidant, resulting in lower loading of the Ag oxidant. The obtained polymer was evaluated as an emitting material for an organic light-emitting diode.

Effect of the combined use of enamel matrix derivative and atelocollagen sponge scaffold on osteoblastic differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a candidate cell source in periodontal regenerative therapy. Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has been shown to regenerate periodontal tissues, and atelocollagen sponge (ACS) is considered a suitable scaffold or carrier for growth factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of combined use of EMD and an ACS scaffold on cell behaviors and differentiation of mouse iPSCs (miPSCs) in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following embryonic body formation from miPSCs, dissociated cells (miPS-EB-derived cells) were seeded onto ACS with or without EMD, and cultured in osteoblast differentiation medium. Scanning electron microscopy and histological analyses were used to assess cell morphology and infiltration within the ACS. Cell viability (metabolism) was determined using an MTS assay, and expression of mRNA of osteoblastic differentiation markers was assessed by quantitative RT -PCR. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining intensity and activity were evaluated. Mineralization was assessed by von Kossa staining, and calcium content was quantitated using the methylxylenol blue method.

RESULTS

By 24 hours after seeding, miPS-EB-derived cells in both the EMD and control groups had attached to and infiltrated the ACS scaffold. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that by day 14, many cytoplasmic protrusions and extracellular deposits, suggestive of calcified matrix, were present in the EMD group. There was a time-dependent increase in cell viability up to day 3, but no difference between groups was observed at any time point. The levels expressed of ALP and osterix genes were significantly higher in the EMD group than in the control group. Expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 was increased in the EMD group compared with the control group on day 7. EMD upregulated the expression of bone sialoprotein and osteopontin on day 14, whereas expression of osteocalcin was lower at all time points. The staining intensity and activity of ALP were higher in the EMD group than in the control group. Mineralization levels and calcium contents were significantly higher in the EMD group throughout the observation period.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that combining ACS with EMD increases levels of osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in miPS-EB-derived cells, compared with ACS used alone.

Evaluation of the adsorptive behavior of cesium and strontium on hydroxyapatite and zeolite for decontamination of radioactive substances

Removal of radioactive substances, such as cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr), has become an emerging issue after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster. To assess the possibility that hydroxyapatite (HA) and zeolites can be used for removal of radioactive substances, the adsorption capacities of Cs and Sr on the HA and a zeolite were investigated. The influence of Fe ions on Cs and Sr adsorption on the HA and the zeolite was also evaluated, because Fe ions are the most effective inhibitor of Cs adsorption on the zeolite.In the Cs adsorption process on the HA and the zeolite, the zeolite showed a higher adsorption ratio than the HA, and the maximum sorption capacity of the zeolite was calculated as 196 mg/g, whereas the HA showed a higher Sr adsorption ratio than the zeolite. The maximum sorption capacity of Sr on the HA was 123 mg/g. Under coexistence with Fe, Cs adsorption on the zeolite decreased with increasing Fe concentration, reaching 2.0 ± 0.8% at 0.1 M Fe concentration. In contrast, Cs adsorption on the zeolite was improved by adding the HA. In the case of coexistence of the HA, the Cs adsorption on the mixture of the HA and the zeolite was 52.4% ± 3.6 % at 0.1 M Fe concentration, although Cs adsorption on the HA alone was quite low. In the Fe adsorption processes of the HA and the zeolite, the HA exhibited a maximum sorption capacity of 256 mg/g, which was much higher than that of the zeolite (111 mg/g). The high affinity of Fe on the HA contributes to the improvement of the deteriorated Cs adsorption on the zeolite due to Fe ions.

Fabrication of hydroxyapatite thin films on polyetheretherketone substrates using a sputtering technique

Hydroxyapatite (HA) thin films were coated on a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) substrate using a sputtering technique. A thin titanium (Ti) intermediate layer was formed between the HA and the PEEK surface to improve adhesion of the HA film to the PEEK substrate. The coated films were recrystallized using a hydrothermal treatment to reduce the dissolution of the HA film. The films were then characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. A pull-out test was performed to measure the film-to-substrate adhesion strength, and an immersion test was performed in ultra-pure water. In the XRD patterns of the sputtered film with the Ti intermediate layer on the PEEK substrate, small HA peaks and large Ti peaks were observed. After the hydrothermal treatment, the intensity of the HA peaks increased. The transmittance of the HA films with 5 and 10nm Ti intermediate layers was >79% and 68%, respectively, in the visible light wavelength region (400-700nm) after the hydrothermal treatment. The adhesion strength of the hydrothermally treated HA films increased with decreasing thickness of the Ti intermediate layer, and the strength reached 2.7MPa with the 5-nm-thick Ti intermediate layer. In the immersion test, the HA film with a 5-nm-thick Ti intermediate layer without hydrothermal treatment exhibited a released Ti concentration of 42.0±2.4ppb. After hydrothermal treatment, the released Ti concentration decreased to 17.3±1.1ppb.

Terahertz Dynamics of a Topologically Protected State: Quantum Hall Effect Plateaus near the Cyclotron Resonance of a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

We measure the Hall conductivity of a two-dimensional electron gas formed at a GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction in the terahertz regime close to the cyclotron resonance frequency using highly sensitive Faraday rotation measurements. The sample is electrically gated, allowing the electron density to be changed continuously by more than a factor of 3. We observe clear plateaulike and steplike features in the Faraday rotation angle vs electron density and magnetic field (Landau-level filling factor) even at fields or frequencies very close to cyclotron resonance absorption. These features are the high frequency manifestation of quantum Hall plateaus-a signature of topologically protected edge states. We observe both odd and even filling factor plateaus and explore the temperature dependence of these plateaus. Although dynamical scaling theory begins to break down in the frequency region of our measurements, we find good agreement with theory.

Influence of 1 year of androgen deprivation therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism and fat accumulation in Japanese patients with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

We prospectively examined influence of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on lipid and glucose metabolisms in Japanese patients with prostate cancer.

METHODS

Patients with prostate cancer who were hormone-naive and scheduled to receive long-term ADT were recruited between 2011 and 2013. Body weight, abdominal circumference and blood testing associated with lipid and glucose metabolism were recorded every 3 months during 1 year of ADT. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to measure areas of subcutaneous and visceral fat before and after 1 year of ADT. ADT was limited to a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist with or without bicalutamide.

RESULTS

Of 218 patients registered, data were available from 177 patients who completed 1 year of ADT. Of these, CT was performed before and after 1 year of ADT in 88 patients. Median age was 75 years (range, 49-85 years). Median PSA before ADT was 16.7 ng ml(-1) (range, 0.3-3316). Clinical stage was B (54.2%), C (23.2%) and D (20.9%). Mean increases in body weight and abdominal circumference after 1 year of ADT were 2.9 and 3.0%, respectively. Mean increases in total, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were 10.6, 14.3, 7.8 and 16.2%, respectively. Mean increases in fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were 3.9 and 2.7%, respectively. Lipid alterations were noted in patients without comorbidities, whereas changes in HbA1c were noted in patients with diabetes mellitus at baseline. These lipid and glucose alterations were prominent in the early ADT period. Both visceral and subcutaneous fat, as measured by CT, increased by >20%. The increase in subcutaneous fat was significantly greater than that in visceral fat (P=0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

One year of ADT significantly changed lipid and glucose metabolism in Japanese patients with prostate cancer. Patient characteristics or comorbidities at baseline may be associated with ADT-induced metabolic changes.

Prevalence and determinants of symptoms related to mental disorders in retired male professional footballers

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms related to mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, adverse alcohol behaviour, adverse smoking behaviour, adverse nutrition behaviour) among retired professional footballers, and to explore their associations with stressors i.e. determinants such as severe injury, surgery, life events and career dissatisfaction.

METHOD

Cross--sectional analyses were conducted on baseline questionnaires from an ongoing prospective cohort study among retired male professional footballers. Based on validated questionnaires to assess both stressors and symptoms related to mental disorders, an electronic questionnaire was set up and distributed by players' unions in 11 countries across three continents.

RESULTS

Prevalence of symptoms related to mental disorders among 219 retired professional footballers ranged from 11% for adverse smoking behaviour and 18% for distress, to 35% for anxiety/depression and 65% for adverse nutrition behaviour. Especially life events that occurred in the previous six months was positively associated with distress (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.0--1.6), anxiety/depression (OR=1.6; 95%CI 1.2--2.1), sleeping disturbance (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.1--1.7) and adverse nutrition behaviour (OR=1.4; 95%CI 1.0--1.8).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of symptoms related to mental disorders was found among retired professional footballers, confirming a previous study in a similar study population. Relationships were established between symptoms of mental disorders and severe injuries, recently occurred life events, and career dissatisfaction.

Fabrication of hydroxyapatite thin films on zirconia using a sputtering technique

Hydroxyapatite (HA) thin films were prepared on a zirconia (ZrO2) substrate using a sputtering technique, and the film was also coated on a titanium (Ti) substrate for comparison. The coated films were recrystallised using a hydrothermal treatment to reduce film dissolution. The films were then characterised by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The osteocompatiblity of the films was evaluated by investigating the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the size of the bone formation area of osteoblast cells. In the XRD patterns of the as-sputtered films on the ZrO2 substrate, there are no peaks except for those from the ZrO2 substrate. After the hydrothermal treatment, HA peaks appeared in the patterns. Nanoparticles (less than 20 nm) were observed on the ZrO2 substrates in the SEM images of the as-sputtered films. After the hydrothermal treatment, particles of 20-40 nm were observed on the film, whereas the HA film on the Ti substrate was covered by a larger number of globular particles (20-60 nm). In the osteoblast cell cultures, the ALP activity and bone formation area on the HA films on both the ZrO2 and Ti substrates increased after the hydrothermal treatment of the films, and the values for the ZrO2 substrate were higher than those for the Ti substrate.

Chapter 12 The rock coast of Japan

The Japanese islands, situated in a tectonically unstable region with a highly variable geology, are exposed to high wave energy and microtidal environments in most locations. Rocky coasts are common, most having a steep cliff with coastal recession being primarily driven by wave erosion. A fundamental relationship between recession and wave force is obtained through reanalysis of previous laboratory data. On the basis of this relation a model is constructed for the development of type B platforms, that is, horizontal or subhorizontal platforms that have a steep scarp at the seaward edge. The process of wave attenuation on this type of platform and weathering-induced strength reduction of rocks are incorporated into the model. The model is applied to the southwestern coast of the Kii Peninsula and a platform at Ebisu-jima of the Izu Peninsula. Long-term development rates of platforms in the former area are examined: the model indicates that the rate of erosion when platforms were initiated at 6000 years BP is two orders of magnitude greater than present. At the Ebisu-jima platform, wave-induced erosion processes are explored on a daily basis: the model provides a description of temporal variations in platform growth, although the result is not fully satisfactory.

Auditory Tube Dysfunction Occurring after Jaw Surgery

Objectives:

Study auditory tube dysfunction that occurs after jaw surgery.

Methods:

Two hundred sixty-eight patients were enrolled (60 males and 208 females; mean age, 24.3 years old) who were diagnosed with jaw anamorphosis symptoms and underwent orthognathic surgery of the lower jaw, and who were tested for auditory tube function before and after surgery at our hospitals between December 2000 and February 2012. Auditory tube function test pre- and post-operation were conducted, and post-operatively we searched for auditory tube dysfunction. Auditory tube dysfunction in a high rate was seen after lower jaw orthognathic surgery.

Results:

Post-operative auditory tube dysfunction was noted subjectively in 49 patients (18.3%) and determined by TM in 162 (60.4%). There is also a relationship between pre-operative SON and TTAG and post-operative TM aggravation.

Conclusions:

Post-operative auditory tube dysfunction correlated with pre-operative TTAG values, indicating that TTAG was a useful test for the prediction of TM aggravation. There was no correlation between post-operative auditory tube dysfunction and SON values.

Hypoxia-enhanced derivation of iPSCs from human dental pulp cells

Hypoxia enhances the reprogramming efficiency of human dermal fibroblasts to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Because we showed previously that hypoxia facilitates the isolation and maintenance of human dental pulp cells (DPCs), we examined here whether it promotes the reprogramming of DPCs to become iPSCs. Unlike dermal fibroblasts, early and transient hypoxia (3% O2) induced the transition of DPCs to iPSCs by 3.3- to 5.1-fold compared with normoxia (21% O2). The resulting iPSCs closely resembled embryonic stem cells as well as iPSCs generated in normoxia, as judged by morphology and expression of stem cell markers. However, sustained hypoxia strongly inhibited the appearance of iPSC colonies and altered their morphology, and anti-oxidants failed to suppress this effect. Transient hypoxia increased the expression levels of NANOG and CDH1 and modulated the expression of numerous genes, including those encoding chemokines and their receptors. Therefore, we conclude that hypoxia, when optimized for cell type, is a simple and useful tool to enhance the reprogramming of somatic cells to become iPSCs.

Estimation of Differently Bound Water Molecules for the Gel Phase of Dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine-Water System as Studied by DSC and (2)H-NMR Spectroscopy

A measurement of (2)H spin-lattice relaxation time, T(1), forD(2)O was performed with a high resolution liquid NMR apparatus fortwo samples of dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE)-D(2)Osystem in a full hydration at varying temperatures of -20, -10, and 5 (°)C, and both components and compositions of differently boundfreezable water molecules were estimated from a best-fitted curve toexperimental inversion recovery data. A choice of the best-fitted curve wasbased on a distribution of weighted residuals for the experimental data. Asingle component was found for a temperature of -20 (°)C. At 5 (°)C, where all the freezable water exists in the liquid state, threecomponents were observed to be characterized by T(1) values ofapproximately 20, 100, and 200 ms, respectively. By comparingcompositions of these individual components with those obtained in ourprevious DSC study, it was revealed that the first and secondarycomponents are members of freezable interlamellar water and the last oneis comparable to bulk water.

Immunohistochemical detection of CDKN2, retinoblastoma and p53 gene products in primary astrocytic tumors

The expressions of p16(INK4), retinoblastoma (RB) and p53 protein were immunohistochemically examined in 70 primary astrocytic tumors. In 58 patients with high grade astrocytoma (18 anaplastic astrocytomas and 40 glioblastomas), 30 (51.1%) and 15 (25.9%) cases were undetectable for p16(INK4) and pRB, respectively, but their lack occurred infrequently in 12 low grade astrocytomas. The expression of p16(INK4) was inversely correlated with that of PRB, especially in glioblastomas. Accumulation of p53 was detected in 32 (45.7%) of 70 cases without any dependence on the grade. A deregulation of three tumor suppressor gene products most often occurs singly. Only patients with negative staining for pRB were significantly associated with a shorter survival time. Our findings suggest that loss of functional pRB at the G1/S check point may represent an important step in glioblastoma development and have a stronger negative impact on clinical outcome than p16(INK4) or p53 aberrations.