Excitation Energy-Transfer Dynamics of Brown Algal Photosynthetic Antennas

Fucoxanthin-chlorophyll-a/c protein (FCP) complexes from brown algae Cladosiphon okamuranus TOKIDA (Okinawa Mozuku in Japanese) contain the only species of carbonyl carotenoid, fucoxanthin, which exhibits spectral characteristics attributed to an intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) property that arises in polar environments due to the presence of the carbonyl group in its polyene backbone. Here, we investigated the role of the ICT property of fucoxanthin in ultrafast energy transfer to chlorophyll-a/c in brown algal photosynthesis using femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopic measurements. The observed excited-state dynamics show that the ICT character of fucoxanthin in FCP extends its absorption band to longer wavelengths and enhances its electronic interaction with chlorophyll-a molecules, leading to efficient energy transfer from fucoxanthin to chlorophyll-a.

The current status of forensic psychiatry in japan

In 2005, the Medical Treatment and Supervision (MTS) Act was enacted in Japan to hospitalize the criminally insane and to promote a self-supporting lifestyle after deinstitutionalization. As of October 2010, 490 patients remain hospitalized in 23 highly secure forensic hospitals. Most patients are diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and exhibit symptoms of drug resistance. Battering is the most common criminal act they have committed.

The increased prevalence of the combination of criminal insanity with drug dependence is a common problem in other countries as well. It is a serious problem that diversity in prison medical care has not been achieved.

A characteristic feature of care for criminally insane patients in Japan is that they must live in a residential district where a public health center is located and close to forensic hospitals after deinstitutionalization. Although there may be concerns about social prejudice against psychiatric disorders, this limited area would help support rehabilitation of patients because medical staff can easily know the whereabouts, psychiatric condition and aspects, of daily life for each patient through frequent reports obtained from home-visiting nurses. As a result, patients who have been successfully deinstitutionalized lead a self-supporting lifestyle without treatment interruption or repetition of similar criminal acts.

In this presentation, we will show the current status of forensic care in Japan, analyze its characteristics and problems described above, and make suggestions for the treatment of the criminally insane in countries with a small national land area such as Japan.

Transplanting normal vascular proangiogenic cells to tumor-bearing mice triggers vascular remodeling and reduces hypoxia in tumors

Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and vascular networks are spatially organized to meet the metabolic needs for maintaining homeostasis. In contrast, the vasculature of tumors is immature and leaky, resulting in insufficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen. Vasculogenic processes occur normally in adult tissues to repair "injured" blood vessels, leading us to hypothesize that bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) may be able to restore appropriate vessel function in the tumor vasculature. Culturing BMMNCs in endothelial growth medium resulted in the early outgrowth of spindle-shaped attached cells expressing CD11b/Flt1/Tie2/c-Kit/CXCR4 with proangiogenic activity. Intravenous administration of these cultured vascular proangiogenic cells (VPC) into nude mice bearing pancreatic cancer xenografts and Pdx1-Cre;LSL-Kras(G12D);p53(lox/+) genetically engineered mice that develop pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma significantly reduced areas of hypoxia without enhancing tumor growth. The resulting vasculature structurally mimicked normal vessels with intensive pericyte coverage. Increases in vascularized areas within VPC-injected xenografts were visualized with an ultrasound diagnostic system during injection of a microbubble-based contrast agent (Sonazoid), indicating a functional "normalization" of the tumor vasculature. In addition, gene expression profiles in the VPC-transplanted xenografts revealed a marked reduction in major factors involved in drug resistance and "stemness" of cancer cells. Together, our findings identify a novel alternate approach to regulate abnormal tumor vessels, offering the potential to improve the delivery and efficacy of anticancer drugs to hypoxic tumors.

Hedgehog promotes neovascularization in pancreatic cancers by regulating Ang-1 and IGF-1 expression in bone-marrow derived pro-angiogenic cells

Background

The hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent studies have suggested that the oncogenic function of Hh in PDAC involves signaling in the stromal cells rather than cell autonomous effects on the tumor cells. However, the origin and nature of the stromal cell type(s) that are responsive to Hh signaling remained unknown. Since Hh signaling plays a crucial role during embryonic and postnatal vasculogenesis, we speculated that Hh ligand may act on tumor vasculature specifically focusing on bone marrow (BM)-derived cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cyclopamine was utilized to inhibit the Hh pathway in human PDAC cell lines and their xenografts. BM transplants, co-culture systems of tumor cells and BM-derived pro-angiogenic cells (BMPCs) were employed to assess the role of tumor-derived Hh in regulating the BM compartment and the contribution of BM-derived cells to angiogenesis in PDAC. Cyclopamine administration attenuated Hh signaling in the stroma rather than in the cancer cells as reflected by decreased expression of full length Gli2 protein and Gli1 mRNA specifically in the compartment. Cyclopamine inhibited the growth of PDAC xenografts in association with regression of the tumor vasculature and reduced homing of BM-derived cells to the tumor. Host-derived Ang-1 and IGF-1 mRNA levels were downregulated by cyclopamine in the tumor xenografts. In vitro co-culture and matrigel plug assays demonstrated that PDAC cell-derived Shh induced Ang-1 and IGF-1 production in BMPCs, resulting in their enhanced migration and capillary morphogenesis activity.

Conclusions/Significance

We identified the BMPCs as alternative stromal targets of Hh-ligand in PDAC suggesting that the tumor vasculature is an attractive therapeutic target of Hh blockade. Our data is consistent with the emerging concept that BM-derived cells make important contributions to epithelial tumorigenesis.

Characterization of bacterial flora in persistent apical periodontitis lesions

INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms are able to survive and induce persistent infection in periapical tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the composition of the microflora of persistent apical periodontitis lesions.

METHODS

Twenty apical lesion samples were obtained from 20 patients with chronic apical periodontitis by root end surgery and processed using aerobic or anaerobic culture techniques. All isolated strains were identified by 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy-four strains were isolated, belonging to 31 bacterial species obtained from the 20 apical lesions that were isolated. The majority of the strains were facultative anaerobes (51.6%). Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusobacterium nucleatum were isolated from 16.2, 9.5, 6.8 and 5.4% of the samples, respectively. Fifteen samples harboured more than one species. The predominant association was P. acnes, S. epidermidis and F. nucleatum.

CONCLUSION

The microbiota of persistent apical periodontitis lesions is composed by diverse types of microorganisms with biofilm-forming capacity, including P. acnes, S. epidermidis and F. nucleatum.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the mechanism of human ovulation and its clinical usefulness

In 1980, Espey proposed a famous hypothesis that mammalian ovulation is comparable to an inflammatory reaction and many researches have proved the validity of his hypothesis in the last three decades. For example, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and other inflammatory cytokines presence was proven in the preovulatory follicle. Since granulocyte is the major leukocyte and it plays a very important role during inflammation, the importance of granulocyte and its related cytokine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the mechanism of human ovulation is easily predictable. G-CSF is one of the hemopoietic cytokines and it has strong positive effects on granulocytes. G-CSF increases the number of granulocytes and it improves the function of granulocytes. In this review, the participation of leukocytes in the ovulation mechanism is demonstrated first. Second, the participation of G-CSF is shown in comparison with the above mentioned cytokines. Finally, since G-CSF has been used for more than 20 years as a medicine without severe side effects in the field of oncology, the clinical application of G-CSF for the treatment of an ovulation disorder, luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF), will be discussed.

Stimulation of Fusobacterium nucleatum biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Bacterial infection is a major cause of periapical periodontitis. Eradication of these microorganisms from apical lesions is essential to the success of endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular interaction between Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and other microorganisms associated with periapical periodontitis.

METHODS

Microorganisms isolated from periapical lesions were inoculated into type-I collagen-coated polystyrene microtiter plates and maintained at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions for 2 days, after which, the quantity of organized biofilm on the plates was evaluated by crystal violet staining. Growth enhancement via soluble factor was evaluated by separated coculture using a 0.4-mum membrane filter.

RESULTS

F. nucleatum exhibited strong adherence to type-I collagen-coated polystyrene microplates. Biofilm formation by F. nucleatum was significantly enhanced by P. gingivalis. It was complemented by compartmentalized coculture with P. gingivalis. Enhancement of biofilm formation by P. gingivalis was only slightly reduced by inactivation of its autoinducer-2-producing gene luxS.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that P. gingivalis enhances biofilm formation by F. nucleatum by releasing diffusible signaling molecules other than autoinducer-2.

FTY720 suppresses CD4+CD44highCD62L- effector memory T cell-mediated colitis

FTY720, a sphingosine-derived immunomodulator, causes immunosuppression via enhancement of lymphocyte sequestration into secondary lymphoid organs, thereby preventing their antigen-activated T cell egress to sites of inflammation. FTY720 is highly effective in inhibiting autoimmunity in various animal models. However, there is little known about how FTY720 controls the migration property of memory T cells. Here, we demonstrated that FTY720 prevents the development of colitis induced by the adoptive transfer of lamina propria (LP) colitogenic effector memory CD4+ T cells (TEM cells; CD45RB(low)CD44(high)CD62L-) into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice and suppresses interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by LP CD4+ T cells. The numbers of spleen, peripheral blood, mesenteric lymph node, and LP CD4+ T cells in FTY720-treated mice were significantly reduced compared with those in control mice. Notably, LP CD4+ TEM cells as well as splenic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells expressed several spingosine-1-phosphate receptors that are targets for FTY720. Furthermore, FTY720 also prevented the development of colitis induced by the adoptive transfer of splenic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into SCID mice. Collectively, the present data indicate that FTY720 treatment may offer the potential not only to prevent the onset of disease but also to treat memory T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases.

Naturally arising CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress the expansion of colitogenic CD4+CD44highCD62L- effector memory T cells

Naturally arising CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (T(R)) cells have been shown to prevent and cure murine T cell-mediated colitis. However, their exact mechanism of controlling colitogenic memory CD4+ T cells in in vivo systems excluding the initial process of naive T cell activation and differentiation has not been examined to date. Using the colitogenic effector memory (T(EM)) CD4+ cell-mediated colitis model induced by adoptive transfer of colitogenic CD4+CD44(high)CD62L(-) lamina propria (LP) T cells obtained from colitic CD4+CD45RB(high) T cell-transferred mice, we have shown in the present study that CD4+CD25+ T(R) cells are able not only to suppress the development of colitis, Th1 cytokine production, and the expansion of colitogenic LP CD4+ T(EM) cells but also to expand these cells by themselves extensively in vivo. An in vitro coculture assay revealed that CD4+CD25+ T(R) cells proliferated in the presence of IL-2-producing colitogenic LP CD4+ T(EM) cells at the early time point (48 h after culture), followed by the acquisition of suppressive activity at the late time point (96 h after culture). Collectively, these data suggest the distinct timing of the IL-2-dependent expansion of CD4+CD25+ T(R) cells and the their suppressive activity on colitogenic LP CD4+ T(EM) cells.

C3-6 laminoplasty takes over C3-7 laminoplasty with significantly lower incidence of axial neck pain

Five-lamina (C3-7) procedure is the most popular cervical laminoplasty and there have been no studies on the most appropriate number of laminae to be opened. We prospectively reduced the range of laminoplasty from C3-7 to C3-6 in 2002 and compared the outcome of C3-6 laminoplasty (n=37) to that of C3-7 laminoplasty (n=28). In both groups, neurological gain was satisfactory, radiographic changes were minimal, and postoperative MRI indicated sufficient expansion of the dura and the spinal cord. Average operating period was significantly shorter, and length of the operative wound was significantly less in the C3-6 group than in the C3-7 group. Postoperative axial neck pain was significantly rarer after C3-6 laminoplasty than after C3-7 laminoplasty (5.4% vs. 29%, P=0.015). Due to its simplicity and various benefits, C3-6 laminoplasty is a promising alternative to conventional C3-7 laminoplasty for treatment of multisegmental compression myelopathy.

Dissolved organic carbon and disinfection by-product precursor release from managed peat soils

A wetland restoration demonstration project examined the effects of a permanently flooded wetland on subsidence of peat soils. The project, started in 1997, was done on Twitchell Island, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. Conversion of agricultural land to a wetland has changed many of the biogeochemical processes controlling dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release from the peat soils, relative to the previous land use. Dissolved organic C in delta waters is a concern because it reacts with chlorine, added as a disinfectant in municipal drinking waters, to form carcinogenic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). This study explores the effects of peat soil biogeochemistry on DOC and DBP release under agricultural and wetland management. Results indicate that organic matter source, extent of soil organic matter decomposition, and decomposition pathways all are factors in THM formation. The results show that historical management practices dominate the release of DOC and THM precursors. However, within-site differences indicate that recent management decisions can contribute to changes in DOC quality and THM precursor formation. Not all aromatic forms of carbon are highly reactive and certain environmental conditions produce the specific carbon structures that form THMs. Both HAA and THM precursors are elevated in the DOC released under wetland conditions. The findings of this study emphasize the need to further investigate the roles of organic matter sources, microbial decomposition pathways, and decomposition status of soil organic matter in the release of DOC and DBP precursors from delta soils under varying land-use practices.

Hemodynamic response of ovarian artery after hCG injection

We have analyzed ovarian hemodynamics immediately after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration in patients treated by clomiphene-hCG and human menopausal gonadotropin-hCG. This study involved 40 infertile women who signed consents to participate in this study. After intramuscular injection of 10000 IU hCG, the change of ovarian arterial blood flow (BF) was evaluated by color Doppler. Pulsatility index, resistance index, maximum velocity (V(max)), mean velocity, minimum velocity, cross-sectional area of ovarian artery (Area) and BF were measured before and 15-180 min after hCG administration. In the 36 subjects in which ovulation was induced successfully, V(max) and BF increased significantly even at 15 min after hCG administration and thereafter. In the 4 non-ovulatory subjects, no significant changes in any of indices at any of measured time points were observed. Comparative study of non-ovulatory and ovulatory subjects suggested that ovulation may be predicted by the ovarian hemodynamic analysis immediately after hCG administration.

Cyclic changes of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mRNA in the human follicle during the normal menstrual cycle and immunolocalization of G-CSF protein

BACKGROUND

Ovulation has several similarities with inflammation and is closely connected to the activity of leukocytes and inflammatory cytokines. Since granulocytes are one of the major leukocytes, we focused our attention on the presence and local production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the human ovary.

METHODS

The presence of G-CSF protein in the follicular fluid and perifollicular tissues was examined by Western blot analysis (n = 5) and immunohistochemical staining (n = 10). The relative expression levels of G-CSF mRNA in relation to GAPDH in granulosa, theca and luteal cells during the menstrual cycle were measured by quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan technology (n = 15).

RESULTS

G-CSF protein was detected in all follicular fluid and located mainly in granulosa cells of the follicle and luteal cells. The expression level of G-CSF mRNA in the late follicular phase was 137.6 +/- 18.5, which was approximately 10-fold greater than other phases during the menstrual cycle (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that G-CSF is produced in the human follicle shortly before the ovulatory phase and may play an important role in the mechanism of ovulation.

Possible involvement of nitric oxide in signaling pigment dispersion in teleostean melanophores

The possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in regulating the motile activities of teleostean melanophores was studied in the dark chub Zacco temmincki (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) and in the translucent glass catfish Kryptopterus bicirrhis (Siluridae, Siluriformes). NO donors, including (+/-)-(E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexaneamide (NOR1), molsidomine (MSD), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), had no pigment-aggregating action on melanophores, but actively dispersed melanosomes in those cells. Among those reagents, NOR 1, a spontaneous releaser of NO, was the most effective. Inhibitors for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), i.e. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NNA), N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME) and N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), showed melanosome-aggregating effects. A membrane-permeable analogue of cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) was effective in dispersing melanosomes. The sum of these results suggests that NO plays an active role in the elaborate control of color changes in teleosts by dispersing pigment in melanophores via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase to increase cytosolic levels of cGMP.

Core drilling of the basin-fill sediments in the Kathmandu Valley for palaeoclimatic study: preliminary results

Core drillings in ancient lake sediments of the Kathmandu Valley, central Nepal Himalaya were carried out in order to clarify the past Indian monsoon climate and its linkage to the uplift of the Himalaya. This is the first large-scale drilling project in the valley with full core recovery, and solely dedicated to academic research purpose. The drilling penetrated the whole sequence of 208 m thick Kalimati Clay, newly defined as the Kalimati Formation. Based on the drill-core study, the sediments are divided into three formations: 1) Bagmati Formation, 2) Kalimati Formation, and 3) Patan Formation in ascending order. These formations have very distinct sedimentary characteristics: Bagmati essentially gravelly, Kalimati clayey and Patan sandy. The lower part of the Kalimati Formation, showing marginal lake facies, has been designated as the Basal Lignite Member. Judging from the lithology and sedimentary facies and previous studies on the Lukundol Formation, the Bagmati Formation is interpreted to have been deposited by the Proto-Bagmati River prior to the appearance of the lake before 2 Ma. The clay-predominant Kalimati Formation lying over the Lignite Member was deposited in an open lacustrine environment, which is mainly composed of carbonaceous clay yielding abundant fossil leaves and diatomaceous laminite. The fluvial sand of the Patan Formation rests on the Kalimati clay bed with a marked erosional base. The 14C age of the uppermost part of-the Kalimati Formation suggests that the lake water of the Kathmandu Basin was drained out later than 10 kyr B. P. (Fujii and Sakai 2002). Based on comparison of the present altitude of the ancient lake floor and top set beds of the lacustrine delta sediments (dated as 29 kyr B.P.), the water-depth of the Palaeo-Kathmandu Lake in the central part of the valley is estimated to be about 70 m.

Characteristics and distribution of endogenous RFamide-related peptide-1

We have recently identified RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) gene that would encode three peptides (i.e., RFRP-1, -2, and -3) in human and bovine, and demonstrated that synthetic RFRP-1 and -3 act as specific agonists for a G protein-coupled receptor OT7T022. However, molecular characteristics and tissue distribution of endogenous RFRPs have not been determined yet. In this study, we prepared a monoclonal antibody for the C-terminal portion of rat RFRP-1. As this antibody could recognize a consensus sequence among the C-terminal portions of rat, human, and bovine RFRP-1, we purified endogenous RFRP-1 from bovine hypothalamus on the basis of immunoreactivity to the antibody. The purified bovine endogenous RFRP-1 was found to have 35-amino-acid length that corresponds to 37-amino-acid length in human and rat. We subsequently constructed a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using the monoclonal antibody and a polyclonal antibody for the N-terminal portion of rat RFRP-1, and analyzed the tissue distribution of endogenous RFRP-1 in rats. Significant levels of RFRP-1 were detected only in the central nervous system, and the highest concentration of RFRP-1 was detected in the hypothalamus. RFRP-1-positive nerve cells were detected in the rat hypothalamus by immunohistochemical analyses using the monoclonal antibody. In culture, RFRP-1 lowered cAMP production in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing OT7T022 and it was abolished by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin, suggesting that OT7T022 couples G(i)/G(o) in the signal transduction pathway.