Design of soft x-ray varied-line-spacing (VLS) high-dispersion laminar-type grating coated with super-mirror-type (SMT) multilayer for flat-field spectrograph in a region of 2-4 keV

A soft x-ray varied-line-spacing (VLS) laminar-type spherical grating with a super-mirror-type (SMT) multilayer was designed for a soft x-ray high resolution flat-field spectrograph in a region of 2-4 keV. The effective groove density of the designed VLS grating is 3200 lines/mm, and the local groove density varies from 2700 to 3866 lines/mm. The geometrical imaging property was evaluated by numerical calculations. The resolving power estimated by means of ray tracing was up to ∼103. For the evaluation of diffraction efficiency, the SMT multilayer structure designed for 3200 lines/mm in our previous work, Koike et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 045109 (2023), was employed, and the numerical calculation was performed considering the local groove density of VLS grooves and the local incidence angle being affected by the curvature of the spherical surface and the geometrical relation between the source and incidence point on the grating. The results showed that the SMT multilayer-coated grating exhibited about an order of magnitude higher diffraction efficiency compared with an Au-coated grating.

Proof-of-Principle Experiment for Testing Strong-Field Quantum Electrodynamics with Exotic Atoms: High Precision X-Ray Spectroscopy of Muonic Neon

To test bound-state quantum electrodynamics (BSQED) in the strong-field regime, we have performed high precision x-ray spectroscopy of the 5g-4f and 5f- 4d transitions (BSQED contribution of 2.4 and 5.2 eV, respectively) of muonic neon atoms in the low-pressure gas phase without bound electrons. Muonic atoms have been recently proposed as an alternative to few-electron high-Z ions for BSQED tests by focusing on circular Rydberg states where nuclear contributions are negligibly small. We determined the 5g_{9/2}- 4f_{7/2} transition energy to be 6297.08±0.04(stat)±0.13(syst)  eV using superconducting transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters (5.2-5.5 eV FWHM resolution), which agrees well with the most advanced BSQED theoretical prediction of 6297.26 eV.

Cytokine modulation in abdominal septic shock via the crucial role of IL-6 signaling in endothelial dysfunction

Background

Early recovery from shock improves prognosis in septic shock patients. We determined whether cytokine modulation by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) following acute care surgery resulted in stable hemodynamics in them. To investigate our hypothesis, we measured proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1ra and the coagulation cascade activator plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) following CRRT with polymyxin B immobilized fiber (PMX-DHP) which has been utilized as an adjuvant treatment option for patients with severe septic shock.

Methods

66 septic shock patients requiring 2 h direct hemoperfusion therapy PMX-DHP were included. 36 patients of them also received continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) after performing PMX-DHP. Circulatory dynamics and levels of inflammatory mediators, namely IL-6, IL-1ra, and PAI-1 were assessed before, immediately after, and 24 h initiation of PMX-DHP.

Results

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) rose intentionally by PMX-DHP just after enforcement 24 h later (p < 0.01). Levels of IL-6, IL-1ra, and PAI-1 significantly decreased after PMX-DHP (p < 0.05) and this trend was observed up to 24 h post initiation of PMX-DHP (p < 0.05). IL-6 modulation by PMX-DHP was enhanced with using CHDF and there was a significant correlation between IL-6 and MAP (p < 0.0001). In addition, levels of Il-6 and PAI-1 showed a significant correlation.

Conclusion

Our data showed employing CRRT as cytokine modulators could be an additional therapeutic strategy to improve septic shock outcomes via the crucial role of IL-6 signaling in endothelial dysfunction.

Combined effect of diazepam and polystyrene microplastics on the social behavior of medaka (Oryzias latipes)

The combined effect of microplastics and pharmaceuticals on aquatic organisms is an issue of concern. In this laboratory study, we evaluated the combined effect of polystyrene microplastics (2-μm diameter) and diazepam on the social behavior of medaka (Oryzias latipes) by using the shoaling behavior test with five treatment groups: solvent control, polystyrene microplastics exposure (0.04 mg/L), low-concentration diazepam exposure (0.03 mg/L), high-concentration diazepam exposure (0.3 mg/L), and polystyrene microplastics and low-concentration diazepam co-exposure. After 7 days of exposure, the shoal-leaving behavior of the high-concentration diazepam exposure group (8.9 ± 8.3 counts/medaka) and the co-exposure group (6.8 ± 6.7 counts/medaka) was significantly greater than that in the solvent control group (1.8 ± 2.6 counts/medaka). Even after 5 days of recovery, medaka in the co-exposure group left the shoal more often (7.3 ± 5.0 counts/medaka) than those in the solvent control group (2.6 ± 2.6 counts/medaka), whereas the shoal-leaving behavior in other exposure groups, except for the high-concentration diazepam exposure group, was restored. Our findings show that the combined effects of diazepam and polystyrene microplastics suppressed medaka social behavior, suggesting that the presence of microplastics can enhance the adverse effects of pollutants on the social behavior of aquatic organisms.

Enrichment of membrane curvature-sensing proteins from Escherichia coli using spherical supported lipid bilayers

Bacteria display dynamically organized curved membrane structures, especially during cell division. The importance of membrane curvature-sensing (MCS) proteins for the recognition and regulation of biological membrane morphologies has predominately been investigated in eukaryotic cells. Recently, a technique for screening MCS proteins from solutions that contain peripheral membrane proteins was developed, and MCS protein candidates were identified from mammalian cells. The technique uses differently sized spherical supported lipid bilayers (SSLBs), which consist of spherical SiO₂ particles covered with a lipid bilayer. To discriminate between proteins possessing the MCS property, SSLBs with the same surface area were used in a comparative sedimentation assay with shotgun proteome analysis. In this study, to prove that the technique could be applied to other samples, MCS proteins in Escherichia coli were investigated. Through a comparative proteomic study, 35 and 47 proteins were enriched as candidate MCS proteins preferentially bound to SSLBs of 100 nm and 1000 nm, respectively. Among the identified MCS candidate proteins, FtsZ and SecA were further examined for their MCS properties using the two SSLB sizes, which revealed a high binding affinity for the low membrane curvature (large SSLB). This is the first study to explore MCS proteins in prokaryotic cells and the MCS property of the SecA protein. The results demonstrate a method to enrich MCS proteins that could be utilized to better elucidate membrane dynamics and protein function expression on curved membrane structures in prokaryotic cells.

Deexcitation Dynamics of Muonic Atoms Revealed by High-Precision Spectroscopy of Electronic K X Rays

We observed electronic K x rays emitted from muonic iron atoms using superconducting transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters. The energy resolution of 5.2 eV in FWHM allowed us to observe the asymmetric broad profile of the electronic characteristic Kα and Kβ x rays together with the hypersatellite K^{h}α x rays around 6 keV. This signature reflects the time-dependent screening of the nuclear charge by the negative muon and the L-shell electrons, accompanied by electron side feeding. Assisted by a simulation, these data clearly reveal the electronic K- and L-shell hole production and their temporal evolution on the 10-20 fs scale during the muon cascade process.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 in Corn: AOAC–IUPAC Collaborative Study

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for simultaneous determination of fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3) in corn was subjected to a collaborative study involving 12 participants from 10 countries, in which the accuracy and reproducibility characteristics of the method were established. Mean analyte recoveries from corn ranged from 81.1 to 84.2% for FB1 (at a spiking range of 500 to 8000 ng/g), from 75.9 to 81.9% for FB2 (at a spiking range of 200 to 3200 ng/g), and from 75.8 to 86.8% for FB3 (at a spiking range of 100 to 1600 ng/g). The valid data were statistically evaluated after exclusion of outliers. Relative standard deviations for within-laboratory repeatability ranged from 5.8 to 13.2% for FB1, from 7.2 to 17.5% for FB2, and from 8.0 to 17.2% for FB3. Relative standard deviations for between-laboratory reproducibility varied from 13.9 to 22.2% for FB1, from 15.8 to 26.7% for FB2, and from 19.5 to 24.9% for FB3. HORRAT ratios, calculated for the individual toxin analogues, ranged from 0.75 to 1.73. The LC method for determination of fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 in corn (at concentrations of 800–12800 ng total fumonisins/g) has been adopted by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.

Scoring System to Predict pt2 in Gallbladder Cancer Based on Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Tumor Diameter

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

T2 gallbladder cancer requires lymph node dissection for curative resection, whereas simple cholecystectomy is adequate to treat T1 gallbladder cancer. Hence, this study aimed to develop an accurate scoring system to preoperatively predict pT2 in gallbladder cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed data from 57 patients with suspected gallbladder cancer who underwent curative resection between September 2003 and May 2017. Six with apparent invasion of adjacent organs on preoperative images were excluded. We evaluated preoperative computed tomography, magnetic resonance and endoscopic ultrasonographic images, blood biochemistry, and the maximum standard uptake value in fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography images. We analyzed whether correlations between preoperative findings and the depth of tumor invasion could predict pT2.

RESULTS

The pathological diagnosis was gallbladder cancer in 30 (58.8%) patients, of whom 21 (69.9%) had pT2 or worse. Multivariate analyses selected carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor diameter as independent predictors of pT2 or worse (odds ratios = 1.741 and 1.098, respectively; 95% confidence intervals = 1.004-3.020 and 1.008-1.197, respectively). A regression formula was created using carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor diameter to calculate pT2 predictive scores. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of the pT2 predictive score was 0.873.

CONCLUSION

We created a scoring system to predict pT2 in gallbladder cancer using carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor diameter. The present findings suggested that carcinoembryonic antigen is important for the preoperative evaluation of gallbladder cancer.

New precise measurements of muonium hyperfine structure at J-PARC MUSE

High precision measurements of the ground state hyperfine structure (HFS) of muonium is a stringent tool for testing bound-state quantum electrodynamics (QED) theory, determining fundamental constants of the muon magnetic moment and mass, and searches for new physics. Muonium is the most suitable system to test QED because both theoretical and experimental values can be precisely determined. Previous measurements were performed decades ago at LAMPF with uncertainties mostly dominated by statistical errors. At the J-PARC Muon Science Facility (MUSE), the MuSEUM collaboration is planning complementary measurements of muonium HFS both at zero and high magnetic field. The new high-intensity muon beam that will soon be available at H-Line will provide an opportunity to improve the precision of these measurements by one order of magnitude. An overview of the different aspects of these new muonium HFS measurements, the current status of the preparation for high-field measurements, and the latest results at zero field are presented.

Isomeric 26Al beam production with CRIB

We performed an experiment to measure proton resonant elastic scattering of a mixed 26m,gAl beam with a thick target in inverse kinematics by using CNS RI beam sep-arator, located at RIKEN Nishina Center. It aimed to search for strong proton resonances and determine level properties of low spin-parity states in 27Si. Diagnosis of the 26mAl purity of the beam by annihilation radiation are discussed.

Re-oxygenation Improves Hypoxia-induced Pulp Cell Arrest

Dental pulp cells can be exposed to hypoxia during severe inflammation or restorative procedures, though their response to hypoxia is not well-understood. We hypothesized that hypoxia has effects on the growth of pulp cells in vitro. When the cells were exposed to hypoxia for 48 hr, cell growth was suppressed, and cell death was detected by Hoechst staining. Western blot analysis revealed that phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein was inhibited in cells exposed to hypoxia. Analyses of the molecules involved in retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation revealed that hypoxia suppressed cyclin D2 and activated p21CIP1/WAF1. Further, hypoxia-exposed pulp cells showed improvement of cell viability, cell-cycle progression, and expression of cyclin D2 with re-oxygenation. These findings indicate that hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest in pulp cells is reversible, while cyclin D2 may play an essential role in the improvement of cell proliferation with re-oxygenation.

REPEATED INTRANODAL LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY FOR THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHATIC LEAKAGE

Treatment of patients with chylous or non-chylous lymphatic leakage can be difficult. An approach using therapeutic lymphangiography can reduce the lymphatic leakage, but it seldom stops the leakage immediately and subsequent conservative treatment is necessary. We report three cases in which intranodal lymphangiography was performed multiple times to inhibit lymphatic leakage. In each case, the lymph node was punctured under ultrasound guidance using a 23-gauge needle and lipiodol was injected manually at a rate of 1 ml/3 min. The procedure was repeated twice in two cases of gastrointestinal carcinoma and four times in one case of lymphoma. In all three cases, the postoperative lymphatic leakage stopped after the repeated intranodal lymphangiography.

Computed diffusion-weighted MRI for prostate cancer detection: the influence of the combinations of b-values

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of the combinations of b-values on computed diffusion-weighted images (cDWIs) for prostate cancer (PCa) detection at b = 2000 s mm(-2).

METHODS

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWIs) for 31 patients with PCa (65.2 ± 7.1 years) were obtained pre-operatively at different b-values (0, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 s mm(-2)) on a 3-T MRI. cDWIs at b = 2000 were generated by using six b-value combinations: 0-100 s mm(-2) (cDWI0-100); 0-500 s mm(-2) (cDWI0-500); 100-500 s mm(-2) (cDWI100-500); 0-1000 s mm(-2) (cDWI0-1000); 100-1000 s mm(-2) (cDWI100-1000); and 500-1000 s mm(-2) (cDWI500-1000). These cDWIs and measured DWIs with b = 2000 s mm(-2) (mDWI2000) were evaluated in this setting. To assess image quality for each DWI, contrast ratios (CRs) of cancerous and non-cancerous lesions were evaluated. To compare the detectability of PCa for each DWI, receiver operating characteristic analysis was used.

RESULTS

CRs of all cDWIs were significantly higher than those of mDWI2000 (p < 0.05). Areas under the curve of cDWI0-100 (0.62) and cDWI0-500 (0.65) were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those of others (cDWI100-500, 0.72; cDWI0-1000, 0.73; cDWI100-1000, 0.71; cDWI500-1000, 0.74; mDWI2000, 0.72).

CONCLUSION

The combinations of b-values influenced image quality and diagnostic ability of cDWIs for PCa detection. The combinations of b ≥ 100 and b ≥ 500 s mm(-2), as well as b = 0 and b = 1000 s mm(-2), were optimal in this study.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

For generating the useful cDWI for PCa detection, radiologists should take care of the combination of b-values when including low b-values.

Type 2 diabetes reduces the proliferation and survival of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in ishchemic white matter lesions

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for stroke and it exacerbates tissue damage after ischemic insult. Diabetes is one of the important causes of the progression of white matter lesion, however, the pathological mechanisms remain unclear. The present study evaluated the influences of type 2 DM on ischemic subcortical white matter injury and the recruitment of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion using type 2 diabetic (db/db) mice. After bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS), the rarefaction in the white matter was more severe in db/db mice than in db/+ mice, and the number of glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi)-positive mature oligodendrocytes (OLG) was lower in db/db mice than in db/+ mice at 4 and 8 weeks after ischemia. There were no significant differences in the number of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-positive apoptotic cells in the deep white matter between the db/db and db/+ mice. We found a transient increase in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-positive OPCs in white matter lesions after ischemia. However, significantly fewer PDGFRα-positive OPCs were detected in db/db than db/+ mice from 4weeks after BCAS. The number of Ki67-positive proliferating cells in the deep white matter was significantly lower in db/db mice than in db/+ mice from 4 to 8weeks after BCAS. Most of the Ki67-positive cells were PDGFRα-positive OPCs. Finally, we assessed the survival of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive proliferating cells in ischemic white matter, and found significantly poorer survival of BrdU/PDGFRα-positive OPCs or BrdU/GST-pi-positive OLGs in the db/db mice compared to the db/+ mice in the white matter after BCAS. Our findings suggest that the type 2 DM mice exhibited more severe white matter injury 8 weeks after chronic ischemia. Decreased proliferation and survival of OPCs may play an important role in the progression of white matter lesions after ischemia in diabetics.

Evidence of a sophisticatedly heterogeneous population of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Induction and promotion of angiogenesis play a role in a diverse range of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes that are especially relevant to the field of regenerative medicine. For assessing vasculogenesis and neo-angiogenesis, identifying angiogenic factors, angiocrine factors, and vascular niche, facilitating tissue-repair and tumor growth, efficiently generating induced pluripotent stem cells, and coculturing with organ-specific stem cells, isolation and characterization of the subpopulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and their endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are needed. In this study, primary HUVECs were collected from fresh umbilical cords and fractionated and characterized with the use of flow cytometry. Clonal colony assay showed that endothelial colony-forming units in culture frequently existed in fresh HUVECs. Antigenic profiling demonstrated that undifferentiated EPCs in HUVECs had normal endothelial marker CD31 with a subpopulation of cells positive for hematopoietic stem cell marker CD34 and c-Kit. With continuing passages, EPC markers CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression decreased dramatically. Moreover, a distinct subpopulation with different proliferative capability and angiogenesis from the early-passage HUVECs was shown. In conclusion, it is possible to isolate accurately and to enrich EPCs or hematoangioblast-like cells from a heterogeneous population of HUVECs, and to explore the differential process with flow cytometry for further investigations.

Evaluation of genetic introgression from domesticated pigs into the Ryukyu wild boar population on Iriomote Island in Japan

We evaluated genetic introgression from domesticated pigs into the Ryukyu wild boar (RWB) population on Iriomote Island based on their genetic structure and diversity. We used a combination of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region (596 bp) polymorphisms and 23 microsatellite markers. RWBs (n = 130) were collected from 18 locations on Iriomote Island and compared with 66 reference samples of European and Asian domestic pigs. We identified six distinct haplotypes, involving 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (including one insertion) in the RWB population. The phylogenetic tree had two branches: the RWB group and domestic lineage. Fourteen of 130 RWBs (10.8%) belonged to the European domestic lineage, including 11 RWBs from the Panari Islands, northwest of Iriomote Main Island (IMI). The heterozygosity values, total number of alleles, number of effective alleles and polymorphism information content of the RWB groups were lower than those of the European domestic groups. The RWB population on IMI had a lower heterozygous deficiency index (FIS = 0.059) than did the other populations, which indicates that this population was more inbred. There was a large genetic distance (FST = 0.560) between RWBs on IMI and the Meishan populations. Structure analysis using the 23 microsatellite markers revealed that 16 RWBs had an admixture pattern between RWB and domesticated pig breeds. These results suggest that gene flow may have occurred from domestic pigs to RWBs and demonstrate that there was low genetic variation in the IMI population.

Visceral fat accumulation is associated with cerebral small vessel disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Obesity is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Visceral fat plays a significant role in the atherogenic effects of obesity. Whether visceral fat accumulation, as measured by computed tomography (CT), is an independent risk factor for the presence of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) was investigated.

METHODS

This study comprised 506 Japanese subjects 35-74 years of age (mean 55.3 years) without a history of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease who underwent health screening tests, including brain magnetic resonance imaging, carotid echography and measurements of the visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) on abdominal CT. Visceral fat accumulation was defined as VFA ≥ 100 cm(2) . Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between visceral fat accumulation and cerebral SVD such as white matter lesions (WMLs) and silent lacunar infarction (SLI).

RESULTS

The prevalence of WMLs and SLI but not carotid plaque were significantly higher in subjects with VFA ≥ 100 cm(2) than those with VFA < 100 cm(2) . A VFA ≥ 100 cm(2) was associated with WMLs and SLI independent of age, cardiovascular risk factors and other measurements of obesity, such as waist circumference and body mass index. A large waist circumference was independently associated with SLI. SFA, the combination of VFA and SFA, and body mass index were not associated with WMLs or SLI.

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral fat accumulation was independently associated with the presence of cerebral SVD in subjects without a history of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease.

Virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility in Pasteurella multocida isolates from calves

A total of 378 isolates of Pasteurella multocida from clinically healthy and diseased calves were characterised for their susceptibility to 9 antimicrobial agents and screened by PCR for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and 22 genes virulence-associated, including capsule biosynthesis genes. Of the 378 isolates, 102 (27.0%) were resistant to at least one of the 9 tested antimicrobial agents. Resistance to oxytetracycline (21.7%) was the most frequently observed phenotype among the isolates. The tet(H) gene were the primary determinant detected. The resistance rates for thiamphenicol, ampicillin, kanamycin and florfenicol were 13.2%, 5.8%, 9.0% and 0.5%, respectively. Cefazolin, ceftiofur, cefquinome and enrofloxacin were effective antimicrobial agents, with no resistant isolates emerging over the course of the investigation. Most isolates were identified as capsular type A, only 6.3% belonged to capsular type D and no other capsular type was identified. Four of the virulence-associated genes (pfhA, tadD, tbpA and HAS) exhibited associations to the capsular type, and three (pfhA, tbpA and hgbB) were associated with the disease status of the animals. These virulence genes have been considered as epidemiological markers and are hypothesised to have a strong positive association with the outcome of disease in cattle.

Self-organization of human hepatic organoid by recapitulating organogenesis in vitro

BACKGROUND

Careful orchestration among endodermal epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells initiate liver organogenesis prior to vascular function. Nonparenchymal endothelial or mesenchymal cells not only form passive conduits, but also establish an organogenic stimulus. Herein, we have evaluated the potential roles of primitive endothelial and mesenchymal cells toward hepatic organization in vitro.

METHODS

To track the cellular movements and localization, we retrovirally transduced enhanced green fluorescence protein and kusabira orange into human fetal liver cells (GFP-hFLCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (KO-HUVECs), respectively. GFP-hFLCs were cocultivated with KO-HUVECs and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) under conventional two-dimensional (2D) conditions.

RESULTS

Even under 2D culture, fetal liver, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells self-organized into a macroscopically visible three-dimensional (3D) organoid. Time-lapse confocal imaging showed dynamic cellular organizations of GFP-hFLCs and KO-HUVECs. Endothelial cells organized into patterned clusters wrapping fetal liver cells, forming vessel-like lumens inside. Mesenchymal cells supported the generated organoid from outside.

CONCLUSION

Generation of whole organ architecture remains a great challenge so far. Our preliminary results showed that recapitulation of primitive cellular interactions during organogenesis elicit the intrinsic self-organizing capacity to form hepatic organoids. Future studies to define precise conditions mimicking organogenesis may ultimately lead to the generation of a functional liver for transplantation and for other applications such as drug development.

Generation of functional human vascular network

BACKGROUND

One of the major obstacles in regenerating thick, complex tissues such as the liver is their need for vascularization, which is essential to maintain cell viability during tissue growth and to induce structural organization. Herein, we have described a method to engineer a functional human vascular network.

METHODS

Enhanced green fluorescence protein-labeled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (GFP-HUVECs) were cocultivated with kusabira orange-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (KO-hMSCs) inside a collagen/fibronectin matrix. Premature vascular network formation was visualized by fluorescence microscopy imaging. Furthermore, constructs prevascularized in vitro were implanted into a transparency window in immunodeficient mice.

RESULTS

Following several days of cultivation, GFP-HUVECs formed vessel-like structures that were stabilized by pericytes differentiated from KO-hMSCs. After implantation in vivo, the patency of human vascular structures was proved by rhodamine dextran infusion. These functional vascular structures remained for over 2 months.

DISCUSSION

Vascularization is the key challenge to organ generation. We successfully generated human vascular networks inside a matrix. Integration of parenchymal cells using our engineering technique should facilitate future efforts to reconstitute vascularized human organ systems in vitro.

Role of natural killer T cells in the mouse colitis-associated colon cancer model

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are considered innate-like lymphocytes, and regulate the immunity against inflammation and tumorigenesis. However, the impact of iNKT cells in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the physiological role of iNKT cells in a mouse colitis-associated colorectal cancer model. C57BL/6 (B6) and Jα18 NKT cell-deficient KO (KO) mice were used. Colitis-associated colorectal cancer was induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The resulting inflammation and tumours were examined. The surface markers of mononuclear cells from the liver and the colon were assessed by FACS. The levels of IL-13 from the colon were measured by ELISA. α-galactosylceramide (GC), or its close analog OCH, was administered intraperitoneally on the first day of each cycle of DSS-administration. In the AOM/DSS model, hepatic iNKT cells were significantly decreased. In KO mice there were significantly greater numbers of colon tumours and more severe inflammation than in B6 mice. FACS analysis revealed that the population of NK1.1 (+) T cells (non-invariant NKT cells) in the colon was increased when compared to B6 mice. The secretion of IL-13 was increased in the colon of KO mice after AOM/DSS. The number of colon tumours was significantly decreased in the GC-treated group compared to the control group. GC-treatment significantly inhibited IL-13 secretion from the colonic mononuclear cells and the number of colonic NK1.1 (+) T cells was significantly decreased. These results suggest that iNKT cells may play a critical role in the prevention of tumour progression and inflammation in the AOM/DSS model.

A fatal case of severe methemoglobinemia presumably due to chlorate ingestion

A fatal case due to severe methemoglobinemia is presented. A male in his forties was found unconscious in his house and, despite intensive care, death was confirmed approximately 11 hours later. Toxicological analysis using ion chromatography revealed the presence of chlorate in the stomach contents. However, chlorate was not detected in the blood, and no other drugs or ethanol were detected in the blood either. We concluded that the cause of death was presumably due to chlorate poisoning, based on the results of the autopsy and the toxicological examination.

Four-year study of lamivudine and adefovir combination therapy in lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B patients: influence of hepatitis B virus genotype and resistance mutation pattern

To investigate the efficacy of long-term lamivudine (3TC) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) combination therapy in 3TC-resistant chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients, we analysed 28 3TC-resistant patients treated with the combination therapy during 47 months (range, 9-75). At 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, the rates of virological response with undetectable HBV DNA (≤ 2.6 log copies/mL) were 56, 80, 86, and 92%, respectively. Among 17 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients, HBeAg disappeared in 24% at 12 months, 25% at 24 months, 62% at 36 months, and 88% at 48 months. When HBV genotypes were compared, patients with genotype B achieved virological response significantly more rapidly than those with genotype C (P=0.0496). One patient developed virological breakthrough after 54 months, and sequence analysis of HBV obtained from the patient was performed. An rtA200V mutation was present in the majority of HBV clones, in addition to the 3TC-resistant mutations of rtL180M+M204V. The rtN236T ADV-resistant mutation was observed in only 25% clones. In vitro analysis showed that the rtA200V mutation recovered the impaired replication capacity of the clone with the rtL180M+M204V mutations and induced resistance to ADV. Moreover, rtT184S and rtS202C, which are known entecavir-resistant mutations, emerged in some rtL180M+M204V clones without rtA200V or rtN236T. In conclusion, 3TC+ADV combination therapy was effective for most 3TC-resistant patients, especially with genotype B HBV, but the risk of emergence of multiple drug-resistant strains with long-term therapy should be considered. The mutation rtA200V with rtL180M+M204V may be sufficient for failure of 3TC+ADV therapy.

Follow-up Outcomes of Self-Expanding Stents for Carotid Artery Angioplasty at a Single Hospital

Carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement (CASP) is widely accepted as a valuable alternative to carotid endarterectomy, particularly among high-risk patient populations. We analyzed the follow-up data of patients who underwent CASP with self-expanding stents for carotid lesions. Since 2001, self-expanding stents have been deployed in 59 lesions in 56 patients. Forty-seven patients were male, and nine were female. The median age was 73 years, ranging 50 to 83 years. There were 31 asymptomatic lesions and 28 symptomatic lesions. The median follow-up period was 27 months, ranging six to 102 months. All lesions received stents and technical success was achieved in 58 (98.3%) out of 59 lesions. The 30-day transient ischemic attack rate was 8.6%, the stroke rate was 3.4%, and the death rate was 0%. No ischemic attack was observed on the ipsilateral side after 30 days. Recurrent stenosis (>50%) was observed in three patients (5.1%) and in two (3.4%) of these, revascularization was performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the rates for one year and two year freedom from any stroke or death were 93.1% and 90.9%, respectively. The incidence of recurrent carotid stenosis is acceptably low after CASP. CASP is effective to prevent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Differential transcriptional characteristics of small and large biliary epithelial cells derived from small and large bile ducts

Biliary epithelial cells (BEC) are morphologically and functionally heterogeneous. To investigate the molecular mechanism for their diversities, we test the hypothesis that large and small BEC have disparity in their target gene response to their transcriptional regulator, the biliary cell-enriched hepatocyte nuclear factor HNF6. The expression of the major HNF (HNF6, OC2, HNF1b, HNF1a, HNF4a, C/EBPb, and Foxa2) and representative biliary transport target genes that are HNF dependent were compared between SV40-transformed BEC derived from large (SV40LG) and small (SV40SM) ducts, before and after treatment with recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing HNF6 (AdHNF6) or control LacZ cDNA (AdLacZ). Large and small BEC were isolated from mouse liver treated with growth hormone, a known transcriptional activator of HNF6, and the effects on selected target genes were examined. Constitutive Foxa2, HNF1a, and HNF4a gene expression were 2.3-, 12.4-, and 2.6-fold, respectively, higher in SV40SM cells. This was associated with 2.7- and 4-fold higher baseline expression of HNF1a- and HNF4a-regulated ntcp and oatp1 genes, respectively. Following AdHNF6 infection, HNF6 gene expression was 1.4-fold higher (P = 0.02) in AdHNF6 SV40SM relative to AdHNF6 SV40LG cells, with a corresponding higher Foxa2 (4-fold), HNF1a (15-fold), and HNF4a (6-fold) gene expression in AdHNF6-SV40SM over AdHNF6-SV40LG. The net effects were upregulation of HNF6 target gene glucokinase and of Foxa2, HNF1a, and HNF4a target genes oatp1, ntcp, and mrp2 over AdLacZ control in both cells, but with higher levels in AdH6-SV40SM over AdH6-SV40LG of glucokinase, oatp1, ntcp, and mrp2 (by 1.8-, 3.4-, 2.4-, and 2.5-fold, respectively). In vivo, growth hormone-mediated increase in HNF6 expression was associated with similar higher upregulation of glucokinase and mrp2 in cholangiocytes from small vs. large BEC. Small and large BEC have a distinct profile of hepatocyte transcription factor and cognate target gene expression, as well as differential strength of response to transcriptional regulation, thus providing a potential molecular basis for their divergent function.

Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase polymorphisms and risk for suicide: a preliminary observation in the Japanese male population

Epidemiological studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption is a potent risk factor to develop suicidal behavior. Genetic factors for suicidal behavior have been observed in family, twin, and adoption studies. Because alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B) His47Arg and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) Glu487Lys single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which affect alcohol metabolism, have been reported to exert significant impacts on alcohol consumption and on the risk for alcoholism in East Asia populations, we explored associations of the two functional SNPs with suicide using a case-control study of 283 completed suicides and 319 control subjects in the Japanese population. We found that the inactive ALDH2 allele (487Lys) was significantly less frequent in the completed suicides (19.3%) than in the controls (29.3%), especially in males, whereas this was not the case in females. The males bearing alcoholism-susceptible homozygotes at both loci (inactive ADH1B Arg/Arg and active ALDH2 Glu/Glu genotypes) have a 10 times greater risk for suicide compared with the males bearing alcoholism-protective homozygotes at both loci. Our data show the genetic impact of the two polymorphisms on suicidal behavior in the Japanese population, especially in males. Because we did not verify the daily alcohol consumption, the association of these SNPs with suicide might be due to alcoholism itself. Further studies using case-control subjects, which verifies the details of current and past alcohol consumption and diagnosis for alcoholism, are required to confirm these findings.

Coherent transfer of orbital angular momentum to excitons by optical four-wave mixing

We demonstrate the coherent transfer of optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) to the center of mass momentum of excitons in semiconductor GaN using a four-wave mixing (FWM) process. When we apply the optical vortex (OV) as an excitation pulse, the diffracted FWM signal exhibits phase singularities that satisfy the OAM conservation law, which remain clear within the exciton dephasing time (approximately 1ps). We also demonstrate the arbitrary control of the topological charge in the output signal by changing the OAM of the input pulse. The results provide a way of controlling the optical OAM through carriers in solids. Moreover, the time evolution of the FWM with OAM leads to the study of the closed-loop carrier coherence in materials.