Direct production of high-power radially polarized output from a side-pumped Nd:YVO4 bounce amplifier using a photonic crystal mirror.

We produced a high power radially-polarized output directly from a diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) bounce amplifier, using an autocloned photonic crystal mirror as an output coupler, with a simple cavity configuration. The radially-polarized output power of approximately 6 W was achieved, and a corresponding slope efficiency was estimated to be approximately 17 %. The output was characterized to be an ideal radially-polarized beam from its polarization distribution profiles.

Specific Jagged-1 signal from bone marrow microenvironment is required for endothelial progenitor cell development for neovascularization.

Background: Despite accumulating evidence that proves the pivotal role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in ischemic neovascularization, the key signaling cascade that regulates functional EPC kinetics remains unclear.

Methods And Results: In this report, we show that inactivation of specific Jagged-1 (Jag-1)-mediated Notch signals leads to inhibition of postnatal vasculogenesis in hindlimb ischemia via impairment of proliferation, survival, differentiation, and mobilization of bone marrow-derived EPCs. Bone marrow-derived EPCs obtained from Jag-1-/- mice, but not Delta-like (Dll)-1-/- mice, demonstrated less therapeutic potential for ischemic neovascularization than EPCs from the wild type.

Circulating endothelial/skeletal progenitor cells for bone regeneration and healing.

An emerging strategy in the regeneration and repair of bone is to use stem cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which are the most investigated and reliable source for tissue engineering, as well as circulating skeletal stem/progenitor cells, which are receiving abundant attention in regenerative medicine due to their ease of isolation and high osteogenic potential. Because failures in fracture healing are largely due to poor vascularization among many environmental factors, we highlight the first proof-of-principle experiments that elucidated the collaborative multi-lineage differentiation of circulating CD34 positive cells - a cell-enriched population of endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor cells - into not only endothelial cells but also osteoblasts. These cells develop a favorable environment for fracture healing via vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis, ultimately leading to functional recovery from fracture.

2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-halo-adenosines active against drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants.

One of the formidable challenges in therapy of infections by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the emergence of drug-resistant variants that attenuate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We have recently introduced 4'-ethynyl-nucleoside analogs as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that could be developed as therapeutics for treatment of HIV infections. In this study, we present 2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-fluoroadenosine (EFdA), a second generation 4'-ethynyl inhibitor that exerted highly potent activity against wild-type HIV-1 (EC50 approximately 0.

Local delivery of granulocyte colony stimulating factor-mobilized CD34-positive progenitor cells using bioscaffold for modality of unhealing bone fracture.

We recently reported that i.v. transplantation of adult human circulating CD34+ cells, an endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor-enriched cell population, contributes to fracture healing through the enhancement of vasculogenesis and osteogenesis.

A huge lymphovenous malformation in the retroperitoneum.

Vascular malformations are localized or diffuse errors of embryonic development resulting in collections of abnormal vessels with normal endothelium. Many authors have pointed out the confusing terminology of vascular anomalies that has led to improper diagnosis and therapy. This still remains confused in clinical practice, especially in cases occurring at rare regions or presenting atypical radiologic findings.

Endothelial progenitor cells for cardiovascular regeneration.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are peripheral blood mononuclear cells that can differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Adult EPCs were first discovered in human peripheral blood in 1997. Since then, the potency of EPCs for cardiovascular regeneration has been demonstrated in several preclinical studies; and investigators are beginning to evaluate the therapeutic utility of EPCs in early-phase clinical trials.

Fracture induced mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells for bone healing.

We recently reported that systemic administration of peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells, an endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-enriched population, contributed to fracture healing via vasculogenesis/angiogenesis. However, pathophysiological role of EPCs in fracture healing process has not been fully clarified. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis whether mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs may play a pivotal role in appropriate fracture healing.

Administrations of peripheral blood CD34-positive cells contribute to medial collateral ligament healing via vasculogenesis.

Neoangiogenesis is a key process in the initial phase of ligament healing. Adult human circulating CD34+ cells, an endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor-enriched cell population, have been reported to contribute to neoangiogenesis; however, the therapeutic potential of CD34+ cells for ligament healing is still unclear. Therefore, we performed a series of experiments to test our hypothesis that ligament healing is supported by CD34+ cells via vasculogenesis.

Focal nodular hyperplasia in biliary atresia patient after Kasai hepatic portoenterostomy.

We present the case of a 10-year-old girl with biliary atresia in whom focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver occurred following successful "Kasai" hepatic portoenterostomy at the age of 2 months. Her jaundice completely disappeared a few weeks after the operation. A 4-cm diameter liver tumor in segment IV was found when she was 5-years old.

Evaluation and treatment for spinal cord tethering in patients with anorectal malformations.

Background: It has recently been recognized that there is a close relationship between spinal cord tethering (SCT) and congenital anorectal malformation (ARM).

Patients And Methods: We evaluated spinal MRI examinations of 28 patients with ARM (14 boys and 14 girls) aged 5 months to 9 years. All patients diagnosed with SCT subsequently underwent operation.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in an infant: case report and literature review.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is an obstruction at the third portion of the duodenum by compression between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. In infancy, SMAS is extremely rare; and for its diagnosis, other duodenal obstructive diseases including congenital duodenal stenosis and intestinal malrotation must be ruled out. We present the case of a 7-month-old girl with frequent bilious vomiting after the resolution of acute gastroenteritis.

Role of progenitor endothelial cells in cardiovascular disease and upcoming therapies.

The field of cell-based transplantation has expanded considerably and is poised to become an established cardiovascular therapy in the near future. In this review, we will focus on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are immature cells capable of differentiating into mature endothelial cells. EPCs share many surface marker antigens such as CD34, AC133, Flk-1, etc.

Intramyocardial transplantation of autologous CD34+ stem cells for intractable angina: a phase I/IIa double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: A growing population of patients with coronary artery disease experiences angina that is not amenable to revascularization and is refractory to medical therapy. Preclinical studies have indicated that human CD34+ stem cells induce neovascularization in ischemic myocardium, which enhances perfusion and function.

Methods And Results: Twenty-four patients (19 men and 5 women aged 48 to 84 years) with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3 or 4 angina who were undergoing optimal medical treatment and who were not candidates for mechanical revascularization were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized (3:1), placebo-controlled dose-escalating study.

Synchrotron radiation coronary microangiography for morphometric and physiological evaluation of myocardial neovascularization induced by endothelial progenitor cell transplantation.

Background: Therapeutic effect of stem cell transplantation (SCTx) for myocardial neovascularization has been evaluated by histological capillary density in small animals. However, it has been technically difficult to obtain imaging evidence of collateral formation by conventional angiography.

Methods And Results: Peripheral blood CD34+ and CD34- cells were isolated from patients with critical limb ischemia.

CD34-positive cells exhibit increased potency and safety for therapeutic neovascularization after myocardial infarction compared with total mononuclear cells.

Background: We compared the therapeutic potential of purified mobilized human CD34+ cells with that of mobilized total mononuclear cells (tMNCs) for the preservation/recovery of myocardial tissue integrity and function after myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: CD34+ cells were purified from peripheral blood tMNCs of healthy volunteers by magnetic cell sorting after a 5-day administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 5x10(5) CD34+ cells/kg, 5x10(5) tMNCs/kg (low-dose MNCs [loMNCs]), or a higher dose of tMNCs (hiMNCs) containing 5x10(5) CD34+ cells/kg was transplanted intramyocardially 10 minutes after the induction of MI in athymic nude rats.

Therapeutic potential of vasculogenesis and osteogenesis promoted by peripheral blood CD34-positive cells for functional bone healing.

Failures in fracture healing are mainly caused by a lack of vascularization. Adult human circulating CD34+ cells, an endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor-enriched cell population, have been reported to differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro; however, the therapeutic potential of CD34+ cells for fracture healing is still unclear. Therefore, we performed a series of experiments to test our hypothesis that functional fracture healing is supported by vasculogenesis and osteogenesis via regenerative plasticity of CD34+ cells.

Examination of the charge-sensitive vibrational modes in bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene.

We reinvestigated the two C=C stretching modes of the five-membered rings of ET (ET = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene), namely, nu(2) (in-phase mode) and nu(27) (out-of-phase mode). The frequency of the nu(27) mode of ET(+) was corrected to be approximately 1400 cm(-1), which was identified from the polarized infrared reflectance spectra of (ET)(ClO(4)), (ET)(AuBr(2)Cl(2)), and the deuterium- or (13)C-substituted compounds of (ET)(AuBr(2)Cl(2)). It was clarified from DFT calculations that the frequency of the nu(27) mode of the flat ET(0) molecule was significantly different from that of the boat-shaped ET(0) molecule.

Dose-dependent contribution of CD34-positive cell transplantation to concurrent vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis for functional regenerative recovery after myocardial infarction.

Background: Multilineage developmental capacity of the CD34+ cells, especially into cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), is still controversial. In the present study we performed a series of experiments to prove our hypothesis that vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) may be dose-dependently enhanced after CD34+ cell transplantation.

Methods And Results: Peripheral blood CD34+ cells were isolated from total mononuclear cells of patients with limb ischemia by apheresis after 5-day administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Estradiol enhances recovery after myocardial infarction by augmenting incorporation of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells into sites of ischemia-induced neovascularization via endothelial nitric oxide synthase-mediated activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Background: Recent data have indicated that estradiol can modulate the kinetics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-dependent mechanisms. We hypothesized that estradiol could augment the incorporation of bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs into sites of ischemia-induced neovascularization, resulting in protection from ischemic injury.

Methods And Results: Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery in ovariectomized mice receiving either 17beta-estradiol or placebo.

A stereochemically well-defined rhodium(III) catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

[reaction: see text] A rhodium(III) catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones has been designed. The incorporation of a tethering group between the diamino group and the cyclopentadienyl unit provides extra stereochemical rigidity. The catalyst is capable of enantioselective reduction of a range of ketones in excellent ee using formic acid/triethylamine as both the solvent and the reducing agent.

Sonic hedgehog myocardial gene therapy: tissue repair through transient reconstitution of embryonic signaling.

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a crucial regulator of organ development during embryogenesis. We investigated whether intramyocardial gene transfer of naked DNA encoding human Shh (phShh) could promote a favorable effect on recovery from acute and chronic myocardial ischemia in adult animals, not only by promoting neovascularization, but by broader effects, consistent with the role of this morphogen in embryogenesis. After Shh gene transfer, the hedgehog pathway was upregulated in mammalian fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes.

Niche-dependent translineage commitment of endothelial progenitor cells, not cell fusion in general, into myocardial lineage cells.

Objective: Previous studies from our laboratory have shown therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for myocardial ischemia. Our purpose was to investigate the mechanisms regulating EPC contribution to myocardial regeneration.

Methods And Results: To evaluate niche-dependent expression profiles of EPCs in vitro, we performed coculture using cultured EPCs derived from human peripheral blood and rat cardiac myoblast cell line (H9C2).