Wnt/β-catenin Promotes Cementum Apposition in Periodontal Regeneration.

Regeneration of periodontal tissue, particularly the cementum-periodontal ligament (PDL)-bone complex, has long been challenging because the differentiation kinetics of cells and the molecular pathways contributing to the regeneration process are largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the cell behavior and molecular pathways that contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration in vivo. We analyzed the process of periodontal tissue regeneration through subrenal capsule transplantation of immediately extracted molars in mice.

Acellular Extrinsic Fiber Cementum Is Invariably Present in the Superficial Layer of Apical Cementum in Mouse Molar.

The cementum is a highly mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root. The regional differences among the types of cementum, especially in the extrinsic fibers that contribute to tooth support, remain controversial. Therefore, this study used second harmonic generation imaging in conjunction with automated collagen extraction and image analysis algorithms to facilitate the quantitative examination of the fiber characteristics and the changes occurring in these fibers over time.

Multiomics analysis of cultured mouse periodontal ligament cell-derived extracellular matrix.

A comprehensive understanding of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for developing biomimetic ECM scaffolds for tissue regeneration. As the periodontal ligament cell (PDLC)-derived ECM has shown potential for periodontal tissue regeneration, it is vital to gain a deeper understanding of its comprehensive profile. Although the PDLC-derived ECM exhibits extracellular environment similar to that of periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue, details of its molecular composition are lacking.

Effect of Sparc knockout on the extracellular matrix of mouse periodontal ligament cells.

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a critical component in maintaining tooth stability. It is composed of cells and an extracellular matrix (ECM), each with unique roles in tissue function and homeostasis. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a calcium-binding matricellular glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in regulating ECM assembly and turnover, alongside facilitating cellular-ECM interactions.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) downregulates mRNA levels of suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) variants in cortical neurons.

Suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) acts as a transcriptional repressor of serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene expression by binding to megakaryoblastic leukemia (MKL)/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), which is an SRF transcriptional coactivator. Growing evidence suggests that SCAI is a negative regulator of neuronal morphology, whereas MKL2/MRTFB is a positive regulator. The mRNA expression of SCAI is downregulated during brain development, suggesting that a reduction in SCAI contributes to the reduced suppression of SRF-mediated gene induction, thus increasing dendritic complexity and developing neuronal circuits.

Mobile element variation contributes to population-specific genome diversification, gene regulation and disease risk.

Mobile genetic elements (MEs) are heritable mutagens that recursively generate structural variants (SVs). ME variants (MEVs) are difficult to genotype and integrate in statistical genetics, obscuring their impact on genome diversification and traits. We developed a tool that accurately genotypes MEVs using short-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and applied it to global human populations.

Involvement of Rab11 in osteoblastic differentiation: Its up-regulation during the differentiation and by tensile stress.

Rab GTPases, the largest group of small monomeric GTPases, have been shown to participate in membrane trafficking involving many cellular processes. However, their roles during osteoblastic differentiation remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated Rab GTPase involvement in osteoblastic differentiation.

Extracellular Matrix-Oriented Proteomic Analysis of Periodontal Ligament Under Mechanical Stress.

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a specialized connective tissue that provides structural support to the tooth and is crucial for oral functions. The mechanical properties of the PDL are mainly derived from the tissue-specific composition and structural characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM also plays key roles in determining cell fate in the cellular microenvironment thus crucial in the PDL tissue homeostasis.

Disentangling the contribution of the transboundary out-flow from the Asian continent to Tokyo, Japan.

We assessed the contribution of transboundary air pollutants (TAPs) transported from China to Tokyo using the Pb/Cu index. We conducted intensive observations over four seasons during 2014-2015 and analyzed ionic components and thirteen elements in size-segregated aerosols collected at the top of a 30-m-high tower in a hilly forested area of the Field Museum Tamakyuryo (FM Tama), in a western suburb of Tokyo. In order to evaluate if the Pb/Cu ratio can be applied in Tokyo as the megacity, the annual average concentration of Pb at Cape Hedo, Kumamoto city, on the west side of Japan, was higher than that of Pb at Tokyo, on the east side; this result indicates that TAPs affect western Japan more than eastern Japan.

Interval nonlinear initial-valued problem using constraint intervals: Theory and an application to the Sars-Cov-2 outbreak.

This article discusses the theory of constraint interval solutions to interval nonlinear initial value problems and applies the notion of constraint interval solutions to analyze the asymptotic behavior of a susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) epidemiological nonlinear differential equation model, specifically the covid pandemic, in the presence of interval uncertainty to illustrate the efficacy of this approach. Furthermore, constraint interval solutions are used to estimate the intervals for the parameters by fitting solutions to the Brazilian's Sars-Cov-2 pandemic official data. Simulations and graphical solutions incorporating constraint interval uncertainties are presented to help in the visualization of the pandemic's behavior.

In vivo cell proliferation analysis and cell-tracing reveal the global cellular dynamics of periodontal ligament cells under mechanical-loading.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) is a uniquely differentiated tissue that anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone socket and plays key roles in oral function. PDL cells can respond rapidly to mechanical stimuli, resulting in accelerated tissue remodeling. Cell proliferation is an initial event in tissue remodeling and participates in maintaining the cell supply; therefore, analyzing cell-proliferative activity might provide a comprehensive view of cellular dynamics at the tissue level.

Population-based Screening for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Variants in Japan.

Background & Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. A small proportion of CRCs can be attributed to recognizable hereditary germline variants of known CRC susceptibility genes. To better understand cancer risk, it is necessary to explore the prevalence of hereditary CRC and pathogenic variants of multiple cancer-predisposing genes in non-European populations.

Differential localization and roles of splice variants of rat suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) in neuronal cells.

Suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) is a suppressor of myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)-mediated transcription and cancer cell invasion. However, roles of SCAI in the brain and neuronal cells are not fully resolved. In this study, we initially investigated the distribution of Scai mRNA in the developing rat brain and in neurons.

Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence Rates between Australia and Japan: Screening Target Implications.

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to compare the age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs) of breast cancer in Australia and Japan to determine the appropriateness of national screening target age groups.

Methods: The paper is based on secondary sources of data. The ASIRs in 2006-2015 were collected from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the National Cancer Center Japan.

Neuron-enriched phosphatase and actin regulator 3 (Phactr3)/ nuclear scaffold-associated PP1-inhibiting protein (Scapinin) regulates dendritic morphology via its protein phosphatase 1-binding domain.

Phosphatase and actin regulator 3/nuclear scaffold-associated protein phosphatase 1-inhibiting protein (Phactr3/Scapinin) is an actin- and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)-binding protein known to negatively regulate axon elongation. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of Phactr3/Scapinin in several tissues and investigated the effect of Phactr3/Scapinin on dendritic morphology of cortical neurons. Results showed that Phactr3/Scapinin expression was up-regulated in the developing brain and enriched in neurons and in the postsynaptic density fraction, but not in astrocytes.

Mammographic Breast Density of Japanese Women Living in Australia: Implications for Breast Screening Policy.

Background: Mammographic Breast Density (MBD) increases breast cancer risk, lowers sensitivity of mammography and is related to ethnicity. This study compared the MBD of Australian women living in Australia (AW), Japanese women living in Japan (JWJ) and Japan-born women living in Australia (JWA). The outcomes have implications for breast screening policies in Australia.

Artificially designed hybrids facilitate efficient generation of high-resolution linkage maps.

When sequencing eukaryotic genomes, linkage maps are indispensable for building scaffolds to assemble and/or to validate chromosomes. However, current approaches to constructing linkage maps are limited by marker density and cost-effectiveness, especially for wild organisms. We have now devised a new strategy based on artificially generated hybrid organisms to acquire ultrahigh-density genomic markers at reduced cost and build highly accurate linkage maps.

Ultrahigh-Density Linkage Map Construction Using Low-Coverage Whole-Genome Sequencing of a Doubled Haploid Population: Case Study of Torafugu (Takifugu rubripes).

Next-generation sequencing enables genome-wide genotyping of a large population and further facilitates the construction of a genetic linkage map. Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing has been employed for genetic linkage map construction in several species. However, this strategy generally requires available high-quality reference genomes and/or designed inbred pedigree lines, which restrict the scope of application for non-model and unsequenced species.

The experiences of husbands of primiparas with depressive or anxiety disorders during the perinatal period.

Objectives: During the perinatal period, husbands take the key role as essential supporter of wives with mental illness. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of husbands of primiparas with depressive or anxiety disorders.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used in the study.

Is visceral fat really a coronary risk factor? A multi-detector computed tomography study.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is currently considered to be a risk factor for arteriosclerotic disease. The accumulation of visceral fat leads to arteriosclerotic disease after other risk factors have developed and either direct or mutual effects occur. The aim of this study was to verify whether visceral fat serves as an independent coronary risk factor.

Protective efficacy of baculovirus dual expression system vaccine expressing Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein.

We have previously developed a new malaria vaccine delivery system based on the baculovirus dual expression system (BDES). In this system, expression of malaria antigens is driven by a dual promoter consisting of the baculovirus-derived polyhedrin and mammal-derived cytomegalovirus promoters. To test this system for its potential as a vaccine against human malaria parasites, we investigated immune responses against the newly developed BDES-based Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein vaccines (BDES-PfCSP) in mice and Rhesus monkeys.

Coronary superficial and spotty calcium deposits in culprit coronary lesions of acute coronary syndrome as determined by optical coherence tomography.

The characteristics of coronary artery calcium responsible for vulnerable plaque remain incompletely elucidated. We used optical coherence tomography to investigate the characteristics of coronary calcium in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and stable angina pectoris (SAP). We evaluated calcium deposits in the culprit lesions (30-mm segment) using optical coherence tomography in 187 patients with AMI (n = 44), UAP (n = 73), or SAP (n = 70).

Distribution, frequency and clinical implications of napkin-ring sign assessed by multidetector computed tomography.

Background: Plaque rupture and secondary thrombus formation play key roles in the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Plaques showing the napkin-ring sign in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) have been reported as thin-cap fibroatheroma that is recognized as a precursor lesion for plaque rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate distribution and frequency of napkin-ring sign and its relationship to features indicating coronary plaque vulnerability on MDCT in patients with coronary artery disease.

Clinical significance of low signal intensity area surrounding stent struts identified by optical coherence tomography.

Previous intravascular ultrasound studies have shown that echolucent neointimal hyperplasia occasionally appears after bare-metal stent (BMS) or sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies have also demonstrated that paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) restenosis exhibited similar images showing low signal intensity areas (LSIA) surrounding stent struts and three-layer appearance (TLA). The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance of LSIA on OCT images in various types of stents.

Difference in neointimal appearance between early and late restenosis after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: Late in-stent restenosis (ISR) is an important clinical issue in the drug-eluting stent era. Autopsy studies have reported different underlying mechanisms between early ISR and late ISR. The aim of the present study was to compare the neointimal tissue appearance between early ISR (<1 year) and late ISR (>1 year) after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation using optical coherence tomography (OCT).