EXAFS study of U(VI) uptake by calcium silicate hydrates.

Among the different cement minerals, calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) are the prime candidates for heavy metal binding because of their abundance and appropriate structure. Immobilization processes of heavy metals by cementitious materials, and in particular C-S-H phases, thus play an important role in multibarrier concepts developed worldwide for the safe disposal of hazardous and radioactive wastes. In this study, the uptake of U(VI) by C-S-H has been investigated using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy.

A naphthoquinone derivative, shikonin, has insulin-like actions by inhibiting both phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 and tyrosine phosphatases.

The 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative, shikonin, has been shown to increase glucose uptake by adipocytes and myocytes with minor effects on protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the cells (Biochem Biophys Res Commun 292:642-651, 2002). The present study was performed to examine the mechanism of this action of shikonin. Shikonin inhibited the phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PtdIns-3,4,5-P3) phosphatase activity of recombinant phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) with an IC50 value of 2.

Systolic outward motion of the left ventricular apical wall as detected by magnetic resonance tagging in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (APH) associated with paradoxic jet flow (ie, diastolic flow away from the apex) may gradually develop an apical aneurysm, which often leads to arrhythmia and mural thrombus formation. We observed systolic outward motion of the left ventricular apical myocardium in patients with APH using a magnetic resonance tagging procedure and examined the relationship of the outward motion to echocardiographic and scintigraphic findings and to cardiac events. Systolic displacement of the myocardial tags of the apical region perpendicular to the long axis in the 4-chamber view was recorded in 31 patients with APH.

Integrative spike dynamics of rat CA1 neurons: a multineuronal imaging study.

The brain operates through a coordinated interplay of numerous neurons, yet little is known about the collective behaviour of individual neurons embedded in a huge network. We used large-scale optical recordings to address synaptic integration in hundreds of neurons. In hippocampal slice cultures bolus-loaded with Ca2+ fluorophores, we stimulated the Schaffer collaterals and monitored the aggregate presynaptic activity from the stratum radiatum and individual postsynaptic spikes from the CA1 stratum pyramidale.

Regulation of the expression of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) in a cyanobacterium, Synechococcus PCC7942.

When cyanobacterium cells are grown under extremely low CO(2) concentration, the number of carboxysomes, structures containing ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.

Analysis of apoptosis protein expression in early-stage colorectal cancer suggests opportunities for new prognostic biomarkers.

Purpose: Although most stage II colon cancers are potentially curable by surgery alone, approximately 20% of patients relapse, suggesting a need for establishing prognostic markers that can identify patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. We tested the hypothesis that differences in expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins account for differences in clinical outcome among patients with early-stage colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: Tissue microarray technology was employed to assay the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins by immunohistochemistry in 106 archival stage II colorectal cancers, making correlations with disease-specific survival.

Novel synthesis and characterization of bioconjugate block copolymers having oligonucleotides.

Novel and efficient synthesis of polymers terminated with nucleotides via the phosphoramidite method has been developed. A hydroxyl-terminated polymer was converted into a polymer capped with a nucleotide in three steps, where the conversion of the reactions was very high, almost 100%. By repetition of this synthetic method, a block copolymer composed of a synthetic polymer, polystyrene, and biological oligonucleotides with thymidine units has been successfully synthesized.

Immunization with pseudorabies virus harboring Fc domain of IgG makes a contribution to protection of mice from lethal challenge.

To enhance the efficacy of an inactivated vaccine against pseudorabies virus (PRV), we evaluated the adjuvant properties of Fc domain of IgG. A cell line expressing mouse IgG Fc chimera on its surface was established. We found that when PRV was propagated in the cells expressing the Fc chimera, PRV virion incorporated the Fc.

Dynamic synapses as archives of synaptic history: state-dependent redistribution of synaptic efficacy in the rat hippocampal CA1.

Plastic modifications of synaptic strength are putative mechanisms underlying information processing in the brain, including memory storage, signal integration and filtering. Here we describe a dynamic interplay between short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity. At rat hippocampal CA1 synapses, induction of both long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) was accompanied by changes in the profile of short-term plasticity, termed redistribution of synaptic efficacy (RSE).

Intracellular interferon triggers Jak/Stat signaling cascade and induces p53-dependent antiviral protection.

Intracellular interferons (IFNs) exert biological functions similar to those of extracellular IFNs, but the signal transduction pathway triggered by the intracellular ligands has not been fully revealed. We investigated the signaling cascade by sequence-specific knockdown of signaling molecules by means of the RNA interference. Truncated IFN-beta gene was constructed so that the N-terminal secretory signal sequence was deleted (SD.

Survival after total joint arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Comparison of the postoperative life expectancies and survival by initial operative years: 1970s and 1980s group versus 1990s group.

Abstract A total of 867 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) underwent 1764 total joint arthroplasties (total hip arthroplasty and/or total knee arthroplasty) over three decades from 1970 to 1999. A survey on their postoperative survival was conducted in December 2000 in which these patients were divided into two groups. The patients who had their initial arthroplasty in the period 1970 to 1989 were classified as the "70s and 80s group," and those who had their initial arthroplasty from 1990 to 1999 were classified as the "90s group.

Identification of human tumor antigens and its implications for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Human tumor antigens recognized by T cells have been identified by means of various molecular biological and immunological methods, including cDNA expression cloning with patients' T cells and antibodies, cDNA subtraction using RDA and PCR differential display, systematic gene analysis such as DNA sequencing, CGH, DNA chip/microarray and SAGE, in vitro T cell induction and immunization of HLA transgenic mice. The identification of human tumor antigens has led to a better understanding of the nature of tumor antigens, anti-tumor immune responses in patients before and after immunotherapy, and tumor escape mechanisms. The information obtained from these researches has enabled us to develop and improve immunotherapy by attempting to overcome the identified problems, including intrinsically low immunogenicity of tumor antigens and several escape mechanisms, such as regulatory T cell induction.

Exclusive association and simultaneous appearance of congophilic plaques and AT8-positive dystrophic neurites in Tg2576 mice suggest a mechanism of senile plaque formation and progression of neuritic dystrophy in Alzheimer's disease.

Progression of neuritic dystrophy is a histological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in addition to amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangle formation. Dystrophic neurites (DNs) are abnormal neurites, and are closely associated with amyloid deposits. To clarify the process of DN formation, we immunohistochemically investigated phosphorylated tau (AT8 and Ser396)-positive DNs and plaques in Tg2576 mice overexpressing human beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the Swedish type mutation (K670N/M671L).

Rate-dependent QRS prolongation during exercise testing associated with hyperkalemia.

The present case showed gradual increase of QRS duration from 100 ms up to 180 msec during an ergometer exercise test along with the heart rate increase. After exercise, QRS duration shortened and normalized. Laboratory test showed hyperkalemia (K = 8.

Direct-vision retrosternal dissection using the Kent retractor for sternal re-entry.

Repeat median sternotomy is still associated with high morbidity and mortality from catastrophic hemorrhage or myocardial injury. To overcome these problems, we devised a new technique of sternal re-entry using the Kent retractor set (Takasago Ika Kogyo, Tokyo, Japan), which increases the safety of retrosternal dissection and sternal redivision.

Idiopathic long QT syndrome with early afterdepolarization induced by epinephrine. Acase report.

A patient with idiopathic long QT syndrome had repeated syncopal episodes. The QTc interval on the electrocardiogram at rest was 530 ms and was prolonged by exercise up to 740 ms with T wave alternation. Intravenous epinephrine (0.

Simple determination of trace amounts of anionic surfactants in river water by spectrophotometry combined with solid-phase extraction.

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) for the simultaneous determination of sodium linear-dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is described. The C2 (ethyl group bonded silicagel) cartridge could be repeatedly used more than 500 times for SPE, and it enabled the anionic surfactants to be concentrated by 50-fold. The calibration graph for DBS was linear in the range from 1.

Use of a standardized uptake value for parametric in vivo imaging of benzodiazepine receptor distribution on [11C]flumazenil brain PET.

To simplify the acquisition protocol of carbon-11 labeled flumazenil (FMZ) positron emission tomography (PET) for distribution volume (DV) images, we attempted to obtain standardized uptake value (SUV) images compatible with DV images, and assessed the applicability of this method in patients with unilateral cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). [(11)C]FMZ PET was performed in ten normal subjects. A DV image and ten sequential 5-min SUV images were generated for each subject.

Bacterial chaperone protein, Skp, induces leukocyte chemotaxis via C5a receptor.

C5a receptor has been identified as a leukocyte chemotactic receptor to two intrinsic chemical mediators, C5a and the S19 ribosomal protein dimer, so far. We found an Escherichia coli protein that also induced the chemotactic responses of monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes via the C5a receptor. We identified the E.

The N-terminal DNA-binding domain of Rad52 promotes RAD51-independent recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Rad52 protein plays a role in both RAD51-dependent and RAD51-independent recombination pathways. We characterized a rad52 mutant, rad52-329, which lacks the C-terminal Rad51-interacting domain, and studied its role in RAD51-independent recombination. The rad52-329 mutant is completely defective in mating-type switching, but partially proficient in recombination between inverted repeats.

Identification of bladder cancer antigens recognized by IgG antibodies of a patient with metastatic bladder cancer.

To identify tumor antigens useful for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bladder cancer, a lambda phage cDNA library constructed from a high-grade bladder cancer cell line was screened with autologous serum from a patient with metastatic bladder cancer. Forty-eight distinct antigens were isolated. By evaluating the immunogenicity and the tissue-specific expression, KU-BL-1 and KU-BL-2 were identified as immunogenic antigens with restricted tissue expression.

Subepicardial aneurysm associated with ventricular septal perforation showing a normal coronary angiogram.

Subepicardial aneurysm is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction and the present case was associated with ventricular septal perforation. Echocardiography showed the subepicardial aneurysm adjoining the true apico-anteroseptal aneurysm, with the former being discontinuous with the myocardium at its neck, which was narrower than the diameter of the aneurysm. In addition, color Doppler imaging showed shunt flow from the aneurysm to the right ventricle.

Adenoviral-delivered angiopoietin-1 reduces the infarction and attenuates the progression of cardiac dysfunction in the rat model of acute myocardial infarction.

In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), prognosis and mortality rate are closely related to the infarct size and the progression of postinfarction cardiac failure. Angiogenic gene therapy has presented a new approach for the treatment of AMI. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is a critical angiogenic factor for vascular maturation and enhances vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis in a complementary manner.

Circadian rhythms in Neurospora crassa: farnesol or geraniol allow expression of rhythmicity in the otherwise arrhythmic strains frq10, wc-1, and wc-2.

In Neurospora crassa, the circadian rhythm can be seen in the bd (band) strain as a series of "bands" or conidiation (spore-forming) regions on the surface of an agar medium. Certain mutations at 3 different genes (frq, wc-1, or wc-2) lead to the loss of the circadian rhythm. In this study, it was found that the addition of 10(-4) to 10(-5) M of geraniol or farnesol restored rhythmic banding to strains that lack a circadian rhythm due to mutations in any 1 of these 3 genes.