The host-binding domain of the P2 phage tail spike reveals a trimeric iron-binding structure.

The adsorption and infection of bacteriophage P2 is mediated by tail fibres and tail spikes. The tail spikes on the tail baseplate are used to irreversibly adsorb to the host cells. Recently, a P2 phage tail-spike protein, gpV, was purified and it was shown that a C-terminal domain, Ser87-Leu211, is sufficient for the binding of gpV to host Escherichia coli membranes [Kageyama et al.

Crystal structure of the cytoplasmic phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-like region of Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensing phosphatase provides insight into substrate specificity and redox regulation of the phosphoinositide phosphatase activity.

Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensing phosphatase (Ci-VSP) has a transmembrane voltage sensor domain and a cytoplasmic region sharing similarity to the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). It dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate upon membrane depolarization. The cytoplasmic region is composed of a phosphatase domain and a putative membrane interaction domain, C2.

Structural insight into maintenance methylation by mouse DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1).

Methylation of cytosine in DNA plays a crucial role in development through inheritable gene silencing. The DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 is responsible for the propagation of methylation patterns to the next generation via its preferential methylation of hemimethylated CpG sites in the genome; however, how Dnmt1 maintains methylation patterns is not fully understood. Here we report the crystal structure of the large fragment (291-1620) of mouse Dnmt1 and its complexes with cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine and its product S-adenosyl-L-homocystein.

Assessment of ablative margin after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma; comparison between magnetic resonance imaging with ferucarbotran and enhanced CT with iodized oil deposition.

Background And Purpose: Our aim was to investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ferucarbotran administered prior to radiofrequency ablation could accurately assess ablative margin when compared with enhanced computed tomography (CT) with iodized oil marking.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 27 patients with 32 hepatocellular carcinomas in which iodized oil deposits were visible throughout the nodule after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. For these nodules, radiofrequency ablation was performed after ferucarbotran administration.

Assessment of ablative margin by MRI with ferucarbotran in radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer: comparison with enhanced CT.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine whether ablated liver parenchyma surrounding a tumour can be assessed by MRI with ferucarbotran administered prior to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) compared with enhanced CT.

Methods: 55 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in 42 patients and 5 metastatic liver cancers in 3 patients were treated by RFA after ferucarbotran administration. We then performed T(2)* weighted MRI after 1 week and enhanced CT after 1 month.

The Q cycle of cytochrome bc complexes: a structure perspective.

Aspects of the crystal structures of the hetero-oligomeric cytochrome bc(1) and b(6)f ("bc") complexes relevant to their electron/proton transfer function and the associated redox reactions of the lipophilic quinones are discussed. Differences between the b(6)f and bc(1) complexes are emphasized. The cytochrome bc(1) and b(6)f dimeric complexes diverge in structure from a core of subunits that coordinate redox groups consisting of two bis-histidine coordinated hemes, a heme b(n) and b(p) on the electrochemically negative (n) and positive (p) sides of the complex, the high potential [2Fe-2S] cluster and c-type heme at the p-side aqueous interface and aqueous phase, respectively, and quinone/quinol binding sites on the n- and p-sides of the complex.

Deficits in task-specific modulation of anticipatory postural adjustments in individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

We examined whether individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (SDCP) have the ability to utilize lower leg muscles in anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) associated with voluntary arm movement while standing, as well as the ability to modulate APAs with changes in the degree of postural perturbation caused by arm movement. Seven individuals with spastic diplegia (SDCP group, 12-22 yr of age) and seven age- and sex-matched individuals without disability (control group) participated in this study. Participants flexed both shoulders and lifted a load under two different load conditions, during which electromyographic activities of focal and postural muscles were recorded.

Low-dose and long-term G-CSF treatment can improve severe myocardial ischemia in patients with severe coronary artery disease.

Background: It has been reported that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can promote angiogenesis by mobilizing bone marrow stem cells to blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether low-dose and long-term G-CSF treatment can improve severe myocardial ischemia.

Methods: We studied 40 patients (M/F = 29/11, age = 68 ± 9 years) who had severe coronary artery disease (7 with and 5 without old myocardial infarction; 3VD/2VD/1VD = 17/17/6) and severe myocardial ischemia with no indication for revascularization.

High dose astaxanthin lowers blood pressure and increases insulin sensitivity in rats: are these effects interdependent?

The present investigation in Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) was designed to examine effects of astaxanthin (Asta) at different doses on elevated blood pressure (BP) and glucose-insulin perturbations produced by heavy sucrose ingestion. We also examined effects of Asta on BP during restraint stress. SD were divided into six groups each containing eight rats.

Radiological and histologic studies of the mandibular cortex of ovariectomized monkeys.

Objective: The objective was to study the radiological and histologic changes in the mandibular cortices of ovariectomized monkeys.

Study Design: Twelve female, adult, Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were used. Under anesthesia, 1 group was bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX), and the other (control group) underwent sham surgery.

Usefulness of administration of SPIO prior to RF ablation for evaluation of the therapeutic effect: an experimental study using miniature pigs.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for assessing the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) liver ablation.

Material And Methods: Using a protocol approved by the animal research committee of our university, nine RF liver ablations were performed in three miniature pigs. Six ablations were performed after administration of SPIO in two pigs (group A).

Selective nuclear export mechanism of small RNAs.

The timely nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of proteins and RNAs by importins and exportins is important for controlling biological processes. Since the 2004 publication of the first exportin structure, Cse1p, the X-ray structures of exportin-5 complexed with pre-microRNA, exportin-t complexed with tRNA, and three CRM1-related structures have revealed the binding mechanism involved in specific cargo recognition. Pre-microRNA and tRNA have conserved 3' 2-4-nucleotide overhang motifs and similar short double-stranded regions.

Maternal risk factors for small-for-gestational age newborns in Japanese dichorionic twins.

Aim: To investigate the maternal risk factors for small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns in Japanese dichorionic (DC) twins.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from 2003 to 2008 on 340 DC twin pregnancies resulting in two live births. Newborns were classified as SGA if their birth weight was below the 10th percentile according to Japanese singleton norms.

Clinical significance of singleton pregnancies complicated by placental abruption associated with histological chorioamnionitis.

The aim of this study was to determine the perinatal outcomes of placental abruption associated with the presence of histological chorioamnionitis. We reviewed the obstetric records of 96 singleton deliveries complicated by placental abruption after 22 weeks' gestation. Of these 96 cases, 37 cases (39%) were diagnosed as having histological chorioamnionitis in the placenta.

Usefulness of non-contrast MRI three dimensional brain surface imaging using a T(2) weighted image.

MR brain surface imaging using a 3D T(1) fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) sequence with contrast medium is useful for surgical planning. However, this method has several problems such as use of the contrast medium. In this paper we evaluated the usefulness of MR 3D brain surface imaging using a non-contrast enhanced 3D T(2) fast recovery fast spin echo (FRFSE) sequence as a new alternative method.

Rapid progression of aortic regurgitation with thoracic aortic aneurysm due to Takayasu arteritis associated with ulcerative colitis.

A 25-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis developed heart failure due to severe aortic regurgitation. Although chest X-ray 18 months previously showed a normal cardiac shadow, thoracic aortic aneurysm progressed due to Takayasu arteritis. Aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement were performed successfully, but re-valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation due to prosthetic valve detachment and aortic root replacement for valsalva sinus rupture were required.

Increased rate of elective cesarean delivery and neonatal respiratory disorders in twin pregnancies.

We examined whether the incidence of neonatal respiratory disorders has increased with the increased rate of elective cesarean delivery in twin pregnancies. We reviewed the obstetric records of 292 twin deliveries with vertex presentation of the first twin after 37 weeks' gestation at our hospital from 2000 through 2008. The study period was divided into 3 parts as follows: period 1: 2000 through 2002 (n=76); period 2: 2003 through 2005 (n=104); and period 3: 2006 through 2008 (n=112).

Transesophageal echocardiography for thrombus screening prior to left atrial catheter ablation.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is useful for detecting left atrial (LA) thrombus prior to percutaneous LA catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was designed to evaluate clinical predictors of LA thrombus and determine indications for TEE screening prior to LA ablation.

Methods And Results: The study consisted of 446 patients with drug-resistant AF who were scheduled to undergo initial LA ablation (age 59+/-11 years, 312 males, 136 persistent AF).

Mid-term mortality of very elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction with or without coronary intervention.

Background: The risk benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently unclear. Here, we aim to identify the characteristics of these patients and clarify their mid-term mortality rate with or without PCI.

Methods And Results: 77 patients (> or =80 years) were chosen from 506 patients with AMI, and treated with (n=32) or without (n=45) PCI.