Identification of a heat-inducible novel nuclear body containing the long noncoding RNA MALAT1.

The heat-shock response is critical for the survival of all organisms. Metastasis-associated long adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a long noncoding RNA localized in nuclear speckles, but its physiological role remains elusive. Here, we show that heat shock induces translocation of MALAT1 to a distinct nuclear body named the heat shock-inducible noncoding RNA-containing nuclear (HiNoCo) body in mammalian cells. MALAT1-knockout A549 cells showed reduced proliferation after heat shock. The HiNoCo body, which is formed adjacent to nuclear speckles, is distinct from any other known nuclear bodies, including the nuclear stress body, Cajal body, germs, paraspeckles, nucleoli and promyelocytic leukemia body. The formation of HiNoCo body is reversible and independent of heat shock factor 1, the master transcription regulator of the heat-shock response. Our results suggest the HiNoCo body participates in heat shock factor 1-independent heat-shock responses in mammalian cells.

Identification of novel heat shock-induced long non-coding RNA in human cells.

The heat-shock response is a crucial system for survival of organisms under heat stress. During heat-shock stress, gene expression is globally suppressed, but expression of some genes, such as chaperone genes, is selectively promoted. These selectively activated genes have critical roles in the heat-shock response, so it is necessary to discover heat-inducible genes to reveal the overall heat-shock response picture. The expression profiling of heat-inducible protein-coding genes has been well-studied, but that of non-coding genes remains unclear in mammalian systems. Here, we used RNA-seq analysis of heat shock-treated A549 cells to identify seven novel long non-coding RNAs that responded to heat shock. We focussed on CTD-2377D24.6 RNA, which is most significantly induced by heat shock, and found that the promoter region of CTD-2377D24.6 contains the binding site for transcription factor HSF1 (heat shock factor 1), which plays a central role in the heat-shock response. We confirmed that HSF1 knockdown cancelled the induction of CTD-2377D24.6 RNA upon heat shock. These results suggest that CTD-2377D24.6 RNA is a novel heat shock-inducible transcript that is transcribed by HSF1.

Setting properties and sealing ability of hydraulic temporary sealing materials.

This study sought to investigate the setting progress and sealing ability of hydraulic temporary sealing materials used in endodontic treatment: Lumicon, Caviton, and HY-Seal. To evaluate setting progress, the materials were filled into glass tubes with one end sealed and immersed in water. After immersion, a measurement apparatus was inserted from the non-immersed end and the set area was determined by subtracting the unset area from the sample thickness. To evaluate sealing ability, materials were filled into glass tubes and divided into four groups based on different immersion times. Thermal cycling and dye penetration were performed. At 7 days, the setting depths of HY-Seal and Caviton were almost equivalent to full sample thickness, while that of Lumicon was only half of full sample thickness (p < 0.01). On sealing ability, Lumicon ranked the highest followed by Caviton, whereas HY-Seal was unstable (p < 0.01). These results suggested that there was no correlation between setting progress and sealing ability.

Clinical investigation of patients who develop neuropathic tooth pain after endodontic procedures.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of patients with neuropathic tooth pain (NTP) who were selected from a group of patients who developed persistent pain after undergoing endodontic procedures. METHODS: Of 271 patients who had chronic persistent pain that did not respond to previous endodontic procedures and were referred to the Endodontic Team of the Nippon Dental University Hospital, 16 patients (5.9%; mean age, 46.8 years; 13 women) who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for NTP were recruited. The inclusion criteria for the patients were the presence of chronic persistent pain and other pain-related symptoms, despite the absence of major pathology. RESULTS: Pain predominantly occurred in the maxilla (14 patients). In 10 patients (62.5%), NTP developed after retreatment. Daily application of tricyclic antidepressants produced pain relief in 11 patients (68.8%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that NTP is a rare type of chronic intractable endodontic pain and that careful diagnosis of NTP is important.