Collective excitation of an electric dipole on a molecular dimer in an organic dimer-Mott insulator.

The terahertz response in 10-100 cm(-1) was investigated in an organic dimer-Mott (DM) insulator κ-(ET)(2)Cu(2)(CN)(3) that exhibits a relaxorlike dielectric anomaly. An ~30 cm(-1) band in the optical conductivity was attributable to collective excitation of the fluctuating intradimer electric dipoles that are formed by an electron correlation. We succeeded in observing photoinduced enhancement of this ~30 cm(-1) band, reflecting the growth of the electric dipole cluster in the DM phase. Such optical responses in κ-(ET)(2)Cu(2)(CN)(3) reflect an instability near the boundary between the DM-ferroelectric charge ordered phases.

Characteristics and osteogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells in the human dental follicle analyzed by gene expression profiling.

The dental follicle is an ectomesenchymal tissue that surrounds developing tooth germ and that contains osteoblastic-lineage-committed stem/progenitor cells. We examined the osteogenic potential of human dental follicle cells (hDFC) by microarray analysis. We first compared the characteristics of hDFC with those of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Like hMSC, hDFC expressed stem cell markers such as STRO-1 and Notch-1 and differentiated not only into the osteoblastic lineage, but also into the adipogenic lineage. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of hDFC and hMSC that were not differentiated toward the osteogenic lineage. The expression of cell markers and growth factor receptors by hDFC and hMSC was similar, whereas the expression pattern of homeobox genes differed between hDFC and hMSC. Next, we investigated gene expression in hDFC during osteogenic differentiation. Gene expression profiles were analyzed in hDFC cultured in osteogenic induction medium (OIM) or in growth medium (GM) for 3 and 10 days. Many genes whose expression was regulated under these conditions were functionally categorized as "transcription" genes. Osteogenic markers were up-regulated in hDFC during osteogenic differentiation, whereas neurogenic markers were down-regulated. The genes whose expression was regulated in hDFC during osteogenic differentiation were further analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor-ß signaling pathways were activated in hDFC cultured in OIM for 3 days. This study indicates that the dental follicle contains stem cells and/or osteoblastic progenitor cells and is a potential cellular resource for bone regeneration therapy.

Is lung resection appropriate for late octogenarians? Surgical outcomes of patients aged ≥ 80 years with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the outcomes and prognostic factors associated with octogenarians who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer. METHODS/PATIENTS: From 2009 to 2018, 76 octogenarians underwent pulmonary surgery for lung cancer at the Kanazawa Medical University, Japan. They were divided into two groups (early and late octogenarians), and their clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were investigated. Overall survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates were determined using Kaplan-Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Limited surgery was performed more often in the late octogenarian group; however, most perioperative factors were not significantly different between the two groups. The 3-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 61.2% and 52.8%, respectively. The median observation period was 37.5 (8.9-112.3) months postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that age ≥ 85 years (late octogenarian), smoking history, and squamous cell carcinoma on histology were associated with worse survival rates. Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 85 years (late octogenarian) (p = 0.011) and cigarette smoking (p = 0.025) as unfavorable prognostic factors for overall survival and recurrence-free survival, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most octogenarians with an indication for surgery can tolerate pulmonary surgery. However, owing to the limitations of this retrospective, single-center study, future studies involving multiple-institutions are required to confirm our findings.

Add-on combination therapy with adefovir dipivoxil induces renal impairment in patients with lamivudine-refractory hepatitis B virus.

Combination therapy with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and lamivudine (LAM) is recommended for patients infected with LAM-refractory hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the effects of such therapy on renal function and serum phosphorus levels have not been fully evaluated. Combination therapy with ADV and LAM was given to 37 patients infected with LAM-refractory HBV, including 17 with hepatic cirrhosis. Serum HBV DNA levels decreased to below 2.6 log(10) copies/mL in 23 (62%) of 37 patients at 12 months, 25 (78%) of 32 patients at 24 months, and 16 (84%) of 19 patients at 36 months. Except for one cirrhotic patient, serum alanine aminotransferase levels were below 50 IU/L in all patients during combination therapy. Serum creatinine levels increased in 14 (38%) of 37 patients, and serum phosphate levels decreased to below 2.5 mg/mL in 6 (16%) of 37 patients during combination therapy. Patients who received combination therapy for 36 months or longer had a significantly incidence of elevated serum creatinine levels. Fanconi syndrome occurred in a 57-year-old woman with cirrhosis after ADV was added to LAM. Combination therapy with ADV and LAM can maintain biochemical remission in patients with LAM-refractory HBV. However, the dosing interval of ADV should be adjusted according to renal function and serum phosphate levels in patients receiving long-term treatment.

Early-stage dynamics of light-matter interaction leading to the insulator-to-metal transition in a charge ordered organic crystal.

Ultrafast dynamics of the light-matter interaction in a charge-ordered molecular insulator α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 were studied by pump-probe spectroscopy using few-optical-cycle infrared pulses (pulse width 12 fs). Coherent oscillation of the correlated electrons and subsequent Fano destructive interference with intramolecular vibration were observed in time domain; the results indicated a crucial role for electron-electron interplay in the light-matter interaction leading to the photoinduced insulator-to-metal transition. The qualitative features of this correlated electron motion were reproduced by calculations based on exact many-electron-phonon wave functions.

Characterization of monooxygenase gene diversity in benzene-amended soils.

AIM: To understand soil benzene monooxygenase gene diversity by clone library construction and microarray profiling. METHODS AND RESULTS: A primer set was designed, and benzene monooxygenase gene diversity was characterized in two benzene-amended soils. The dominant sequence types in the clone libraries were distinct between the two soils, and both sequences were assigned to novel clusters. Monooxygenase gene richness and diversity increased after benzene degradation. Oligonucleotide probes for microarray analysis were designed to detect a number of sequenced clones and reported monooxygenase genes. The microarray detected several genes that were not detected in the clone libraries of the same samples. Six probes were detected in more than one soil. CONCLUSIONS: The primer set designed in this study successfully detected diverse benzene monooxygenase genes. The level of diversity may have increased because the degradation of benzene differed from soil to soil. Microarrays have great potential in the comprehensive detection of gene richness as well as the elucidation of key genes for degradation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study introduces a new primer set that may be used to identify diverse benzene monooxygenase genes in the environment; moreover, it demonstrates the potential of microarray technology in the profiling of environmental samples.

Petahertz non-linear current in a centrosymmetric organic superconductor.

Charge acceleration during an intense light field application to solids attracts much attention as elementary processes in high-harmonic generation and photoelectron emission. For manipulating such attosecond dynamics of charge, carrier-envelope-phase (CEP: relative phase between carrier oscillation of light field and its envelope function) control has been employed in insulators, nanometal and graphene. In superconducting materials, collective control of charge motion is expected because of its strongly coherent nature of quasi-particles. Here we report that, in a layered organic superconductor, a non-linear petahertz current driven by a single-cycle 6 femtosecond near infrared field shows up as second harmonic generation (SHG), which is in contrast to the common belief that even harmonics are forbidden in the centrosymmetric system. The SHG represents a CEP sensitive nature and an enhancement near the superconducting temperature. The result and its quantum many-body analysis indicate that a polarized current is induced by non-linear acceleration of charge, which is amplified by superconducting fluctuations. This will lead to petahertz functions of superconductors and of strongly correlated systems.

Colonic microbiota is associated with inflammation and host epigenomic alterations in inflammatory bowel disease.

Studies of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been inconclusive in relating microbiota with distribution of inflammation. We report microbiota, host transcriptomics, epigenomics and genetics from matched inflamed and non-inflamed colonic mucosa [50 Crohn's disease (CD); 80 ulcerative colitis (UC); 31 controls]. Changes in community-wide and within-patient microbiota are linked with inflammation, but we find no evidence for a distinct microbial diagnostic signature, probably due to heterogeneous host-microbe interactions, and show only marginal microbiota associations with habitual diet. Epithelial DNA methylation improves disease classification and is associated with both inflammation and microbiota composition. Microbiota sub-groups are driven by dominant Enterbacteriaceae and Bacteroides species, representative strains of which are pro-inflammatory in vitro, are also associated with immune-related epigenetic markers. In conclusion, inflamed and non-inflamed colonic segments in both CD and UC differ in microbiota composition and epigenetic profiles.

Surgical approaches for condylar fractures related to facial nerve injury: deep versus superficial dissection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the probability of facial nerve injury (FNI) in the treatment of condylar neck and subcondylar fractures (CN/SCFs) with percutaneous approaches and to identify factors predicting FNI. The data of 80 patients with 87 CN/SCFs were evaluated retrospectively. The primary outcome was FNI occurrence. The predictor variables were age, sex, aetiology, alcohol consumption, fracture site and pattern (dislocation or not), concomitant fractures, time interval to surgery, surgeon experience, plate type, and the dual classification of percutaneous approaches. The approaches were classified based on whether subcutaneous dissection traversed the marginal mandibular branch (MMB) deeply (deep group: submandibular and retroparotid approaches) or superficially (superficial group: transparotid, transmasseteric anteroparotid (TMAP), and high cervical-TMAP approaches). Twenty-two patients (27.5%) suffered FNI, of whom two in the deep group had permanent paralysis of the MMB. In the multivariate logistic regression model, deeply traversing surgery approaches (odds ratio 12.4, P=0.025) and the presence of a dislocated fracture (odds ratio 6.66, P=0.012) were associated with an increased risk of FNI. These results suggest that percutaneous approaches in the superficial group should be recommended for the treatment of CN/SCFs to reduce the risk of FNI.

Thermus thermophilus TMY isolated from silica scale taken from a geothermal power plant.

AIMS: To identify an extreme thermophile, strain TMY, isolated from silica scale from the geothermal electric power plant and to examine microdiversity of Thermus thermophilus strains. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: The isolated strain TMY was identified by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests. Phylogenetic comparison of the strain and other Thermus strains with 16S rDNA analysis, RAPD and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting were performed. Strain TMY was closely related to strain which was isolated from a hot spring in New Zealand and shown to belong to the Japanese Thermus cluster. However, there were considerable genetic differences between strain TMY and other Thermus species using DNA fingerprinting. CONCLUSIONS: Based on morphological, physiological and genetic properties, strain TMY could be a strain of T. thermophilus. The distinct properties of strain TMY suggest that microdiversity of T. thermophilus strains should be considered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this study have demonstrated genetic diversity within T. thermophilus strains, which were previously masked by an almost identical 16S rDNA sequence. RAPD and ERIC-PCR could be potential methods for distinguishing between Thermus strains.

[Long term outcome of arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries: evaluation of the reconstruction of the pulmonary artery].

We assessed the effect of reconstructing the pulmonary artery during arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries on late pulmonary stenosis. Sixty-five patients who underwent Lecompte procedure between September 1991 and December 2006 were divided, by the procedure used chronologically to reconstruct the pulmonary artery, into group XP (single pantaloon patch with equine pericardium, n = 11), group P (direct reconstruction, n = 47), and group AP (single pantaloon patch with fresh autopericardium, n = 7). Outcome and pulmonary stenosis on the most recent ultrasound cardiography (UCG) were compared in the 3 groups. The median follow-up was 13, 7.5, and 1.3 years, respectively. Both early and late mortalities were 1.5% (1/65). Although percutaneous trans-pulmonary angioplasty was necessary in 1, 13, and 3 patients, there was 1, 1, and 0 reoperation for pulmonary stenosis in the 3 groups, respectively. Pulmonary stenosis (pulmonary arterial maximum flow velocity > 3 m/sec on UCG) was present in 4 (40%). 14 (30%). and 3 patients (43%). Although there was no significant difference among the 3 procedures in preventing pulmonary stenosis 10 years after arterial switch surgery, direct reconstruction of the pulmonary artery may show a superior outcome, in particular, over 10 years after arterial switch surgery.

Enhancement of antitumor activity of herpes simplex virus gamma(1)34.5-deficient mutant for oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by hexamethylene bisacetamide.

Current oncolytic viruses exert only limited antitumor activity on their own. There is a need to increase their oncolytic capability. We evaluated the effect of a differentiating reagent, hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), on the antitumor activity of a gamma(1)34.5-deficient herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) R849 for human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. Hexamethylene bisacetamide increased the viral yield, especially at a low input multiplicity of infection (MOI), and the transcription of immediate early genes of HSV-1. Hexamethylene bisacetamide treatment promoted the cytopathic effect of R849 and increased the proportion of dead cells. Hexamethylene bisacetamide produced more apoptotic cells in R849-infected cells as compared with parental HSV-1(F)-infected cells. The growth of oral SCC xenografts in nude mice was markedly suppressed by treatment with R849 in combination with HMBA, and the survival of the co-treated animals was significantly prolonged as compared with that of animals treated with R849 only. Herpes simplex virus type 1 mRNA was expressed in tumors and trigeminal neurons, but not in brain, lung, liver, and kidney. These results indicate that HMBA enhances the antitumor activity of R849 through the expression of immediate early genes without increasing its toxicity. Hexamethylene bisacetamide can be used as an enhancing agent for oncolytic therapy with HSV-1 mutants.

Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4): an archaeal DinB-like DNA polymerase with lesion-bypass properties akin to eukaryotic poleta.

Phylogenetic analysis of Y-family DNA polymerases suggests that it can be subdivided into several discrete branches consisting of UmuC/DinB/Rev1/Rad30/Rad30A and Rad30B. The most diverse is the DinB family that is found in all three kingdoms of life. Searches of the complete genome of the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 reveal that it possesses a DinB homolog that has been termed DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4). We have overproduced and purified native Dpo4 protein and report here its enzymatic characterization. Dpo4 is thermostable, but can also synthesize DNA at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions, the enzyme exhibits misinsertion fidelities in the range of 8 x 10(-3) to 3 x 10(-4). Dpo4 is distributive but at high enzyme to template ratios can synthesize long stretches of DNA and can substitute for Taq polymerase in PCR. On damaged DNA templates, Dpo4 can facilitate translesion replication of an abasic site, a cis-syn thymine-thymine dimer, as well as acetyl aminofluorene adducted- and cisplatinated-guanine residues. Thus, although phylogenetically related to DinB polymerases, our studies suggest that the archaeal Dpo4 enzyme exhibits lesion-bypass properties that are, in fact, more akin to those of eukaryotic poleta.

Complementation of defective translesion synthesis and UV light sensitivity in xeroderma pigmentosum variant cells by human and mouse DNA polymerase eta.

Defects in the human gene XPV result in the variant form of the genetic disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-V). XPV encodes DNA polymerase eta, a novel DNA polymerase that belongs to the UmuC/DinB/Rad30 superfamily. This polymerase catalyzes the efficient and accurate translesion synthesis of DNA past cis-syn cyclobutane di-thymine lesions. In this report we present the cDNA sequence and expression profiles of the mouse XPV gene and demonstrate its ability to complement defective DNA synthesis in XP-V cells. The mouse XPV protein shares 80.3% amino acid identity and 86.9% similarity with the human XPV protein. The recombinant mouse XPV protein corrected the inability of XP-V cell extracts to carry out DNA replication, by bypassing thymine dimers on template DNA. Transfection of the mouse or human XPV cDNA into human XP-V cells corrected UV sensitivity. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mouse XPV gene is expressed ubiquitously, but at a higher level in testis, liver, skin and thymus compared to other tissues. Although the mouse XPV gene was not induced by UV irradiation, its expression was elevated approximately 4-fold during cell proliferation. These results suggest that DNA polymerase eta plays a role in DNA replication, though the enzyme is not essential for viability.

Repair of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites by UV damage endonuclease; a repair protein for UV and oxidative damage.

UV damage endonuclease (UVDE) initiates a novel form of excision repair by introducing a nick imme-diately 5" to UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or 6-4 photoproducts. Here, we report that apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites are also nicked by Neurospora crassa and Schizosaccharomyces pombe UVDE. UVDE introduces a nick immediately 5" to the AP site leaving a 3"-OH and a 5"-phosphate AP. Apyrimidinic sites are more effectively nicked by UVDE than apurinic sites. UVDE also possesses 3"-repair activities for AP sites nicked by AP lyase and for 3"-phosphoglycolate produced by bleomycin. The Uvde gene introduced into Escherichia coli cells lacking two types of AP endonuclease, Exo III and Endo IV, gave the host cells resistance to methylmethane sulfonate and t-butyl hydroperoxide. We identified two AP endonuclease activities in S.pombe cell extracts. Besides cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts, N. crassa UVDE also nicks Dewar photoproducts. Thus, UVDE is able to repair both of the major forms of DNA damage in living organisms: UV-induced DNA lesions and AP sites.

Identification of human MutY homolog (hMYH) as a repair enzyme for 2-hydroxyadenine in DNA and detection of multiple forms of hMYH located in nuclei and mitochondria.

An enzyme activity introducing an alkali-labile site at 2-hydroxyadenine (2-OH-A) in double-stranded oligonucleotides was detected in nuclear extracts of Jurkat cells. This activity co-eluted with activities toward adenine paired with guanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) as a single peak corresponding to a 55 kDa molecular mass on gel filtration chromatography. Further co-purification was then done. Western blotting revealed that these activities also co-purified with a 52 kDa polypeptide which reacted with antibodies against human MYH (anti-hMYH). Recombinant hMYH has essentially similar activities to the partially purified enzyme. Thus, hMYH is likely to possess both adenine and 2-OH-A DNA glycosylase activities. In nuclear extracts from Jurkat cells, a 52 kDa polypeptide was detected with a small amount of 53 kDa polypeptide, while in mitochondrial extracts a 57 kDa polypeptide was detected using anti-hMYH. With amplification of the 5'-regions of the hMYH cDNA, 10 forms of hMYH transcripts were identified and subgrouped into three types, each with a unique 5' sequence. These hMYH transcripts are likely to encode multiple authentic hMYH polypeptides including the 52, 53 and 57 kDa polypeptides detected in Jurkat cells.

Structural study of DNA duplexes containing the (6-4) photoproduct by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments have been performed to elucidate the structural features of oligonucleotide duplexes containing the pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproduct, which is one of the major DNA lesions formed at dipyrimidine sites by UV light. Synthetic 32mer duplexes with and without the (6-4) photoproduct were prepared and fluorescein and tetramethylrhodamine were attached, as a donor and an acceptor, respectively, to the aminohexyl linker at the C5 position of thymine in each strand. Steady-state and time-resolved analyses revealed that both the FRET efficiency and the fluorescence lifetime of the duplex containing the (6-4) photoproduct were almost identical to those of the undamaged duplex, while marked differences were observed for a cisplatin-modified duplex, as a model of kinked DNA. Lifetime measurements of a series of duplexes containing the (6-4) photoproduct, in which the fluorescein position was changed systematically, revealed a small unwinding at the damage site, but did not suggest a kinked structure. These results indicate that formation of the (6-4) photoproduct induces only a small change in the DNA structure, in contrast to the large kink at the (6-4) photoproduct site reported in an NMR study.

Bacterial cryptochrome and photolyase: characterization of two photolyase-like genes of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.

Photolyase is a DNA repair enzyme that reverses UV-induced photoproducts in DNA in a light-dependent manner. Recently, photolyase homologs were identified in higher eukaryotes. These homologs, termed crypto-chromes, function as blue light photoreceptors or regulators of circadian rhythm. In contrast, most bacteria have only a single photolyase or photolyase-like gene. Unlike other microbes, the chromosome of the cyanobacterium SYNECHOCYSTIS: sp. PCC6803 contains two ORFs (slr0854 and sll1629) with high similarities to photolyases. We have characterized both genes. The slr0854 gene product exhibited specific, light-dependent repair activity for a cyclo-butane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), whereas the sll1629 gene product lacks measurable affinity for DNA in vitro. Disruption of either slr0854 or sll1629 had little or no effect on the growth rate of the cyanobacterium. A mutant lacking the slr0854 gene showed severe UV sensitivity, in contrast to a mutant lacking sll1629. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sll1629 is more closely related to the cryptochromes than photolyases. We conclude that sll1629 is a bacterial cryptochrome. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a bacterial cryptochrome.

A modified repositioning system for segmental resection of the mandible.

Mandibular reconstruction is required after segmental resection of the mandible. Several techniques have been proposed but have several drawbacks. A modified system (based on Leibinger's titanium-positioning system) that can reposition the residual mandible easily and accurately without interfering with the reconstructive procedure was developed. This system has been used successfully in more than 10 patients, with no complications.