Evidence for X(3872)→J/ψπ

We report the first evidence for X(3872) production in two-photon interactions by tagging either the electron or the positron in the final state, exploring the highly virtual photon region. The search is performed in e^{+}e^{-}→e^{+}e^{-}J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}, using 825 fb^{-1} of data collected by the Belle detector operated at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. We observe three X(3872) candidates, where the expected background is 0.11±0.10 events, with a significance of 3.2σ. We obtain an estimated value for Γ[over ˜]_{γγ}B(X(3872)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}) assuming the Q^{2} dependence predicted by a cc[over ¯] meson model, where -Q^{2} is the invariant mass squared of the virtual photon. No X(3915)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} candidates are found.

Use of synthetic oligonucleotides for determination of HTLV-1 proviral load by real-time PCR: a helpful alternative approach in the clinical management.

AIMS: To evaluate the potential use of synthetic oligonucleotides as a standard curve for proviral load (PVL) of human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) quantification in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HTLV-1-infected individuals by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Synthetic oligonucleotides based on HTLV-1 genome were customized to use as a standard curve. Twelve anti-HTLV-1-positive samples with known HTLV-1 PVL, previously quantified by qPCR assay using TARL-2 cells as a conventional standard curve, were submitted to the new protocol. The proviral quantification levels had a high concordance with qPCR results using a conventional standard curve. The results demonstrate that the conventional standard curve can be replaced by a synthetic standard curve due to its ability to quantification based on the linearity and qPCR efficiency and similar results with a validated qPCR assay using a conventional standard curve. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic oligonucleotides standard curves could be a very useful tool on HTLV-1 diagnosis and absolute HTLV-1 PVL quantification. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: HTLV-1 PVL determination using synthetic oligonucleotides standard curve by qPCR could be a helpful alternative for the laboratories that monitor infected patients as an important prognostic factor in HTLV-1-associated diseases progression. Also, it can decrease costs and overcome the biological limitations of the plasmid curve.

Radiation track, DNA damage and response-a review.

The purpose of this paper has been to review the current status and progress of the field of radiation biophysics, and draw attention to the fact that physics, in general, and radiation physics in particular, with the aid of mathematical modeling, can help elucidate biological mechanisms and cancer therapies. We hypothesize that concepts of condensed-matter physics along with the new genomic knowledge and technologies and mechanistic mathematical modeling in conjunction with advances in experimental DNA (Deoxyrinonucleic acid molecule) repair and cell signaling have now provided us with unprecedented opportunities in radiation biophysics to address problems in targeted cancer therapy, and genetic risk estimation in humans. Obviously, one is not dealing with 'low-hanging fruit', but it will be a major scientific achievement if it becomes possible to state, in another decade or so, that we can link mechanistically the stages between the initial radiation-induced DNA damage; in particular, at doses of radiation less than 2 Gy and with structural changes in genomic DNA as a precursor to cell inactivation and/or mutations leading to genetic diseases. The paper presents recent development in the physics of radiation track structure contained in the computer code system KURBUC, in particular for low-energy electrons in the condensed phase of water for which we provide a comprehensive discussion of the dielectric response function approach. The state-of-the-art in the simulation of proton and carbon ion tracks in the Bragg peak region is also presented. The paper presents a critical discussion of the models used for elastic scattering, and the validity of the trajectory approach in low-electron transport. Brief discussions of mechanistic and quantitative aspects of microdosimetry, DNA damage and DNA repair are also included as developed by the authors' work.

Influence of maximum bite force on jaw movement during gummy jelly mastication.

It is known that maximum bite force has various influences on chewing function; however, there have not been studies in which the relationships between maximum bite force and masticatory jaw movement have been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maximum bite force on masticatory jaw movement in subjects with normal occlusion. Thirty young adults (22 men and 8 women; mean age, 22.6 years) with good occlusion were divided into two groups based on whether they had a relatively high or low maximum bite force according to the median. The maximum bite force was determined according to the Dental Prescale System using pressure-sensitive sheets. Jaw movement during mastication of hard gummy jelly (each 5.5 g) on the preferred chewing side was recorded using a six degrees of freedom jaw movement recording system. The motion of the lower incisal point of the mandible was computed, and the mean values of 10 cycles (cycles 2-11) were calculated. A masticatory performance test was conducted using gummy jelly. Subjects with a lower maximum bite force showed increased maximum lateral amplitude, closing distance, width and closing angle; wider masticatory jaw movement; and significantly lower masticatory performance. However, no differences in the maximum vertical or maximum anteroposterior amplitudes were observed between the groups. Although other factors, such as individual morphology, may influence masticatory jaw movement, our results suggest that subjects with a lower maximum bite force show increased lateral jaw motion during mastication.

First molar cross-bite is more closely associated with a reverse chewing cycle than anterior or pre-molar cross-bite during mastication.

A posterior cross-bite is defined as an abnormal bucco-lingual relationship between opposing molars, pre-molars or both in centric occlusion. Although it has been reported that patients with unilateral posterior cross-bite often show unique chewing patterns, the relationship between the form of cross-bite and masticatory jaw movement remains unclear in adult patients. The objective of this study was to investigate masticatory jaw movement among different forms of cross-bite. One hundred and one adults were recruited in this study: 27 had unilateral first molar cross-bite (MC group); 28, unilateral pre-molar cross-bite (PC group); 23, anterior cross-bite (AC group); and 23, normal occlusion (control group). Masticatory jaw movement of the lower incisor point was recorded with six degrees of freedom jaw-tracking system during unilateral mastication. Our results showed that the reverse chewing ratio during deliberate unilateral mastication was significantly larger in the MC group than in the PA (P < 0.001), AC (P < 0.001) and control (P < 0.001) groups. These findings suggest that compared to the anterior or pre-molar cross-bite, the first molar cross-bite is more closely associated with a higher prevalence of a reverse chewing cycle.

Posterior scissors-bite: masticatory jaw movement and muscle activity.

Scissors-bite is a malocclusion characterised by buccal inclination or buccoversion of the maxillary posterior tooth and/or linguoclination or linguoversion of the mandibular posterior tooth. This type of malocclusion causes reduced contact of the occlusal surfaces and can cause excessive vertical overlapping of the posterior teeth. This case-control study is the first to evaluate both masticatory jaw movement and masseter and temporalis muscle activity in patients with unilateral posterior scissors-bite. Jaw movement variables and surface electromyography data were recorded in 30 adult patients with unilateral posterior scissors-bite malocclusion and 18 subjects with normal occlusion in a case-control study. The chewing pattern on the scissors-bite side significantly differed from that of the non-scissors-bite side in the patients and of the right side in the normal subjects. These differences included a narrower chewing pattern (closing angle, P < 0.01; cycle width, P < 0.01), a longer closing duration (P < 0.05), a slower closing velocity (P < 0.01) and lower activities of both the temporalis (P < 0.05) and the masseter (P < 0.05) muscles on the working side. In 96% of the patients with unilateral posterior scissors-bite, the preferred chewing side was the non-scissors-bite side (P = 0.005). These findings suggest that scissors-bite malocclusion is associated with the masticatory chewing pattern and muscle activity, involving the choice of the preferred chewing side in patients with unilateral posterior scissors-bite.

Complement independent antibody-mediated endarteritis and transplant arteriopathy in mice.

Complement fixation, as evidenced by C4d in the microvasculature, is a widely accepted criterion of antibody-mediated rejection. Complement fixation has been shown to be essential in acute antibody-mediated rejection, but its role in chronic rejection has not been addressed. Previous studies showed that passive transfer of complement fixing monoclonal IgG2a anti-H-2Kk into B6.RAG1-/- KO recipients of B10.BR hearts led to progressive chronic transplant arteriopathy (CTA) over 14-28 days, accompanied by C4d deposition. The present studies were designed to test whether complement was required for these lesions. We report that a noncomplement fixing donor-specific alloantibody (DSA, monoclonal IgG1 anti-H-2Kk) injected into B6.RAG1-/- KO recipients of B10.BR hearts also promotes CTA, without C4d deposition. Furthermore, a passive transfer of DSA (monoclonal IgG2a anti-H-2Kk) initiated endarteritis followed by CTA in B6.RAG1-/- mice genetically deficient in the third component of complement (RAG1-/-C3-/-). These studies indicate that antibody to class I MHC antigens can trigger chronic arterial lesions in vivo without complement participation, in contrast to acute antibody-mediated rejection. This pathway may be relevant to C4d-negative chronic rejection sometimes observed in patients with DSA, and argues that lack of C4d deposition does not exclude antibody-mediated chronic rejection.

Observation of a charmoniumlike enhancement in the gammagamma-->omega(J)/psi process.

We report the results of a search for a charmoniumlike state produced in the process gammagamma-->omegaJ/psi in the 3.9-4.2 GeV/c{2} mass region. We observe a significant enhancement, which is well described by a resonant shape with mass M=(3915+/-3+/-2) MeV/c{2} and total width Gamma=(17+/-10+/-3) MeV. This enhancement may be related to one or more of the three charmoniumlike states so far reported in the 3.90-3.95 GeV/c{2} mass region.

The consideration of biological effectiveness of low energy protons using biophysical modeling of the effects induced by exposure of V79 cells.

We have applied Monte Carlo track structure simulations to estimate relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of low-energy protons using biophysical modelling of radiation effects induced by exposure of V79 cells growing in mono-layer. The microscopic energy deposition in cell nucleus and sub-nucleus volumes was investigated in order to understand the reasons of enhanced biological effectiveness near Bragg peak. Theoretical estimations of RBE based on frequency/dose average lineal energy and calculated yields of initial DNA breaks were collated with experimental RBE(M) data. It was found: 1) dose average lineal energy for whole cell nucleus as a function of proton energy shows a distinct peak at 550 keV; 2) the peak values for sub-nucleus volumes are large compared with the whole cell nucleus; 3) the yield of complex DNA breaks correlates with experimental RBE(M) data.

A novel signal processing method using system identification for underwater surface electromyography.

PURPOSE: Currently, to record underwater surface electromyography (EMG), electrodes are covered with waterproof tape. For short-term measurement, waterproof tape prevents electrical leakage. However, during long-term measurement, water or sweat can contact the electrodes, changing the measurement conditions and gradually affecting the EMG data. The purpose of present study was to devise a novel method for prolonged underwater EMG recording, which estimate dry-land EMG from underwater EMG recorded by non-waterproofed electrodes using system identification techniques. METHOD: One healthy male participated in this study. System identification was used to convert underwater EMG signals to the estimated dry-land signals. Transfer functions were derived using two pairs of surface recording electrodes on the same muscle in parallel. System input was the EMG recorded using non-waterproofed electrodes; the output was the signal recorded underwater using waterproofed electrodes (supposed to be the same as dry-land signals). To examine the validity of the present method, three experiments were conducted. RESULT: There was a high positive correlation between the estimated dry-land EMG based on the non-waterproofed electrodes and the EMG obtained using waterproofed electrodes. To test the validity of long-term recording using the novel method, the estimated dry-land EMG signals were measured during 30 minutes of underwater stepping and were stable. CONCLUSION: The novel method using non-waterproofed electrodes with system identification techniques eliminated the effect of changes in measurement conditions and appears effective for long-term, underwater surface EMG recording.

Toxic effects of l-aspartic acid at high dose levels on kidneys and salivary glands in Fischer 344 rats detected in a 90-day feeding study.

A subchronic oral toxicity study of l-aspartic acid (l-Asp) was conducted with groups of 10 male and 10 female Fischer 344 rats fed a powder diet containing 0%, 0.05%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5.0% concentrations for 90 days. Serum biochemistry showed treatment-related decreases of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid levels in both sexes. In addition, incidences of urinary ketone and protein were significantly increased in treated both sexes, while relative kidney weight was significantly increased in the 5.0% male rat, and regenerative renal tubules with tubular dilation were histopathologically observed in male rats of the 2.5% or greater groups. The observed renal injury was confirmed not to be due to accumulation of alpha2u-globulin. Acinar cell hypertrophy of salivary glands was histopathologically evident in male and female rats of the 2.5% or greater groups. The present results indicate that l-Asp causes toxic effects on kidneys and possibly salivary glands at high dose levels in male and female Fischer 344 rats. Such toxic effects were observed only in animals given 2.5% and/or higher doses of l-Asp. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for l-Asp is 1.25% (696.6 mg/kg body weight/day for males and 715.2 mg/kg body weight/day for females) under the present experimental conditions.

Laparoendoscopic Single-site Plus 1-port Donor Nephrectomy: Division of Roles to Shorten Warm Ischemic Time.

BACKGROUND: In this study we present our new surgical procedure, laparoendoscopic single-site surgery plus 1 for donor nephrectomy (LESS+1-DN), which shortens warm ischemic time (WIT) and improves surgical outcomes. METHODS: From January 2013 to February 2017, 15 patients who underwent LESS-DN and 41 patients who underwent LESS+1-DN at our institution were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group A, 15 cases of LESS-DN; group B, the first 15 patients who underwent LESS+1-DN; and group C, 26 patients who underwent subsequent LESS+1-DN. To reduce WIT, we clearly defined the roles of the surgeon and first assistant in the 26 subsequent LESS+1-DN cases. The surgeon dissected the renal pedicle and harvested the kidney graft using a recovery bag and the first assistant held the recovery bag. RESULTS: The mean operative time in group C (213.7 minutes) was significantly shorter than that in groups A (253.3 minutes) and B (253.8 minutes). The WIT in group C (195.2 seconds) was significantly shorter than that in groups A (389.8 seconds) and B (313.2 seconds). Open conversion was required in 1 case in group A. None of the donors required conversion to open surgery and no perioperative complications occurred in groups B and C. Linear regression analysis of the LESS+1-DN operative times and consecutive case numbers demonstrated a shallow learning curve (R2 = 0.392, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our new procedure that divides the roles of the operator and the first assistant contributed significantly to a shortening of WIT. Dividing roles can facilitate a safer laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Modelling and calculations of the response of tissue equivalent proportional counter to charged particles.

Space activities in earth orbit or in deep space pose challenges to the estimation of risk factors for both astronauts and instrumentation. In space, risk from exposure to ionising radiation is one of the main factors limiting manned space exploration. Therefore, characterising the radiation environment in terms of the types of radiations and the quantity of radiation that the astronauts are exposed to is of critical importance in planning space missions. In this paper, calculations of the response of TEPC to protons and carbon ions were reported. The calculations have been carried out using Monte Carlo track structure simulation codes for the walled and the wall-less TEPC counters. The model simulates nonhomogenous tracks in the sensitive volume of the counter and accounts for direct and indirect events. Calculated frequency- and dose-averaged lineal energies 0.3 MeV-1 GeV protons are presented and compared with the experimental data. The calculation of quality factors (QF) were made using individual track histories. Additionally, calculations of absolute frequencies of energy depositions in cylindrical targets, 100 nm height by 100 nm diameter, when randomly positioned and oriented in water irradiated with 1 Gy of protons of energy 0.3-100 MeV, is presented. The distributions show the clustering properties of protons of different energies in a 100 nm by 100 nm cylinder.

T-cell depletion eliminates the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in mice rendered tolerant by the induction of mixed chimerism.

We previously demonstrated that cardiac allografts to fully tolerant chimeric mice developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Here we begin to examine which components of the immune system are responsible for the pathogenesis of CAV in such tolerant recipients. B10.A/B6 mixed chimeric mice were created by receiving injections of bone marrow cells from B10.A (H-2k) mice given to C57BL/6 (B6; H-2b) mice with some preparations. B10.A skin grafts were first placed onto B10.A/B6 mixed chimeric recipients. When the donor strain skin grafts had survived perfectly for at least 56 days, B10.A hearts were transplanted heterotopically into B10.A/B6 mixed chimeric recipients. Hearts were examined for the presence of CAV 56 days later. To determine the effector cells that contribute to the development of CAV, they were treated weekly with a combination of anti-CD4/CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or anti-NK1.1 mAb continuing until 56 days. 14 B10.A cardiac transplants of 18 otherwise untreated B10.A/B6 chimeric recipients developed CAV; concurrent B6 isografts were unaffected (0/7). In chimeric recipients treated with anti-CD4/8 mAbs, the prevalence of CAV was greatly reduced (0/6, P < .01 compared to the untreated group). Anti-NK1.1 mAb was not effective in the prevention of CAV (4/5). These data suggest that T cells may contribute in some way to the development of CAV that occurs in those fully tolerant recipients. Host T cells that may still be responsive to non-major histocompatability complex antigens, including tissue-specific antigens presented not on skin but on heart, may also be responsible for the development of CAV in tolerant animals.

A long-term follow-up study of radiographically evident degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint with different conditions of disk displacement.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the relationship between an initial and persisting condition of disk displacement (DD) and the long-term course of radiographically evident degenerative changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Nineteen patients agreed to a radiographic follow-up examination of 29 joints and were included in this study. The joints were radiographically assessed at the first visit and at least 46 months after the first visit (mean 89.3 months). At the time of the follow-up, all subjects had a good clinical course after a favorable response to the treatments. There were significant relationships between the initial diagnosis of DD and the interval change in the morphology of the articular eminence. The articular eminence became flattened or deformed only in the joints with persistent DD without reduction. And there was a tendency that the condyle became smaller in the joints initially with permanent DD and in the joints which show a progression in the disk-condylar relationship. The results of this study suggested that, in the joints with persisting non-reducing disk displacement, flattening and deformation of the articular eminence and regression of the condylar size were likely to happen even after symptoms and signs of TMJ disorders were resolved or reduced.

Post-operative infection by pathogenic micro-organisms in the oral cavity of patients with prostatic carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to analyse the change in the oral cavity microflora of 14 patients who had undergone a radical prostatectomy for prostatic carcinoma. The detection of micro-organisms in the oral cavity was compared before and after the surgical procedure. Post-operative infection, defined as those patients who had increased Candida species counts and/or pathogenic bacteria only at the post-operative examination, was observed in 10 patients. Six patients showed increased Candida species counts at the post-operative examination compared with the pre-operative examination. In five patients, pathogenic bacterial species were detected at the post-operative examination but not at the pre-operative examination. One patient had detectable pathogenic bacterial species only at the post-operative examination along with increased Candida species counts. Our findings suggest that pre-operative oral hygiene to remove bacterial and Candida species from patients who are scheduled for surgical procedures is important for satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Recurrence of Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 2 Phenotype After Living-donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis 2 (PFIC2) is the result of mutations in the ABCB11, which encodes for bile salt export pump (BSEP). An absence of BSEP in the canalicular membrane causes cholestasis and leads to the development of end-stage liver disease in the first decade of life. Liver transplantation (LT) has been considered curative for BSEP disease. However, patients with PFIC2 having undergone LT have recently been reported to develop recurrence of cholestasis together with the clinical and histological features of primary BSEP disease. CASE REPORT: We herein present a rare case of a patient with PFIC2 who developed post-transplantation recurrence of progressive intrahepatic cholestasis due to antibodies against BSEP after living-donor LT, which mimicked primary BSEP disease. The patient had mutations in the ABCB11 gene, resulting in the complete absence of BSEP in the native liver, explaining the lack of tolerance. Immunofluorescence staining of normal human liver sections with the patient's serum and using an anti-human immunoglobulin G antibody to detect serum antibodies showed reactivity to the BSEP epitope in the canalicular membrane. We suggest that the patients having undergone LT had been associated with a risk of autoantibody formation against the BSEP protein. The absence of primary tolerance for the BSEP epitopes may explain the formation of the anti-BSEP antibodies after LDLT.

Estimation of the width of free margin with a significant impact on local recurrence in surgical resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the width of free margin with a significant impact on local recurrence in surgical resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Clinical and pathological data of 127 consecutive patients who underwent radical resection of OSCC were analyzed retrospectively. The local control rate was compared between patients with clear, close, and involved surgical margins, changing the required width of free margin for the definition of 'close surgical margin' (from 1 to 5mm). If a free margin of within 1, 2, or 4mm was judged a close margin, the risk of local recurrence was significantly different among the patients with clear, close, and involved surgical margins. If the definition of close margin was within 5mm of the resection margin, the difference between clear and close margin did not reach statistical significance. The results of this study suggest that 5mm of clearance at the surgical resection margin should be the index of oncological surgery. More than 5mm of histological free margin around OSCC is not justified in terms of the risk management of local recurrence and the resultant morbidity.

Impact of Donor-Specific Antibodies on Graft Fibrosis After Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric living donor liver transplant (LDLT) patients sometimes develop graft fibrosis after non-recurrent diseases such as biliary atresia (BA). Donor-specific antibodies (DSA) have recently been shown to play a possible role in graft damage after liver transplantation. We report the impact of DSA on pediatric LDLT for BA patients. METHODS: Patients under age 18 years who received LDLT for BA at our institution and who had at least 5 years' follow-up were identified, and 23 were eventually enrolled in this study. Pathological findings were assessed with the use of the last available biopsy. Patients were divided into 2 groups, DSA-positive and DSA-negative. Graft fibrosis after LDLT was assessed according to DSA groups. RESULTS: The mean patient age at transplant was 2.6 years. The mean time to the last available biopsy after LDLT was 8.2 years (4.8-15.6 years); 6 patients (26%) showed no fibrosis, whereas fibrosis was graded as F1, F2, or F3 in 8 patients (35%), 8 patients (35%), and 1 patient, respectively. DSA were observed in 12 patients (52%). Moderate graft fibrosis (F2 and F3) was found in 7 (58%) of the DSA-positive group, but only 2 (18%) of the DSA-negative group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < .05). Pre-transplant cross-matching was performed in 17 patients. The 2 patients with a positive cross-match were DSA-positive. Six cross-match-negative patients developed de novo DSA after LDLT. CONCLUSIONS: Graft fibrosis was observed after LDLT for BA during long-term follow-up, more commonly in DSA-positive patients. DSA may play a role in fibrosis formation.

Disseminated Metastatic Tissue Calcification After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia has been observed in patients after liver transplantation. However, it is rare that the hypercalcemia induced disseminated tissue calcification and heart failure. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of heart failure caused by disseminated metastatic tissue calcification that involved extensive progressive myocardial calcification after liver transplantation. A 20-year-old man with end-stage liver disease due to biliary atresia underwent ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation. After successful transplantation, he suffered from antibody-mediated rejection. Subsequently, ABO-matched cadaveric liver retransplantation was successfully performed. Hypercalcemia developed gradually following the second transplantation. His serum calcium level increased to 18.3 mg/dL with sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia. Although he was resuscitated with a cardiopulmonary support device, he died of heart and liver failure. Histopathologic examination revealed systemic disseminated metastatic tissue calcification, including massive myocardial calcification. CONCLUSION: Progressive worsening of hypercalcemia resulted in disseminated metastatic tissue calcification and massive metastatic myocardial calcification, which led to heart failure after liver transplantation. Because hypercalcemia after liver transplantation can cause fatal tissue calcification, early intervention for hypercalcemia should be considered.