Multiple plasma membrane SLC4s contribute to external HCO3- acquisition during CO2 starvation in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

The availability of CO2 is one of the restrictions on aquatic photosynthesis. Solute carrier (SLC) 4-2, a plasma membrane HCO3- transporter has previously been identified in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. In this study, we discovered two paralogs, PtSLC4-1 and PtSLC4-4, that are both localized at the plasma membrane. Their overexpression stimulated HCO3- uptake, and this was inhibited by the anion channel blocker 4,4´-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2´-disulfonic (DIDS). Similarly to SLC4-2, PtSLC4-1 specifically required Na+ of ~100 mM for its maximum HCO3- transport activity. Unlike PtSLC4-1 and PtSLC4-2, the HCO3- transport of PtSLC4-4 depended equally on Na+, K+, or Li+, suggesting its broad selectivity for cations. Transcript analyses indicated that PtSLC4-1 was the most abundant HCO3- transporter under CO2 concentrations below atmospheric levels, while PtSLC4-4 showed little transcript induction under atmospheric CO2 but transient induction to comparable levels to PtSLC4-1 during the initial acclimation stage from high CO2 (1%) to very low CO2 (<0.002%). Our results strongly suggest a major HCO3- transport role of PtSLC4-1 with a relatively minor role of PtSLC4-2, and that PtSLC4-4 operates under severe CO2 limitation unselectively to cations when the other SLC4s do not function to support HCO3- uptake.

Complete Denture Fabrication Using Digitally Fabricated Copy Dentures for a Patient with Moderate Dementia.

A 91-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of unsatisfactory fit and pain associated with her complete dentures. She had moderate dementia with difficulty in communication (Mini-Mental State Examination, 16; Barthel Index, 15). The closed impressions and jaw record were taken with the digitally fabricated copy dentures as follows. First, the tissue conditioner was used to correct the poor fit of the old dentures, following which minor occlusal alterations were made. Second, the copy dentures that copied the morphology of the corrected old dentures using three-dimensional (3D) scanner were fabricated with a 3D printer. The new dentures were then fabricated using conventional methods as follows. The impressions were cast and articulated, and the dentures were subsequently processed. This case report documented the following results. First, the acceptance of new dentures appeared to be easier since the new dentures copied the morphology of the familiar dentures digitally. Moreover, the 3D data of the dentures could be used for immediate denture fabrication in case of fracture or loss of the dentures. Second, only two visits were required for taking an impression and delivering the complete dentures. In addition, her old dentures were brought to our dental office by the patient's family after the patient's dinner; immediately after copying the dentures' morphology, the dentures were returned to the patient's family, thus avoiding any disturbance to the patient's eating routine. These reduced the burden on the patient and her family.