Direct determination of helix structures involved in the screw-sense reversal of poly(ß-phenylpropyl l-aspartate) by synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

The helix-sense reversal of poly(ß-phenylpropyl l-aspartate) (3PLA) in the solid state was studied by synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering. The direct determination of the characteristic helical pitch before and after the transition revealed that the transition takes place reversibly between the two α-helices having opposite screw-sense during the heating and cooling cycle. While the hexagonal packing remains unaltered, the helix-sense inversion causes discontinuous changes in the molecular arrangement and, by extension, the crystalline dimension. In this study, another transition was detected at a higher temperature from the left-handed α-helix to the π-helix, the molecular chirality being unaffected.

Involvement of MCL1, c-myc, and cyclin D2 protein degradation in ponatinib-induced cytotoxicity against T315I(+) Ph+leukemia cells.

T315I mutation found in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Ph + ALL patients is the most serious one among resistance against BCR/ABL kinase inhibitors including imatinib and is only responsive to ponatinib (PNT). However, the novel strategy is required to reduce life-threatening adverse effects of PNT including ischemic cardiovascular disease. We examined the mechanism of PNT-induced cytotoxicity against a T315I(+) Ph + ALL cell line, TccY/Sr. PNT induced apoptosis (increased sub G1 cells, and cleaved caspase3 and PARP), and suppressed protein expression of MCL1, cyclin D2 and c-myc, which were reversed by a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, suggesting enhanced proteasomal degradation by PNT. Among BCL2 family inhibitors, MCL1 inhibitors (maritoclax and AZD5991) robustly induced cell death, showing the MCL1-dependent survival of TccY/Sr cells. Decreased MCL1 and c-myc expression by PNT was also observed in T315I(+) MEGA2/STIR cells. PNT suppressed PI3K activation followed by AKT inhibition and GSK3 dephosphorylation. PI3K/AKT inhibitors mimicked PNT, suggesting that PI3K/AKT signaling is important for survival of TccY/Sr cells. Moreover, GSK3 inhibitor (SB216763) reduced PNT-induced cytotoxicity and degradation of c-myc and MCL1. AZD5991 exhibited the synergistic action with PNT, anti-cancer drugs and venetoclax (BCL2 inhibitor), suggesting the utility of MCL1 inhibitor alone or in combination as a future clinical option for Ph + leukemia patients.

Truncated RUNX1 Generated by the Fusion of RUNX1 to Antisense GRIK2 via a Cryptic Chromosome Translocation Enhances Sensitivity to Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor.

Fusions of the Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) with different partner genes have been associated with various hematological disorders. Interestingly, the C-terminally truncated form of RUNX1 and RUNX1 fusion proteins are similarly considered important contributors to leukemogenesis. Here, we describe a 59-year-old male patient who was initially diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, inv(16)(p13;q22)/CBFB-MYH11 (FAB classification M4Eo). He achieved complete remission and negative CBFB-MYH11 status with daunorubicin/cytarabine combination chemotherapy but relapsed 3 years later. Cytogenetic analysis of relapsed leukemia cells revealed CBFB-MYH11 negativity and complex chromosomal abnormalities without inv(16)(p13;q22). RNA-seq identified the glutamate receptor, ionotropic, kinase 2 (GRIK2) gene on 6q16 as a novel fusion partner for RUNX1 in this case. Specifically, the fusion of RUNX1 to the GRIK2 antisense strand (RUNX1-GRIK2as) generated multiple missplicing transcripts. Because extremely low levels of wild-type GRIK2 were detected in leukemia cells, RUNX1-GRIK2as was thought to drive the pathogenesis associated with the RUNX1-GRIK2 fusion. The truncated RUNX1 generated from RUNX1-GRIK2as induced the expression of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor on 32D myeloid leukemia cells and enhanced proliferation in response to G-CSF. In summary, the RUNX1-GRIK2as fusion emphasizes the importance of aberrantly truncated RUNX1 in leukemogenesis.

Pyrophosphate hydrolysis in the extremely halophilic archaeon Haloarcula japonica is catalyzed by a single enzyme with a broad ionic strength range.

The soluble protein fraction of the extremely halophilic archaeon Haloarcula japonica exhibits substantial inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) hydrolysis activity in the presence of 2-4 M NaCl (Wakai et al, J Biol Chem 288:29247-29251, 2013), which provides high ionic strength (2-4). In this study, much higher PPi hydrolysis activity was unexpectedly detected, even with 0 M NaCl in the presence of 100-200 mM MgSO4, providing a much lower ionic strength of 0.4-0.8, in the same protein fraction. Na+ and Mg2+ ions were required for activity under high and low ionic strength conditions, respectively. A recombinant H. japonica pyrophosphatase (HjPPase) exhibited PPi hydrolysis activity with the same broad ionic strength range, indicating that the activity associated with such a broad ionic strength range could be attributed to a single enzyme. Thus, we concluded that the broad ionic strength range of HjPPase may contribute to adaptation for both Na+ and Mg2+ which are abundant but variable in the unstable living environments of H. japonica.

ETV6-LPXN fusion transcript generated by t(11;12)(q12.1;p13) in a patient with relapsing acute myeloid leukemia with NUP98-HOXA9.

ETV6, which encodes an ETS family transcription factor, is frequently rearranged in human leukemias. We show here that a patient with acute myeloid leukemia with t(7;11)(p15;p15) gained, at the time of relapse, t(11;12)(q12.1;p13) with a split ETV6 FISH signal. Using 3'-RACE PCR analysis, we found that ETV6 was fused to LPXN at 11q12.1, which encodes leupaxin. ETV6-LPXN, an in-frame fusion between exon 4 of ETV6 and exon 2 of LPXN, did not transform the interleukin-3-dependent 32D myeloid cell line to cytokine independence; however, an enhanced proliferative response was observed when these cells were treated with G-CSF without inhibition of granulocytic differentiation. The 32D and human leukemia cell lines each transduced with ETV6-LPXN showed enhanced migration towards the chemokine CXCL12. We show here for the first time that LPXN is a fusion partner of ETV6 and present evidence indicating that ETV6-LPXN plays a crucial role in leukemia progression through enhancing the response to G-CSF and CXCL12.

NUP214-RAC1 and RAC1-COL12A1 Fusion in Complex Variant Translocations Involving Chromosomes 6, 7 and 9 in an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Case with DEK-NUP214.

DEK-NUP214 gene fusion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor prognosis. It is most often a sole translocation and more rarely observed as complex chromosomal forms. We describe an AML case with complex karyotype abnormalities involving chromosome bands 6p23, 6q13, 7p22, and 9q34. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that exon 17 of NUP214 (9q34) was fused to exon 2 of RAC1 (7p22). We also detected that the 5'-end of intron 1 of RAC1 was fused with the antisense strand of intron 5 of COL12A1 (6q13). RT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression of DEK-NUP214, NUP214-RAC1, RAC1-COL12A1, NUP214, and RAC1. These results suggest that the 5'- and 3'-ends of NUP214 from the breakpoint in the same locus were fused to RAC1 and DEK, respectively, and the 5'-end of RAC1 was fused to COL12A1. The reading frame of NUP214 was not matched with RAC1; however, high expression of the RAC1 protein was detected by Western blotting. This study identifies the variant complex fusion genesNUP214-RAC1 and RAC1- COL12A1 in a case of AML.

Injectable bone tissue engineering using expanded mesenchymal stem cells.

Patients suffering from bone defects are often treated with autologous bone transplants, but this therapy can cause many complications. New approaches are therefore needed to improve treatment for bone defects, and stem cell therapy presents an exciting alternative approach. Although extensive evidence from basic studies using stem cells has been reported, few clinical applications using stem cells for bone tissue engineering have been developed. We investigated whether injectable tissue-engineered bone (TEB) composed of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma was able to regenerate functional bone in alveolar deficiencies. We performed these studies in animals and subsequently carried out large-scale clinical studies in patients with long-term follow-up; these showed good bone formation using minimally invasive MSC transplantation. All patients exhibited significantly improved bone volume with no side effects. Newly formed bone areas at 3 months were significantly increased over the preoperation baseline (p < .001) and reached levels equivalent to that of native bone. No significant bone resorption occurred during long-term follow-up. Injectable TEB restored masticatory function in patients. This novel clinical approach represents an effective therapeutic utilization of bone tissue engineering.

Expression of recombinant alpha and beta tubulins from the yew Taxus cuspidata and analysis of the microtubule assembly in the presence of taxol.

Taxol was originally isolated from the yew Taxus brevifolia. Because taxol inhibits the depolymerization of microtubules, the presence of a self-resistance mechanism in Taxus spp. was hypothesized. The cloning of the cDNA for alpha and beta tubulins from Taxus cuspidata and those from the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293T revealed that the (26)Asp, (359)Arg, and (361)Leu residues in the human beta tubulin, which are important for taxol binding, were replaced with Glu, Trp, and Met in the beta tubulin of T. cuspidata, respectively. The microtubule assembly of the recombinant alpha and beta tubulins was monitored turbidimetrically, and the results clearly demonstrated that the microtubule from T. cuspidata is less sensitive to taxol than that from HEK293T cells. The Taxus microtubule composed of the wild-type alpha tubulin and the beta tubulin with the E26D mutation restored the sensitivity to taxol. We thus postulated that the mutation identified in the beta tubulin of T. cuspidata plays a role in the self-resistance of this species against taxol.

A varicella outbreak in B-cell lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.

Varicella, characterized by a vesicular rash, occurs primarily in young children. Although older individuals can also be affected or vaccinated, outbreaks among adults are rare. We investigated a small outbreak of varicella in B-cell lymphoma patients for elucidation of risk factor of the disease. We experienced four cases of varicella after an index herpes zoster case. All varicella cases were confirmed varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection by PCR. All varicella cases occurred in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy. On the other hand, only three of the 18 non-varicella patients in the same room were receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy (P = 0.005). All varicella patients had detectable serum anti-varicella zoster virus IgG antibodies before chemotherapy. Even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies to the virus, lymphoma patients treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapy can possibly become re-infected with varicella. These findings suggest that zoster patients should be strictly isolated in hematology and oncology ward, and prophylactic acyclovir should be considered for such patients when exposed to zoster/varicella.

Deregulated Syk inhibits differentiation and induces growth factor-independent proliferation of pre-B cells.

The nonreceptor protein spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is a key mediator of signal transduction in a variety of cell types, including B lymphocytes. We show that deregulated Syk activity allows growth factor-independent proliferation and transforms bone marrow-derived pre-B cells that are then able to induce leukemia in mice. Syk-transformed pre-B cells show a characteristic pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation, increased c-Myc expression, and defective differentiation. Treatment of Syk-transformed pre-B cells with a novel Syk-specific inhibitor (R406) reduces tyrosine phosphorylation and c-Myc expression. In addition, R406 treatment removes the developmental block and allows the differentiation of the Syk-transformed pre-B cells into immature B cells. Because R406 treatment also prevents the proliferation of c-Myc-transformed pre-B cells, our data indicate that endogenous Syk kinase activity may be required for the survival of pre-B cells transformed by other oncogenes. Collectively, our data suggest that Syk is a protooncogene involved in the transformation of lymphocytes, thus making Syk a potential target for the treatment of leukemia.

Isolation of human mAbs that directly modulate FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 signaling.

FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a class III receptor tyrosine kinase that plays important roles in hematopoiesis, including early progenitors and dendritic cell development. FLT3 is expressed at high levels in 70-100% of cases of AML and in virtually all cases of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia. FLT3 is regarded as a molecular target in the development of novel therapies for acute leukemia patients. Currently, many small-molecule FLT3 inhibitors have been developed, but clinical trials have resulted in limited antileukemia effects because of off-target toxicities and drug resistance. The development of anti-FLT3 Abs might overcome these difficulties and enhance the antileukemia efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors. In the present study, we demonstrate the isolation of novel human mAbs against FLT3 with antagonistic or agonistic activities. An antagonistic Ab, designated A2, continuously inhibits FLT3 ligand (FL)-induced phosphorylation of FLT3 and MAPK. A2 cooperatively induces apoptosis with daunorubicin, even in the presence of FL. An agonistic Ab, designated 3E6, surprisingly induces the phosphorylation of FLT3 and MAPK, and supports the growth of a factor-dependent cell line independently of FL addition. In addition, A2 showed complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity, but was devoid of Ab-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity. Finally, we evaluated Ab internalization in a cell line. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses revealed that A2 is efficiently internalized. Collectively, these data demonstrate that A2 is a potent human Ab that might be capable of delivering cytotoxic reagents and that has antagonistic effects on FLT3 signaling. In addition, 3E6 might be a potential scaffold for novel dendritic cell-based immunotherapies.

Escape of leukemia blasts from HLA-specific CTL pressure in a recipient of HLA one locus-mismatched bone marrow transplantation.

A case of leukemia escape from an HLA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in a recipient of bone marrow transplantation is presented. Only the expression of HLA-B51, which was a mismatched HLA locus in the graft-versus-host direction, was down-regulated in post-transplant leukemia blasts compared with that in pre-transplant blasts. All CTL clones, that were isolated from the recipient's blood when acute graft-versus-host disease developed, recognized the mismatched B(∗)51:01 molecule in a peptide-dependent manner. The pre-transplant leukemia blasts were lysed by CTL clones, whereas the post-transplant leukemia blasts were not lysed by any CTL clones. The IFN-γ ELISPOT assay revealed that B(∗)51:01-reactive T lymphocytes accounted for the majority of the total alloreactive T lymphocytes in the blood just before leukemia relapse. These data suggest that immune escape of leukemia blasts from CTL pressure toward a certain HLA molecule can lead to clinical relapse after bone marrow transplantation.

A novel RARA-SNX15 fusion in PML-RARA-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia with t(11;17;15)(q13;q21.2;q24.1).

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a series of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) fusion genes that lead to the dysregulation of RAR signaling and onset of APL. PML-RARA is the most common fusion generated from t(15;17)(q24;q21). In addition, the reciprocal fusion RARA-PML is present in over 80% of t(15;17) APL cases. The bcr3 types of RARA-PML and RARA-PLZF in particular are reciprocal fusions that contribute to leukemogenesis. Here, we report a variant APL case with t(11;17;15)(q13;q21.2;q24.1). Massive parallel sequencing of patient RNA detected the novel fusion transcripts RARA-SNX15 and SNX15-LINC02255 along with the bcr3 type of PML-RARA. Genetic analysis revealed that RARA-SNX15L is an in-frame fusion due to intron retention caused by RNA mis-splicing. RARA-SNX15L consisted mainly of SNX15 domains, including the Phox-homology domain, which has a critical role in protein-protein interactions among sorting nexins and with other partners. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that RARA-SNX15L is directly associated with SNX15 and with itself. Further studies are needed to evaluate the biological significance of RARA-SNX15L in APL. In conclusion, this is the first report of APL with a complex chromosomal rearrangement involving SNX15.

KW-2449, a novel multikinase inhibitor, suppresses the growth of leukemia cells with FLT3 mutations or T315I-mutated BCR/ABL translocation.

KW-2449, a multikinase inhibitor of FLT3, ABL, ABL-T315I, and Aurora kinase, is under investigation to treat leukemia patients. In this study, we examined its possible modes of action for antileukemic effects on FLT3-activated, FLT3 wild-type, or imatinib-resistant leukemia cells. KW-2449 showed the potent growth inhibitory effects on leukemia cells with FLT3 mutations by inhibition of the FLT3 kinase, resulting in the down-regulation of phosphorylated-FLT3/STAT5, G(1) arrest, and apoptosis. Oral administration of KW-2449 showed dose-dependent and significant tumor growth inhibition in FLT3-mutated xenograft model with minimum bone marrow suppression. In FLT3 wild-type human leukemia, it induced the reduction of phosphorylated histone H3, G(2)/M arrest, and apoptosis. In imatinib-resistant leukemia, KW-2449 contributed to release of the resistance by the simultaneous down-regulation of BCR/ABL and Aurora kinases. Furthermore, the antiproliferative activity of KW-2449 was confirmed in primary samples from AML and imatinib-resistant patients. The inhibitory activity of KW-2449 is not affected by the presence of human plasma protein, such as alpha1-acid glycoprotein. These results indicate KW-2449 has potent growth inhibitory activity against various types of leukemia by several mechanisms of action. Our studies indicate KW-2449 has significant activity and warrants clinical study in leukemia patients with FLT3 mutations as well as imatinib-resistant mutations.

FLT3/ ITD regulates leukaemia cell adhesion through α4ß1 integrin and Pyk2 signalling.

Internal tandem duplication of FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3/ITD) within its juxtamembrane domain is a frequent mutation in adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This mutation causes constitutive activation of FLT3 and is associated with poor prognosis. The high relapse rate of FLT3/ITD-positive AML might be partly because of insufficient eradication of slow-cycling leukaemic stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. ß1 integrin mediates haematopoietic stem and progenitor cell homing along with their retention in the bone marrow and also inhibits haematopoietic proliferation and differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of FLT3/ITD kinase activity by a FLT3 selective inhibitor named FI-700 decreases affinity of α4ß1 integrin to soluble VCAM-1. α4ß1 integrin deactivation by FI-700 is independent of Rap1, which is the critical regulator of integrin inside-out signalling. In addition, selective inhibition of FLT3/ITD induces Pyk2 dephosphorylation together with the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Both wild-type and ITD-FLT3 proteins co-immunoprecipitated with ß1 integrin and Pyk2 indicating the signal crosstalk between FLT3, ß1 integrin and Pyk2. These results collectively indicated that the inhibition of FLT3 kinase might contribute not only to the induction of apoptosis, but also to the leukaemia cell detachment from the bone marrow microenvironment in the treatment of AML.

Anemia in older adults as a geriatric syndrome: A review.

Anemia, a frequently occurring condition in older patients, has no standard definition; however, in most studies, it is defined as hemoglobin level <12 and <13 g/dL in women and men, respectively. Approximately 10% of older adults living in the community have anemia. The prevalence of anemia is significantly correlated with advanced age and male sex. Anemia is associated with falls, frailty and other negative outcomes, including early mortality. However, there remains little consensus regarding whether anemia treatment favorably affects these adverse outcomes. Therefore, this article reviews the prevalence of anemia, and provides updates on its common causes and treatments in older adults. While excluding well-established hematopoietic diseases, the etiology of anemia in older adults has been grouped into four categories: (i) nutritional deficiency; (ii) inflammation; (iii) clonal hematopoiesis; and (iv) "unexplained anemia," when there is no clear mechanism to account for the anemia. Recently, clonal leukocytes were detected in a considerable number of older individuals. The number of somatic mutations in blood leukocytes increases with age; however, single mutations of DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 are not correlated with the presence of unexplained anemia in older adults. With an increased understanding of anemia etiology and the availability of innovative anti-anemic drugs, future studies that evaluate the causes and benefits of treatment are required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 549-554.

Irrespective of CD34 expression, lineage-committed cell fraction reconstitutes and re-establishes transformed Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia in NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgammac-/- mice.

Stem cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been identified as immunodeficient mouse-repopulating cells with a Lin(-)CD34(+)38(-) phenotype similar to normal hematopoietic stem cells. To identify the leukemia-propagating stem cell fraction of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph(+)) leukemia, we serially transplanted human leukemia cells from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis (n = 3) or Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 3) into NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgammac(-/-) mice. Engrafted cells were almost identical to the original leukemia cells as to phenotypes, IGH rearrangements, and karyotypes. CD34(+)CD38(-)CD19(+), CD34(+)38(+)CD19(+), and CD34(-)CD38(+)CD19(+) fractions could self-renew and transfer the leukemia, whereas the CD34(-)CD38(+)CD19(+) fraction did not stably propagate in NOD/SCID mice. These findings suggest that leukemia-repopulating cells in transformed Ph(+) leukemia are included in a lineage-committed but multilayered fraction, and that CD34(+) leukemia cells potentially emerge from CD34(-) populations.

BCR-ABL-independent and RAS / MAPK pathway-dependent form of imatinib resistance in Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line with activation of EphB4.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the mechanism responsible for imatinib (IM) resistance in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) cell lines. METHODS: We established cell lines from a patient with Ph(+) ALL at the time of first diagnosis and relapsed phase and designated as NPhA1 and NPhA2, respectively. We also derived IM-resistant cells, NPhA2/STIR, from NPhA2 under gradually increasing IM concentrations. RESULTS: NPhA1 was sensitive to IM (IC(50) 0.05 microm) and NPhA2 showed mild IM resistance (IC(50) 0.3 microm). NPhA2/STIR could be maintained in the presence of 10 microm IM. Phosphorylation of MEK and ERK was slightly elevated in NPhA2 and significantly elevated in NPhA2/STIR compared to NPhA1 cells. After treatment with IM, phosphorylation of MEK and ERK was not suppressed but rather increased in NPhA2 and NPhA2/STIR. Active RAS was also increased markedly in NPhA2/STIR after IM treatment. The expression of BCL-2 was increased in NPhA2 compared to NPhA1, but no further increase in NPhA2/STIR. Proliferation of NPhA2/STIR was significantly inhibited by a combination of MEK inhibitor and IM. Analysis of tyrosine phosphorylation status with a protein tyrosine kinase array showed increased phosphorylation of EphB4 in NPhA2/STIR after IM treatment. Although transcription of EphB4 was suppressed in NPhA1 and NPhA2 after IM treatment, it was not suppressed and its ligand, ephrinB2, was increased in NPhA2/STIR. Suppression of EphB4 transcripts by introducing short hairpin RNA into NPhA2/STIR partially restored their sensitivity to IM. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a new mechanism of IM resistance mediated by the activation of RAS/MAPK pathway and EphB4.

Self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds, platelet-rich plasma, and mesenchymal stem cells for injectable bone regeneration with tissue engineering.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a capability of PuraMatrix (PM), which is a self-assembling peptide nanomaterial, as a scaffold for bone regeneration in combination with dog mesenchymal stem cells (dMSCs) and/or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) using tissue engineering and regenerative technology. Initially, teeth were extracted from an adult hybrid dog's mandible region. After 4 weeks, bone defects were prepared on both sides of the mandible with a trephine bar. The following graft materials were implanted into these defects: (1) control (defect only), (2) PM, (3) PM/PRP, (4) PM/dMSCs, and (5) PM/dMSCs/PRP. From scanning electron microscope images, PM had a three-dimensional nanostructure, and dMSCs attached on the surface of PM. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation, each sample was collected from the graft area with a trephine bar and assessed by histologic and histomorphometric analyses. It was observed that the bone regenerated by PM/dMSCs/PRP was of excellent quality, and mature bone had been formed. Histometrically, at 8 weeks, newly formed bone areas comprised 12.39 +/- 1.29% (control), 25.28 +/- 3.92% (PM), 27.72 +/- 3.15% (PM/PRP), 50.07 +/- 3.97% (PM/dMSCs), and 58.43 +/- 5.06% (PM/dMSCs/PRP). The PM/dMSCs and PM/dMSCs/PRP groups showed a significant increase at all weeks compared with the control, PM, or PM/PRP (P < 0.05 at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, analysis of variance). These results showed that MSCs might keep their own potential and promote new bone regeneration in the three-dimensional structure by PM scaffolds. Taken together, it is suggested that PM might be useful as a scaffold of bone regeneration in cell therapy, and these results might lead to an effective treatment method for bone defects.

Ecological impact evaluation by constructing in situ microcosm with porous ceramic arrowhead.

In recent years, bioremediation has been used as an effective technique for the cleaning of polluted sites. However, bioremediation treatment efficacy varies considerably; thus, characterization of indigenous pollutant-degrading soil microorganisms and assessment of the changes in microbial composition by pollutants are essential for designing efficient bioremediation methods. In this study, an ecological impact evaluation method that is cost-efficient and has low contamination risk was developed to assess the indigenous microbial composition. An "in situ microcosm" was constructed using a porous ceramic arrowhead. Phenol, a common environmental pollutant, was used to assess the evaluation efficacy of this method. Our data showed that phenol gradually percolated into the soil adjacent to the arrowhead and stimulated unique indigenous microorganisms (Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and Cupriavidus sp.). Furthermore, the arrowhead approach enabled efficient evaluation of the ecological impact of phenol on soil microorganisms. Thus, the arrowhead method will contribute to the development of bioremediation methods.