Precise Measurement of Differential Cross Sections of the Σ

The differential cross sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction were measured accurately for the Σ^{-} momentum (p_{Σ}) ranging from 470 to 650 MeV/c at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility. Precise angular information about the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction was obtained for the first time by detecting approximately 100 reaction events at each angular step of Δcosθ=0.1. The obtained differential cross sections show a slightly forward-peaking structure in the measured momentum regions. The cross sections integrated for -0.7≤cosθ≤1.0 were obtained as 22.5±0.68 [statistical error(stat.)] ±0.65 [systematic error(syst.)] mb and 15.8±0.83(stat)±0.52(syst) mb for 470

Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21 MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

Swelling of Doubly Magic

Interaction cross sections for ^{42-51}Ca on a carbon target at 280 MeV/nucleon have been measured for the first time. The neutron number dependence of derived root-mean-square matter radii shows a significant increase beyond the neutron magic number N=28. Furthermore, this enhancement of matter radii is much larger than that of the previously measured charge radii, indicating a novel growth in neutron skin thickness. A simple examination based on the Fermi-type distribution, and mean field calculations point out that this anomalous enhancement of the nuclear size beyond N=28 results from an enlargement of the core by a sudden increase in the surface diffuseness of the neutron density distribution, which implies the swelling of the bare ^{48}Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond N=28.

Characterization of anti-P monoclonal antibodies directed against the ribosomal protein-RNA complex antigen and produced using Murphy Roths large autoimmune-prone mice.

Autoantibodies, including anti-ribosomal P proteins (anti-P), are thought to be produced by an antigen-driven immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To test this hypothesis, we reconstituted the ribosomal antigenic complex in vitro using human P0, phosphorylated P1 and P2 and a 28S rRNA fragment covering the P0 binding site, and immunized Murphy Roths large (MRL)/lrp lupus mice with this complex without any added adjuvant to generate anti-P antibodies. Using hybridoma technology, we subsequently obtained 34 clones, each producing an anti-P monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognized the conserved C-terminal tail sequence common to all three P proteins. We also obtained two P0-specific monoclonal antibodies, but no antibody specific to P1, P2 or rRNA fragment. Two types of mAbs were found among these anti-P antibodies: one type (e.g. 9D5) reacted more strongly with the phosphorylated P1 and P2 than that with their non-phosphorylated forms, whereas the other type (e.g. 4H11) reacted equally with both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of P1/P2. Both 9D5 and 4H11 inhibited the ribosome/eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2)-coupled guanosine triphosphate (GTP)ase activity. However, preincubation with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence common to all three P proteins, but not the peptide that lacked the last three C-terminal amino acids, mostly prevented the mAb-induced inhibition of GTPase activity. Thus, at least two types of anti-P were produced preferentially following the immunization of MRL mice with the reconstituted antigenic complex. Presence of multiple copies of the C-termini, particularly that of the last three C-terminal amino acid residues, in the antigenic complex appears to contribute to the immunogenic stimulus.

MicroRNA-18a modulates STAT3 activity through negative regulation of PIAS3 during gastric adenocarcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA (miRNA, miR)-18a is a member of the miR-17-92 cluster, an important locus that is markedly overexpressed in several cancers and associated with cancer development and progression. However, the mechanism of action of the miR-17-92 cluster and its individual miRNAs are largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster by in situ hybridisation (ISH) assay and copy-number analysis in gastric tissue microarray (TMA) specimens. We determined that miR-18a was present at higher levels than the other five miRNAs in the cluster. In addition, we identified Protein Inhibitor of Activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (PIAS3) as a direct target of miR-18a in gastric cancer. miR-18a level was positively correlated with levels of Survivin, Bcl-xL, and c-Myc, which are downstream transcriptional targets of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). STAT3-induced transcription can be negatively regulated by PIAS3; consistent with this, PIAS3 level was negatively correlated with levels of Survivin, Bcl-xL, and c-Myc. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that miR-18a acts as an oncogene and plays a role in gastric adenocarcinogenesis, at least in part by negatively regulating PIAS3 and thereby modulating expression of STAT3 target genes.

Deformation of the moving magnetic skyrmion lattice in MnSi under electric current flow.

Topological defects are found ubiquitously in various kinds of matter, such as vortices in type-II superconductors, and magnetic skyrmions in chiral ferromagnets. While knowledge on the static behavior of magnetic skyrmions is accumulating steadily, their dynamics under forced flow is still a widely open issue. Here, we report the deformation of the moving magnetic skyrmion lattice in MnSi under electric current flow observed using small-angle neutron scattering. A spatially inhomogeneous rotation of the skyrmion lattice, with an inverse rotation sense for opposite sample edges, is observed for current densities greater than a threshold value j t ~ 1 MA m-2 (106 A m-2). Our result show that skyrmion lattices under current flow experience significant friction near the sample edges due to pinning, this being a critical effect that must be considered for anticipated skyrmion-based applications at the nanoscale.

HIV-1 Vpr induces ATM-dependent cellular signal with enhanced homologous recombination.

An ATM-dependent cellular signal, a DNA-damage response, has been shown to be involved during infection of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), and a high incidence of malignant tumor development has been observed in HIV-1-positive patients. Vpr, an accessory gene product of HIV-1, delays the progression of the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and ATR-Chk1-Wee-1, another DNA-damage signal, is a proposed cellular pathway responsible for the Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest. In this study, we present evidence that Vpr also activates ATM, and induces expression of gamma-H2AX and phosphorylation of Chk2. Strikingly, Vpr was found to stimulate the focus formation of Rad51 and BRCA1, which are involved in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR), and biochemical analysis revealed that Vpr dissociates the interaction of p53 and Rad51 in the chromatin fraction, as observed under irradiation-induced DSBs. Vpr was consistently found to increase the rate of HR in the locus of I-SceI, a rare cutting-enzyme site that had been introduced into the genome. An increase of the HR rate enhanced by Vpr was attenuated by an ATM inhibitor, KU55933, suggesting that Vpr-induced DSBs activate ATM-dependent cellular signal that enhances the intracellular recombination potential. In context with a recent report that KU55933 attenuated the integration of HIV-1 into host genomes, we discuss the possible role of Vpr-induced DSBs in viral integration and also in HIV-1 associated malignancy.

[Huge right atrial myxoma].

Myxomas are account for approximately half of primary cardiac tumors, and 75% cases originate in left atrium. We report our experience of a right atrial myxoma. A 68-year-old woman was referred to us due to anorexia, general fatigue and facial edema. Echocardiogram, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and catheter angiocardiogram revealed a huge tumor in right atrium. The tumor was resected completely with the attached right atrial free wall under cardiopulmonary bypass. Pathological examination showed myxomatous tissue. Postoperative course was uneventful. She discharged the hospital on the 37th day after the operation, and is now doing well without any symptoms.

Diurnal change of thyroid-stimulating hormone mRNA expression in the rat pars tuberalis.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-producing cells (TSH cells), which account for a large fraction of the cells in the rat pars tuberalis (PT), have been found to express MT1 melatonin receptor and mammalian clock genes at high densities. Although these findings suggest that TSH production in the rat PT is regulated by melatonin and/or the biological clock, there have been no studies focusing on the diurnal change and regulation mechanism of TSH production in the rat PT. Therefore, in the present study, we examined diurnal changes of in TSH beta and alpha-glycoprotein subunit (alpha GSU) mRNA expression and TSH immunoreactivity (-ir) in the rat PT, and also examined the relationship between melatonin and TSH production in vivo. Both TSH beta mRNA expression and alpha GSU mRNA expression in the PT showed diurnal variations: the expression levels were lowest at the light phase [Zeitgeber time (ZT)4] and high at the dark phase (ZT12 and ZT20). TSH-ir in the PT showed the lowest level at ZT4, as was found for mRNA expression. Interestingly, TSH-ir, which was confined to the Golgi apparatus at ZT4, spread to the cytoplasm, and most of the TSH cells in the PT were uniformly immunostained in the cytoplasm at ZT20. Despite the fact that chronic administration of melatonin suppressed TSH beta and alpha GSU mRNA expression, TSH-ir in the PT was significantly enhanced. These findings results clearly show that there are diurnal changes in TSH expression and accumulation in rat PT-TSH cells and suggest that these fluctuations are regulated by melatonin.

Tumor degeneration by human embryonic fibroblasts and its enhancement by interferon.

KB cells from a human nasopharyngeal tumor were cocultivated with human embryonic fibroblasts (HF 8101 cells); 7 to 14 days after incubation, "spongy degeneration"-like changes developed in the target cell-growing area. These changes developed in other target cells [HeLa cells from human cervical cancer, human hepatoma cells (PLC/PRF/5), and human amnion FL cells] cocultured with several kinds of human embryonic fibroblasts [HF 8101 cells, HF 8103 cells, and HEL cells]; however, HF 8101 cells did not cause degenerative changes in murine L929 cells. The degenerative changes were enhanced by treatment with human leukocyte interferon or human fibroblast interferon at a dose of 1,000 or 10,000 IU/ml, but there was no significant difference in the enhancing effect between human leukocyte and human fibroblast interferons. Mouse L929 interferon did not enhance the degenerative changes in KB cells caused by HF 8101 cells. It was concluded that human fibroblasts caused the degenerative changes in the human tumor cells and the continuous cell line and that the changes were enhanced by treatment with either human leukocyte interferon or human fibroblast interferon.

[Open stent-grafting applied with the Matsui-Kitamura stent to a distal arch aneurysm].

An open stent-grafting applied with the Matsui-Kitamura (MK) stent to a distal arch aneurysm is presented herein. The graft using the MK stent at its distal end was successfully inserted into the descending thoracic aorta through a J-shaped sheath-introducer. The major advantages of this stent-graft include its flexibility, shape memory, and small profile when compressed, compared with other devices. This technique may be feasible and clinically effective in the treatment of distal arch aneurysm.

Possible involvement of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C related to pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts: negative regulation of protein kinase C.

Insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine (hormones/IBMX) induce 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to differentiate into adipocytes. Our previous study suggested that pertussis toxin (IAP)-sensitive GTP-binding protein(s) (G-protein) is involved in the process of differentiation by hormones/IBMX, accompanied by c-fos induction. Northern blotting indicated that among the IAP-sensitive G-proteins, the levels of Gi2 alpha, Go alpha, and Gi3 alpha mRNA were decreased, increased and unchanged, respectively. Gi1 alpha was undetectable and IAP attenuated the decrease in Gi2 alpha mRNA level but did not affect the change in Go alpha mRNA level during the adipocyte differentiation. These results indicate that IAP-sensitive Gi2 alpha mRNA level is decreased during adipocyte differentiation. A combination of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and IBMX induced c-fos expression in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts similar to that induced with hormones/IBMX. c-fos induced by both stimulators was also diminished by anti-inositolglycan antibody or anti-PI-PLC antiserum. Insulin stimulated the release of inositolproteoglycan and diacylglycerol from 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, which was suppressed by IAP treatment. These findings suggested that one of the pathways of adipocyte differentiation induced by hormones/IBMX occurs via the inositolglycan-specific PI-PLC cascade coupled to IAP-sensitive G-protein(s). Both activation of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and stimulation of insulin-dependent 2-deoxyglucose uptake induced by hormones/IBMX were enhanced in protein kinase C-depleted cells exposed to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and attenuated in IAP-treated cells. The level of a 32P-labeled 52 kDa protein in plasma membrane fractions immunoprecipitated by anti-PI-PLC antiserum was increased by PMA stimulation, abolished in PMA-treated cells, and increased in IAP-treated cells. These findings suggest that protein kinase C phosphorylates PI-PLC, resulting in a decrease in PI-PLC activity related to the signal transduction pathway of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts.

Hairy cell leukemia in Japanese patients: a study with monoclonal antibodies.

Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and three anti-hairy cell sera (alpha HC1 and alpha HC2 of Posnett and 4B122 prepared by the authors), hairy cells were phenotyped on frozen sections of cell pellets from blood and spleen of 11 Japanese patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). The results were quite similar to those reported for HCL of non-Japanese patients inasmuch as hairy cells in the majority of these patients were B1+, B2-, FMC7+, and IL-2R1+. However, they were more often than not J5+, Leu-1+, alpha HC1-, alpha HC2-, and 4B122+ in contrast to the pattern reported for non-Japanese patients. In conclusion, HCL in the Japanese constitutes a special variant of HCL because of its rareness, unusual immunophenotype, and atypical clinicohematologic features.

Trigger digits-associated carpal tunnel syndrome: relationship between carpal tunnel release and trigger digits.

Of 875 idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) cases, 101 (11.5%) required trigger digit release operations within three years before and/or after carpal tunnel release (CTR); these 101 cases were investigated, retrospectively. Trigger digit release (TDR) was performed most often after the CTR, especially within three months. Next most common was at the same time as the CTR. The TDR performance rate after CTR was 5.9%. The nerve conduction study (NCS) comparison between trigger digits-associated CTS and isolated CTS showed that pre-operative distal motor latency was significantly more delayed in trigger digits-associated CTS, while there was no evidence of any difference due to age or gender. The difference of operative method (open or endoscopic procedure) did not influence the incidence rate of trigger digits after the CTR. This study suggested that trigger digits-associated CTS has a previously developed wide-ranging narrowing of the flexor tendon sheath.

[Double outlet right ventricle and pulmonary atresia with a birth weight of 1092 g].

A premature infant with double outlet right ventricle and pulmonary atresia with a birth weight of 1092 g is reported. He underwent right modified Blalock-Taussig (RMBT) shunt with an expand-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tube of 3.0 mm in diameter between the right subclavian artery and the right pulmonary artery through right thoracotomy. Eleven days later, he had to undergo central shunt between the innominate artery and the main pulmonary trunk due to poor pulmonary blood flow. Soon after the central shunt, severe heart failure occurred due to excessive pulmonary blood flow. RMBT division was performed immediately. He finally attained definitive repair at 17 months of age. Postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 17th postoperative day.

[Severe tracheal compression resulting from atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm; report of a case].

A 70-year-old woman presented with severe respiratory insufficiency similar to an asthma attack. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an atherosclerotic aneurysm (maximum diameter 106 mm) on the aortic arch which resulted in a severe tracheal compression. We performed an aortic arch replacement. After the operation, we tried to manage breathing without a respirator twice without success. We then performed a tracheotomy on the 12th day after operation. The patient could breathe independently on the 19th day after the first operation. Peri-and postoperative respiratory management was difficult but the patient was discharged on the 86th day after operation without further complication.

[De Bakey type I aortic dissection complicating systemic lupus erythematosus; report of a case].

We report a 43-year-old patient of De Bakey type I aortic dissection [DA (I)] with a 2-year-history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). He had had no treatment for SLE before the onset of dissection. Computed tomography (CT) on admission revealed DA (I), and he underwent emergency operation. Since the aortic valve and the left main coronary artery were severely damaged, aortic root replacement was performed. Coronary buttons were prepared in Carrel method and coronary reconstruction was performed in Piehler modification. After surgery, he suffered from repetitive hemolytic anemia. Corticosteroid therapy and rinsed blood transfusion were very effective for anemia. The combination with SLE and DA (I) was rare and this report of successful aortic root replacement is the second literature among English and Japanese papers.

Clonal growth of human megakaryocyte progenitors in serum-free cultures: effect of recombinant human interleukin 3.

Human megakaryocyte colony formation was observed in serum-free agar cultures with a medium containing deionized bovine serum albumin, iron-saturated transferrin, 2-mercaptoethanol, and recombinant human interleukin 3 (IL-3). Megakaryocyte colonies were identified in situ by the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique, using monoclonal antibody against platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Colony numbers reached a peak at day 14, with a mean of 47 megakaryocyte colonies (range 23-104) per 2 x 10(5) bone marrow mononuclear cells. Recombinant human IL-3 stimulated the growth of megakaryocyte progenitors. Similar results were obtained using nonadherent, T-cell-depleted mononuclear cells. These findings suggest that IL-3 stimulates the growth of megakaryocyte progenitors directly without activation of accessory cells, or the requirement of factors present in the serum or plasma. This serum-free culture system may be useful for studying the effects of purified natural and recombinant biological regulators on human megakaryocyte progenitors.

Effect of recombinant hemopoietic growth factors on human megakaryocyte colony formation in serum-free cultures.

The effects of recombinant hemopoietic factors on the clonal growth of human megakaryocyte progenitors were explored using serum-free cultures of nonadherent and T-cell-depleted marrow cells. Recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) supported megakaryocyte colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, the activity being lower than that of recombinant interleukin 3 (rIL-3). Recombinant IL-3 and rGM-CSF acted synergistically on megakaryocyte colony formation when rGM-CSF was added to cultures containing suboptimal concentrations of rIL-3. However, the number and size of colonies did not increase with rGM-CSF when cultures were plated with an optimal dose of rIL-3. Recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) by itself did not stimulate the growth of megakaryocyte progenitors. Recombinant Epo did, however, produce a significant increase in the number and size of megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of rIL-3 or rGM-CSF. Other factors, including recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, recombinant interleukin 1 alpha, recombinant interleukin 4, and recombinant interleukin 6 showed no capacity to generate or enhance megakaryocyte colony formation when added to cultures alone or in combination with varying concentrations of rIL-3. These results show that rIL-3, rGM-CSF, and rEpo affect human megakaryocytopoiesis by themselves or by interacting with each other.

Variant parameter values-as defined by the Chicago Criteria-produced by ManoScan and a new system with Unisensor catheter.

BACKGROUND: Recently reported normal values for esophageal motility obtained by high-resolution manometry (HRM) using a system with a Unisensor catheter were significantly different from those obtained by the ManoScan(®) , which could result in a wrong diagnosis. To clarify whether these differences were due to system or subject differences, we compared the manometric parameter values between ManoScan and a new system with a Unisensor catheter (Starlet) in the same subjects. METHODS: A total of 103 volunteers without any symptoms related to esophageal motility disorders were recruited. Esophageal HRM was performed using both the ManoScan and the Starlet in all subjects. Data from the ManoScan were analyzed using ManoView, and data from the Starlet were analyzed by a program with e-sleeve function. Integrated relaxation pressure, distal contractile integral, contractile front velocity (CFV), intrabolus pressure, and distal latency were calculated by both analyzing programs, and the values of these parameters were compared between the two systems by a signed rank test. KEY RESULTS: Data from a total of 97 participants were analyzed. The values of all parameters, except CFV, measured by the Starlet were significantly higher than those obtained by the ManoScan (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Both systems can measure esophageal motility appropriately; nevertheless, we confirmed that the two systems showed different values of the parameters defined by the Chicago criteria. These differences should be recognized to evaluate esophageal motility precisely.