Cotton-wool-like bioactive glasses for bone regeneration.

Inorganic sol-gel solutions were electrospun to produce the first bioactive three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration with a structure like cotton-wool (or cotton candy). This flexible 3-D fibrous structure is ideal for packing into complex defects. It also has large inter-fiber spaces to promote vascularization, penetration of cells and transport of nutrients throughout the scaffold. The 3-D fibrous structure was obtained by electrospinning, where the applied electric field and the instabilities exert tremendous force on the spinning jet, which is required to be viscoelastic to prevent jet break up. Previously, polymer binding agents were used with inorganic solutions to produce electrospun composite two-dimensional fibermats, requiring calcination to remove the polymer. This study presents novel reaction and processing conditions for producing a viscoelastic inorganic sol-gel solution that results in fibers by the entanglement of the intermolecularly overlapped nanosilica species in the solution, eliminating the need for a binder. Three-dimensional cotton-wool-like structures were only produced when solutions containing calcium nitrate were used, suggesting that the charge of the Ca(2+) ions had a significant effect. The resulting bioactive silica fibers had a narrow diameter range of 0.5-2µm and were nanoporous. A hydroxycarbonate apatite layer was formed on the fibers within the first 12h of soaking in simulated body fluid. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells cultured on the fibers showed no adverse cytotoxic effect and they were observed to attach to and spread in the material.

Enhancement of crystalline plane orientation in silsesquioxane-containing vaterite particles towards tuning of calcium ion release.

Siloxane-containing vaterite (SiV) particles with spherical- to discoidal-morphologies were selectively prepared by a CO2 gas carbonation process in a methanol-acetone mixed solvent; they are intended for application as osteogenic devices in bone tissue engineering. Moreover, the c/ab-face ratio of vaterite was successfully tuned through the selection of methanol-acetone volume fractions. The solvent increased the supersaturation of CO3 2- ions and accelerated the crystal growth along the ab-axis in the presence of silsesquioxane. The particles released soluble silica species and calcium ions upon soaking in physiological pH buffer solution, which are expected to genetically stimulate osteoblasts to enhance bone reconstruction. An initial calcium ion release from the particles significantly decreased from 3.1 to 1.6 mmol L-1 as the c/ab-face ratio increased, while the composition of the particle and release profiles of soluble silica remained consistent. This demonstrated the possibility of tuning the calcium ion release from SiV particles by controlling the degree of crystalline plane orientation.

Vaterite deposition on biodegradable polymer foam scaffolds for inducing bone-like hydroxycarbonate apatite coatings.

Hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) coatings on the surface of bioresorbable materials for bone tissue engineering scaffolds were produced using macroporous poly(DL-lactide) (PDLLA) foams impregnated by calcium carbonate in vaterite crystalline form. Stable and homogeneous vaterite deposition on PDLLA foams was achieved using a slurry dipping technique. In vitro studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) were performed to induce formation of (HCA) on the surface of vaterite/PDLLA composite foams. HCA was detected after immersion of foams in SBF for 7 days. Hence, depositing vaterite on materials followed by immersion in SBF is confirmed to induce HCA coatings on the surface of the material. The HCA coated, bioactive and resorbable PDLLA foams are intended for use as bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Phase-specific gene expression underlying morphological adaptations of the dimorphic human pathogenic fungus, Coccidioides posadasii.

Coccidioides posadasii is a dimorphic fungal pathogen that grows as a filamentous saprobe in the soil and as endosporulating spherules within the host. To identify genes specific to the pathogenic phase of Co. posadasii, we carried out a large-scale study of gene expression in two isolates of the species. From the sequenced Co. posadasii genome, we chose 1,000 open reading frames to construct a 70-mer microarray. RNA was recovered from both isolates at three life-cycle phases: hyphae, presegmented spherules, and spherules releasing endospores. Comparative hybridizations were conducted in a circuit design, permitting comparison between both isolates at all three life-cycle phases, and among all life-cycle phases for each isolate. By using this approach, we identified 92 genes that were differentially expressed between pathogenic and saprobic phases in both fungal isolates, and 43 genes with consistent differential expression between the two parasitic developmental phases. Genes with elevated expression in the pathogenic phases of both isolates included a number of genes that were involved in the response to environmental stress as well as in the metabolism of lipids. The latter observation is in agreement with previous studies demonstrating that spherules contain a higher proportion of lipids than saprobic phase tissue. Intriguingly, we discovered statistically significant and divergent levels of gene expression between the two isolates profiled for 64 genes. The results suggest that incorporating more than one isolate in the experimental design offers a means of categorizing the large collection of candidate genes that transcriptional profiling typically identifies into those that are strain-specific and those that characterize the entire species.

Subaru telescope observations of Deep Impact.

The impact cratering process on a comet is controversial but holds the key for interpreting observations of the Deep Impact collision with comet 9P/Tempel 1. Mid-infrared data from the Cooled Mid-Infrared Camera and Spectrometer (COMICS) of the Subaru Telescope indicate that the large-scale dust plume ejected by the impact contained a large mass (approximately 10(6) kilograms) of dust and formed two wings approximately +/-45 degrees from the symmetric center, both consistent with gravity as the primary control on the impact and its immediate aftermath. The dust distribution in the inner part of the plume, however, is inconsistent with a pure gravity control and implies that evaporation and expansion of volatiles accelerated dust.

Carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite derived from calcium tripolyphosphate gel with urea.

Carbonate containing hydroxyapatite (CO3HAp) is one of the candidate materials as a bioresorbable bone substitute. In the present work, CO3HAp was efficiently prepared by a hydrothermal treatment of calcium tripolyphosphate gel with urea at 140 degrees C for 24 h. Chemical potential plots of the CO3HAp for estimation of its dissolution behavior suggested that the CO3HAp is more soluble than hydroxyapatite (HAp) and is as soluble as octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and/or beta -tricalcium phosphate (TCP). This material is expected to be applied to bioresorbable materials such as bone fillers.

Identification of a large cluster of coiled coil-nucleotide binding site--leucine rich repeat-type genes from the Rps1 region containing Phytophthora resistance genes in soybean.

Fifteen Rps genes confer resistance against the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora sojae, which causes root and stem rot disease in soybean. We have isolated a disease resistance gene-like sequence from the genomic region containing Rps1-k. Four classes of cDNA of the sequence were isolated from etiolated hypocotyl tissues that express the Rps1-k-encoded Phytophthora resistance. Sequence analyses of a cDNA clone showed that the sequence is a member of the coiled coil-nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (CC-NBS-LRR)-type of disease resistance genes. It showed 36% identity to the recently cloned soybean resistance gene Rpg1-b, which confers resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea, and 56% and 38% sequence identity to putative resistance gene sequences from lotus and Medicago truncatula, respectively. The soybean genome contains about 38 copies of the sequence. Most of these copies are clustered in approximately 600 kb of contiguous DNA of the Rps1-k region. We have identified a recombinant that carries both rps1-k- and Rps1-k-haplotype-specific allelomorphs of two Rps1-k-linked molecular markers. An unequal crossover event presumably led to duplication of alleles for these two physically linked molecular markers. We hypothesize that the unequal crossing over was one of the mechanisms involved in tandem duplication of CC-NBS-LRR sequences in the Rps1-k region.

[Report on the 89th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America--micro-focus x-ray CT imaging of breast specimens with microcalcifications].

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: (1)Understand images of breast specimens with microcalcifications obtained by use of micro-focus CT. (2)Learn the relationship between mammographic features, pathologic characteristics, and micro-focus CT images. (3)Learn the usefulness of three-dimensional images in understanding of detailed structures and patterns of microcalcifications without cutting the specimen. ABSTRACT: Microcalcifications are one of the important sign for early detection of breast cancer by use of mammography, and has resulted in the detection of nonpalpable cancer. However, it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant microcalcifications, thus causing high false-positive rate. Micro-focus CT employs a x-ray tube of a focal spot size less than 10 microns, and has high spatial resolution, thus resulting in more accurate visualization of structures of microcalcifications. We investigated the relationship between micro-focus CT images of breast specimens with microcalcifications, mammographic features and pathologic characteristics. Micro-focus CT imaging was comparable to pathologic images in terms of resolution and contrast. Microcalcifications were more clearly detected in micro-focus CT imaging than specimen radiographs. Three-dimensional imaging on microcalcifications provided a tool for studying the shape and distribution of calcifications. Micro-focus CT for breast imaging was very useful for understanding of structures and patterns of microcalcifications without cutting the specimen.

Fatigue characteristics of bioactive glass-ceramic-coated Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr for biomedical application.

A new surface-coating method by which CaP invert glass is used to improve the bioactivity of titanium alloys has been developed recently. In this method, the powder of CaP invert glass (CaO-P2O5-TiO2-Na2O) is coated on the surface of titanium alloy samples and heated between 1073 and 1123 K. With this treatment, a calcium phosphate layer mainly containing beta-Ca3(PO4)2 phase can be coated easily on titanium alloy samples. In the present study, the effect of this coating process on the fatigue properties of Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, a new metastable beta alloy for biomedical applications, has been investigated. The fatigue endurance limit of the coated alloy was found to be about 15% higher than that of uncoated alloy, as a result of the formation of a hard (alpha + beta) layer and a small amount of the omega phase during the coating process. The coating exhibits excellent adhesion to the substrate during the tensile and fatigue tests. Subsequent ageing at 673 K for 259.2 ks greatly improves the fatigue resistance of the coated alloy due to isothermal omega phase precipitation, and does not have obvious detrimental effect on the coating properties.

Effect of glutamate analogues on red-green opponent interaction in monkey electroretinograms.

The effect of glutamate analogues on red-green opponent interaction was electrophysiologically investigated in anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Two approaches were employed: amplitude measurement and principal component analysis. Electroretinograms were recorded for 23 monochromatic stimuli (400-700 nm) at an equal energy with white light adaptation before and after treatment with the glutamate analogues, 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, cis -2,3-piperidine-dicarboxylic acid, or both. Before treatment, although spectral amplitude curves of the a- and d-waves showed single, broad peaks at about 550 nm, the b-wave curve had three peaks at about 460, 540 and 600 nm, indicating the occurrence of the red-green opponent interaction. Principal component analysis performed on these waveforms extracted three components with short, middle, and long wavelength peaks, well defined characteristics of the red-green opponency. After vitreal injection of 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, the a- and d-wave amplitudes were enhanced while the b-wave amplitude was almost completely diminished. However, principal component analysis showed basically similar characteristics to those before drug, suggesting that the red-green opponency was not affected. In contrast, after application of cis -2,3-piperidine-dicarboxylic acid, the a- and d-waves were diminished and the b-wave was enhanced as expected, however the enhancement was observed only in the short and middle wavelengths. As a result of this partial enhancement, the b-wave spectral amplitude curve showed only a single peak, unlike in the control. In addition, principal component analysis revealed a quite different result from the control; only two components with short and middle wavelength peaks and the component with long wavelength peak disappeared. Similar two components were also separated after the conjunction of both drugs. These results demonstrate that red-green opponency is greatly inhibited by cis -2,3 piperidine-dicarboxylic acid, and thus suggest that horizontal cells are related to a generation of the red-green opponency through a cone type selective or nonselective negative feedback.

Characteristics of acoustic noise in echo-planar imaging.

Characteristics of the acoustic noise generated by magnetic resonance imagers of different systems and performance levels were studied when operating in echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence. Continuous equivalent A-weighted sound pressure levels (Leq) and peak impulse sound pressure levels (Lpeak) during EPI were measured in 12 clinical super-conducting MRI systems (0.5-1.5 T). Sound pressure levels and frequency spectra of EPI were compared with those of nine different pulse sequences. EPI sound pressure levels differed among institutions (Leq = 94.2 +/- 2.7 dBA. Lpeak = 109.1 +/- 3.5 dB), but these were within permissible noise exposure levels. Sound pressure levels during EPI were not significantly different from those during other pulse sequences. However, compared to other pulse sequences. EPI had a significantly greater proportion of acoustic noise in the high octave-frequency band. Single-shot EPI had relatively higher frequency noise and greater Leq than multishot EPI, but the difference in Leq decreased when the number of slices in multishot EPI was increased.

Calcium phosphate invert glass-ceramic coatings joined by self-development of compositionally gradient layers on a titanium alloy.

A glass-ceramic layer containing beta-Ca3(PO4)2 crystals could be joined easily with a new type of titanium alloy (Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr) consisting of a beta-titanium phase by heating the metal, on which glass powders with a composition of 60CaO x 30P2O5 7Na2O x 3TiO2 were placed, at 800 degrees C in air. Measurement of tensile bonding strength revealed that the joining between the coating layer and the substrate is very strong. Even after the large deformation (e.g., approximately 90 degrees in bending angle) of the titanium alloy, the coating layer was not peeled off from the substrate. A compositionally gradient layer in the TiO2-P2O5-Na2O-CaO system is developed automatically on the titanium alloy during the heating, resulting in the formation of the strong joining. By soaking in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C, hydroxyapatite phase was formed newly on the surface of the coating layer.

Preparation and mechanical properties of polylactic acid composites containing hydroxyapatite fibers.

Ceramic-polymer composite biomaterials were prepared by hot-pressing a mixture consisting of poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) and hydroxyapatite fibers (HAF) with dimensions of 40-150 microm length and 2-10 microm diameter, which were converted from beta-Ca(PO3)2 fibers. After PLA dissolved with methylene chloride was mixed with the fibers, the mixture was dried completely and subsequently hot-pressed uniaxially under a pressure of 40 MPa at 180 degrees C, resulting in the fabrication of the PLA/HAF composite. The modulus of elasticity was improved effectively even by introducing a small amount of HAF; almost no degradation in the bending strength was observed and the modulus of elasticity showed high values of 5-10 GPa when the fibers of 20-60 wt% were introduced. With increasing HAF content, the maximum strain decreases and the specimen is apt to show a brittle fracture; this result implies that HAF in the composites can share the applied load efficiently due to the formation of a bond between HAF and PLA.

Phylogenetic species recognition and species concepts in fungi.

The operational species concept, i.e., the one used to recognize species, is contrasted to the theoretical species concept. A phylogenetic approach to recognize fungal species based on concordance of multiple gene genealogies is compared to those based on morphology and reproductive behavior. Examples where Phylogenetic Species Recognition has been applied to fungi are reviewed and concerns regarding Phylogenetic Species Recognition are discussed.

Surface modification of calcium metaphosphate fibers.

beta-calcium metaphosphate fibers having high aspect ratios of 10-120 with diameters of 2-10 microm show high strength and good biocompatibility. When the fibers are soaked in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C, however, no calcium phosphate phase is newly formed on the fibers. In the present work, by treating the fibers at 70 degrees C with dilute NaOH aqueous solution, the surface phase was converted successfully into the orthophosphate phase that was in fine sizes and was adhered. After soaking the treated fibers in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C for 30 days, a new calcium phosphate phase was precipitated. This was attributed to the surface phase modified using dilute NaOH. The treated fibers are expected to show bone-bonding ability, i.e. bioactivity.

Molecular typing of pathogenic fungi.

In this Round Table, the application of several methods of molecular typing were discussed in reference to four important pathogenic fungi: Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Among the different methods the following were discussed: restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), single nucleotide polymorphisms, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP and microsatellites. By means of these methods, several important biological questions related to speciation, mode of reproduction and population genetics could be approached. The basic information obtained from this approach has implications in the understanding of these pathogenic fungi in relation to their behavior and the development of pathogenic features, such as resistance to antimicrobials and virulence factors used for colonization of mammalian hosts. The knowledge obtained from these studies could also be used for the development of innovative diagnostic methods, as well as for novel therapeutic approaches and production of vaccines.

[Epidemiological survey of ocular diseases in K Island, Amami Islands: prevalence of cataract and pterygium].

PURPOSE: An epidemiological survey of ocular disease was performed in a town of the Amami Islands in southwestern Japan. OBJECT AND METHODS: A total of 339 participants over 40 years joined the survey. Among the 339 participants, the lens findings of 602 eyes of 301 subjects were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of lens opacification was 32.0, 54.0, 83.1, 96.9% and 100% among subjects in their 40, 50, 60, 70 s, and over 80 years. Lens opacification over grade II was 4.0, 12.7, 26.2, 60.0% and 83.3%. The cataract type most frequently seen was cortical (96.1%), followed by 48.5% with nuclear opacity and 14.7% with subcapsular type. A high prevalence was seen of pterygium at 25.4%. Although the prevalence of lens opacification was higher in the group with pterygium in their 70 s, no significant difference was noticed in persons in their 40, 50, 60 s, and over 80 years old between the pterygium and non-pterygium groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similarly to the results of a previous survey in Okinawa, Noto, and Hokkaido, the main type of lens opacification was cortical in Amami. The prevalence of nuclear opacification and pterygium was higher than in Noto and Hokkaido, and close to that seen in Okinawa.

Bioactive ceramics prepared by sintering and crystallization of calcium phosphate invert glasses.

Novel glass-ceramics were synthesized via sintering and crystallization by heating powder compacts of SiO2-free calcium phosphate invert glasses of 60CaO x 30P2O5 x 7Na2O x 3TiO2 or 60CaO x 30P2O5 x 7Na2O x 3MgO at 800-850 degrees C in air. The glass-ceramics were relatively dense materials consisting of crystalline phases such as beta-Ca3(PO4)2 and beta-Ca2P2O7 with glassy phases. The compacts were densified by the viscous flow of the glassy phases while heating. By soaking in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C, a calcium phosphate phase was formed newly on the surface of the glass-ceramic derived from 60CaO x 30P2O5 x 7Na2O x 3TiO2 glass, while the phase was not formed on that derived from 60CaO x 30P2O5 x 7Na2O x 3MgO glass: the former was implied to show bioactivity. Composition of the glassy phase as the matrix varies with the additives such as TiO2 and MgO, and the chemical properties of the phase influence the bioactivity of the glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramic derived from 60CaO x 30P2O5 x 7Na2O x 3TiO2 glass has relatively high fracture toughness of K(IC) approximately 2 MPa m(0.5) and bending strength of 100-120 MPa.