Dental Implants Acting as External Fixation for the Fracture of Severe Atrophic Mandible: A Case Report.

Treatment of edentulous and atrophic mandibular fractures is extremely difficult. Generally, mandibular fractures are repaired and fixed as internal fixation using a reconstruction plate or miniplates with intra- or extraoral approach. Few cases in which external fixation including a transmucosal fixation was performed have also been reported. We report a case of atrophic and edentulous mandibular fracture which was healed by the fixation using dental implants and implant-supported bridge.

No significant association between stable iodine intake and thyroid dysfunction in children after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: an observational study.

PURPOSE: Stable iodine prophylaxis helps prevent childhood thyroid cancer in nuclear emergencies; however, there is limited information on its effect on thyroid function. This study aimed to examine thyroid function and autoimmunity among children and adolescents that took stable iodine after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. METHODS: For this observational study, data were obtained from children and adolescents that underwent thyroid cancer screening at Hirata Central Hospital from April 2012 to March 2018. Participant characteristics, including possible hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, were compared between the prophylaxis and no-prophylaxis groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess for possible hypothyroidism, autoantibodies positive, and hyperthyroidism. RESULTS: A total of 1,225 participants with stable iodine prophylaxis and 3,946 without prophylaxis were enrolled. Of those participants, blood samples were available for 144 and 1,201 participants in the prophylaxis and no-prophylaxis groups, respectively. There were 17 (11.8%) and 146 cases (12.2%) of possible hypothyroidism or autoantibodies positive cases in the prophylaxis and no-prophylaxis groups, respectively, and there were no cases and 3 cases (0.2%) of possible hyperthyroidism in those two groups, respectively. Multivariable analysis for possible hypothyroidism revealed no association between stable iodine intake and possible hypothyroidism or autoantibodies positive [odds ratio 0.716 (95% confidence interval 0.399-1.284)] (p = 0.262). We did not perform multivariable analysis for hyperthyroidism due to the limited number of cases. CONCLUSION: Significant adverse effects of stable iodine intake on thyroid function were not observed among children and adolescents 7 years after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.

A randomized, open-label, controlled trial of monthly oral minodronate or semiannual subcutaneous injection of denosumab for bone loss by androgen deprivation in Asian men with prostate cancer: the PRevention of Osteopenia with Minodronate And DEnosumab (PROMADE) study.

There is still a lack of evidence that minodronate or denosumab prevents bone loss due to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in non-Western patients. This study showed that both drugs significantly improved lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density in Asian men with prostate cancer who received ADT. INTRODUCTION: To evaluate whether monthly oral minodronate or semiannual subcutaneous injection of denosumab improves bone mineral density (BMD) in Asian men with prostate cancer (PCa) receiving ADT. METHODS: A multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study including patients with hormone-sensitive PCa without bone metastasis receiving ADT was performed. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to minodronate, denosumab, or no agent control groups. The primary end point was the mean percentage change in BMD at the lumbar spine at 12 months. Secondary end points were the mean percentage change in BMD at the femoral neck and total hip and changes in bone turnover markers. Statistical comparison was performed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Of the 147 subjects enrolled in this study, 102 were randomly assigned into the minodronate (n = 36), denosumab (n = 36), and control (n = 30) groups. The percentage change in BMD at the lumbar spine was significantly improved in the minodronate (2.5%, p < 0.05) and denosumab groups (4.0%, p < 0.01) compared with that in the control group (- 0.1%). Denosumab increased BMD at the femoral neck and total hip at 12 months, whereas minodronate only increased BMD at the total hip compared with controls (all p < 0.05). The percentage change in bone turnover markers at 12 months was significantly lower in the minodronate and denosumab groups compared with that in the control group (both p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Minodronate or denosumab can be used for preventing bone loss related to ADT in Asian patients with PCa.

Factors Related to Osteosarcopenia in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia and osteopenia are highly prevalent in older patients, and are associated with a high risk for falls, fractures, and further functional decline. However, related factors in kidney transplant recipients suffering from osteosarcopenia, the combination of sarcopenia and osteopenia, remain unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight transplant recipients (42 men and 16 women), with a mean age of 46.6 ± 12.7 years, were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia. Osteopenia was diagnosed according to World Health Organization criteria using bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of both diseases were defined as having osteosarcopenia. RESULTS: Ten patients had osteosarcopenia. According to univariate analyses, there were significant differences between osteosarcopenia group and non osteosarcopenia group in age (P = .002), duration of dialysis (P = .013), vitamin D levels (P = .002), and MET (P = .007). There was a significant positive correlation between vitamin D level and MET (r = .464; P < .001). The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that only MET was a relevant factor in osteosarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Duration of dialysis, low vitamin D levels, and physical activity after kidney transplantation were related to osteosarcopenia. These results suggested that osteosarcopenia in kidney transplant recipients is a carryover from the dialysis period.

The effects of teriparatide on acceleration of bone healing following atypical femoral fracture: comparison between daily and weekly administration.

We compared the effectiveness of promoting bone healing between two teriparatide preparations for atypical femoral fracture (AFF). A total of 45 AFFs were included in this study, and we compared the duration of bone union. Teriparatide administered by daily injection enhanced bone union more than weekly administration in complete AFFs. INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of teriparatide for atypical femoral fracture (AFF) has been recently reported. Although two different teriparatide preparations can be used to treat osteoporosis in Japan, daily or weekly injection, all previous reports on the effectiveness of teriparatide for AFF only examined daily injection formulations. Therefore, we compared the promotion of bone healing between the two teriparatide preparations for AFF. METHODS: A total of 45 consecutive AFFs in 43 Japanese patients were included in this study. They received either a daily 20-µg teriparatide injection (daily group; n = 32) or a once-a-week 56.5-µg teriparatide injection (weekly group; n = 13). We compared the clinical background and duration of bone union between these two groups. RESULTS: When all patents were included, the fracture healing time was not significantly different between the two groups. Only patients with complete AFFs had significantly fewer daily bisphosphonate or denosumab injections than the weekly group (P < 0.05). The fracture healing time in the daily group (6.1 ± 4.1 months) was significantly shorter than that in the weekly group (10.1 ± 4.2 months) (P < 0.05). Even if the influence of bisphosphonate or denosumab usage was excluded, a similar significant difference was observed in the fracture healing time (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups among patients with incomplete AFFs. CONCLUSIONS: Daily teriparatide injections enhance bone union more than weekly injections in complete AFF patients.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Bioimpedance Analysis are Clinically Useful for Measuring Muscle Mass in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Sarcopenia.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard method for the diagnosis and characterization of sarcopenia. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between the volume of psoas muscle measured using CT and the measurement of muscle mass with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: Fifty-eight recipients (42 males and 16 females) were enrolled. Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia were according to those of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia. The volume of psoas muscle was extracted using image recognition software from three-dimensional CT images. RESULTS: The volume of psoas muscle was 227.2 ± 61.3 mL in Group 1 (sarcopenia), 283.9 ± 75.3 mL in Group 2 (presarcopenia), and 363.7 ± 138.0 mL in Group 3 (without sarcopenia). Muscle mass measured using DXA was 15.80 ± 3.19 kg in Group 1, 16.36 ± 2.49 kg in Group 2, and 21.21 ± 4.14 kg in Group 3. Additionally, muscle mass assessed using BIA was 17.22 ± 4.11 kg in Group 1, 17.86 ± 3.30 kg in Group 2, and 21.48 ± 5.39 kg in Group 3. There were significant differences in the mean volume of psoas muscle between the 3 groups. There was a significant positive correlation between the volume of psoas muscle and the muscle mass assessed using DXA (r = 0.797; P < .001) and BIA (r = 0.761; P < .001). Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between DXA and BIA (r = 0.900; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: It was suggested that estimating muscle mass using DXA and BIA is a preferred method for diagnosis of sarcopenia in kidney transplant recipients.

Factors Associated With the Development of Sarcopenia in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia is characterized by an involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. Previous studies suggest that it is generally associated with aging and chronic kidney diseases. The focus of this study was on the association between sarcopenia and pre-sarcopenia in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: Fifty-one patients who underwent kidney transplantation at Kansai Medical University Hospital were enrolled, and their sarcopenia status was evaluated between April and July 2016. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle mass index was measured by using dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry; the cutoff points were <7.0 kg/m2 for male subjects and <5.4 kg/m2 for female subjects. For hand grip strength, values <26 kg (male subjects) and <17 kg (female subjects) was judged as sarcopenia. In both sexes, the cutoff point for walking speed was <0.8 m/s. RESULTS: Fifty-one recipients (36 men and 15 women) who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the recipients was 46.2 ± 12.8 years, and the mean duration of dialysis was 2.72 ± 3.61 years. Overall, 6 recipients (11.8%) had sarcopenia, and 25 recipients (49.0%) had pre-sarcopenia; 20 (39.2%) did not have sarcopenia. There were significant differences in age, duration of dialysis, body mass index, and triglyceride levels between the subgroups of recipients with and without sarcopenia. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age and duration of dialysis were independent variables for sarcopenic status. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that age and duration of dialysis before transplantation were independent determinants of sarcopenia and pre-sarcopenia in these kidney transplant recipients.

Relationship between volume of the seminal vesicles and sexual activity in middle-aged men.

The relationship between volume of the seminal vesicles and the frequency of sex and sexual function in middle-aged men is not clear. This study included 81 patients who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer. Volume of the seminal vesicles was examined using a volume analyser from computed tomography. Sexual function was subjectively evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and Erection Hardness Score. The frequency of sex was surveyed using our original questionnaire. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 67.7 ± 5.3 years. There was no relationship between the volume of seminal vesicles and age of the patients. Volume of the seminal vesicles in patients who answered that they had sexual activity at least once a year was significantly larger than in those who answered no sexual activity for several years (P < .01) Moreover, among sexually active, middle-aged men, volume of the seminal vesicles was significantly larger in those who had a sexual frequency once every 3 months than in those who had a sexual frequency once every 6 months or once a year (P < .05). Our study suggests that the volume of seminal vesicles of middle-aged men is correlated with sexual activity.

Anti-Rhodotorula activity of mycophenolic acid enhanced in the presence of polyene antibiotic nystatin.

Rhodotorula species are opportunistic pathogens, which cause not only systemic fungaemia but also other localized infections. Despite serious side effects such as nephrotoxicity and hypokalemia, amphotericin B (a polyene antifungal) has been commonly prescribed for Rhodotorula infection because Rhodotorula species are resistant against a candin family of antifungal agents. In this study, novel active compounds against Rhodotorula species were screened from the extracts of entomopathogenic fungi based on the synergistic effect of polyene nystatin (NYS), which causes efficient targeting of compounds due to increased permeability through the fungal cell membrane. Around 37% of culture extracts from 31 entomopathogenic fungal strains showed anti-Rhodotorula activity in the synergistic bioassay system, suggesting that the coexistence assay with NYS enhanced the discovery of anti-Rhodotorula compounds. Judging from various physicochemical data, the active component from strain HF763 was identified as an immunosuppressant drug, mycophenolic acid (MPA). The minimum inhibitory concentration of MPA against three pathogenic Rhodotorula strains was determined, focusing on the synergistic effect with NYS. The results revealed that the values decreased by at least 87% in the presence of NYS, indicating that MPA showed a synergistic effect with NYS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to screen active compounds against Rhodotorula species that are resistant to a candin family of antifungal agents, from entomopathogenic fungi. Assuming that most of the latent antifungal compounds do not exert their activity due to their inability to penetrate the membrane, we took advantage of polyene nystatin in the screening to increase permeability through the fungal cell membrane. The result of the screening revealed hidden antifungal activity of mycophenolic acid, demonstrating that the method applied in this study unlocks the potentials of bioresources, and proposes a new remedy for mycosis.

Slow-Growing Large Irritation Fibroma of the Anterior Hard Palate: A Case Report Using Immunohistochemical Analysis.

Irritation fibromas are recognized as fibrous lesions, usually reactive hyperplasias; however, the mechanism of enlargement is unclear. This paper reports on an abnormally large irritation fibroma of extremely gradual growth. The immunohistochemical features (CD34, α-SMA, vimentin, Ki-67, and TGF-α) of this irritation fibroma are presented to distinguish reactive hyperplasia from other true fibrous neoplasm diseases. In the only previous study, it was reported that the expression of TGF-α might be associated with the development of oral fibromas. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between this exceptionally-large fibrous lesion of extremely slow growth and the immunohistochemical reactivity of TGF-α, finding that, in contrast to the previous study, TGF-α was not expressed. This is the first study to evaluate the enlargement mechanism of such a large irritation fibroma using the approach of immunohistochemical analysis, and it indicates that such analysis can help elucidate the diverse causes and enlargement mechanisms of irritation fibromas.

Elucidation of the mechanism of suppressed steroidogenesis during androgen deprivation therapy of prostate cancer patients using a mouse model.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard medical approach to the management of prostate cancer. Patients switched from a GnRH antagonist to a GnRH agonist, did not experience a testosterone surge in spite of the occurrence of luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in our protocol of clinical study. To clarify this observation, male mice pre-treated with two different doses of the GnRH antagonist degarelix for 28 days were further administered the GnRH agonist leuprolide or chorionic gonadotropin, and testosterone production of the mice was studied. Serum LH and testosterone levels, the size of Leydig cells, and expression level of steroidogenesis-related genes in the testis were analyzed. Treatment of mice with a high dose of degarelix (0.1 µg/mouse; HDG), but not a low dose (0.05 µg/mouse; LDG), for 28 days reproduced declined steroidogenesis observed in prostate cancer patients during ADT switched from a GnRH antagonist to a GnRH agonist. The size of the Leydig cells in the HDG mice was not significantly different from that in naive mice. Although expression levels of StAR, P450scc, and 17ß HSD increased significantly in the LDH testis, those in the HDG testis did not change. Treatment of mice with a high dose of degarelix for 28 days reproduced the decline in steroidogenesis observed in prostate cancer patients during ADT. In this animal model, we demonstrated that initial ADT may inhibit the ability of Leydig cells to produce testosterone by suppressing the expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis, such as StAR, P450scc, and 17ßHSD.

Comparison of Cosmesis and Body Image After Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study used a questionnaire to objectively assess the body image of donors who underwent conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (L-DN) or laparoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS-DN). Surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups. METHODS: Twenty patients underwent L-DN and 20 underwent LESS-DN. The postoperative outcomes of the two approaches were retrospectively compared and evaluated for differences in cosmesis and body image. The questionnaire comprised a body image questionnaire, including a body image scale (BIS) and cosmetic scale (CS), and a photo-series questionnaire (PSQ). A higher score indicated a more favorable assessment. Pain was assessed by comparing the number of times an analgesic was administered during hospitalization. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in operative outcomes between L-DN and LESS-DN. The average BIS score (maximum possible, 20 points) was 18.5 points for patients who underwent L-DN and 19.5 points for patients who underwent LESS-DN (P = .025). Patients who underwent L-DN had a median CS score (maximum possible, 24 points) of 17.5 points, whereas patients who underwent LESS-DN had a median CS score of 19.0 points (P = .113). The average PSQ score was 7.1 points for patients who underwent L-DN and 8.8 points for patients who underwent LESS-DN (P = .01). Patients who underwent LESS-DN were administered an analgesic was significantly number of times less than patients who underwent DN (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: LESS-DN results in a better body image and better cosmetic appearance than does L-DN, indicating the clinical usefulness of LESS-DN.

Inhibiting NADPH oxidase protects against long-term memory impairment induced by neonatal sevoflurane exposure in mice.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal exposure to anaesthetics such as sevoflurane has been reported to result in behavioural deficits in rodents. However, while oxidative injury is thought to play an underlying pathological role, the mechanisms of neurotoxicity remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin protects against long-term memory impairment produced by neonatal sevoflurane exposure in mice. METHODS: Postnatal day six mice were divided into four groups; (1) non-anaesthesia, (2) intraperitoneal apocynin (50 mg kg(-1)) treatment, (3) 3% sevoflurane exposure for 6 h, and (4) apocynin treatment combined with sevoflurane exposure. Superoxide concentrations and NADPH oxidase expression in the brain were determined using dihydroethidium fluorescence and immunoblotting, respectively. Cleaved caspase-3 immunoblotting was used for the detection of apoptosis, and cytochrome c immunoblotting was performed to evaluate mitochondrial function. Long-term cognitive impairment was evaluated using the fear conditioning test in adulthood. RESULTS: Sevoflurane exposure increased concentrations of superoxide (109%) and the NADPH oxidase subunit p22phox (39%) in the brain, and apocynin abolished these increases. Neonatal sevoflurane exposure caused learning deficits in adulthood. Apocynin also maintained long-term memory function in mice given neonatal sevoflurane exposure, and it reduced apoptosis and decreased cytochrome c concentrations in the brains of these mice. CONCLUSIONS: Apocynin reduces neuronal apoptosis and protects against long-term memory impairment in mice, neonatally exposed to sevoflurane by reducing superoxide concentrations. These findings suggest that NADPH oxidase inhibitors may protect against cognitive dysfunction resulting from neonatal anaesthesia.

Comparison of Renal Scintigraphy and Computed Tomographic Renal Volumetry for Determining Split Renal Function and Estimating Post-Transplant Renal Function.

BACKGROUND: In living donor kidney transplantation, the decision regarding which donor kidney to transplant is based on characteristics such as vascular anatomy and split renal function (SRF). Computed tomography (CT) was used to assess vascular anatomy and renal scintigraphy was used to evaluate SRF. The ability of split renal volume (SRV) calculated from volumetric examination of CT scans and that of SRF of renal scintigrams derived from Tc-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 (MAG3) renography to predict donor residual single kidney function after donor nephrectomy were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT images and renal scintigrams from 35 live kidney donors who had at least 1 year post-donation renal function follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Predonation GFR was 99.1 ± 17.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The average right and left kidney volumes were 138.8 ± 29.4 mL and 136.1 ± 29.2 mL, respectively. SRV was strongly and significantly correlated with SRF-MAG3 (r = 0.714). The residual renal functions predicted from calculating SRV and SRF-MAG3 were 46.2 ± 8.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 46.0 ± 9.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Both SRV (r = 0.708) and SRF-MAG3 (r = 0.634) showed significant linear correlations with residual renal function after 1 year, with SRV showing a stronger correlation. CONCLUSION: Calculating SRV from predonation CT examination is a valid method to estimate postdonation renal function after 1 year. CT volumetry may become a standard method in the near future.

Differential impacts of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) on cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia according to mode of onset.

BACKGROUND: The mode of onset and the course of schizophrenia illness exhibit substantial individual variations. Previous studies have pointed out that the mode of onset affects the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and clinical outcomes, such as cognitive and social functioning. This study attempted to clarify the association between the DUP and clinical features, taking the different modes of onset into consideration, in a prospective longitudinal study examining patients with first-episode schizophrenia. METHODS: This study was conducted in six areas of Japan. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia were followed for over 18 months. Cognitive function, psychopathology, and social functioning were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-up points. RESULTS: We identified 168 patients and sufficient information was available to determine the DUP and the mode of onset for 156 patients (92.9%): 79 had an acute onset, and 77 had an insidious onset. The DUP was significantly associated with quality of life (QOL), social functioning, and cognitive function at most of the follow-up points in the insidious-onset group. The DUP and negative symptoms at baseline were significant predictors of cognitive function at the 18-month follow-up in the insidious-onset group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results further support the hypothesis that the DUP affects QOL, social functioning, and cognitive function over the course of illness, especially in patients with an insidious onset. Effective strategies for detecting and caring for individuals with insidious onset early during the course of schizophrenia will be essential for achieving a full patient recovery.

Bone marrow-derived stromal cells are associated with gastric cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BM-SCs) expressing CD271 in the development of gastric cancer. METHODS: The effect of human BM-SCs on the proliferation and motility of six gastric cancer cell lines, OCUM-2M, OCUM-2MD3, OCUM-12, KATO-III, NUGC-3, and MKN-74, was examined. CD271 expression levels in BM-SCs were analysed by flow cytometry. We also generated a gastric tumour model by orthotopic inoculation of OCUM-2MLN cells in mice that had received transplantation of bone marrow from the CAG-EGFP mice. The correlation between the clinicopathological features of 279 primary gastric carcinomas and CD271 expression in tumour stroma was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Numerous BM-SCs infiltrated the gastric tumour microenvironment; CD271 expression was found in ∼25% of BM-SCs. Conditioned medium from BM-SCs significantly increased the proliferation of gastric cancer cell lines. Furthermore, conditioned medium from gastric cancer cells significantly increased the number of BM-SCs, whereas migration of OCUM-12 and NUGC-3 cells was significantly increased by conditioned medium from BM-SCs. CD271 expression in stromal cells was significantly associated with macroscopic type-4 cancers, diffuse-type tumours, and tumour invasion depth. The overall survival of patients (n=279) with CD271-positive stromal cells was significantly worse compared with that of patients with CD271-negative stromal cells. This is the first report of the significance of BM-SCs in gastric cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow-derived stromal cells might have an important role in gastric cancer progression, and CD271-positive BM-SCs might be a useful prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients.

First case report of de novo ulcerative colitis developing after orthotopic liver transplantation successfully treated by granulocyte and monocyte apheresis.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine are prescribed long-term after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to prevent allograft rejection. Although these immunosuppressants are known to effectively control ulcerative colitis (UC), some post-OLT patients develop exacerbation of preexisting UC or de novo UC. Although aminosalicylates and corticosteroid courses are usually effective to treat such UC, several patients have developed uncontrollable disease and required colectomies. CASE REPORT: We have reported a patient who developed de novo UC after OLT to treat liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Existence of the HBV infection made us avoid to increase the corticosteroid dose or to use other immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or infliximab. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient, granulocyte and monocyte apheresis was highly effective in terms of inducing remission of de novo UC. No adverse event was noted.

In vivo eradication of MLL/ENL leukemia cells by NK cells in the absence of adaptive immunity.

It remains unclear how the immune system affects leukemia development. To clarify the significance of the presence of immune systems in leukemia development, we transferred MLL/ENL leukemia cells into immune-competent or immune-deficient mice without any preconditioning including irradiation. The wild-type mice did not develop leukemia, whereas all the Rag2(-/-)γc(-/-) mice lacking both adaptive immune cells and natural killer (NK) cells developed leukemia, indicating that leukemia cells were immunologically rejected. Interestingly, leukemia cells were also rejected in 60% of the Rag2(-/-) mice that lacked adaptive immune cells but possessed NK cells, suggesting that NK cells play a substantial role in the rejection of leukemia. Moreover, engraftment of leukemia cells was enhanced by NK cell depletion in Rag2(-/-) recipients and inhibited by transfer of NK cells into Rag2(-/-)γc(-/-) recipients. Upregulation of NKG2D (NK group 2, member D) ligands in MLL/ENL leukemia cells caused elimination of leukemia cells by NK cells. Finally, we found that leukemia cells resistant to elimination by NK cells had been selected during leukemia development in Rag2(-/-) recipients. These results demonstrate that NK cells can eradicate MLL/ENL leukemia cells in vivo in the absence of adaptive immunity, thus suggesting that NK cells can play a potent role in immunosurveillance against leukemia.

The effects of BaSO4 loading on OPC cementing system for encapsulation of BaSO4 scale from oil and gas industry.

The BaSO4 scales obtained from piping decontamination from oil and gas industries are most often classified as low level radioactive waste. These wastes could be immobilised by stable cement matrix to provide higher safety of handling, transportation, storage and disposal. However, the information available for the effects of the basic formulation such as waste loading on the fundamental properties is still limited. The present study investigated the effect of BaSO4 loading and water content on the properties of OPC-BaSO4 systems containing fine BaSO4 powder and coarse granules. The BaSO4 with different particle size had a marked effect on the compressive strength due to their different effects on hydration products formed. Introduction of fine BaSO4 powder resulted in an increased formation of CaCO3 in the system, which significantly contributed to the compressive strength of the products. Amount of water was important to control the CaCO3 formation, and water to cement ratio of 0.53 was found to be a good level to maintain a low porosity of the products both for fine BaSO4 powder and coarse BaSO4 granule. BaSO4 loading of up to 60 wt% has been achieved satisfying the minimum compressive strength of 5 MPa required for the radioactive wasteforms.