Giant spin polarization and a pair of antiparallel spins in a chiral superconductor.

Chiral molecules can exhibit spin-selective charge emission, which is known as chirality-induced spin selectivity1,2. Despite the constituent light elements of the molecules, their spin polarization can approach or even exceed that of typical ferromagnets. This powerful capability may lead to applications in the chiral spintronics2 field. Although the origin of spin selectivity is elusive, two microscopic phenomena have been suggested based on experimental results: effective enhancement of spin-orbit interactions3 and chirality represented by a pair of oppositely polarized spins4,5. However, the hypotheses remain to be verified. Here we report the simultaneous observation of these two phenomena in an organic chiral superconductor by magnetoresistance measurements in the vicinity of the superconducting transition temperature. A pair of oppositely polarized spins is demonstrated by spatially mapping the spin polarity in an electric alternating current excitation. The obtained spin polarization exceeds that of the Edelstein effect6-10 by several orders of magnitude, which indicates an effective enhancement of the spin-orbit interaction. Our results demonstrate a solid-state analogue of spin accumulations assumed for chiral molecules, and may provide clues to the origin of their molecular counterparts. In addition, the innovative capability of spin-current sourcing will invigorate superconducting spintronics research11.

Contribution of Noncanonical Antigens to Virulence and Adaptive Immunity in Human Infection with Enterotoxigenic E. coli.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) contributes significantly to the substantial burden of infectious diarrhea among children living in low- and middle-income countries. In the absence of a vaccine for ETEC, children succumb to acute dehydration as well as nondiarrheal sequelae related to these infections, including malnutrition. The considerable diversity of ETEC genomes has complicated canonical vaccine development approaches defined by a subset of ETEC pathovar-specific antigens known as colonization factors (CFs). To identify additional conserved immunogens unique to this pathovar, we employed an "open-aperture" approach to capture all potential conserved ETEC surface antigens, in which we mined the genomic sequences of 89 ETEC isolates, bioinformatically selected potential surface-exposed pathovar-specific antigens conserved in more than 40% of the genomes (n = 118), and assembled the representative proteins onto microarrays, complemented with known or putative colonization factor subunit molecules (n = 52) and toxin subunits. These arrays were then used to interrogate samples from individuals with acute symptomatic ETEC infections. Surprisingly, in this approach, we found that immune responses were largely constrained to a small number of antigens, including individual colonization factor antigens and EtpA, an extracellular adhesin. In a Bangladeshi cohort of naturally infected children <2 years of age, both EtpA and a second antigen, EatA, elicited significant serologic responses that were associated with protection from symptomatic illness. In addition, children infected with ETEC isolates bearing either etpA or eatA genes were significantly more likely to develop symptomatic disease. These studies support a role for antigens not presently targeted by vaccines (noncanonical) in virulence and the development of adaptive immune responses during ETEC infections. These findings may inform vaccine design efforts to complement existing approaches.

Myositis with sarcoplasmic inclusions in Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome: a genetic inflammatory myopathy.

AIMS: Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (NNS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic mutations in the PSMB8 gene that encodes the immunoproteasome subunit ß5i. There have been only a limited number of reports on the clinicopathological features of the disease in genetically confirmed cases. METHODS: We studied clinical and pathological features of three NNS patients who all carry the homozygous p.G201V mutations in PSMB8. Patients' muscle specimens were analysed with histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All patients had episodes of typical periodic fever and skin rash, and later developed progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, similar to previous reports. Oral corticosteroid was used for treatment but showed no obvious efficacy. On muscle pathology, lymphocytes were present in the endomysium surrounding non-necrotic fibres, as well as in the perimysium perivascular area. Nearly all fibres strongly expressed MHC-I in the sarcolemma. In the eldest patient, there were abnormal protein aggregates in the sarcoplasm, immunoreactive to p62, TDP-43 and ubiquitin antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that inflammation, inclusion pathology and aggregation of abnormal proteins underlie the progressive clinical course of the NNS pathomechanism.

Interleukin-25 is involved in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma progression by establishing a T helper 2-dominant microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-25 is a member of the IL-17 family, which can promote and augment T-helper (Th) type 2 responses. The expression of IL-25 and its cognate receptor, IL-25 receptor (IL-25R), is upregulated and correlated with disease activity in Th2-associated diseases. OBJECTIVES: To examine the expression and function of IL-25 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). METHODS: Expression and location of IL-25 in lesional skin was investigated with immunohistochemistry. The effect of various cytokines on IL-25 production from normal human epidermal keratinocytes was assessed by quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum IL-25 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The direct effect of IL-25 on tumour cells was also examined using CTCL cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with Sézary syndrome. RESULTS: IL-25 expression was increased in epidermal keratinocytes in lesional skin of CTCL. Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, and periostin induced IL-25 expression by normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Serum IL-25 levels were increased in patients with advanced CTCL and correlated with serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. MyLa cells expressed IL-25R and its expression was augmented by stimulation with IL-25. IL-25 enhanced IL-13 production from MyLa cells via phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from one patient with Sézary syndrome expressed IL-25R and showed increase of IL-13 production by IL-25. CONCLUSIONS: Th2 cytokines highly expressed in CTCL lesional skin induce IL-25 production by epidermal keratinocytes, which may, in turn, lead to formation of a Th2-dominant microenvironment through the direct induction of IL-13 by tumour cells.

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell isolation from tooth extraction sockets.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (BMSCs) are commonly used in regeneration therapy. The current primary source of BMSCs is the iliac crest; however, the procedure is associated with various burdens on the patient, including the risk of pain and infection. Hence, the possibility to collect BMSCs from other, more accessible, sources would be an attractive approach. It is well known that stem cells migrate from surrounding tissues and play important roles in wound healing. We thus hypothesized that stem/progenitor cells could be isolated from granulation tissue in the dental socket, and we subsequently collected granulation tissue from dog dental socket 3 d after tooth extraction. After enzyme digestion of the collected tissue, the cells forming colonies constituted the dental socket-derived stem/progenitor cells (dDSCs). Next, dDSCs were compared with dog BMSCs (dBMSCs) for phenotype characterization. A flow cytometric analysis showed that dDSCs were positive for CD44, CD90, and CD271 but negative for CD34 and CD45, similar to dBMSCs. dDSCs also exhibited osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation ability, similar to dBMSCs, with a higher capacity for colony formation, proliferation, and motility than dBMSCs. In addition, an in vivo ectopic bone formation assay showed that dDSCs and dBMSCs both induced hard tissue formation, although only dDSCs formed a fibrous tissue-like structure connected to the newly formed bone. Finally, we tested the ability of dDSCs to regenerate periodontal tissue in a one-wall defect model. The defects in the dDSC-transplanted group (ß-TCP/PGA/dDSCs) were regenerated with cementum-like and periodontal ligament-like tissues and alveolar bone, whereas only bony tissue was observed in the control group (ß-TCP/PGA). In conclusion, we identified and characterized a population of stem/progenitor cells in granulation tissue obtained from the dental socket that exhibited several characteristics similar to those of BMSCs. Dental sockets could therefore be a novel source for isolating stem/progenitor cells from bone.

Genomic organization and comparative chromosome mapping of the U1 snRNA gene in cichlid fish, with an emphasis in Oreochromis niloticus.

To better understand genomic and chromosomal organization and evolutionary patterns of the U1 snRNA gene in cichlid fish, the gene was cytogenetically mapped and comparatively analyzed in 19 species belonging to several clades of the group. Moreover, the distribution and organization of U1 snRNA gene was analyzed in the Oreochromis niloticus genome. The results indicated high conservation of one chromosomal cluster of U1 snRNA in the African, Asian, and South American species, with few variations in the chromosomal position of the clusters in the South American species. The genomic analysis of U1 revealed a distinct scenario from that observed under the cytogenetic mapping. An enrichment of the U1 gene on linkage group (LG) 14 was observed that did not correspond to the same chromosome that harbors the U1 cluster identified by cytogenetic mapping. Moreover, it was revealed that the presence of several distinct transposable elements in the U1 gene flanking regions could be involved in the spreading of this sequence, but the generation of new, large snRNA clusters (detectable by fluorescent in situ hybridization, FISH) is apparently hampered. These results contribute to the understanding of multigene families' evolution and reinforce the utility of integrative analysis and the use of cytogenetic and bioinformatic methods to address the genomic and chromosomal evolutionary patterns of repeated DNAs among vertebrates. Moreover, the U1 gene represents a useful new chromosomal marker for cytogenetic studies.

T-helper 17 cells mediate the osteo/odontoclastogenesis induced by excessive orthodontic forces.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how T-helper 17 cells (Th17 cells), interleukin (IL)-17, and interleukin-6 contribute to root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen male 6-week-old Wistar rats were subjected to orthodontic force of 10 or 50 g to induce a mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 days. The expression levels of TRAP, IL-17, the IL-17 receptor (IL-17R), and IL-6 proteins were determined in periodontal ligament (PDL) by immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, the fluorescent localization immunoassay was performed to detect Th17 cells. Furthermore, the effects of IL-17 on IL-6 release were investigated using human PDL cells in vitro. The effect of IL-17 on osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by TRAP staining, actin ring staining, and the pit formation assay. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity for Th17, IL-17, IL-17R, and IL-6 was detected in PDL tissue subjected to the orthodontic force on day 7. IL-17 increased the release of IL-6 from human periodontal ligament cells in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, IL-17 stimulated osteoclastogenesis from human osteoclast precursor cells, and these effects were partially suppressed by an anti-IL-6 antibody. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Th17 cells may aggravate the process of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption.

Nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery diagnosed by MR angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery is a branching anomaly in which the ECA has no proximal main trunk. We report its incidence and characteristic features on MRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MRAs of 2866 patients obtained by using a standard noncontrast MRA protocol and two 1.5T MR imaging units and reviewed the English language literature to assess the occurrence and features of this nonbifurcating artery. RESULTS: We diagnosed 6 cases, indicating an incidence of 0.21%, and found 11 cases reported in the literature. Analysis of all 17 cases demonstrated no laterality or sex predominance. The most prevalent pattern of branching order from proximal to distal was the F-L trunk, the distal trunk of the ECA, and the OA. CONCLUSIONS: A nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery is rare but not as extremely rare as previously considered, and its correct diagnosis is necessary to avoid complications during interventional radiologic procedures or head and neck surgeries.

IL-8 and MCP-1 induced by excessive orthodontic force mediates odontoclastogenesis in periodontal tissues.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how interleukin (IL)-8 (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant; CINC-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 contribute to root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty 6-week-old male Wistar rats were subjected to orthodontic force of 10 or 50 g to induce a mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 days. We determined the expressions of CINC-1, CXCR2, and MCP-1 proteins in root resorption area using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of compression forces (CF) on IL-8 and MCP-1 production by human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. We observed an effect of chemokine treatment on rat odonto/osteoclasts in dentin slices that recapitulated root resorption. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity for CINC-1/CXCR2 and MCP-1 was detected in odontoclasts and PDL fibroblasts by the orthodontic force of 50 g on day 7. CF increased the secretion and the expression of mRNA of IL-8 and MCP-1 from PDL cells in a magnitude-dependent manner. Moreover, CINC-1 and MCP-1 stimulated osteoclastogenesis from rat osteoclast precursor cells. CONCLUSION: IL-8 (CINC-1) and MCP-1 may therefore facilitate the process of root resorption because of excessive orthodontic force.

Effects of relaxin on collagen type I released by stretched human periodontal ligament cells.

OBJECTIVES: Relapse of teeth that have moved during orthodontic treatment is a major clinical issue with respect to the goals of successful treatment. Such relapse is a physiologic response of the supporting tissues to application of force, and is mainly attributed to occlusal instability and increased mechanical tension exerted by the periodontal ligament (PDL). Relaxin, a member of the insulin/relaxin family of structurally related hormones, has an influence on many physiologic processes, such as collagen turnover, angiogenesis, and antifibrosis. Therefore, relaxin may also affect orthodontic tooth movement through alterations of the PDL, though little is known regarding the relationship between relaxin and stretched human PDL (hPDL) cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of relaxin on the expression of collagen type I (Col-I) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in stretched hPDL cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The release and gene expression of Col-I, as well as those of MMP-1 in stretched hPDL cells treated with relaxin were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR methods. RESULTS: Relaxin decreased the release and gene expression of Col-I, and increased those of MMP-1 by stretched hPDL cells in a magnitude-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that relaxin modulates collagen metabolism in stretched hPDL cells via the release and expression of Col-I and MMP-1. This hormone may be useful to prevent orthodontic relapse following orthodontic treatment.

Effects of compression force on fibroblast growth factor-2 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand production by periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mechanical stress by an orthodontic appliance induces biologically active substances. Fibroblast growth factor is a multifunctional cytokine that has various effects on fibroblast cells, and fibroblast growth factor-2 plays an important role in remodeling of the periodontal ligament. The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is an important protein involved in osteoclastogenesis and we recently reported that RANKL levels were increased by compression force in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effects of compression force on fibroblast growth factor-2 and RANKL production by human periodontal ligament cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Compression force (0.5-4.0 g/cm2) was applied to human periodontal ligament cells for 0-24 h. The amounts of soluble RANKL (sRANKL) and fibroblast growth factor-2 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas mRNA levels were determined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, anti-fibroblast growth factor-2 was added to the cell culture media and we measured the release of sRANKL and fibroblast growth factor-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compression force induced higher levels of sRANKL and fibroblast growth factor-2 in both a time- and magnitude-dependent manner. Treatment with anti-fibroblast growth factor-2 inhibited the release of sRANKL. CONCLUSION: Fibroblast growth factor-2 may be partly involved in osteoclastogenesis during orthodontic tooth movement.

Levels of RANKL and OPG in gingival crevicular fluid during orthodontic tooth movement and effect of compression force on releases from periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of the receptor activator of NFkB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during orthodontic tooth movement. A second objective was to investigate the effect of compression force on RANKL and OPG production from human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. DESIGN: Ten adolescent patients were included. GCF was collected at the distal cervical margins of the experimental and control teeth 0, 1, 24, and 168 h after the retracting force was applied. Thisin vitro study was performed to examine the secretion of RANKL and OPG from hPDL cells following a compression force (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 g/cm(2) for 48 h). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to determine RANKL and OPG levels in the GCF and the conditioned medium. RESULTS: GCF levels of RANKL were significantly higher, and the levels of OPG significantly lower, in the experimental canines than in the control teeth at 24 h, but there were no such significant differences at 0, 1, or 168 h. In vitro study indicated that the compression force significantly increased the secretion of RANKL and decreased that of OPG in hPDL cells in a time- and force magnitude-dependent manner. The compression-stimulated secretion of RANKL increased approximately 16.7-fold and that of OPG decreased 2.9-fold, as compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained suggest that the changes of amount of RANKL and OPG may be involved in bone resorption as a response to compression force.

Perforated appendicitis causing thigh emphysema: a case report.

We report a case of thigh emphysema resulting from perforated appendicitis. The patient was an 83-year-old man who had no apparent abdominal signs and was initially misdiagnosed as having psoas abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis revealed appendicitis, and a barium enema showed a leakage of enhanced contrast material from the appendix region down into the thigh. A retroperitoneal perforation of the retrocaecal appendix without peritonitis was diagnosed. The patient underwent an appendectomy and curettage of the retroperitoneal and psoas muscle spaces, as well as the thigh. He recovered gradually, though the abscess had extended into the hip joint and resulted in osteomyelitis, requiring an additional procedure of resection arthroplasty. The patient fully recovered with no signs of infection one year postoperatively.

Reversible valence tautomerism induced by a single-shot laser pulse in a cobalt-iron Prussian blue analog.

Reversible valence tautomeric conversion induced by a single-shot laser pulse (8 ns duration) with a photon excitation energy of 2.38 eV has been observed in Na0.36Co1.32Fe(CN)(6).5.6H(2)O. A photoswitching process with accompanying magnetization and color changes was successfully achieved within the pulse duration at high temperature (above 200 K) in a thermal hysteresis loop. This unusual photoeffect originates from an optical charge transfer between Fe and Co atoms and evolves due to a cooperative interaction among the local photoexcited sites.

A cyclic dodecapeptide-multiple-antigen peptide conjugate from the undecapeptidyl arch (from Arg(168) to Cys(178)) of extracellular loop 2 in CCR5 as a novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vaccine.

A cyclic closed-chain dodecapeptide (cDDR5) mimicking the conformation-specific domain of CCR5 was prepared in which Gly-Asp, as a dipeptide forming a spacer arm, links the amino and carboxyl termini of the decapeptidyl linear chain (Arg(168) to Thr(177)) derived from the undecapeptidyl arch (UPA; Arg(168) to Cys(178)) of extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) in CCR5. Novel monoclonal antibodies were raised against cDDR5 conjugated with a multiple-antigen peptide (cDDR5-MAP), and the purified antibody [KB8C12, immunoglobulin M(kappa)] reacted with cDDR5, but not with linear DDR5, in real-time biomolecular interaction analysis using surface plasmon resonance. The antibody also reacted with cells expressing CCR5, but not with cells expressing CXCR4, and the immunoreaction was competed by cDDR5-MAP. The antibody significantly interfered with chemotaxis induced by macrophage inflammatory protein, 1beta, and at a concentration of 1.67 nM it almost completely inhibited infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) R5, but not by HIV-1 X4, as observed by use of a new phenotypic assay for drug susceptibility of HIV-1 using the CCR5-expressing HeLa CD4(+) cell clone 1-10 (MAGIC-5). Furthermore, cDDR5-MAP suppressed infection by HIV-1 R5 at relatively high concentrations (50 to 400 microM) in a dose-dependent manner but did not suppress infection by HIV-1 X4. Taken together, these results indicate that the antibody is conformation specific and recognizes the conformation-specific domain of the UPA of ECL2. Moreover, both the antibody and its immunogen, the cDDR5-MAP conjugate, may be useful in developing a new candidate vaccine for HIV therapy.

Consideration on peak shape in a batch-type chemiluminescence detection cell for capillary electrophoresis.

Peak areas, peak heights, and apparent theoretical plate numbers were examined as a function of sample injection times by use of the batch-type CL detection cell. Comparing the experimental data with those obtained by absorption detector, some considerations were carried out about the peak shape. The peak shape in CL detection was influenced by not only concentration distribution of sample in a sample zone but also sample diffusion and CL reaction at the capillary outlet. The sample injection time of ca. 35 s was recommended for the present CE with CL detector. The injection time much influenced peak shape as well as sensitivity in the CL detection cell.