Quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surfaces and coherent interlayer transport in KFe2As2.

We report the results of the angular-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMROs), which can determine the shape of bulk Fermi surfaces (FSs) in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) systems, in a highly hole-doped Fe-based superconductor KFe2As2 with Tc ≈ 3.7 K. From the AMROs, we determined the two Q2D FSs with rounded-square cross sections, correspond to 12% and 17% of the first Brillouin zone. The rounded-squared shape of the FS cross section is also confirmed by the analyses of the interlayer transport under in-plane fields. From the obtained FS shape, we infer the character of the 3d orbitals that contribute to the FSs.

Microwave penetration depth and quasiparticle conductivity of PrFeAsO1-y single crystals: evidence for a full-gap superconductor.

In-plane microwave penetration depth lambda_{ab} and quasiparticle conductivity at 28 GHz are measured in underdoped single crystals of the Fe-based superconductor PrFeAsO_{1-y} (T_{c} approximately 35 K) by using a sensitive superconducting cavity resonator. lambda_{ab}(T) shows flat dependence at low temperatures, which is incompatible with the presence of nodes in the superconducting gap Delta(k). The temperature dependence of the superfluid density demonstrates that the gap is nonzero (Delta/k_{B}T_{c} greater, similar1.6) all over the Fermi surface. The microwave conductivity below T_{c} exhibits an enhancement larger than the coherence peak, reminiscent of high-T_{c} cuprate superconductors.

Low-energy charge-density excitations in MgB2: Striking interplay between single-particle and collective behavior for large momenta.

A sharp feature in the charge-density excitation spectra of single-crystal MgB2, displaying a remarkable cosinelike, periodic energy dispersion with momentum transfer (q) along the c* axis, has been observed for the first time by high-resolution nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NIXS). Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations show that the physics underlying the NIXS data is strong coupling between single-particle and collective degrees of freedom, mediated by large crystal local-field effects. As a result, the small-q collective mode residing in the single-particle excitation gap of the B pi bands reappears periodically in higher Brillouin zones. The NIXS data thus embody a novel signature of the layered electronic structure of MgB2.

Uniform mixing of high-Tc superconductivity and antiferromagnetism on a single CuO2 plane of a Hg-based five-layered cuprate.

We report a site selective Cu-NMR study on underdoped Hg-based five-layered high-Tc cuprate HgBa2Ca4CU5O(12+delta) with a Tc = 72 K. Antiferromagnetism (AFM) has been found to take place at T(N) = 290 K, exhibiting a large antiferromagnetic moment of 0.67-0.69 microB at three inner planes (IP). This value is comparable to the values reported for nondoped cuprates, suggesting that the IP may be in a nearly nondoped regime. Most surprisingly, the AFM order is also detected with M(AFM)(OP) = 0.1 microB even at two outer planes (OP) that are responsible for the onset of superconductivity (SC). The high-Tc SC at Tc = 72 K can uniformly coexist on a microscopic level with the AFM at OP's. This is the first microscopic evidence for the uniform mixed phase of AFM and SC on a single CuO2 plane in a simple environment without any vortex lattice and/or stripe order.

Definitive experimental evidence for two-band superconductivity in MgB2.

The superconducting-gap of MgB2 has been studied by high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The results show that superconducting gaps with values of 5.5 and 2.2 meV open on the sigma band and the pi band, respectively, but both the gaps close at the bulk transition temperature, providing a definitive experimental evidence for the two-band superconductivity with strong interband pairing interaction in MgB2. The experiments validate the role of k-dependent electron-phonon coupling as the origin of multiple-gap superconductivity as well as the high transition temperature of MgB2.

Evidence for a multiple superconducting gap in MgB(2) from high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy.

We study the new binary intermetallic superconductor MgB(2) using high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy. The superconducting-state spectrum measured at 5.4 K shows a coherent peak with a shoulder structure, in sharp contrast to that expected from a simple isotropic-gap opening. The spectrum can be well reproduced using the weighted sum of two Dynes functions with the gap sizes of 1.7 and 5.6 meV. Temperature-dependent study shows that both gaps close at the bulk transition temperature. These results provide spectroscopic evidence for a multiple gap of MgB(2).

Hypermethylation of the CD44 gene is associated with progression and metastasis of human prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: CD44 is a metastasis suppressor gene for prostate cancer and the down-regulation of CD44 and its variants is associated with the progression of prostate cancer. Also, hypermethylation of the CpG islands of the CD44 gene is closely associated with transcriptional inactivation, resulting in the decreased expression of CD44. To clarify the exact role of methylation status of CpG islands of CD44 gene in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer, we investigated the methylation status of this gene in primary and metastatic human prostate tumors obtained from surgery or autopsy. METHODS: We examined 97 samples from 40 Japanese patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Tumor tissues were obtained from radical prostatectomy specimens from eight patients with stage B, 12 patients with stage C and three patients with stage D1 and at autopsy from 17 hormone-refractory metastatic cases, who had initially responded to the therapy and thereafter relapsed. Distant metastatic tissues were also obtained at autopsy (i.e., liver, lung, kidney, mammary gland, and pelvic lymph nodes) from 10 of 17 hormone-refractory cases. We analyzed the hypermethylation status of CD44 promotor region by PCR using genomic DNAs digested with the m(5)C-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII. RESULTS: The correlation between the methylation status of CD44 gene and the stage progression of prostate cancer was statistically significant (P = 0.0438). In two of 10 hormone-refractory cases, a comparison of the methylation status of the CD44 gene in metastases to that in primary tumors revealed interfocal heterogeneity of CD44 methylation status. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate an important role of CD44 methylation in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer, although the amount of methylational heterogeneity is substantial among metastatic sites within the same patient.

Prostate adenocarcinoma producing syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was recognized in a 68-year-old man with a poorly differentiated metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Elevated levels of ADH were found in the tissues of the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis. The patient's clinical course is detailed and the pathophysiology of this syndrome is discussed. To our knowledge, this case is the ninth reported case of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Antidiuretic hormone activity was proven in only three cases including this case.

Fatal acute myocarditis in an infant with human herpesvirus 6 infection.

A 5 month old girl had typical clinical features of acute myocarditis just after the febrile period of exanthem subitum and died immediately. She had been healthy, with normal development, and there was no family history of particular note. Myocardial postmortem findings were compatible with acute myocarditis. Although the isolation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) was not attempted, positive IgM antibody to HHV-6 was detected in the patient's serum. Moreover, HHV-6 variant B DNA was detected in several tissues, including myocardium, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In contrast, antibody responses to human herpesvirus 7, another causal agent of exanthem subitum, were not found, and enteroviral RNA was not detected in myocardial tissues by reverse transcription PCR. Apoptotic changes were seen in infiltrating cells within the myocardial tissues by means of the TUNEL method. HHV-6 antigen was not detected in several tissues (including myocardium) by immunohistochemical analysis. In conclusion, HHV-6 may have been the causative agent of fatal acute myocarditis in this infant.

Epigenetic regulation of the KAI1 metastasis suppressor gene in human prostate cancer cell lines.

Expression of the KAI1 gene, a metastasis-suppressor for prostate cancer, is reduced in all foci of prostatic metastasis. The altered regulatory mechanism is not strongly related to mutations or allelic losses of the KAI1 gene in prostate tumors. Since transcriptional silencing of genes has been found to be caused by epigenetic mechanisms, we have investigated the involvement of this epigenetic regulation of KAI1 expression in prostate cancers. The methylation status of the KAI1 promoter region was examined by restriction-enzyme digestion and sequencing, after amplifying a 331-bp fragment in the GC-rich promoter region from 4 human prostate cancer cell lines treated with bisulfite. The same 4 cell lines were also exposed to various concentrations of the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) and / or the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA). To clarify the influence of epigenetic modification on reduced KAI1 mRNA expression in the tumor cells, RT-PCR and northern-blot analyses were performed. Bisulfite-sequencing data showed a few methylated CpG islands in the promoter. RT-PCR analysis of 5-AzaC and / or TSA-treated cells indicated reversal of suppression of KAI1 transcription in two cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145), although the expression could not be detected by northern blots. From these results, it is suggested that epigenetic change is not the main mechanism of KAI1 down-regulation, though there remains a possibility that methylation in a more upstream region might be associated with this regulation.

Establishment of a new cross of the rice blast fungus derived from Japanese differential strain Ina168 and hermaphroditic rice pathogen Guy11.

Mating experiments between Magnaporthe grisea Japanese rice pathogens and Guy11, a hermaphroditic fertile rice pathogen, were done aimed at identification of avirulence genes. A cross named cross 2107 with thirty-six random progenies was obtained. Segregation analyses of genetic markers found that the cross was less suitable for genetic analysis. Backcrosses with cross 2107 progenies and Guy11 were done and another cross named cross 5307 with sixty-five progenies was obtained. A locus controlling kasugamycin resistance named Ksg1R was identified and used for a model case of genetic mapping. Bulked segregant analysis was done to find adjacent RAPD markers for mapping of the gene. Three adjacent markers to Ksg1R were obtained and a genetic map around the Ksg1R was made, but these markers were not located on a single chromosome. These results suggest that genetic analysis to identify a gene locus is available in cross 5307. Infection assay of parental strains of cross 5307 to Japanese differential rice cultivars suggested the possibility of genetic analysis of cultivar specificity toward four rice cultivars: Aichi-asahi, Kusabue, Tsuyuake, and K59.

Role of p38 MAP kinase in endothelial cell alignment induced by fluid shear stress.

The p38/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAP kinase 2)/heat shock protein (HSP)25/27 pathway is thought to play a critical role in actin dynamics. In the present study, we examined whether p38 was involved in the morphological changes seen in endothelial cells (EC) exposed to shear stress. Cultured bovine aortic EC were subjected to 14 dyn/cm(2) laminar steady shear stress. Peak activation of p38, MAPKAP kinase 2, and HSP25 were sixfold at 5 min, sixfold at 5 min, and threefold at 30 min compared with static control, respectively. SB-203580 (1 microM), a specific inhibitor of p38, abolished the activation of MAPKAP kinase 2 and HSP25 as well as EC elongation and alignment in the direction of flow elicited by shear stress. The mean orientation angle of cells subjected to shear without SB-203580, with SB-203580, or static control were 17, 50, and 43 degrees, respectively (P < 0. 05). EC transfected with the dominant negative mutant of p38-alpha aligned randomly with no stress fiber formation despite exposure to shear stress. These data suggests that the pathway of p38/MAPKAP kinase 2/HSP25/27 is activated in response to shear stress, and this pathway plays an important role in morphological changes induced by shear stress.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in pulmonary endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation in bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (EC) exposed to cyclic strain. EC were subjected to 10% average strain at 60 cycles/min. Cyclic strain induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK; 1.5-fold), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase (JNK; 1.9-fold), and p38 (1. 5-fold) with a peak at 30 min. To investigate the functional role of the activated MAPKs, we analyzed cells after treatment with PD-98059, a specific ERK kinase inhibitor, or SB-203580, a catalytic inhibitor for p38, and after transient transfection with JNK(K-R), and MEKK(K-M) the respective catalytically inactive mutants of JNK1 and MAPK kinase kinase-1. Cyclic strain increased activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding activity, which was blocked by PD-98059 and SB-203580. Activity of AP-1-dependent luciferase reporter driven by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-responsive element (TRE) was induced by cyclic strain, and this was attenuated by PD-98059, MEKK(K-M), JNK(K-R), and SB-203580. PD-98059 and SB-203850 did not inhibit cell alignment and migration induced by cyclic strain. MEKK(K-M) and JNK(K-R) transfection did not block cyclic strain-induced cell alignment. In conclusion, cyclic strain activates ERK, JNK, and p38, and their activation plays a role in transcriptional activation of AP-1/TRE but not in cell alignment and migration changes in bovine pulmonary arterial EC.

Endothelial cell response to different mechanical forces.

PURPOSE: Endothelial cells (ECs) are subjected to the physical forces induced by blood flow. The aim of this study was to directly compare the EC signaling pathway in response to cyclic strain and shear stress in cultured bovine aortic ECs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ECs were seeded on flexible collagen I-coated silicone membranes to examine the effect of cyclic strain. The membranes were deformed with a 150-mm Hg vacuum at a rate of 60 cycle/min for up to 120 minutes. For a comparison of the effect of shear stress, ECs from the same batch as used in the strain experiments were seeded on collagen I-coated silicone sheets. The ECs were then subjected to 10 dyne/cm(2) shear with the use of a parallel flow chamber for up to 120 minutes. Activation of the mitogen- activated protein kinases was assessed by determining phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 with immunoblotting. RESULTS: ERK, JNK, and p38 were activated by both cyclic strain and shear stress. Both cyclic strain and shear stress activated JNK with a similar temporal pattern and magnitude and a peak at 30 minutes. However, shear stress induced a more robust and rapid activation of ERK and p38, compared with cyclic strain. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that different mechanical forces induced differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. This suggests that there may be different mechanoreceptors in ECs to detect the different forces or alternative coupling pathways from a single receptor.

Role of caveolin in hemodynamic force-mediated endothelial changes.

BACKGROUND: Caveolin has been shown to play an important role in signal transduction and nitric oxide synthase production. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether caveolin was tyrosine phosphorylated or activated by shear stress or cyclic strain in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: BAECs were subjected to an average of 10% strain at a rate of 60 cycles/min or a laminar shear stress of 10 dyn/cm(2) for up to 4 h. Immunoblotting with anticaveolin antibody was performed to assess activation of caveolin. Coimmunoprecipitation of anticaveolin antibody with anti-tyrosine phosphorylation antibody was performed to detect the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin. RESULTS: Neither cyclic strain nor shear stress at physiologic levels altered the level of caveolin protein. Tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin could not be observed at any time under either cyclic strain or shear stress condition. CONCLUSION: Although hemodynamic forces alter nitric oxide synthase production and activate signal transduction, caveolin levels or activity is not altered in endothelial cells exposed to shear stress or cyclic strain.

Mitogen-activated protein phosphorylation in endothelial cells exposed to hyperosmolar conditions.

The effect of hyperosmolarity on the induction of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) was studied in bovine aortic endothelial cell (EC). Different types of agents were used to differentiate the effects of osmolarity from other variables. Hypertonic treatment with physiologically relevant levels of NaCl (350 mOsm/kg H(2)O) significantly increased the level of expression of p38 within 2 min, and ERK-1/2 and JNK after 10 min. The inductions peaked between 30 and 60 min and returned to baseline levels within 2 h. A similar pattern of induction occurred with ionic contrast agent. p38 induction by glucose and mannitol showed a similar pattern, although the level of ERK-1/2 phosphorylation was not as robust, and JNK was not induced by glucose. Urea did not affect the level of induction of the MAPK isoforms. It is concluded that MAPK plays an important role in hyperosmolality-induced signal transduction. Different osmotic agents induce MAPK expression differently. No MAPK induction with urea implies that cell shrinkage may be an important component of hyperosmolality-induced MAPK phosphorylation.

Effect of sealant viscosity on the penetration of resin into etched human enamel.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the etched depth, penetration of sealants and marginal seal. Sixty unerupted lower first premolars extracted from patients for orthodontic reasons were thoroughly cleaned and stored in an antiseptic Ringer's solution at 4 degrees C. A "window" on the occlusal of 15 of the premolars, including both mesial and distal pits, was developed by painting nail varnish around the border of the occlusal surfaces. Etching was then done with 35% phosphoric acid for 60 seconds to all 60 premolars. Five of the "window" teeth were evaluated by microradiography to determine the etched depth of the superficial and subsurface enamel. Five were prepared for SEM analysis to observe the change of the superficial etched enamel surface. Another five "window" teeth were embedded in epoxy resin and sectioned parallel to the long axis of the tooth through the fissures in order to observe the subsurface depth of the etch by SEM analysis. The other 45 teeth were divided into three groups of 15 teeth each. Fissures of each group of teeth were sealed using Prisma-Shield (LD Caulk), Concise White Sealant (3M Dental Products) or Teethmate A (Kuraray) sealants and stored in water (37 degrees C) for 24 hours. They were then sectioned and demineralized before being examined by a scanning electron microscope. Photographs of secondary electron image (SEI) were done to gradate the resin-infiltrated enamel and resin tags for these sealants. After SEM observation, the 15 samples of each applied sealant were polished to a high gloss again and placed in a silver nitrate solution for 24 hours before being examined under the SEM equipped with a back-scatter electron detector. Data were then analyzed using the Welch and Student t-tests. Results showed that fissured enamel of unerupted human lower first premolars became porous after etching with 35% phosphoric acid. The low viscosity sealant Teethmate A (approximately 260 mPa.s), penetrated fully and formed a resin-infiltrated layer in enamel beyond the etched depth. However, the high viscosity sealants (Prisma-Shield and Concise White Sealant) did not penetrate enough to ensure that the acid-etched enamel was infiltrated sufficiently by the sealant to insure good marginal seals.

Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase dependent MAP kinase activation via p21ras in endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain.

Hemodynamic forces play a key role in the modulation of the morphology and function of the endothelium by activating several kinases. We have previously shown that cyclic strain, a repetitive mechanical stretch, induces activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), members of the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase family. In order to investigate the upstream pathway of strain-induced ERK1/2 activation, we examined p21ras activation by cyclic strain and the effect of wortmannin and LY294002, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitors on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Cyclic strain induced a transient and rapid activation of p21ras at 1 min after strain. Wortmannin inhibited strain-induced ERK1/2 activation by 56.3 and 86.3 %, respectively. LY294002 inhibited ERK1 activation completely and ERK2 activation by 42.9%. These results suggest a possible involvement of p21ras and PI 3-kinase in the signal transduction pathway leading to the strain-induced ERK1/2 activation.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 activation in endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain.

The aim of this study was to determine whether extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/ERK2) are activated and might play a role in enhanced proliferation and morphological change induced by strain. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were subjected to an average of 6 or 10% strain at a rate of 60 cycles/min for up to 4 h. Cyclic strain caused strain- and time-dependent phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2. Peak phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 induced by 10% strain were at 10 min. A specific ERK1/ERK2 kinase inhibitor, PD-98059, inhibited phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 but did not inhibit the increased cell proliferation and cell alignment induced by strain. Treatment of BAEC with 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1, 4-benzohydroquinone, to deplete inositol trisphosphate-sensitive calcium storage, and gadolinium chloride, a Ca2+ channel blocker, did not inhibit the activation of ERK1/ERK2. Strain-induced ERK1/ERK2 activation was partly inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C and completely inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. These data suggest that 1) ERK1/ERK2 are not critically involved in the strain-induced cell proliferation and orientation, 2) strain-dependent activation of ERK1/ERK2 is independent of intracellular and extracellular calcium mobilization, and 3) protein kinase C activation and tyrosine kinase regulate strain-induced activation of ERK1/ERK2.