Herein, differences in the intermolecular interactions and flexibility between poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) are studied by far-infrared, terahertz ...(THz), and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations (QCCs). Interatomic distance calculations based on the reported crystal structures and natural bond orbital analysis indicate that PBT exhibits intermolecular hydrogen bonding between a CO group and a CH2 group in the adjacent molecular chains, while PET does not have such hydrogen bonding. The results of infrared measurements also suggest that the CO and CH2 groups of PBT are involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Both PET and PBT show a THz band at around 113 cm–1 and a Raman band at around 111 cm–1. These bands indicate different thermal behaviors of PET and PBT. The results of QCCs performed using the Cartesian coordinate tensor transfer method suggest that these bands of PBT include the CH2 bending mode, while those of PET have only a small contribution from the corresponding mode. These differences in the thermal behavior and vibrational modes of the 113 cm–1 bands can be possibly attributed to the difference in flexibility between PET and PBT due to the different number of CH2 groups. In addition, these bands of PBT seem to reflect the intermolecular CO···H–C hydrogen bonding. Therefore, it may be concluded that the difference in the number of CH2 groups causes the difference in the flexibility of the molecular chains between PBT and PET and the existence or non-existence of intermolecular CO···H–C hydrogen bonding. It is worth noting that THz and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy can clearly reveal the difference in flexibility. It is also very likely that both the flexibility of the molecular chains and the intermolecular hydrogen bonding affect the difference in the crystallization rate between PET and PBT.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Both fascin and fibronectin are known to play important roles in cell adhesion and migration. They are noted as tumor markers or inhibiting target for tumor treatment. In this study, embryonic rat ...livers were obtained to examine the expression of fascin and fibronectin during liver development. Then, the effect of fibronectin on fascin expression was investigated. At embryonic day (ED) 10.5, when the foregut endoderm began to form the liver bud and spread into the septum transversum, fibrous extracellular matrix was observed between the space where the liver bud and the septum transversum merged. At ED11.5, fibronectin was observed surrounding the cluster of fascin-positive hepatoblasts. At ED13.5, hematopoietic cells emerged and both fibronectin and fascin expression started to decline. Fascin and fibronectin appeared temporarily and disappeared by ED 14.5. Their expression was chronologically synchronized. Subsequently, the effect of fibronectin on fascin was examined by cultivation of hepatoblasts that were isolated from the ED13.5 rat liver. As a result, with fibronectin, fascin was positive in most hepatoblasts, although, without fibronectin, fascin expression was remarkably declined. Presently, there are few studies about the relationship between fascin and fibronectin. Our findings suggest that fibronectin could regulate fascin expression in rat hepatoblasts.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Japan with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the major histological subtype. Successful novel treatments for HCC have been reported; however, ...recurrences or metastasis may occur, which results in poor prognoses and high mortality of HCC patients. Fascin, an actin-bundling protein, regulates cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Its overexpression positively correlates with poor prognosis of malignant tumors, and Fascin is considered as one of the tumor biomarkers and therapeutic target proteins. In this study, we attempted to reveal the relationship between Fascin and HCC using HLE, one of the human HCC cell lines. We performed the study with classical immunocytochemistry and recently developed techniques, such as wound-healing assay, spheroid cultivation, and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM). Non-Fascin-knockdown (FKD) cell spheroid had a regular spherical appearance with tight cell–cell connections, while FKD cell spheroid had an irregular shape with loose cell–cell connections. Cells of non-FKD spheroid presented fibrous protrusions on the cell surface, contrarily, cells of FKD spheroids showed bulbous-shaped protrusions. Morphological observation of FKD and non-FKD HLE spheroids were performed using LV-SEM. Our study may help to reveal the roles of Fascin in the process of HCC formation and its malignancy.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Purpose: Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a biological toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. BoNT is a potent toxin extensively used in therapeutic interventions. This review provides an updated ...overview of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of BoNT in head and facial region.Study selection: MEDLINE/PubMed searches were conducted using the terms “botulinum neurotoxin” and “dentistry” along with a combination of other related terms. In addition, studies were manually selected from reference lists of the selected articles.Results: The Food and Drug Administration in the United States initially approved BoNT to treat strabismus, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasms. The use of BoNT in dermatology and cosmetics has been widely established and has created a revolution in these fields. Over the years, its applications in various medical specialties have expanded widely. Owing to its safety, efficacy, and long duration of action, it is well-accepted by patients. BoNT/A and BoNT/B are widely used in clinical practice. Several off-label uses of BoNT in the dental fraternity have yielded promising results. We have elaborated on the speculated mechanism of action, dosage, effective sites of injection, and adverse effects of each therapeutic application. The various clinical indications for BoNT include bruxism, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint dislocation, hemifacial pain, orofacial dystonia, facial paralysis, chronic migraine, and trigeminal neuralgia.Conclusions: BoNT is a safe treatment that can be used effectively, provided that the clinician has adequate knowledge regarding the mechanism, injection techniques, and local and systemic side effects and that it is administered cautiously and purposefully.
Elizabethkingia anophelis is a pathogen that can cause a life‐threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. The first case of E. anophelis infection was reported in 2013; subsequently, an ...increase in its incidence has been reported globally. Additionally, a mortality rate of more than 30% was observed in the US outbreak of 2015. To date, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying E. anophelis infection, such as toxin production, remain unclear. Since tissue macrophages act as the first line of defense against pathogens, in the present study the interactions between E. anophelis and a macrophage‐like cell line RAW 264.7 were examined. Although E. anophelis showed no cytotoxicity toward RAW 264.7 macrophages, the infection inhibited LPS‐induced morphological changes and activation of differentiation markers for the polarization of RAW 264.7 macrophages toward an M1‐like phenotype. However, when the cell contact was restricted using Transwell inserts or bacterial culture supernatants were used instead of live bacteria, no such inhibition was observed. Moreover, it was shown that E. anophelis evaded phagocytosis. Overall, the results suggest that E. anophelis infection inhibits the differentiation of RAW 264.7 macrophages to a pro‐inflammatory phenotype in a contact‐dependent manner.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Despite the development of various in vitro differentiation protocols for the efficient derivation of specific cell types, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines have varing ability to ...differentiate into specific lineages. Therefore, surrogate markers for accurately predicting the differentiation propensity of hiPSC lines may facilitate cell-based therapeutic product development and manufacture. We attempted to identify marker genes that could predict the differentiation propensity of hiPSCs into neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). Using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, we investigated genes in the undifferentiated state, the expression levels of which were significantly correlated with the neuronal differentiation propensity of several hiPSC lines. Among genes significantly correlated with NS/PC differentiation (P < 0.01), we identified ROR2 as a novel predictive marker. ROR2 expression in hiPSCs was negatively correlated with NS/PC differentiation tendency, regardless of the differentiation method, whereas its knockdown enhanced differentiation. ROR2 regulates NS/PC differentiation, suggesting that ROR2 is functionally essential for NS/PC differentiation. Selecting cell lines with relatively low ROR2 expression facilitated identification of hiPSCs that can differentiate into NS/PCs. Cells with ROR2 knockdown showed increased efficiency of differentiation into forebrain GABAergic neurons compared to controls. These findings suggest that ROR2 is a surrogate marker for selecting hiPSC lines appropriate for NS/PC and GABAergic neuronal differentiations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
We report a case involving a 31-year-old male without any known precipitating injuries presenting with involuntary finger movements and rare seizures. There was a noted family history of tremulous ...movements. Yet the characteristics of his finger movements were irregular and not typical of essential tremor (ET). Electrophysiological examinations, including video EEG, showed no epileptic discharges, and brain MRI results were normal. However, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) revealed the presence of giant SEP, and a positive cortical (C)-reflex was observed, leading to a clinical diagnosis of benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy (BAFME). Management with valproic acid and perampanel resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms. This case highlights the necessity of considering BAFME in the differential diagnosis for atypical tremorous finger movements, especially with a relevant family history, and the critical role of electrophysiological findings indicative of cortical hyperexcitability.
Objectives
Patients with haemoptysis often experience daily physical and mental impairment. Bronchial artery embolisation is among the first-line treatment options used worldwide; however, no ...evidence exists regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after bronchial artery embolisation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of bronchial artery embolisation on the HRQoL of patients with haemoptysis.
Methods
We prospectively enrolled 61 consecutive patients who visited our hospital from July 2017 to August 2018 and received bronchial artery embolisation for haemoptysis. The primary outcome was the HRQoL evaluated using the Short Form Health Survey, which contains physical and mental components, before and after bronchial artery embolisation. The secondary outcomes were procedural success, complications, and recurrence-free survival rate at 6 months.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 69 years (range, 31–87 years). The procedural success rate was 98%. No major complications occurred. The recurrence-free survival rate estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis at 6 months after bronchial artery embolisation was 91.8% (95% confidence interval, 91.1–92.5%). Compared with the pre-treatment scores, the physical and mental scores were significantly improved at 6 months after bronchial artery embolisation (
p
< 0.05).
Conclusion
Bronchial artery embolisation improved the HRQoL of patients with haemoptysis.
Key Points
• Bronchial artery embolisation improved the HRQoL of patients with haemoptysis
.
• Vessel dilation on computed tomography and systemic artery-pulmonary artery direct shunting on angiography were the most common abnormalities
.
• The recurrence-free survival rate estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis at 6 months after bronchial artery embolisation was 91.8%
.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, VSZLJ, ZAGLJ
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