Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, blocks osteoclastic bone resorption

AbstractThe biological role of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase was examined in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) formed in co-cultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The expression of PI-3 kinase in OCLs was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Wortmannin (WT), a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, inhibited PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs both in vitro and in vivo. WT also inhibited pit-forming activity on dentine slices and disrupted a ringed structure of F-actin-containing dots (an actin ring) in OCLs in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory profiles of WT for pit and actin ring formation were similar to that for PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that OCLs treated with WT did not form ruffled borders. Instead, numerous electron lucent vacuoles of differing sizes were found throughout the cytoplasm. These results suggest that PI-3 kinase is important in osteoclastic bone resorption

Complete Genome Sequence of the Nonheterocystous Cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. ABRG5-3

We report here the complete sequences of the main genome (4.8 Mb) and seven plasmids of the semifilamentous, nonheterocystous cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. ABRG5-3, a strain isolated from a pond in Japan. These data are expected to enhance our understanding of the Pseudanabaena subclade near the root of cyanobacterial diversity

Effects of intrauterine exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls, methylmercury, and lead on birth weight in Japanese male and female newborns

Abstract Background The effects of prenatal exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), methylmercury, and lead on birth weight remain disputable. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these chemicals affect birth weight of Japanese newborns, with special emphasis on determining whether these effects differ between males and females. Methods The subjects from Tohoku Study of Child Development, which was designed to examine the developmental effects of prenatal exposures to such hazardous chemicals, were 489 mother-newborn pairs with complete data including smoking habit during pregnancy. Results The mean birth weight of all newborns was 3083 (range, 2412–4240) g. The median values of biomarkers in cord blood were 46.0 (5th and 95th percentiles, 18.6–113.8) ng/g–lipid for total PCBs, 10.1 (4.3–22.4) ng/g for total mercury (THg), and 1.0 (0.6-1.7) μg/dL for lead. The birth weight was significantly heavier in the 252 male newborns than in the 237 female ones. A negative association between total PCBs and birth weight was observed in both male and female newborns, even after adjusting for possible confounders. However, a negative association of THg with birth weight was found only in the male newborns. There was no significant relationship between lead and birth weight in both groups. Conclusion Birth weight appears to be affected by prenatal PCB exposure in Japanese male and female newborns, and the effect of methylmercury exposure on male fetal growth may be stronger than that for females. This implication is that the effects on fetal growth should be assessed in males and females separately

Pseudoaneurysm formation caused by the withdrawal of a Trevo ProVue stent at a tortuous cerebral vessel: a case report

This is the first report on the mechanism of pseudoaneurysm formation after withdrawal of a stent retriever. A 79-year-old woman developed cardiogenic embolization of the distal middle cerebral artery (M2). The deployed stent retriever bent because of vessel tortuosity. After withdrawal of the stent with strong resistance, complete revascularization was achieved, but an extravasation was detected at the site. Eight hours after disappearance of the extravasation, re-bleeding occurred with aneurysm-like pooling of contrast media. Direct surgical observation confirmed a pseudoaneurysm formation. The pseudoaneurysm was likely formed by avulsion of a fine vessel during withdrawal of the stent retriever at a tortuous vessel. © 2016 Springer-Verlag WienIn Press / Embargo Period 12 month