Circadian rhythmic kinase CK2α phosphorylates BMAL1 to regulate the mammalian clock

Clock proteins govern circadian physiology and their function is regulated by a variety of signaling pathways. Here, we show that p45^PFK^, a previously reported circadian rhythmic kinase, corresponds to CK2[alpha]. Rhythmic phosphorylation of the core clock protein BMAL1 by CK2[alpha] occurs in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the mammalian central pacemaker. Circadian BMAL1 phosphorylation controls its nucleocytoplasmic localization. Gene silencing for CK2[alpha] and BMAL1 mutagenesis of a highly conserved CK2 phosphorylation site (Ser 90) result in impaired BMAL1 accumulation in the nucleus and subsequent disruption of clock function. These findings reveal that circadian rhythmic kinase CK2 is an essential regulator of the mammalian circadian system

A Rhombic Dodecahedral Honeycomb Structure with Cation Vacancy Ordering in a γ-Ga2O3 Crystal

The crystal structure of a γ-Ga2O3 layer grown epitaxially on an MgO substrate by a vapor phase transport method was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy with aberration correctors. Some forbidden reflections were excited in electron diffraction patterns by double reflection from the vicinity of the substrate interface. Phase boundaries are observed in atomic column images using high-angle annular dark field images. A structure model is proposed to explain the experimental results. Cation vacancy ordering is introduced in the structure model to distort the γ-Ga2O3 crystal lattice along one axis and reduce the lattice mismatch with the substrate. Some grains are formed and alter the directions to reduce the distortion for the other axis. The grains are stacked with {110} phase boundaries and form a rhombic dodecahedral honeycomb. The rhombic dodecahedral honeycomb structure model with cation vacancy ordering is stabilized by the lattice mismatch between the γ-Ga2O3 crystal and the MgO substrate, and it disappears at a depth of 170 nm from the interface

Experimental inspection of a computationally-designed NiCrMnSi Heusler alloy with high Curie temperature

Nowadays advanced magnetic tunnel junction applications demand very high tunnel magnetoresistance at room temperature, thus it is quite important to explore high Curie temperature Tc half-metallic Heusler alloys. In this article rst-principles calculation unveiled that NiCrMnSi has Tc of 1200 K comparable to that of the traditional Co2MnSi Heusler alloys, even though it does not contain Co element. In addition, we examined whether NiCrMnSi Heulser phase lms can be obtained by a magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates. The results of the structural analysis and rst-principles calculations indicated that NiCrMnSi Heusler phase is metastable. A possible route to obtain metastable NiCrMnSi Heusler alloy is to utilize appropriate templates

Impact of neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy on borderline resectable pancreatic cancer with arterial abutment; a prospective, open-label, phase II study in a single institution

BACKGROUND: Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) is a category of pancreatic cancer that is anatomically widely spread, and curative resection is uncommon with upfront surgery. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of radiation therapy that delivers precise radiation to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissues. Here, we conducted a phase 2 study to estimate the curability and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using IMRT (NACIMRT) for patients with BRPC with arterial abutment (BRPC-A). METHODS: A total of 49 BRPC-A patients were enrolled in this study and were treated at our hospital according to the study protocol between June 2013 and March 2021. The primary endpoint was microscopically margin-negative resection (R0) rates and we subsequently analyzed safety, histological effect of the treatment as well as survivals among patients with NACIMRT. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (59.2%) received pancreatectomy after NACIMRT. The R0 rate in resection patients was 93.1% and that in the whole cohort was 55.1%. No mortality was encountered. Local therapeutic effects as assessed by Evans classification showed good therapeutic effect (Grade 1, 3.4%; Grade 2a, 31.0%; Grade 2b, 48.3%; Grade 3, 3.4%; Grade 4, 3.4%). Median disease-free survival was 15.5 months. Median overall survival in the whole cohort was 35.1 months. The only independent prognostic pre-NACIMRT factor identified was serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) > 400 U/ml before NACIMRT. CONCLUSIONS: NACIMRT showed preferable outcome without significant operative morbidity for BRPC-A patients. NACIMRT contributes to good local tumor control, but a high initial serum CA19-9 implies poor prognosis even after neoadjuvant treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000011776 Registration number: UMIN000010113. Date of first registration: 01/03/2013

歯科用金属アレルギーが疑われる患者の調査

Patients with metal allergy have been increasing due to various metals being used in the daily environment. Therefore, we performed patch tests in 40 patients with suspected metal allergy whose initial visit from April 1992 to march 1996. The medical route to our department and symptoms at the initial consultation at our department were evaluated in all the patients, and the association with oral metals was examined in patients positive for patch tests. The course after treatment was also analyzed. The results were as follows: 1. Fifty percents of the patients were referred to our department from the hospital affiliated to Iwate Medical University. 2. The major symptoms at the initial consultation at our department were eruptions (60.0%), oral mucosal inflammation (23.3%), and tongue pain (13.3%) 3. Patch tests were positive in 27 (67.55%) of the 40 patients. 4. According to metal elements, patch tests were most frequently positive for palladium (10 patients), followed by nickel and cobalt (9 patients each). 5. The positive metal in patch tests was consistent with the oral metal in 20 patients but inconsistent in the other 7. 6. Due to removing antigen metals in the 20 patients , three patients were cured completely, however, rest of the patients showed reduced and recurrent symptoms

The role of microenvironment and immunity in drug response in leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, with over 54,000 new cases per year diagnosed worldwide and a 5-year survival rate below 60%. This highlights a need for research into the mechanisms behind its etiology and causes of therapy failure. The bone marrow microenvironment, in which adult stem cells are maintained in healthy individuals, has been implicated as a source of chemoresistance and disease relapse. Here the various ways that the microenvironment can contribute to the resistance and persistence of leukemia are discussed. The targeting of the microenvironment by leukemia cells to create an environment more suitable for cancer progression is described. The role of soluble factors, drug transporters, microvesicles, as well as the importance of direct cell–cell contact, in addition to the effects of inflammation and immune surveillance in microenvironment-mediated drug resistance are discussed. An overview of the clinical potential of translating research findings to patients is also provided. Understanding of and further research into the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in leukemia progression and relapse are crucial towards developing more effective treatments and reduction in patient morbidity

Colorimetric and optical properties of new luting resin cements

PLEASE NOTE: This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community: please click Download and log in with a valid BU account to access. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact [email protected].[xii], 77 leaves : ill.Thesis (MSD) --Booston [sic] University Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1995 (Prosthodontics and Biomaterials).Includes bibliographic references: leaves 72-77.All-ceramic crowns and laminated-veneer crowns have been used in clinical dentistry because these prostheses exhibit excellent esthetics. Their high translucency which is due to the lack of a metal frame, enables them to reproduce the color of natural teeth. On the other hand, because of this high translucency, the colors of ceramic crowns are influenced by both the color of the abutment and of the luting cements lining the crowns. Therefore the choice of a luting cement is a crucial process when finalizing the color of the crowns. In order to utilize the esthetic advantage of all-ceramic and laminated-veneer crowns, an objective way to choose a luting cement is very important. The optical and colorimetric properties of nineteen luting cements from different companies were tested for laminated veneer crowns or all-ceramic crowns. Some cements have quite different optical properties even if their color appearance are visually much alike; the invisible differences sometimes yield significant color difference of a ceramic after luting. The color adjustability of cement can be utilized to optimize ceramic color. In terms of the color adjustability, some cements have high efficiencies and some cements have lower. While opaque cements had higher hiding power (H.P.), which stands for opacity, most cements tested had low H.P. values indicating high translucency. These highly translucent cements are not suitable for deeply colored abutments. As stated above, it is important to recognize that the invisible optical properties of luting cements will yield a visually significant difference in an overlayered ceramic colors. Furthermore, when the surface color of a crown appears as the result of a ceramic-cement-abutment complex, our visual sense can at best only perceive a difference, but can’t choose the better one. Therefore, the optical and colorimetric properties are indispensable to gain a better esthetic appearance of a crown

An In Vivo Spectrophotometric Analysis of Gingival Acrylic Shade Guide

Selecting shades of acrylic gingival restorative material is challenging. This study examined the shade appropriateness of five acrylic gingival restorative materials. The color was analyzed using an intraoral spectrophotometer (Crystaleye®, Olympus). The gingival color of maxillary incisors for eighty-nine patients was measured. CIELAB color coordinates (L*, a* and b*) were obtained, and the color difference ∆E (Coverage Error: CE) between shade tabs and natural gingival color of patient samples for each shade guide system were compared. Repeated ANOVA and post hoc analyses with Tukey′s HSD were performed. There was a significant difference among the mean minimum CEs of the tab sets (p < 0.01). GC Acrylic (CE = 5.89 ∆E ± 2.97) and Lucitone 199® (CE = 6.55 ± 3.33) groups exhibited CEs significantly lower than all other groups (all p < 0.001). The IvoCap® system exhibited the highest CE (10.78 ± 3.80), significantly greater than all other groups (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed based on sex (p = 0.055) or ethnicity (p = 0.327). The GC Acrylic and Lucitone 199® shade guides showed the lowest CEs. All guides had coverage errors above 5.89 ∆E, which is larger than ∆E thresholds of acceptability. Of the materials evaluated in this study, GC Acrylic and Lucitione 199® are best able to reproduce the clinical appearance of the gingival tissue. Many patients have tissue that cannot be reproduced accurately with currently available materials

Establishment of Epithelial Attachment on Titanium Surface Coated with Platelet Activating Peptide.

The aim of this study was to produce epithelial attachment on a typical implant abutment surface of smooth titanium. A challenging complication that hinders the success of dental implants is peri-implantitis. A common cause of peri-implantitis may results from the lack of epithelial sealing at the peri-implant collar. Histologically, epithelial sealing is recognized as the attachment of the basement membrane (BM). BM-attachment is promoted by activated platelet aggregates at surgical wound sites. On the other hand, platelets did not aggregate on smooth titanium, the surface typical of the implant abutment. We then hypothesized that epithelial BM-attachment was produced when titanium surface was modified to allow platelet aggregation. Titanium surfaces were coated with a protease activated receptor 4-activating peptide (PAR4-AP). PAR4-AP coating yielded rapid aggregation of platelets on the titanium surface. Platelet aggregates released robust amount of epithelial chemoattractants (IGF-I, TGF-β) and growth factors (EGF, VEGF) on the titanium surface. Human gingival epithelial cells, when they were co-cultured on the platelet aggregates, successfully attached to the PAR4-AP coated titanium surface with spread laminin5 positive BM and consecutive staining of the epithelial tight junction component ZO1, indicating the formation of complete epithelial sheet. These in-vitro results indicate the establishment of epithelial BM-attachment to the titanium surface