66 research outputs found
Affixin interacts with α-actinin and mediates integrin signaling for reorganization of F-actin induced by initial cellâsubstrate interaction
The linking of integrin to cytoskeleton is a critical event for an effective cell migration. Previously, we have reported that a novel integrin-linked kinase (ILK)âbinding protein, affixin, is closely involved in the linkage between integrin and cytoskeleton in combination with ILK. In the present work, we demonstrated that the second calponin homology domain of affixin directly interacts with α-actinin in an ILK kinase activityâdependent manner, suggesting that integrinâILK signaling evoked by substrate adhesion induces affixinâα-actinin interaction. The overexpression of a peptide corresponding to the α-actininâbinding site of affixin as well as the knockdown of endogenous affixin by small interference RNA resulted in the blockade of cell spreading. Time-lapse observation revealed that in both experiments cells were round with small peripheral blebs and failed to develop lamellipodia, suggesting that the ILKâaffixin complex serves as an integrin-anchoring site for α-actinin and thereby mediates integrin signaling to α-actinin, which has been shown to play a critical role in actin polymerization at focal adhesions
U(12) A New Symmetry Possibly Realizing in Hadron Spectroscopy
Starting from the multi-local Klein-Gordon equations with Lorentz-scalar
squared-mass operator we give a covariant quark representation of the general
composite mesons and baryons with definite Lorentz transformation property. The
phenomenologically observed hadron mass spectra is pointed out to satisfy
possibly the approximate symmetry under the tilde U(4) transformation group
concerning the spinor freedom of light constituent quarks, including the chiral
transformation as a subgroup. This symmetry predicts the existence of new type
of chiral mesons and baryons out of the conventional framework in
non-relativistic quark model: For light q qbar systems, the scalar sigma- and
axial-vector a1-nonets are predicted to exist as relativistic S-wave states
besides the ordinary P-wave state mesons. Two "exotic" JPC=1-+ mesons are
predicted to exist as relativistic P-wave states, which are possibly assigned
as pi1(1400) and pi1(1600). For light quark baryons the extra 56 with positive
parity and the extra 70 with negative parity of the static SU(6) are predicted
to exist as the ground state chiral particles.Comment: 9 pages uses ptptex.st
Synthesis of the extended phenacene molecules, [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene, and their performance in a field-effect transistor
The [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene molecules have been synthesized using a simple repetition of Wittig reactions followed by photocyclization. Sufficient amounts of [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene were obtained, and thin-film FETs using these molecules have been fabricated with SiO2 and ionic liquid gate dielectrics. These FETs operated in p-channel. The averaged measurements of field-effect mobility, , were 3.1(7)âĂâ10-2 and 1.11(4)âĂâ10-1âcm2 V-1 s-1, respectively, for [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene thin-film FETs with SiO2 gate dielectrics. Furthermore, [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene thin-film electric-double-layer (EDL) FETs with ionic liquid showed low-voltage p-channel FET properties, with values of 3(1) and 1(1)âcm2 V-1 s-1, respectively. This study also discusses the future utility of the extremely extended Ï-network molecules [10]phenacene and [11]phenacene as the active layer of FET devices, based on the experimental results obtained
Serum IgG4 as a biomarker reflecting pathophysiology and post-operative recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis
Background: Type 2 chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), especially eosinophilic CRS (ECRS), is an intractable upper airway inflammatory disease. Establishment of serum biomarkers reflecting the pathophysiology of CRS is desirable in a clinical setting. As IgG4 production is regulated by type 2 cytokines, we sought to determine whether serum IgG4 levels can be used as a biomarker for CRS.
Methods: Association between the serum IgG4 levels and clinicopathological factors was analyzed in 336 CRS patients. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the cut-off value of serum IgG4 levels that can be used to predict the post-operative recurrence.
Results: Serum IgG4 levels were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe ECRS versus those with non to mild ECRS. The levels were also significantly higher in asthmatic patients and patients exhibiting recurrence after surgery compared to controls. ROC analysis determined that the best cut-off value for the serum IgG4 level to predict the post-operative recurrence was 95 mg/dL. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 39.7% and 80.5%, respectively. When we combined the two cut-off values for the serum IgG4 and periostin, patients with high serum levels of either IgG4 or periostin exhibited a high post-operative recurrence (OR: 3.95) as compared to patients having low serum levels of both IgG4 and periostin.
Conclusions: The present results demonstrate that the serum IgG4 level is associated with disease severity and post-operative course in CRS. In particular, the combination of serum IgG4 and periostin could be a novel biomarker that predicts post-operative recurrence
Decline in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction during Follow-up in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 1-year follow-up in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) managed conservatively. Background: No previous study has explored the association between LVEF decline during follow-up and clinical outcomes in patients with severe AS. Methods: Among 3, 815 patients with severe AS enrolled in the multicenter CURRENT AS (Contemporary Outcomes After Surgery and Medical Treatment in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis) registry in Japan, 839 conservatively managed patients who underwent echocardiography at 1-year follow-up were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was a composite of AS-related deaths and hospitalization for heart failure. Results: There were 91 patients (10.8%) with >10% declines in LVEF and 748 patients (89.2%) without declines. Left ventricular dimensions and the prevalence of valve regurgitation and atrial fibrillation or flutter significantly increased in the group with declines in LVEF. The cumulative 3-year incidence of the primary outcome measure was significantly higher in the group with declines in LVEF than in the group with no decline (39.5% vs. 26.5%; p 10% declines in LVEF at 1 year after diagnosis had worse AS-related clinical outcomes than those without declines in LVEF under conservative management. (Contemporary Outcomes After Surgery and Medical Treatment in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Registry; UMIN000012140
International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis
Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICARâRS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICARâRSâ2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidenceâbased findings of the document. Methods: ICARâRS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidenceâbased reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidenceâbased reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICARâRSâ2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidenceâbased management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICARâRSâ2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidenceâbased recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS
- âŠ