NMR investigation of the pressure induced Mott transition to superconductivity in Cs3C60 isomeric compounds

The discovery in 1991 of high temperature superconductivity (SC) in A3C60 compounds, where A is an alkali ion, has been initially ascribed to a BCS mechanism, with a weak incidence of electron correlations. However various experimental evidences taken for compounds with distinct alkali content established the interplay of strong correlations and Jahn Teller distortions of the C60 ball. The importance of electronic correlations even in A3C60 has been highlighted by the recent discovery of two expanded fulleride Cs3C60 isomeric phases that are Mott insulators at ambient pressure. Both phases undergo a pressure induced first order Mott transition to SC with a (p, T) phase diagram displaying a dome shaped SC, a common situation encountered nowadays in correlated electron systems. NMR experiments allowed us to establish that the bipartite A15 phase displays N\'eel order at 47K, while magnetic freezing only occurs at lower temperature in the fcc phase. NMR data do permit us to conclude that well above the critical pressure, the singlet superconductivity found for light alkalis is recovered. However deviations from BCS expectations linked with electronic correlations are found near the Mott transition. So, although SC involves an electron-phonon mechanism, correlations have a significant incidence on the electronic properties, as had been anticipated from DMFT calculations.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, invited at M2SHTSC Conference Washington (2012

Secretion of an immunoreactive single-chain variable fragment antibody against mouse interleukin 6 by Lactococcus lactis

Epub 2016 Oct 8.Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an important pathogenic factor in development of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and cancer. Blocking antibodies against molecules associated with IL-6/IL-6 receptor signaling are an attractive candidate for the prevention or therapy of these diseases. In this study, we developed a genetically modified strain of Lactococcus lactis secreting a single-chain variable fragment antibody against mouse IL-6 (IL6scFv). An IL6scFv-secretion vector was constructed by cloning an IL6scFv gene fragment into a lactococcal secretion plasmid and was electroporated into L. lactis NZ9000 (NZ-IL6scFv). Secretion of recombinant IL6scFv (rIL6scFv) by nisin-induced NZ-IL6scFv was confirmed by western blotting and was optimized by tuning culture conditions. We found that rIL6scFv could bind to commercial recombinant mouse IL-6. This result clearly demonstrated the immunoreactivity of rIL6scFv. This is the first study to engineer a genetically modified strain of lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) that produces a functional anti-cytokine scFv. Numerous previous studies suggested that mucosal delivery of biomedical proteins using gmLAB is an effective and low-cost way to treat various disorders. Therefore, NZ-IL6scFv may be an attractive tool for the research and development of new IL-6 targeting agents for various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as for cancer.ArticleAPPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. 101(1):341-349 (2017)journal articl

Dominant and differential deposition of distinct β-amyloid peptide species, AβN3(pE), in senile plaques

AbstractWe analyzed an amino-terminal modification of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in brain, using anti-Aβ antibodies that distinguish distinct molecular species. Examination of cortical sections from 28 aged individuals with a wide range in senile plaque density revealed that a molecular species distinct from the standard Aβ is deposited in the brain in a dominant and differential manner. This modified Aβ peptide (AβN3(pE)) starts at the 3rd amino-terminal residue of the standard Aβ, glutamate, converted to pyroglutamate through intramolecular dehydration. Because plaques composed of AβN3(pE) are present in equivalent or greater densities than those composed of standard Aβ bearing the first aminoterminal residue (AβN1) and because deposition of the former species appears to precede deposition of the latter, as confirmed with specimens from Down's syndrome patients, the processes involved in AβN3(pE) production and retention may play an early and critical role in senile plaque formation

Oral delivery of Lactococcus lactis that secretes bioactive heme oxygenase-1 alleviates development of acute colitis in mice

Background: Mucosal delivery of therapeutic proteins using genetically modified strains of lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) is being investigated as a new therapeutic strategy. Methods: We developed a strain of gmLAB, Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 (NZ-HO), which secretes the anti-inflammatory molecule recombinant mouse heme oxygenase-1 (rmHO-1). The effects of short-term continuous oral dosing with NZ-HO were evaluated in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis as a model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Results: We identified the secretion of rmHO-1 by NZ-HO. rmHO-1 was biologically active as determined with spectroscopy. Viable NZ-HO was directly delivered to the colon via oral administration, and rmHO-1 was secreted onto the colonic mucosa in mice. Acute colitis in mice was induced by free drinking of 3 % DSS in water and was accompanied by an increase in the disease activity index score and histopathological changes. Daily oral administration of NZ-HO significantly improved these colitis-associated symptoms. In addition, NZ-HO significantly increased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 alpha and IL-6 in the colon compared to a vector control strain. Conclusions: Oral administration of NZ-HO alleviates DSS-induced acute colitis in mice. Our results suggest that NZ-HO may be a useful mucosal therapeutic agent for treating IBD.ArticleMICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES. 14:189 (2015)journal articl

Tumor size before image-guided brachytherapy is an important factor of local control after radiotherapy for cervical squamous cell carcinoma: analysis in cases using central shielding

We analyzed the local control (LC) of cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated by computed tomography (CT)-based image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) using central shielding (CS). We also examined the value of tumor diameter before brachytherapy (BT) as a factor of LC. In total, 97 patients were analyzed between April 2016 and March 2020. Whole-pelvic (WP) radiotherapy (RT) with CS was performed, and the total pelvic sidewall dose was 50 or 50.4 Gy; IGBT was delivered in 3-4 fractions. The total dose was calculated as the biologically equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions, and distribution was modified manually by graphical optimization. The median follow-up period was 31.8 months (6.3-63.2 months). The 1- and 2-year LC rates were 89% and 87%, respectively. The hazard ratio was 10.11 (95% confidence interval: 1.48-68.99) for local recurrence in those with a horizontal tumor diameter >= 4 cm compared to those with = 4 cm, different treatment strategies such as employing interstitial-BT for dose escalation may be necessary

Characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody that senses nitric oxide-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase

AbstractTwo monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against bovine lung soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) were prepared and characterized. mAb 3221 recognized both the α- and β-subunits of sGC and had greater binding affinity to the enzyme in the presence of NO. mAb 28131 recognized only the β-subunit and its affinity did not change with NO. Neither mAb cross-reacted with particulate GC. Cultured Purkinje cells from rats were treated with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, an NO donor, and examined by immunocytochemical methods. The immunoreactivity associated with mAb 3221 increased with the cGMP content in a crude extract of cerebellum and the NO2 generated in the culture medium increased

Estimation of radioactivity in single photon emission computed tomography for sentinel lymph node biopsy in a torso phantom study

Objectives: Number of lymph nodes to be removed are determined from residual counts. Estimating residual radioactivity in lymphatic nodes before a biopsy in advance is useful for reducing surgical operation time. The purpose of this study was to estimate total radioactivity of a small hot spot in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of a torso phantom. Methods: Cross-calibration study was performed to convert counts in SPECT images to radioactivity. A simulation study was performed to estimate the size of volume of interest (VOI) covering a hot spot corrupted with full width at half maximum (FWHM) between 8 and 16 mm. The estimation of total radioactivity was validated in a torso phantom study using small sources. Results: True radioactivity was approximately equal to integrated values of hot spots using the VOI with a diameter of 40 mm in our simulation study. The difference was less than18% in cases of more than 9.4 kBq. Conclusions: The total radioactivity in small sources simulating a typical sentinel node was estimated from SPECT images using a VOI of 40 mm in a torso phantom study. Because the difference from actual values were less than 10% on average when radioactivities were more than 9.4 kBq, the total radioactivity of a lymph node can be estimated in a clinical examination

Successful treatment of COVID‐19‐related acute respiratory distress syndrome with a rare blood type: A case report

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is indispensable for critically severe COVID-19 patients. However, it would be inapplicable to patients with a rare blood type or blood transfusion refusal. In that case, severely conservative fluid management with the sacrifice of renal functions and hydrocortisone therapy should be considered for better oxygenation

New field‑in‑field with two reference points method for whole breast radiotherapy: Dosimetric analysis and radiation‑induced skin toxicities assessment

The usefulness of the field‑in‑field with two reference points (FIF w/ 2RP) method, in which the dose reference points are set simultaneously at two positions in the irradiation field and the high‑dose range is completely eliminated, was examined in the present study with the aim of decreasing acute skin toxicity in adjuvant breast radiotherapy (RT). A total of 573 patients with breast cancer who underwent postoperative whole breast RT were classified into 178 cases with wedge (W) method, 142 cases with field‑in‑field without 2 reference points (FIF w/o 2RP) method and 253 cases with FIF w/ 2RP method. Using the FIF w/ 2RP method, the high‑dose range was the lowest among the three irradiation methods. The planning target volume (PTV) V105% and the breast PTV for evaluation (BPe) V105% decreased to 0.09 and 0.10%, respectively. The FIF w/ 2RP method vs. the FIF w/o 2RP method had a strong association (η) with PTV V105% (η=0.79; P<0.001) and BPe V105% (η=0.76; P<0.001). The FIF w/ 2RP method had a significant impact on lowering the skin toxicity grade in weeks 3 and 4, and increasing the occurrence of skin toxicity grade 0. The FIF w/ 2RP method vs. the W method had a moderate association with skin toxicity grade at week 3 (η=0.49; P<0.001). Using the FIF w/ 2RP method, the high‑dose range V105% of the target decreased to 0%, and skin adverse events were decreased in conjunction. For patients with early‑stage breast cancer, particularly patients with relatively small‑sized breasts, the FIF w/ 2RP method may be an optimal irradiation method