Identification of an isoform with an extremely large Cys-rich region of PC6, a Kex2-like processing endoprotease

AbstractIn the previous study [1993, J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 113, 132-135] we identified PC6, a member of the Kex2 family of processing endoproteases. In this study, we identified another cDNA encoding an isoform of PC6, and designated it as PC6B and redesignated the originally identified PC6 as PC6A. PC6B had a very large Cys-rich region consisting of 22-times repeats of a Cys-rich motif, and a putative transmembrane domain which is not present in PC6A. A PC6B transcript was found mainly in the intestine, while PC6A transcripts were in various tissues. These results suggest distinct roles of PC6A and PC6B in endoproteolytic processing of precursor proteins

Tracing commodities in indoor environments for service robotics

Daily life assistance for elderly people is one of the most promising scenarios for service robots in the the near future. In particular, the go-and-fetch task will be one of the most demanding tasks in these cases. In this paper, we present an informationally structured room that supports a service robot in the task of daily object fetching. Our environment contains different distributed sensors including a floor sensing system and several intelligent cabinets. Sensor information is send to a centralized management system which process the data and make it available to a service robot which is assisting people in the room. We additionally present the first steps of an intelligent framework used to maintain information about locations of commodities in our informationally structured room. This information will be used by the service robot to find objects under people requests. One of the main goal of our intelligent environment is to maintain a small number of sensors to avoid interfering with the daily activity of people, and to reduce as much as possible invasion of their privacy. In order to compensate this limited available sensor information, our framework aims to exploit knowledge about people's activity and interaction with objects, to infer reliable information about the location of commodities. This paper presents simulated results that demonstrate the suitability of this framework to be applied to a service robotic environment equipped with limited sensors. In addition we discuss some preliminary experiments using our real environment and robot

Odontogenic deep neck space infection in a patient with hyper-IgE syndrome : a case report

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a primary immunodeficiency state that is characterized by eczema, recurrent skin and lung infections, and markedly increased levels of IgE. Odontogenic infection can spread to vital and deep structures in such immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a 19-year-old man with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome presenting deep neck space infection that had spread from periapical periodontitis of the lower molars. A computed tomography scan showed an area of bony destruction in the left mandible and abscess formation in the submandibular and submental spaces. The patient was successfully treated by cervical drainage, extraction of the causative teeth, and antibiotic therapy. The present case highlights the importance of adequate treatment of dental infections in immunocompromised patients

“All-on-Four”コンセプトに基づいて即時荷重を適用したインプラントの力学解析

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical behavior of immediately loaded implants in an edentulous mandible according to the "All-on-Four" concept. METHODS: A 3D-finite element model of an edentulous mandible was constructed. Four implants were placed between the bilateral mental foramen according to "All-on-Four" concept. A framework made of titanium or acrylic resin between the bilateral first molars was modeled. Immediate loading and a delayed loading protocol were simulated. A vertical load of 200N was applied at the cantilever or on the abutments region of the distal implants, simulating the absence of a cantilever. RESULTS: The peak principal compressive strains in the immediate loading models resulted in 24.0-35.8% and 26.4-39.0% increases compared with the delayed loading models under non-cantilever loading and cantilever loading, respectively. The loading position greatly affected the principal compressive and tensile strain values. The peak principal compressive strains in non-cantilever loading resulted in a 45.3-52.6% reduction compared with those in cantilever loading. The framework material did not influence the peak compressive and tensile strain. The maximum micromotion at the bone-implant interface in the immediate loading models was 7.5-14.4μm. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular fixed full-arch prostheses without cantilevers may result in a favorable reduction of the peri-implant bone strain during the healing period, compared with cantilevers. The maximum micromotion was within the acceptable limits for uneventful implant osseointegration in the immediate loading models. Framework material did not play an important role in reducing the peri-implant bone strain and micromotion at the bone-implant interface.博士（医学）・乙第1398号・平成29年3月15日Copyright © 2016 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

A Phase II Study of S-1 Monotherapy as a First-line Combination Therapy of S-1 Plus Cisplatin as a Second-line Therapy, and Weekly Paclitaxel Monotherapy as a Third-line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Gastric Carcinoma: A Second Report

Background We have previousy reported on a Phase II study of S-1 monotherapy as a first line, combination therapy of S-1 plus cisplatin as a second line, and weekly paclitaxel monotherapy as a third line therapy in patients with advanced gastric carcinomas. The median survival time (MST) of patients over the whole course of treatment was not previously calculated because 12 out of 19 patients had not yet succumbed. Since then, we have calculated the MST for this study and herein report our findings. Patients and Methods Between 2002 and 2005, 19 patients were enrolled in this study. Chemotherapy consisted of either 60 mg/m 2 of S-1 for 4 weeks at 6-week intervals, a combination of 60 mg/m 2 S-1 for 3 weeks and 60 mg/m 2 cisplatin on day 8 at 5-week intervals, or 60 mg/m 2 paclitaxel at days 1, 8, and 15, at 4-week intervals. The regimens were repeated until the occurrence of unacceptable toxicities, disease progression, or patient noncompliance. The primary end point was the overall survival. Results The median survival time was 774 days. The response rates were 33.3% (3/9), 12.5% (1/8), and 0% (0/4) after the first, second, and third line chemotherapies, respectively. The major adverse hematological toxicity was leukopenia, which reached grades 3–4 in all lines of chemotherapy investigated. In addition, the major adverse non-hematological toxicity was anorexia, which reached grade 3–4 in second line chemotherapy, and no deaths were attributable to the adverse effects of the drugs. Conclusion This sequential therapy was an effective treatment for advanced gastric cancer with acceptable toxic side-effects. We considered this therapy to be effective because of the smooth transition to the next regimen

Photo-Induced Cell Damage Analysis for Single- and Multifocus Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

In this study, we investigated photo-induced damage to living cells during single- and multifocus excitations for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging. A near-infrared pulsed laser (709 nm) was used to induce cell damage. We compared the photo-induced cell damage in the single- and the multifocus excitation schemes with the condition to obtain the same CARS signal in the same frame rate. For the evaluation of cell viability, we employed 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorophores that predominantly stained the damaged cells. One- and two-photon fluorescence of DAPI fluorophores were, respectively, excited by an ultraviolet light source and the same near-infrared light source and were monitored to evaluate the cell viability during near-infrared pulsed laser irradiation. We found lower uptake of DAPI fluorophores into HeLa cells during the multifocus excitation compared with the single-focus excitation scheme in both the one- and the two-photon fluorescence examinations. This indicates a reduction of photo-induced cell damage in the multifocus excitation. Our findings suggested that the multifocus excitation scheme is expected to be suitable for CARS microscopy in terms of minimal invasiveness

Photo-Induced Cell Damage Analysis for Single- and Multifocus Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

In this study, we investigated photo-induced damage to living cells during single-and multifocus excitations for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging. A near-infrared pulsed laser (709 nm) was used to induce cell damage. We compared the photo-induced cell damage in the single- and the multifocus excitation schemes with the condition to obtain the same CARS signal in the same frame rate. For the evaluation of cell viability, we employed 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorophores that predominantly stained the damaged cells. One-and two-photon fluorescence of DAPI fluorophores were, respectively, excited by an ultraviolet light source and the same near-infrared light source and were monitored to evaluate the cell viability during near-infrared pulsed laser irradiation. We found lower uptake of DAPI fluorophores into HeLa cells during the multifocus excitation compared with the single- focus excitation scheme in both the one- and the two-photon fluorescence examinations. This indicates a reduction of photo-induced cell damage in the multifocus excitation. Our findings suggested that the multifocus excitation scheme is expected to be suitable for CARS microscopy in terms of minimal invasiveness

Effect of clenching on biomechanical response of human mandible and temporomandibular joint to traumatic force analyzed by finite element method

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of clenching on the biomechanical response of human mandible and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to traumatic force by the finite element (FE) method. Material and Methods: FE models of the mandible and the TMJ in resting and clenching positions were prepared. Distribution and magnitude of von Mises stress were analyzed by applying force as a point load in the symphyseal, canine, body and angle regions of the mandible. In addition, strain energy density (SED) at the articular disc and in posterior connective tissue of TMJ was analyzed. Results: In the resting position, von Mises stress was mainly concentrated at the condylar neck and in the retromolar region of the mandible. In the clenching position, the stress at the condylar neck decreased in all loadings. The stress in the retromolar region similary decreased in the symphyseal, canine and body loading, respectively; however, higher stress was observed in the retromolar region on the loading side in the angle loading. High SED was generated at the articular disc and in posterior connective tissues of TMJ in the resting position. The SED in these tissues decreased in all loadings in the clenching position. Conclusions: Clenching generally reduces stress at the condylar neck and in the retromolar region of the mandible, and strain energy at the articular disc and in posterior connective tissue of TMJ by traumatic forces on the mandible; however, clenching induces greater stress in the retromolar region on the loading side by traumatic force to the angle region