Photonics of fullerene-conducting polymer composites and multilayered structures: new results and prospects

SPIE's 1995 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1995, San Diego, CA, United StatesKatsumi Yoshino, Kenji Yoshimoto, Kazuya Tada, Hishashi Araki, Tsuyoshi Kawai, Masanori Ozaki, and Anvar A. Zakhidov "Photonics of fullerene-conducting polymer composites and multilayered structures: new results and prospects", Proc. SPIE 2530, Fullerenes and Photonics II, (8 December 1995). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22812

Comparison of tissue pressure and ablation time between the LeVeen and cool-tip needle methods

BACKGROUND: Radio frequency ablation (RFA) has been accepted clinically as a useful local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, intrahepatic recurrence after RFA has been reported which might be attributable to increase in intra-tumor pressure during RFA. To reduce the pressure and ablation time, we developed a novel method of RFA, a multi-step method in which a LeVeen needle, an expansion-type electrode, is incrementally and stepwise expanded. We compared the maximal pressure during ablation and the total ablation time among the multi-step method, single-step method (a standard single-step full expansion with a LeVeen needle), and the method with a cool-tip electrode. Finally, we performed a preliminary comparison of the ablation times for these methods in HCC cases. RESULTS: A block of pig liver sealed in a rigid plastic case was used as a model of an HCC tumor with a capsule. The multi-step method with the LeVeen electrode resulted in the lowest pressure as compared with the single-step or cool-tip methods. There was no significant difference in the ablation time between the multi-step and cool-tip ablation methods, although the single-step methods had longer ablation times than the other ablation procedures. In HCC cases, the multi-step method had a significantly shorter ablation time than the single-step or cool-tip methods. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the multi-step method was useful to reduce the ablation time and to suppress the increase in pressure. The multi-step method using a LeVeen needle may be a clinically applicable procedure for RFA

Positive association of AKT1 haplotype to Japanese methamphetamine use disorder

Recent evidence suggests that the AKT1-GSK3Β signalling cascade partially mediates dopaminedependentbehaviours. In relation to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia or methamphetamine (Meth)use disorder, AKT1 is a good candidate gene for such conditions. For schizophrenia, positive associationsof SNPs and AKT1 haplotypes were reported in US and Japanese samples. To evaluate the association between AKT1 and Meth-use disorder, we conducted a case-control study of Japanese samples (182 patients and 437 controls). A positive association between a SNP and haplotypes was found, and the ‘signal’ SNP was the same SNP found to be associated with US schizophrenia, but not with Japanese schizophrenia. Our results indicate that AKT1 may play a possible role in the development of Meth-use disorder. Further investigation of these associations, together with evidence from previous animal studies, may open the way to elucidation of the pathophysiology of this condition.</p

Development of Skin Flaps for Reconstructive Surgery : Random Pattern Flap to Perforator Flap

Flap transplantation has been an important procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery to cover and fill various defects. Flap necrosis due to blood circulation failure leads to severe complications, especially in a patient undergoing reconstruction concerning the body cavity after tumor ablation. Surgical procedures for flap transplantation have been further improved and developed. We have reviewed from the random pattern flap to the newest procedure, the perforator flap. Perforator vessels were investigated in the process of development of the fasciocutaneous flap and have become important for blood supply of the skin flap. Blood circulation of the flap has become more stable and reliable than ever with the development and findings of the perforator vessels. Further development of a skin flap will be based on the perforasome concept, which involves the study of the territory and linking of perforator vessels

Optineurin regulates osteoblastogenesis through STAT1

A sophisticated and delicate balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts regulates bone metabolism. Optineurin (OPTN) is a gene involved in primary open-angle glaucoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although its function has been widely studied in ophthalmology and neurology, recent reports have shown its possible involvement in bone metabolism through negative regulation of osteoclast differentiation. However, little is known about the role of OPTN in osteoblast function. Here, we demonstrated that OPTN controls not only osteoclast but also osteoblast differentiation. Different parameters involved in osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis were assessed in Optn−/- mice. The results showed that osteoblasts from Optn−/- mice had impaired alkaline phosphatase activity, defective mineralized nodules, and inability to support osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, OPTN could bind to signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and regulate runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) nuclear localization by modulating STAT1 levels in osteoblasts. These data suggest that OPTN is involved in bone metabolism not only by regulating osteoclast function but also by regulating osteoblast function by mediating RUNX2 nuclear translocation via STAT1

SORL1 Is Genetically Associated with Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in Japanese, Koreans and Caucasians

To discover susceptibility genes of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), we conducted a 3-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) using three populations: Japanese from the Japanese Genetic Consortium for Alzheimer Disease (JGSCAD), Koreans, and Caucasians from the Alzheimer Disease Genetic Consortium (ADGC). In Stage 1, we evaluated data for 5,877,918 genotyped and imputed SNPs in Japanese cases (n = 1,008) and controls (n = 1,016). Genome-wide significance was observed with 12 SNPs in the APOE region. Seven SNPs from other distinct regions with p-values ,261025 were genotyped in a second Japanese sample (885 cases, 985 controls), and evidence of association was confirmed for one SORL1 SNP (rs3781834, P=7.3361027 in the combined sample). Subsequent analysis combining results for several SORL1 SNPs in the Japanese, Korean (339 cases, 1,129 controls) and Caucasians (11,840 AD cases, 10,931 controls) revealed genome wide significance with rs11218343 (P=1.7761029) and rs3781834 (P=1.0461028). SNPs in previously established AD loci in Caucasians showed strong evidence of association in Japanese including rs3851179 near PICALM (P=1.7161025) and rs744373 near BIN1 (P = 1.3961024). The associated allele for each of these SNPs was the same as in Caucasians. These data demonstrate for the first time genome-wide significance of LOAD with SORL1 and confirm the role of other known loci for LOAD in Japanese. Our study highlights the importance of examining associations in multiple ethnic populations

Genomic Profiling of Submucosal-Invasive Gastric Cancer by Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization

Genomic copy number aberrations (CNAs) in gastric cancer have already been extensively characterized by array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) analysis. However, involvement of genomic CNAs in the process of submucosal invasion and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer is still poorly understood. In this study, to address this issue, we collected a total of 59 tumor samples from 27 patients with submucosal-invasive gastric cancers (SMGC), analyzed their genomic profiles by array CGH, and compared them between paired samples of mucosal (MU) and submucosal (SM) invasion (23 pairs), and SM invasion and lymph node (LN) metastasis (9 pairs). Initially, we hypothesized that acquisition of specific CNA(s) is important for these processes. However, we observed no significant difference in the number of genomic CNAs between paired MU and SM, and between paired SM and LN. Furthermore, we were unable to find any CNAs specifically associated with SM invasion or LN metastasis. Among the 23 cases analyzed, 15 had some similar pattern of genomic profiling between SM and MU. Interestingly, 13 of the 15 cases also showed some differences in genomic profiles. These results suggest that the majority of SMGCs are composed of heterogeneous subpopulations derived from the same clonal origin. Comparison of genomic CNAs between SMGCs with and without LN metastasis revealed that gain of 11q13, 11q14, 11q22, 14q32 and amplification of 17q21 were more frequent in metastatic SMGCs, suggesting that these CNAs are related to LN metastasis of early gastric cancer. In conclusion, our data suggest that generation of genetically distinct subclones, rather than acquisition of specific CNA at MU, is integral to the process of submucosal invasion, and that subclones that acquire gain of 11q13, 11q14, 11q22, 14q32 or amplification of 17q21 are likely to become metastatic

Multigenic System Controlling Viral Systemic Infection Determined by the Interactions Between Cucumber mosaic virus Genes and Quantitative Trait Loci of Soybean Cultivars

Soybean 'Harosoy' is resistant to Cucumber mosaic virus soybean strain C (CMV-SC) and susceptible to CMV-S strain D (CMV-SD). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Northern hybridization, we characterized the Harosoy resistance and found that CMV-SC did not spread systemically but was restricted to the inoculated leaves in Harosoy. Harosoy resistance was not controlled by either a dominant or recessive single gene. To dissect this system controlling long-distance movement of CMV in soybean, we constructed infectious cDNA clones of CMV-SC and CMV-SD. Using these constructs and the chimeric RNAs, we demonstrated that two viral components were required for systemic infection by the virus. The region including the entire 2b gene and the 5' region of RNA3 (mainly the 5' untranslated region) together were required. By quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using an F2 population and the F3 families derived from Harosoy and susceptible 'Nemashirazu', we also showed that at least three QTLs affected systemic infection of CMV in soybean. Our study on Harosoy resistance to CMV-SC revealed an interesting mechanism, in which multiple host and viral genes coordinately controlled viral systemic infection