128 research outputs found

    Rapid production of engineered human primary hepatocyte/fibroblast sheets

    Get PDF
    This data article contains data related to the research article entitled "Vascularized subcutaneous human liver tissue from engineered hepatocyte/fibroblast sheets in mice," published in Biomaterials [1]. Engineered hepatocyte/fibroblast sheets (EHFSs) are used for construction of vascularized subcutaneous liver tissue without a pre-transplant vascularization procedures. Here, we described a rapid production technique of EHFSs by controlling fibroblast density and coating fetal bovine serum (FBS) onto temperature-responsive culture dishes (TRCDs). The human fibroblast monolayer formed on FBS-coated TRCDs within 1h when seeded at a high density (at least 1.56×105cells/cm2). The most rapid EHFS production was achieved soon after the adhesion of human primary hepatocytes onto the fibroblast layer

    HBD1 protein with a tandem repeat of two HMG-box domains is a DNA clip to organize chloroplast nucleoids in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

    Get PDF
    葉緑体核様体をコンパクトに折りたたむ「DNAクリップ」の発見 --ミトコンドリアとも共通する普遍的なしくみの解明--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-05-12.Compaction of bulky DNA is a universal issue for all DNA-based life forms. Chloroplast nucleoids (chloroplast DNA–protein complexes) are critical for chloroplast DNA maintenance and transcription, thereby supporting photosynthesis, but their detailed structure remains enigmatic. Our proteomic analysis of chloroplast nucleoids of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii identified a protein (HBD1) with a tandem repeat of two DNA-binding high mobility group box (HMG-box) domains, which is structurally similar to major mitochondrial nucleoid proteins transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), and ARS binding factor 2 protein (Abf2p). Disruption of the HBD1 gene by CRISPR-Cas9–mediated genome editing resulted in the scattering of chloroplast nucleoids. This phenotype was complemented when intact HBD1 was reintroduced, whereas a truncated HBD1 with a single HMG-box domain failed to complement the phenotype. Furthermore, ectopic expression of HBD1 in the mitochondria of yeast Δabf2 mutant successfully complemented the defects, suggesting functional similarity between HBD1 and Abf2p. Furthermore, in vitro assays of HBD1, including the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNA origami/atomic force microscopy, showed that HBD1 is capable of introducing U-turns and cross-strand bridges, indicating that proteins with two HMG-box domains would function as DNA clips to compact DNA in both chloroplast and mitochondrial nucleoids

    Effect of Different Types of Upper Instrumented Vertebrae Instruments on Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Pedicle Screw versus Transverse Process Hook

    Get PDF
    Study Design Retrospective comparative study. Purpose To compare the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) between transverse process hooks (TPHs) and pedicle screws (PSs) at the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Overview of Literature The choice of UIV implant type may be important for avoiding PJK; however, few comparative clinical studies have evaluated the incidence of PJK according to the type of UIV implant used in ASD surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive patients with ASD (mean age, 67 years; mean follow-up period, 41 months) who underwent corrective surgery between 2009 and 2013. TPH was used in 17 patients and PS in 22 patients. PJK was defined as the presence of a UIV or UIV±1 fracture, or a change in the proximal junctional angle (PJA) of >20°. Data of patients with TPH and PS were compared. Results The TPH group had a PJK incidence of 17.6% compared with 27.3% in the PS group (p =0.47). In the TPH group, PJK was a result of UIV fracture in one patient, UIV−1 fracture in one patient, and ligamentous failure in one patient. In the PS group, six patients developed PJK because of UIV fracture. No differences in radiographic parameters were found between the two groups. After analyzing the PJA data in the patients with PJK, the changes in PJA were significantly higher in the PS group than in the TPH group (19.0°/5.0°, p =0.04). Conclusions Our results show that using TPH as a UIV implant may not prevent PJK; however, using TPH as the UIV anchor may prevent vertebral collapse if cases of UIV fracture. The increased risk of UIV fracture collapse in the PS group may be a result of a higher mechanical load on UIV when using PS

    Visualizing the decline of public interest in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident by analyzing letters to the editor in Japanese newspapers

    Get PDF
    This study aimed to delineate the decline in public interest toward the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FNPP) accident in Japan over a ten-year period. In this longitudinal descriptive study, we searched for publications within a ten-year period in Letters to the Editor that mentioned the GEJE, the FNPP accident, or the January 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (GHAE) that occurred in Japan, using the official databases of the three largest Japanese newspapers. The GEJE- and GHAE-related publications (4,809 and 2,092, respectively) are depicted as scatter plots. The results show a gradual decrease in the publications mentioning GEJE or GHAE. The impact of GEJE and FNPP on Japanese society was enormous, but the public interest waned over time. Communication strategies that maintain a high public interest in previous disasters may be necessary

    Late-onset benefit in progressive advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with continued sorafenib therapy: a case report

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>In the past, no effective systemic therapy has existed for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, has recently been shown to improve overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials. This drug has been approved as the first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. We report an intriguing case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in which the patient achieved late- onset partial response by prolonged administration of sorafenib in spite of progressive disease.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 54-year-old Japanese man was treated with sorafenib for multiple lung metastases after surgical resection for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by vascular invasion of the left branch of the portal vein. Although the effective diagnosis was progressive disease, almost all sites began to reduce or disappear eight months after the diagnosis of progressive disease. A dramatic reduction in alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin levels was observed. The patient finally achieved partial response and his status remains unchanged.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>If tolerated, prolonged sorafenib treatment may be beneficial.</p
    corecore