A new half-metallic ferromagnet K2Cr8O16 predicted by an ab-initio electronic structure calculation

The first-principles electronic structure calculation is carried out to predict that a chromium oxide K2Cr8O16 with the hollandite-type crystal structure should be a new half-metallic ferromagnet. We compare our results with recent experimental data which indicate the ferromagnetic-metal to ferromagnetic-insulator transition at T ∼ 90 K, as well as the paramagnetic-metal to ferromagnetic-metal transition at T ∼ 180 K. Based on the calculated electronic structures, we argue that the double-exchange mechanism is responsible for the observed saturated ferromagnetism and the formation of the incommensurate, long-wavelength density wave of spinless fermions caused by the Fermi-surface nesting may be the origin of the opening of the charge gap.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japa

歯髄幹細胞からの分泌因子は、顎関節変形性関節症の治療に多面的な効果を示す

Objective: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration, abnormal bone remodeling, and chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate effective therapies to reverse or suppress TMJOA progression. Design: To this end, we performed intravenous administration of serum free conditioned media from human exfoliated deciduous teeth stem cells (SHED-CM) into a mechanical-stress induced murine TMJOA model. Results: SHED-CM administration markedly suppressed temporal muscle inflammation, and improved bone integrity and surface smoothness of the destroyed condylar cartilage. Moreover, SHED-CM treatment decreased the number of IL-1β, iNOS, and MMP-13 expressing chondrocytes, whereas it specifically increased PCNA-positive cells in the multipotent polymorphic cell layer. Notably, the numbers of TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic chondrocytes in the SHED-CM treated condyles were significantly lower than in those treated with DMEM, whereas the proteoglycan positive area was restored to a level similar to that of the sham treated group, demonstrating that SHED-CM treatment regenerated the mechanical-stress injured condylar cartilage and subchondral bone. Secretome analysis revealed that SHED-CM contained multiple therapeutic factors that act in osteochondral regeneration. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that SHED-CM treatment promoted the regeneration and repair of mechanical-stress induced mouse TMJOA. Our observations suggest that SHED-CM has potential to be a potent tissue-regenerating therapeutic agent for patients with severe TMJOA

Carbazole and indolcarbazole-based systems: impact of the structural changes on the system properties

π-Conjugated diradical compounds, featuring unique unsaturated valences and radical centres in the ground state, are fundamentally important for understanding the nature of chemical bonds and have potential applications in material science [1] . During the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in the rationalization of how the structural changes stabilize (or destabilize) the diradical system. The tunability of the diradical character has been studied for different structural motifs such as the substitution pattern of lateral groups[2], the elongation of the conjugated core[3] or the molecular isomerism[4], among others. In this sense, we have recently reported an experimental/theoretical study of a family of carbazole-based diradicaloids with dicyanomethylene (DCM) groups incorporated via para (p-Cz and p-ICz) or meta positions (mCz and m-ICz) aiming to investigate how external stimuli impact on the molecular structure and supramolecular organization, and thus on the resulting optical and electronic properties. In addition, we theoretically investigate at the DFT level a set of ten indolocarbazole-based isomers substituted with DCM groups to disclose how their chemical reactivity and physical properties are affected by isomerism and different substitution pattern.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Propio de Investigación de la UM

Comprehensive biomarker analyses identifies HER2, EGFR, MET RNA expression and thymidylate synthase 5'UTR SNP as predictors of benefit from S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in Japanese patients with stage II/III gastric cancer

Purpose: A comprehensive molecular analysis was conducted to identify prognostic and predictive markers for adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in stage II/III Japanese gastric cancer (GC) patients and to evaluate their potential suitability for alternative cytotoxic or targeted drugs. Experimental Design: We investigated genetic polymorphisms of enzymes potentially involved in 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) metabolism as well as platinum resistance, previously identified genomic subtypes potentially predicting 5-FU benefit, and mRNA expression levels of receptor tyrosine kinases and KRAS as potential treatment targets in a single institution cohort of 252 stage II/III GC patients treated with or without S-1 after D2 gastrectomy. Results: 88% and 62% GC had a potentially 5-FU sensitive phenotype by SNP analyses of TS 3'UTR, and TS 5'UTR, respectively. 24%, 46%, 40%, 5%, and 44% GC had a potentially platinum sensitive phenotype by SNP analyses of GSTP1, ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC1 rs3212986, ERCC2, and XRCC1, respectively. High HER2, EGFR, FGFR2, or MET mRNA expression was observed in 49%, 66%, 72%, and 54% GC, respectively. High HER2 expression was the only significant prognosticator (HR=3.912, 95%CI: 1.706-8.973, p=0.0005). High HER2 (p=0.031), low EGFR (p=0.124), high MET (p=0.165) RNA expression, and TS 5'UTR subtype 2R/2R, 2R/3C, or 3C (p=0.058) were significant independent predictors for S-1 resistance. Conclusions: The present study suggests that platinum-based or RTK targeted agents could be alternative treatment options for a substantial subgroup of Japanese GC patients currently treated with S-1. HER2, EGFR, MET, and TS 5'UTR SNP appear to be promising predictive markers for S-1 resistance warranting validation in an independent GC series

Analysis of comorbid factors that increase the COPD assessment test scores

Background: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) is a concise health status measure for COPD. COPD patients have a variety of comorbidities, but little is known about their impact on quality of life. This study was designed to investigate comorbid factors that may contribute to high CAT scores. Methods: An observational study at Keio University and affiliated hospitals enrolled 336 COPD patients and 67 non-COPD subjects. Health status was assessed by the CAT, the St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and all components of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item (SF-36) version 2, which is a generic measure of health. Comorbidities were identified based on patients’ reports, physicians’ records, and questionnaires, including the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Dual X-ray absorptiometry measurements of bone mineral density were performed. Results: The CAT showed moderate-good correlations with the SGRQ and all components of the SF-36. The presence of GERD, depression, arrhythmia, and anxiety was significantly associated with a high CAT score in the COPD patients. Conclusions: Symptomatic COPD patients have a high prevalence of comorbidities. A high CAT score should alert the clinician to a higher likelihood of certain comorbidities such as GERD and depression, because these diseases may co-exist unrecognize