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The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human (rh)BMP-9 on bone regenerative potential in a mouse model of antibody-mediated antiresorptive therapy (AMART). A monoclonal anti-murine receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) antibody (mAb) was used to create an AMART model in mice. rhBMP-9 combined with collagen membrane was implanted in calvarial defects in mAb-treated mice. After 4 weeks, the bone formative potential in the defects was evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histological approaches. The groups implanted with rhBMP-9-containing collagen membranes demonstrated substantial osteopromotive potential, with significantly greater new bone volume (Sham + BMP-9 group; 0.86 ± 0.29 mm3 and mAb + BMP-9 group; 0.64 ± 0.16 mm3) than control PBS-membranes (Sham + PBS group; 0.44 ± 0.29 mm3 and mAb + PBS group; 0.24 ± 0.12 mm3) in both sham and mAb-treated mice. In line with in vivo study, bone marrow cells isolated from both sham and mAb-treated mice confirmed greater osteogenic potential upon stimulation with rhBMP-9 in vitro. These findings suggest for the first time that local rhBMP-9 administration might be a strategy to accelerate bone regeneration in the context of AMART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) frequently metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, which is the most known prognostic factor. Screening methods to identify sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are therefore of great interest for the management of potential neck metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of double SLN mapping with indocyanine green (ICG) and 99m-technetium–tin colloid ( 99m Tc–tin colloid) for sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS). Between 2007 and 2010, 16 patients diagnosed with OSCC were investigated by SLN biopsy using the double mapping method. 99m Tc–tin colloid was injected into the peri-tumoural region on the preoperative day, and ICG was administered intraoperatively in the same position to assist in detecting nodes during surgery. Based on the gamma-ray signal and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence of ICG, SLNs were identified and thereafter assessed pathologically and genetically for cancer involvement. Radio-guided detection was successful for all patients. ICG mapping identified a relatively larger number of nodes, suggesting that several non-SLNs were potentially involved. The double mapping method assisted surgeons to explore SLNs. Since the ICG fluorescence was shielded by the subcutaneous fatty tissue and the muscle layer including platysma and sternocleidomastoid, it was necessary to retract the tissue away from nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle in which secretory and transmembrane proteins are folded or processed, and is susceptible to various stresses that provoke the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen. Recently, ER stress has been reported to be linked to neuronal death in various neurodegenerative diseases. Neurons contain the ER not only in the soma, but also in the dendrites, thus presenting a different case to non-neuronal cells. The ER in the dendrites has potential functions in local protein synthesis and sorting of synthesized proteins to postsynaptic membranes. It raises the possibility that ER stress could occur locally in the dendrites. Here we showed that ER stress sensors, inositol-requiring 1 (IRE1), PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) exist in the ER of both soma and dendrites in primary mouse neurons, and that under ER stress conditions, GRP78/BiP and phosphorylated eIF2α are induced. Furthermore, XBP1 mRNA was localized in the proximal dendrites where IRE1 was rapidly phosphorylated in response to ER stress. These results indicate that the ER in dendrites could respond to ER stress and retain the capacity of protein quality control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: P16 promoter methylation occurs frequently in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). For the early detection of tumour-related aberrant DNA, we examined p16 methylation using the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in tumour and serum samples of 17 OSCC patients. Aberrant p16 methylation was detected in 11 (64.7%) cases of primary OSCC. Of these 11 patients, 6 (54.5%) showed the same alteration in their serum. No methylation was found in control groups. Interestingly, DNA was detected in the serum of 3 out of 4 patients with recurrence. These results suggest that the MSP may be a sensitive and useful method for detecting recurrent OSCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra of one of three Tm@C82 isomers, Tm@C82 (II), were measured with synchrotron radiation light source. The spectra resemble those of Ca@C82 (III), which indicates that these two metallofullerenes have analogous valence electronic structures as well as the cage structures. The spectra of Tm@C82 (II) and Ca@C82 (III) are well reproduced by a simulated spectrum obtained with ab initio calculation based on the C 2 (no.5) cage geometry. This finding supports symmetry group determination carried out with NMR measured on Tm@C82 (II). Because of spectral resemblance, the electronic structure of metallofullerenes seems to be determined solely by the fullerene cage and entrapped atom species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) of metallofullerenes with multiple atoms inside the cage, Ti2@C80, Ti2@C84 and Y2C2@C82, have been measured with a synchrotron orbital radiation light source. The spectra were compared with those of other metallofullerenes. Spectral onsets of these metallofullerenes are 0.7–0.8eV, which is close to those of group II metal atom encapsulated metallofullerenes but much larger than those of other group III mono-metal atom encapsulated ones. The spectra are compared with molecular orbital calculation to estimate the amounts of transferred electrons and the cage structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report a case of diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible responded to alendronate, after a poor response to intravenous antibiotics, antibiotic irrigation-perfusion, and decortication. The patient was given an intravenous infusion of 10mg of alendronate. Pain resolved within 24h. There were no severe adverse events. Increased uptake of 99mTc in the mandible almost completely disappeared 3 months after treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reactions for LiNH2 under a H2 and an Ar flow were investigated, respectively. The results showed that LiNH2 can be converted into LiH and NH3 by reacting with H2 under a H2 flow condition, whereas LiNH2 is converted into Li2NH and NH3 by decomposition under an Ar flow. Moreover, the reaction between LiNH2 and H2 can be accelerated by mixing LiNH2 with LiH as well as doping LiNH2 with TiCl3. The confirmation of reaction between LiNH2 and H2 is helpful for the deeper insight in the systems of Li–N–H and Li–Mg–N–H for hydrogen storage materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The synthesis and decomposition properties of some metal amides M(NH2) x such as LiNH2, NaNH2, Mg(NH2)2 and Ca(NH2)2 were investigated, which play important roles for designing a new family of metal–N–H hydrogen storage systems. Both the gas chromatographic examination and X-ray diffraction measurement indicated that the reaction between alkali or alkaline earth metal hydride MH x (such as LiH, NaH, MgH2 and CaH2) and gaseous NH3 could quickly proceed at room temperature by ball milling and the corresponding metal amides were easily synthesized in high quality. The kinetics of these kind of reactions is faster in the order of NaH>LiH>CaH2 >MgH2, which is consistent with the inverse order of electronegativity of those metals, i.e. Na

The reversible hydrogen desorption–absorption of γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 ball milled with MoO 3 and TiO 2 has been investigated. No mechanochemical interaction between γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and TiO 2 was observed while for the 1:1 M ratio with MoO 3 , MoB 2 was formed. There was little difference in the properties of γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 ball–milled with 0.02 mol percent TiO 2 and MoO 3 . However, mixing in the same ratio γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 with TiO 2 and MoO 3 that had previously been subjected to high energy milling provided significant effects. For these materials, the DSC peaks appeared broader and were shifted to slightly lower temperatures, while the TPD peaks were decreased by ca. 20 °C, as compared to the pure γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 . Faster hydrogen desorption kinetics was observed for the γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 –MoO 3 mixture. The reversible hydrogen storage capacity of γ–Mg(BH 4 ) 2 –TiO 2 at 271 °C was found to be 2.4 wt% H 2 in the first cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-18 is produced by leukocytes and renal parenchymal cells (tubular epithelial cells, podocytes, and mesangial cells). The IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) is expressed on these cells in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, but the role of IL-18R is unknown. To help define this, we compared IL-18Rα knockout with wild-type mice in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury and found deteriorated kidney function, tubular damage, increased accumulation of leukocytes (CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells, macrophages, and neutrophils), upregulation of early kidney injury biomarkers (serum TNF, urinary IL-18, and KIM-1 levels), and increased expression of pro-inflammatory molecules downstream of IL-18. In vitro, leukocytes from the spleen and kidneys of the knockout mice produced greater amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines upon stimulation with concanavalin A compared to that in wild-type mice. Levels of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and 3 (negative regulators of cytokine signaling) were reduced in the spleen and kidneys of IL-18Rα-deficient compared to wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer of wild-type splenocytes by IL-18Rα-deficient mice led to decreased cisplatin nephrotoxicity compared to control IL-18Rα-deficient mice. In contrast, anti-IL-18Rα and anti-IL-18Rβ antibody treatment tended to increase cisplatin nephrotoxicity in wild-type mice. Thus, signaling through IL-18Rα activates both inflammation-suppressing and pro-injury pathways in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The crystal structures of LiND2 and Mg(ND2)2 have been investigated by high-resolution powder neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. LiND2 takes a tetragonal crystal structure (space group , a =5.03164(8)Å, c =10.2560(2)Å). The Li+ ions are tetrahedrally coordinated by four amide (ND2 −) ions with Li–N separations ranging between 2.065(3) and 2.210(3)Å. The two N–D distances are similar (0.967(5) and 0.978(6)Å) and the D–N–D angle is 104.0(7)°, which are very close to the isoelectronic water molecule. The neutron diffraction data for Mg(ND2)2 are fitted well with a tetragonal unit cell (space group I41/acd, a =10.3758(6)Å, c =20.062(1)Å), although the powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction data indicate that the symmetry may be lower. The cation is again tetrahedrally coordinated by four amide ions. The Mg–N distances are between 2.00(1) and 2.17(1)Å. The N–D separations and D–N–D angles in the three different amide ions are in the range of 0.95(1)–1.07(1)Å and 101(1)–107(2)°, respectively. The Mg(ND2)2 structure can alternatively be described as a pseudo-fcc lattice of Mg4 tetrahedra with amide anions in all tetrahedral interstices and six amide ions distributed in the periphery of each octahedral interstices, giving a slightly distorted octahedral arrangement of amide units around each Mg4 tetrahedron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High air stability is the key issue for the organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). Recently developed high-mobility organic semiconductors, 2,7-diphenyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (DPh-BTBT) and dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT), are much more stable than pentacene. We measured the ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) of DPh-BTBT and DNTT and revealed that their HOMOs are situated at deeper energy levels than that of pentacene, which contributes to their high stability. The UPS of DNTT is well reproduced by the DFT calculation, while that of DPh-BTBT is not fully reproduced. This difference is discussed in terms of dihedral angle between the phenyl groups and the BTBT ring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]