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We performed a dosimetric study to evaluate the benefits of using a flattening-filter-free (FFF) beam with the deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) method for left-breast cancer. We used data from 30 previous patients with treatment plans that included DIBH for left-breast cancer with a flattened beam. FFF beam plans were calculated from previous treatment plan images and compared to the original plans in terms of monitor units (MU), number of segments, beam-on time, and breath-holds. Beam-on time was calculated by adding the traveling time of 1.5 second between segments to the time calculated from the MU and dose rate. Breath-holds were calculated based on the beam-on time, assuming 15 s per hold. The FFF beam had increased MU in all cases (mean ± SD: flattened beam, 122.4 ± 9.8 MU; FFF beam, 160.2 ± 17.5 MU). Furthermore, the number of segments increased with the FFF beam in all cases (median [range]: flattened beam, 2 [1 to 3]; FFF beam, 5 [3 to 7]). However, in most cases, the beam-on time was reduced using the FFF beam (mean ± SD: flattened beam, 27.8 ± 7.4 seconds; FFF beam, 13.2 ± 1.7 seconds), although when a 6 MV flattened beam was used there was not a large increase. There were fewer breath-holds in most cases with the FFF beam. Cases using a 4 MV flattened beam also had fewer breath-holds; however, the number of breath-holds was consistent or increased in cases that used a 6 MV flattened beam (median [range]: flattened beam, 3 [1 to 3]; FFF beam, 1 [1 to 2]).

We developed a prototype photon-counting mammography unit with a cadmium zinc telluride detector, which provides a new type of image with physical analysis parameters. Using the X-ray attenuation information obtained from this device, we examined the ability of this technique in discriminating substances and estimating their compositions. To estimate the substance compositions, we used resected breast tissues immediately after a surgical operation for invasive carcinoma of no special type, and used phantoms to reproduce mammary glands and adipose tissue. In our system, the spectrum penetrating the substance was measured with three energy bins in each pixel. The products of linear-attenuation coefficient and thicknesses for each bin were calculated. Using these three values, the scatterplots displaying all the values calculated from each pixel inside the region of interest (ROI) on the image were created. The scatterplot displaying only gravity values calculated for each ROI on the image was created for evaluating the separation of plot points to discriminate between different substance compositions. The gravity points placed on the malignant tumor tissue were plotted separately from those on the normal tissue. Furthermore, a fusion image was created by overlapping an X-ray image and values of this scatterplot points represented on a 10-step color scale. The fusion image was highlighting the differences in substance compositions using color tone, such as malignant tumor or mammary gland tissue, by adjusting the color scale level.

Activities for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were investigated on Ni low index surfaces modified by electrochemical deposition of Pt (Pt/Ni(hkl)) and then thermal annealing. The ORR current density at 0.9 V (RHE) of the Pt/Ni(111) without annealing is three times higher than that of Pt(111). However, the Pt/Ni(111) without annealing has a low durability, with the activity reduction of more than 50% after 1000 potential cycles between 0.6 V and 1.0 V. The catalytic activity and durability are improved by annealing of Pt/Ni(111). The ORR activity of the Pt/Ni(111) with annealing at 650 K is 1.7 times higher than that without annealing and the decrease of the activity is less than 10% after 1000 potential cycles. The annealing process stabilizes the Pt-rich shell on Ni(111). Keyword: Oxygen reduction reaction, Single crystal electrode, Surface alloy, Ni, Pt skin

A terahertz (THz) frequency synthesizer based on photomixing of two near-infrared lasers with a sub-THz to THz frequency offset is a powerful tool for spectroscopy of polar gas molecules due to its broad spectral coverage; however, its frequency accuracy and resolution are relatively low. To tune the output frequency continuously and widely while maintaining its traceability to a frequency standard, we developed a photomixing THz synthesizer phase-locked to dual optical frequency combs (OFCs). While the phase-locking to dual OFCs ensured continuous tuning within a spectral range of 120 GHz, in addition to the traceability to the frequency standard, use of a broadband uni-traveling carrier photodiode for photomixing enabled the generation of CW-THz radiation within a frequency range from 0.2 to 1.5 THz. We demonstrated THz frequency-domain spectroscopy of gas-phase acetonitrile CH3CN and its isotope CH3 13CN in the frequency range of 0.600–0.720 THz using this THz synthesizer. Their rotational transitions were assigned with a frequency accuracy of 8.42 × 10−8 and a frequency resolution of 520 kHz. Furthermore, the concentration of the CH3CN gas at 20 Pa was determined to be (5.41 ± 0.05) × 1014 molecules/cm3 by curve fitting analysis of the measured absorbance spectrum, and the mixture ratio of the mixed CH3CN/CH3 13CN gas was determined to be 1:2.26 with a gas concentration of 1014–1015 molecules/cm3. The developed THz synthesizer is highly promising for high-precision THz-FDS of low-pressure molecular gases and will enable the qualitative and quantitative analyses of multiple gases.

A new energy-resolved photon-counting mammography (ERPCM) device with a cadmium telluride (CdTe) series detector (JOB Corporation, Japan) is currently being developed. The CdTe series detector can detect higher-energy photons with high sensitivity, enabling the use of high-energy X-rays for imaging. Our previous research, in which we compared ERPCM using high-energy X-rays (tube voltage 50 kV) with general mammography using low-energy X-rays (tube voltage about 30 kV), reported that ERPCM had a higher CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio) than general mammography. The purpose of this study was to examine the magnitude of the CNR using a simulation and ERPCM; especially we would like to examine the CNR when the tube voltage of higher than 50 kV was adopted. In the comparison of the CNRs, It was necessary to pay attention to equalizing the average glandular dose (AGD). Using the simulation and ERPCM, we compared the CNR between images taken at 50 kV and 75 kV under a constant AGD. The simulation phantom was composed of 50% mammary gland and 50% adipose tissue, and contained tumor regions. The thickness of the simulation phantom was varied. We put an acrylic plate (1 mm thickness) on an RMI-156 phantom. Furthermore, we placed the thicker acrylic plate (10, 20, 30, 40 mm) on the 156 phantom and 1 mm-thick acrylic plate to simulate thicker breast. Based on the results from the simulation, in the phantom thickness of 80 mm, the CNR of image taken by 75kV got extremely closer to that taken by 50kV. The advantage of the image taken at 75 kV for the thicker breast was also confirmed in ERPCM.

Cherubism is a rare genetic disorder and the majority of patients with cherubism are children. The aim of this study was to determine if analysis of mutations in the SH3BP2 gene using collected blood could distinguish cherubism from other similar diseases and might therefore replace the current extensive and invasive methods of diagnosis of cherubism with a minimally invasive method. Exon 9 of the SH3BP2 gene of a child with cherubism and of the child's parents was sequenced using PCR of the genomic DNA of collected leucocytes. The patient's lesions were analyzed radiographically. Biopsied lesions of the patient were histopathologically analyzed. The genomic DNA analysis indicated that the exon 9 sequence of the child and that of its mother, but not its father, was mutated. The combined radiographic and histopathological analyses suggested cherubism. In conclusion, sequencing of mutations in exon 9 of the SH3BP2 gene can diagnose cherubism and may therefore replace the combined extensive and more invasive methods previously required for such diagnosis.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful complication of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. OM can compromise nutrition, require opioid analgesics and hospitalization for pain control, and lead to interruption of treatment. Severe oral mucositis appears inevitable in superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy (SSIACRT), requiring management of OM for the patient. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of professional oral health care (POHC) for the management of OM in patients undergoing SSIACRT. Thirty-three patients were enrolled in this study. The first 17 patients underwent SSIACRT before we created an oral management team, and thus did not receive POHC. The remaining 16 patients received POHC. Fever duration, duration of oral feeding difficulty, opioid usage, duration of opioid administration, duration of hospitalization, and number of hospital days from the end of irradiation to discharge were compared between these two groups. Median total dose of morphine during SSIACRT, median number of hospital days from end of irradiation to discharge, and duration of hospitalization all differed significantly between groups (P

We report the case of a 3-month-old female infant who presented with a cystic swelling in the left side of the oral floor (i.e., a congenital ranula). Observation was initially carried out because of the patient's poor general condition. A puncture was performed twice because the ranula enlarged gradually and caused difficulty with sucking during follow-up. Despite being punctured, the ranula recurred again and resulted in difficulty with sucking. Therefore, we performed marsupialization of the ranula under general anesthesia. There was no sign of recurrence for 4 years after marsupialization.

Background. Distant metastasis is considerably more frequent in superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy than other radical treatments for advanced oral cancers. However, there is no evidence supporting such claim. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy and conventional surgical management with particular focus on distant metastasis. Methods. One hundred seventy-two patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in stages III and IV were included in this study. Retrospective analysis for DM rates and background between surgical management and superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy was performed. Results. Distant metastasis developed clinically was detected in 24 out of 141 patients (17.0%) treated surgically and in 6 out of 31 patients (19.4%) treated with superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy. There was no significant difference in the rate of distant metastasis between the 2 groups. Comparison of patients in both groups with and without distant metastasis revealed no differences in age, T classification, N classification, and treatment effect. Neck recurrence was the only significant risk factor for distant metastasis. Conclusion. No significant difference was found in the rate of distant metastasis between patients treated with surgical treatment and superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy, and additional effort is needed to reduce the risk of distant metastasis.

CX3CL1/Fractalkine, a chemokine specific to monocytes and NK cells, is induced synergistically by TNF-α and IFN-γ in vascular endothelial cells. However, the mechanism for this synergism remains unclear. This study explored the hypothesis that the CX3CL1 expression is regulated at a posttranscriptional level, which may responsible for the synergism between TNF-α and IFN-γ. Brief exposure of HUVECs to TNF-α led to a robust increase in IFN-γ–induced CX3CL1 production. We found that TNF-α stabilized CX3CL1 mRNA in HUVECs stimulated with IFN-γ. Cloning of 3′untranslated region (UTR) of CX3CL1 mRNA revealed the presence of a single copy of nonametric AU-rich element in its 3′UTR, and a luciferase reporter assay showed that a single AU-rich element is a crucial cis-element in the posttranscriptional regulation of CX3CL1. TNF-α treatment resulted in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and its downstream target, MAPK-activated protein kinase-2, but IFN-γ did not affect the levels of MAPK and MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 phosphorylation induced by TNF-α. Treatment of the cells with an inhibitor of p38 MAPK accelerated the decay of CX3CL1 mRNA induced by TNF-α or the combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Immunoprecipitation assay revealed that mRNA stabilizer HuR directly binds to 3′UTR of CX3CL1 mRNA. CX3CL1 expression is under control of posttranscriptional regulation, which is involved in the synergistic induction of CX3CL1 in response to the combined stimulation with TNF-α and IFN-γ.

近年進行口腔癌に対して超選択的動注化学放射線治療が広くおこなわれるようになってきた。私たちは2003年より2009年の間に20例の進行口腔癌に対して66Gyの放射線治療と同時にdocetaxel（40mg/m2）とnedaplatin（80mg/m2）の超選択的動注化学療法を行った。その結果20例注17例にCRがえられた。5年生存率は74.1%であった。重篤な副作用は白血球減少と粘膜炎であった。術後5例に遠隔転移が生じていた。本治療法は進行口腔癌に対しても有効であるが副作用も強く遠隔転移率が高く解決すべき問題もあると思われた。

ISG20 is an ribonuclease specific for single-stranded RNA and considered to play a role in innate immunity against virus infections. We herein show that both poly IC, an authentic double-stranded RNA, and IFN-gamma induced ISG20 expression in cultured HUVEC. Poly IC-induced ISG20 expression was inhibited by LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, or by RNA interference against IFN regulatory factor three. ISG20 expression was not induced by IFN-beta, loxoribine or CpG oligonucleotide. These results suggest that ISG20 induction by poly IC may not be dependent on the IRF-3-mediated type I IFN induction pathway in HUVEC. ISG20 may be involved in innate immunity against viral infection in vascular endothelial cells.

Superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy has been reported to be an effective treatment for head and neck cancers, especially in inoperable advanced cases; however, very few papers report the severe post-treatment complications associated with the treatment modality. Nine patients with advanced oral cancers were treated by superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy since 2003, and 2 of these developed severe osteoradiomyelitis of the mandible. One patient underwent a free fibular osteocutaneous flap reconstruction of the mandible 18 months post-treatment. We conclude that superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy is effective, but the associated severe complications of osteoradiomyelitis or osteoradionecrosis need to be addressed.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen for endothelial cells. We have studied the production of VEGF by human pericardial mesothelial cells. Mesothelial cells were separated by scraping the pericardial surface during cardiac surgery and cultured. When stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1alpha, pericardial mesothelial cells expressed VEGF mRNA and protein in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Hypoxia was also found to enhance mesothelial VEGF mRNA expression. The cells expressed mRNA for Flt-1 (VEGF receptor 1) and Flk-1 (VEGF receptor 2), and exogenous VEGF was found to have migration-promoting activity on cultured cells. We conclude that pericardial mesothelial cells express VEGF, which may serve as an autocrine growth-regulatory mechanism.

This report describes a case of Behcet's disease with extensive necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis. A 48-year-old woman became aware of an ulcer in the oral cavity in February 2005. She had been treated by a physician, with no improvement. Therefore, she was referred to our hospital because of multiple ulcer formation in the oral cavity on March 28. Clinical examination revealed multiple ulcerative lesions of the tongue, soft palate, and labial gingiva. Our clinical diagnosis was ulcerative stomatitis of unknown cause, because CT and MRI examinations showed no abnormal findings. She complained of erythema nododum of the lower extremities. We therefore suspected that lesions were caused by systemic disease. We consulted a dermatologist at our hospital, and she was given a diagnosis of Behcet's disease on the basis of genital ulceration and treated with coichicine. An ophthalmologist found no signs of ocular inflammation. She was hospitalized to receive nutrition management with a nasogastric tube on April 11. Following treatment, the oral ulcerative lesion improved, and oral ingestion became possible. The patient was discharged on April 17 and followed up at our department of dermatology.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) is a member of the DExH family of proteins, and little is known of its biological function in the oral region. We previously reported that interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) induced RIG-I expression in gingival fibroblasts. In this study, we studied the mechanism of RIG-I expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in gingival fibroblasts. We also addressed the role of RIG-I in the expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in gingival fibroblasts stimulated with LPS or dsRNA. We stimulated cultured human gingival fibroblasts with LPS or dsRNA, and examined the expression of RIG-I mRNA and protein. The effect of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, on RIG-I induction by these stimuli was examined. The expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in gingival fibroblasts transfected with RIG-I cDNA stimulated with LPS or dsRNA was examined. LPS or dsRNA induced the expression of mRNA and protein for RIG-I in concentration- and time-dependent manners. We also examined the localization of RIG-I, and found that it was expressed in cytoplasm. Cycloheximide did not suppress the LPS or dsRNA-induced RIG-I expression. Introduction of RIG-I cDNA into gingival fibroblasts resulted in enhanced expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8; moreover, overexpression of RIG-I stimulated with LPS or dsRNA synergistically increased expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8. RIG-I may have important roles in the innate immune response in the regulation of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 expression in gingival fibroblasts in response to LPS and dsRNA.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of free omental transfer for osteoradionecrosis in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods: Five patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible undergoing free omental transfer were sequentially evaluated postoperatively by orthopantomography and bone scintigraphy. The bone remodelling of the osteoradionecrotic region was evaluated quantitatively 6 months and 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after free omental transfer by calculating the ratio of isotope uptake between the osteoradionecrotic region and the contralateral region. Results: All patients recovered completely with no signs of osteoradionecrosis, fistulas, or intolerable pain, although 2 patients developed pathological fractures after operation, which were successfully treated by conservative means. Isotope uptake in the osteoradionecrotic region diminished significantly postoperatively and bone remodelling was observed. Conclusions: Free omental transfer is promising for the management of osteoradionecrosis. The need for segmental resection of the mandible may be avoided.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates not only fibrinolysis but extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiotensin II is known to play an important role in controlling the expression of PAI-1 in astrocytes. We have studied the effect of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), one of major cytokines also active in the nervous system, on the angiotensin II-induced expression of PAI-1 in human astrocytes. Cultures of normal human astrocytes were stimulated with IL-1beta and angiotensin II, and the expression of mRNAs for angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and PAI-1 was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or real-time quantitative PCR. PAI-1 protein in astrocyte-conditioned medium was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-1beta enhanced the expression of AT1 in astrocytes in time- and concentration-dependent manners. After 24-h stimulation, 10 ng/ml IL-1beta and 10 nM angiotensin II increased the levels of PAI-1 protein in astrocyte-conditioned medium by 1.9-fold and 1.8-fold of the basal value, respectively. There was no synergistic effect when the cells were stimulated simultaneously with IL-1beta and angiotensin II. When the cells were stimulated, with angiotensin II, 16 h after the stimulation with IL-1beta, the production of PAI-1 was enhanced by 1.4-fold as compared to the cells stimulated only with IL-1beta. CV-11794, an AT1 antagonist, inhibited the enhanced PAI-1 production in response to angiotensin II. We conclude that IL-1beta increases angiotensin II-induced PAI-1 secretion by astrocytes through the induction of AT1, and the enhanced secretion of PAI-1 may modulate functions of plasminogen activators in the nervous system.

Summary Mono- l -aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) is an effective photosensitizer with a major absorption band at 664 nm. NPe6 is potentially exploitable for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and does not cause the side effect of prolonged normal skin photosensitization. However, there are no clinical and experimental reports of its use in oral cancer till now. In the present study, we examined the effectiveness of NPe6-induced PDT with a diode laser for treatment of tongue cancer in the nude mouse. Six nude mice with experimental tongue cancer (HSC-3) were given 10 mg/kg NPe6 intravenously. Two hours later PDT was performed using a laser diode at a light dose of 100 J/cm 2 and wavelength of 664 nm. Histological changes in the tumors were examined 42–72 h after PDT. Almost all of the tumors developed necrosis, while viable-like neoplastic cells remained mainly in the peripheral region of the tumor in some cases. The mean depth of necrosis below the surface was 2.1 mm. The mean tumor thickness below the surface was 2.3 mm. Tumor thickness coincided with the depth of necrosis. NPe6-induced PDT exhibited tumor selectivity and can effectively cause necrosis of tongue cancers. This therapy could be suggested for treatment of other superficial oral cancer.

We experimentally studied the total AC loss properties for Ag-sheathed Bi2223 multifilamentary tapes with a different filament arrangement in an AC longitudinal magnetic field parallel to the tape length. The tapes were prepared by a standard powder-in-tube process and a rectangular deformation process using a two axial roller for the measurements. The total AC losses in samples carrying an AC transport current in an AC longitudinal magnetic field were determined by the sum of the magnetization losses due to AC external magnetic field and the transport losses due to AC transport current, which were separately measured by pick-up coil and voltage taps, respectively. The effect of a filament arrangement in a tape section on the total loss properties in an AC longitudinal magnetic field was discussed.

Summary Advanced head and neck carcinoma (HNC) that invaded carotid artery (CA) has a poor prognosis. CA resection en-bloc with the tumor is the only procedure that could provide a cure. However, resection of CA may cause neurological complications and the approach to infiltrated CA remains controversial. We have experienced three cases of advanced HNC with CA infiltration where preoperative evaluations of the possibility of CA ligation were conducted. One developed neurological sequelae after ligation and died of local recurrence although preoperative evaluation demonstrated that CA ligation was possible. Two underwent reconstruction where one is still alive 8-years postoperatively and one died of distant metastasis. We concluded that resection and active reconstruction of CA should be performed to reduce neurological complications and to acquire better quality of life (QOL).

This study provides a chemostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic framework of a relatively unfossiliferous sub-Cambrian marine sedimentary succession in Yunnan Province of South China. Our results allow its global stratigraphic correlation and provide an improved understanding of marine carbon cycle during the late Neoproterozoic. The succession has a basal glacial diamictite (“Nantuo” Formation) and comprises two large-scale depositional cycles towards the Precambrian-Cambrian (PC-C) boundary, each of which changes from siliciclastic to carbonate sediments with environments ranging from shallow subtidal to evaporitic supratidal. In the absence of biostratigraphic control, attribution of the tillite has remained equivocal between the ∼710 Ma Sturtian and ∼635 Ma Marinoan glaciations. A compilation of known paleomagnetic and other geochronologic constraints suggests that the Nantuo glaciation in South China was at least diachronous, in which the “Nantuo” tillite in Yunnan belongs to the older glaciation. Stratigraphic patterns of the diagenetically-screened δ13C variation and depositional sequences during the carbonate-dominated interval show a striking similarity with those of the upper Cryogenian and entire terminal Proterozoic carbonates at widely-separated other localities rather than the terminal Proterozoic alone, supporting the view that deposition of the “Nantuo” tillite in Yunnan reflects the Sturtian rather than Marinoan glaciation. Further considerations of the δ13C results provide three important implications for the late Neoproterozoic marine carbon cycle. First, comparison of different δ13C profiles suggests considerable variability in the absolute values of carbonate on both intra- and inter-basinal scales, which differs profoundly from their relative homogeneity in marine Phanerozoic counterparts and may therefore reflect lateral isotopic heterogeneity in the oceanic carbonate reservoir during the late Neoproterozoic. Second, an empirical correlation between the δ13C and relative sea-level changes was applied to evaluate hypothesized explanations for δ13C temporal variation in surface sea, yielding short-term inverse and long-term positive relationships. The short-term trend marks periods of the negative δ13C excursions and is compatible to most of the existing arguments for the δ13C events. On the other hand, mechanisms causing the long-term trend remain enigmatic in the absence of comparable data from other localities. Our observation, however, suggests that at least two different mechanisms operated marine carbon cycle during the late Neoproterozoic. Third, the negative δ13C anomaly, characterizing the period following the Marinoan glaciation worldwide, was not coincident between kerogen and carbonate but occurs as a lagged drop in Yunnan, where a ∼7‰-depletion in kerogen preceded an ∼3‰-depletion in carbonate. Their lagged trends likely reflect different sources, as kerogen and carbonate signals are considered to monitor surface and deeper waters, respectively. The negative δ13C event would therefore have occurred in surface water, followed by a smaller 13C-depletion through the entire water column due to vertical mixing between surface and deeper waters at the studied site. This mechanism supports the proposed hypothesis that injection of the 13C-depleted atmospheric CO2 into the surface sea, deriving ultimately from quantitative dissociation of methane hydrate in terrestrial permafrost during the post-glacial warming, contributed to the negative δ13C anomaly.

Francolite-bound sulphate sulphur isotope compositions from the 570±20 Ma Doushantuo Formation are used to constrain seawater δ^(34)S during the late Neoproterozoic. Phosphorites of the lower ore have δ^(34)S compositions between 32.3‰ and 37.8‰, averaging 36.1‰, δ^(13)C values between −4‰ and −1‰, and do not exhibit anomalous cerium depletion. By contrast, phosphorites of the upper ore, which contains some of the earliest animal fossils known, have δ^(34)S between 31.6‰ and 34.5‰, averaging 33.3‰, δ^(13)C values between −1‰ and +2‰, and exhibit a distinct negative cerium anomaly. The retention of a cerium anomaly in these upper Doushantuo phosphorites implies that oxidising conditions prevailed during early diagenetic REE scavenging, indicating that these samples are more likely to retain a seawater sulphur isotope composition. On this basis we argue that seawater δ^(34)S was 32‰ (±2‰) during the deposition of the upper Doushantuo unit. The slightly higher values of the lower Doushantuo unit may reflect either slightly higher ambient seawater δ^(34)S or isotopic fractionation due to bacterial sulphate reduction. Almost identical constraints on seawater δ^(34)S have been reported from lowermost Cambrian phosphorites across South China, indicating that seawater δ^(34)S was similar at ∼570 and ∼540 Ma. A critical examination of all published data provides no firm evidence for major fluctuations in seawater sulphate δ^(34)S during the Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic transition interval. This indicates that the onset of pervasive bioturbation had only a negligible effect on global pyritisation rates and questions recent reports of massive fluctuations in seawater sulphate δ^(34)S in response to the “Snowball Earth” glaciations. The existing δ^(34)S record is consistent with a sustained increase in seawater δ^(34)S between 750 and 570 Ma. Shorter-term fluctuations cannot be ruled out entirely, but will require more detailed study, incorporating rigorous methodologies to constrain the effects of non-marine influences.

近年, 頭頸部腫瘍の治療に関して, 様々な集学的治療, 複雑な再建手術がおこなわれるようになり, チーム医療の必要性が言われている。当科でも各科と連携をとりつつ口腔癌の治療に当たっている。当科を口腔癌患者が受診した際には, 患者の主治医科となり治療方針を決定し, 必要に応じて関連各科に協力要請を行い, 治療が進めている。関連各科は治療に非常に協力的であり, 治療はスムーズに進んでいると思われる。口腔癌治療の協力科は放射線科, 消化器外科, リハビリテーション科, 麻酔科, 形成外科, 整形外科, 耳鼻咽喉科である。いずれの協力科とも定期的カンファレンスは開催せず, その都度, 必要に応じて話し合うようにしている。しかしその, 問題点として治療方針の決定が独断的になることがあること, カンファレンスが行われず手紙のみですまされることがあること, 協力依頼を科としてではなく個人的に依頼する傾向があることがあげられる。

Objective: To describe the postoperative function, benefits, and complications associated with free jejunal transfer for reconstruction of the floor of the mouth. Patients and Methods: Free jejunal grafts were used for reconstruction of the floor of the mouth in 6 patients after radical resection for cancer. Results: The mean score for the Japanese speech intelligibility test was 60.8% and all patients were able to swallow without difficulty. By fixing the mesenteric side of the jejunum to the mandible, it was possible to restore a lingual sulcus, which facilitated denture wearing. The severity of post-radiation xerostomia after surgery was evaluated by visual analogue scale. Xerostomia was significantly relieved for patients undergoing jejunal graft compared with other flaps. Conclusion: The benefits of this flap outweigh the disadvantages, and free jejunal transfer is well suited for reconstruction of the floor of the mouth.

Growth-related oncogene protein-alpha (GRO-alpha) is a member of the C-X-C chemokine family with a wide variety of biological activities. We studied the production of GRO-alpha by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in response to the stimulation with soluble form of interleukin-6 receptor alpha (sIL-6R). sIL-6R stimulated HUVEC to express GRO-alpha mRNA and secrete GRO-alpha protein in concentration-and time-dependent manners. The sIL-6R-induced GRO-alpha expression was inhibited by the pretreatment of the cells with AG490, a janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor, or with U0126, a MAP kinase-ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor. sIL-6R also induced the phosphorylation of both Src homology 2-protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and MEK. AG490 pretreatment inhibited the MEK phosphorylation but did not affect the STAT3 phosphorylation. We conclude that sIL-6R induces GRO-alpha expression in HUVEC through the activation of JAK2 and MEK.

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to compare the incidence of osteoradionecrosis between superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy and intravenous chemoradiotherapy and to verify the risk factors for osteoradionecrosis. Materials and Methods Of the 79 patients with oral cancer, 40 were treated with intra-venous chemoradiotherapy and 39 were treated with superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy. The incidence of, and risk factors for, osteoradionecrosis were evaluated using statistical analysis. Results Of the 79 patients, 4 (10%) of 40 in the intravenous chemoradiotherapy and 7 (17.9%) of 39 in the superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy group developed osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups. Although the chemoradiotherapy methods, anatomic tumor location, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, condition of teeth, teeth extraction before radiation, and progression of dental caries were considered predisposing factors for the occurrence of osteoradionecrosis, only progressive dental caries resulted in a significant difference for osteoradionecrosis. Conclusions The present study is the first report comparing the incidence of osteoradionecrosis between superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy and intravenous chemoradiotherapy. The administration methods of anticancer drugs were not related to the incidence of osteoradionecrosis in our study. From our study, dental caries is the most important risk factor for osteoradionecrosis; therefore, a radiation caries prevention program is crucial to control osteoradionecrosis.

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5) and retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) are members of DExH family of proteins, and known to play important roles in antiviral responses to induce type I interferons (IFNs). MDA-5 has been thought to sense RNA virus with long (>1 kb) double-stranded RNA. However, MDA-5 is also induced by type II IFN that is involved in acquired immunity, suggesting that role of MDA-5 remains to be elucidated. In addition, no study regarding MDA-5 in oral region has been performed. Here we investigated the role of MDA-5 in HCS-3 squamous carcinoma cells derived from oral epithelial cells. Treatment of HCS3 cells with IFN-α2b or IFN-γ significantly induced MDA-5 as well as RIG-I. IFN-α2b exerted anti-proliferative effect in HSC-3 cells while no such effect was observed in the cells treated with IFN-γ. MDA-5 is known to be associated with tumor cell growth in melanoma. However, overexpression of MDA-5 did not alter the proliferation in HSC-3 cells, indicating that MDA-5 is unrelated to the cell growth in this type of cells. We conclude that MDA-5 is induced by both type I- and type II-IFNs in HSC-3 cells, and this suggests MDA-5 may play a role in immune responses in oral cavity.

The periosteum supplies osteoblasts and nutrients for bone metabolism and is important for osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis. Recently, periosteum-derived cells have been used for orofacial bone regeneration therapy. However, little is known about the function of the periosteum in physiological bone remodeling. On our hypothesis that the periosteum senses a mechanical stress to induce bone remodeling, we subjected human jaw bone periosteum cells (HJBPCs) to uniaxial stretching for 24 h and characterized their gene expression profiles by microarray analysis. Of62,976 genes detected, 550 genes related to bone metabolism were extracted, and 76 of these genes with large changes in gene expression were short-listed. The results indicated that mechanical stretch in HJBPCs regulated the expression levels of genes involved in the Wingless-type MMTV integration (Wnt) site, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways, and inflammatory cytokines. We propose that periosteum-derived cells sense mechanical stress and then activate and regulate signals for osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis.

An accurate, continuously tunable, terahertz synthesizer was proposed by photomixing of two continuous-wave lasers phase-locked to dual optical combs. This synthesizer enables us to perform the precise THz spectroscopy secured by microwave frequency standard.