Molecular Targeted Therapy for the Bone Loss Secondary to Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Using Medications for Osteoporosis: A Literature Review

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis can cause severe osteolytic and destructive lesions in the spine. Elderly or immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases; specifically, infections in the spine can impair the ability of the spine to support the trunk, causing patients to be bedridden, which can also severely affect the physical condition of patients. Although treatments for osteoporosis have been well studied, treatments for bone loss secondary to infection remain to be elucidated because they have pathological manifestations that are similar to but distinct from those of osteoporosis. Recently, we encountered a patient with severely osteolytic pyogenic spondylodiscitis who was treated with romosozumab and exhibited enhanced bone formation. Romosozumab stimulated canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, causing robust bone formation and the inhibition of bone resorption, which exceeded the bone loss secondary to infection. Bone loss due to infections involves the suppression of osteoblastogenesis by osteoblast apoptosis, which is induced by the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, and osteoclastogenesis with the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand-receptor combination and subsequent activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 and c-Fos. In this study, we review and discuss the molecular mechanisms of bone loss secondary to infection and analyze the efficacy of the medications for osteoporosis, focusing on romosozumab, teriparatide, denosumab, and bisphosphonates, in treating this pathological condition.     

MITI projects on recycling

MITI has actively done R&D on industrial technology for waste and reclamation and so there are many research items from small scale to large scale. However, Ecofactory and researches on recycling of metallic materials are introduced here. Ecofactory was proposed by the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and is now at the stage of the Leading Research, a new research scheme in AISt. Researches on recycling of metallic materials are being done with subsidy. Those researches should contribute to both the preservatin of the global environment and effective recycling of waste materials.Abbreviations AIST Agency of Industrial Science and Technology - MITI Ministry of International Trade and Industry - NEDO New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization     

Development of 170 GHz/500 kW gyrotron

A development of 170GHz/500kW level gyrotron was carried out as R&D work of ITER. The oscillation mode is TE_31,8. In a short pulse experiment, the maximum power of 750kW was achieved at 85kV/40A. The efficiency was 22%. In the depressed collector operation, 500kW/36%/50ms was obtained. The maximum efficiency of 40% was obtained at P_RF=470kW whereas the power decrease by the electron trapping was observed. Pulse extension was done up to 10s at P_RF=170kW with the depressed collector operation. The power was limited by the temperature increase of the output window.     

Soliton self-frequency shift in orthogonally polarised femtosecondsolitons

The soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) in orthogonally polarised femtosecond soliton pulses is reported for the first time. It is shown that SSFS for orthogonally polarised solitons is approximately 1/3 of that for parallel polarised solitons. This is attributed to the orthogonal Raman term. The 2π and π dependences of the SSFS on the phase difference between the two solitons are newly obtained for parallel and orthogonal polarisations, respectively. The largest SSFS occurs in-phase under parallel polarisation     

30 GHz pulse train generation from a multiquantum well electroabsorption intensity modulator

Stable optical pulse trains with repetition rates as high as 20-30 GHz have been successfully generated at 1.55 mu m from an InGaAs/InAlAs multiquantum well electroabsorption modulator for the first time.<>     

Temporal integration method for image-processing-basedsuper-high-resolution image acquisition

The authors propose an image processing-based approach towards the development of a super-high-resolution image acquisition system. Imaging methods based on this approach can be classified into two main categories: a spatial integration imaging method and a temporal integration imaging method. With regard to the spatial integration imaging method, the authors have previously presented a method for acquiring an improved-resolution image by integrating multiple images taken simultaneously with multiple different cameras. They develop their work, aiming at a particular class of application where a user indicates a region of interest (ROI) on an observed image in advance, and apply a prototypal temporal integration imaging method. The prototypal temporal integration imaging method does not involve global image segmentation, but uses a subpixel registration algorithm which describes an image warp within the ROI, with subpixel accuracy, as a deformation of quadrilateral patches. The method then performs a subpixel registration by warping an observed image with the warping function recovered from the deformed quadrilateral patches. Experimental simulations demonstrate that the temporal integration imaging is promising as a basic means of high resolution imaging     

The Ig heavy chain gene is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations in multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia as detected by in situ hybridization

Chromosome rearrangement of 14q32.33 has recurrently occurred with variable partner sites, including 11q13.3, 8q24.1, 18q21.3, and 6p21.1 in multiple myeloma (MM). To assess the actual incidence of 14q32.33 translocation and to elucidate its implication in the pathogenesis of MM, we studied 42 patients with MM, plasma cell leukemia, or plasmacytoma and 5 with monoclonal gammopathy with undetermined significance (MGUS) by G-banding and molecular cytogenetic methods. Using double-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (DCFISH) with 2 Ig heavy chain (IgH) gene probes, a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone containing variable region, and a phage clone containing gamma constant region, 14q32.33 translocation was detected as split signals of the IgH gene in 31 patients with plasma cell malignancies and 3 with MGUS. In contrast, of 40 patients who were assessed by G-banding, 3 (7.5%) showed the 14q+ chromosome. DCFISH detected a split of the IgH gene on interphase nuclei in 34 (73.9%) of 46 patients analyzed, whereas on metaphase spreads, it was in 22 (51.2%) of 43 patients analyzed. Interphase DCFISH was particularly useful to detect 14q32.33 translocation in 17 (65.4%) of 26 patients with normal karyotypes. Donor sites were identified in 11 of 22 patients demonstrated as carrying 14q32.33 translocation by metaphase FISH. Chromosome t(11;14)(q13.3; q32.33) was detected in 5 patients, t(8;14)(q24.1;q32.33) in 2, t(14;18)(q32.33;q21.3) in 2, and t(7;14)(q32.1;q32.33) in 1. A complex 14q32.33 translocation involving 3q and 16q24 was detected in 1 patient. Myeloma cells with t(7;14) showed myelomonocytoid surface antigen. Because rearrangements of 14q32.33 were closely associated with translocation of proto-oncogenes into the IgH gene, our findings indicate that 14q32.33 translocation with various partner chromosomes is a critical event in the pathogenesis of MM and MGUS.     

Histo-pathological study of a glass-ionomer/resin (Geristore) restoration system

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate histo-pathologically the pulpal reaction to a glass-ionomer/resin (Geristore) restoration system in human teeth. Black's class I cavities were prepared in 22 human teeth; these were divided into 2 groups, one with the Geristore after cavity was cleaned with 10% NaOCl solution and 3% H2O2 solution (Group G) and the other with the Geristore after the cavity was applied with Mirage-Bond (Group MG). The treated teeth were observed clinically over 90 days after operation. They were then extracted for histological examination. No unpleasant symptoms were noted. A few pathological changes were observed. No histo-pathological score differences were observed between groups G and MG. The average evaluation score of pathological results in both groups G and MG were excellent. Microorganisms observed in the cavity dentin of the group G was fewer than in group MG. In some cases, microorganisms were observed along the dentin walls. In conclusion, the pulpal injury due to this Geristore restoration system was slight, and the system was considered to be safe for the pulp and clinically useful.