Naoko Takahashi

Lucidenic acid O and lactone, new terpene inhibitors of eukaryotic DNA polymerases from a basidiomycete, Ganoderma lucidum

Terpenoids, 1, 2 and 3, which selectively inhibit eukaryotic DNA polymerase activities, were isolated from the fruiting body of a basidiomycete, Ganoderma lucidum, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. New terpenes, lucidenic acid O (1) and lucidenic lactone (2), prevented not only the activities of calf DNA polymerase alpha and rat DNA polymerase beta, but also these of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase. Cerevisterol (3), which was reported to be a cytotoxic steroid, inhibited only the activity of DNA polymerase alpha. Although these compounds did not influence the activities of prokaryotic DNA polymerases and other DNA metabolic enzymes such as T7 RNA polymerase and deoxyribonuclease I.

Treatment of ankylosed maxillary central incisors by single-tooth dento-osseous osteotomy and alveolar bone distraction

When tooth ankylosis occurs in growing children, the ankylosed tooth fails to erupt and gradually positions itself below the occlusal plane. This causes functional and esthetic problems, and orthodontic treatment is often impossible. To clarify this problem, we developed a new treatment protocol for the movement of ankylosed teeth. This consists of single-tooth dento-osseous osteotomy and alveolar bone distraction using orthodontic multibracket appliances. A special distraction device is not required, thus reducing the burden to patients. Two cases in which an ankylosed maxillary central incisor was successfully treated with this protocol are presented.

Theory, modeling, and integrated studies in the Arase (ERG) project

Understanding of underlying mechanisms of drastic variations of the near-Earth space (geospace) is one of the current focuses of the magnetospheric physics. The science target of the geospace research project Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) is to understand the geospace variations with a focus on the relativistic electron acceleration and loss processes. In order to achieve the goal, the ERG project consists of the three parts: the Arase (ERG) satellite, ground-based observations, and theory/modeling/integrated studies. The role of theory/modeling/integrated studies part is to promote relevant theoretical and simulation studies as well as integrated data analysis to combine different kinds of observations and modeling. Here we provide technical reports on simulation and empirical models related to the ERG project together with their roles in the integrated studies of dynamic geospace variations. The simulation and empirical models covered include the radial diffusion model of the radiation belt electrons, GEMSIS-RB and RBW models, CIMI model with global MHD simulation REPPU, GEMSIS-RC model, plasmasphere thermosphere model, self-consistent wave–particle interaction simulations (electron hybrid code and ion hybrid code), the ionospheric electric potential (GEMSIS-POT) model, and SuperDARN electric field models with data assimilation. ERG (Arase) science center tools to support integrated studies with various kinds of data are also briefly introduced.

Facial morphology and occlusion of a patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP): a case report

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease characterized by postnatal heterotopic ossification (HO). When HO affects the masticatory muscles, mouth opening becomes restricted. This paper presents the changes in facial morphology and occlusion of a patient with FOP who was followed from the age of 8 to age 21. At the initial examination, he had a severely protruded maxilla and Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion. His mouth opening was restricted (5.0 mm). He had a large overjet and this enabled him to clean his teeth and to eat. Orthodontic correction was not planned, and his facial growth was closely followed with attention to his oral hygiene. The maxillary protrusion and a low mandibular plane angle became more prominent as the patient aged. His mandible rotated in a counterclockwise direction. His molars had delayed eruption or were impacted and seven were extracted. His mouth opening increased slightly and his oral hygiene improved to excellent.