Search

Syncope prognosis is related to both its etiology and comorbidities, with cardiac syncope (CS) having higher risks for mortality and cardiovascular events than syncope of non-cardiac causes. Although a novel insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is an effective diagnostic tool for unexplained syncope, decision regarding ICM implantation with a high pre-test likelihood of CS should contribute to economic cost reduction and avoidance of unnecessary complications. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with CS after ICM implantation in patients with unexplained syncope. This retrospective observational study included 31 consecutive patients with ICM implantation for syncope between September 2016 and August 2021. The initial examinations for syncope included a detailed history, physical examination, blood tests, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and transthoracic echocardiography. Of the 31 patients, 13 (41.9%) experienced recurrent CS during follow-up (676 ± 469 days). Among several clinical factors, syncope-related minor injuries (p = 0.017) and higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP; p = 0.043) levels were significantly associated with CS. Moreover, multivariable analysis showed that both syncope-related minor injuries (odds ratio, 11.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–88.4; p = 0.022) and BNP higher than 64.0 pg/mL (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–44.2; p = 0.038) were independent predictors of CS after ICM implantation. In conclusion, a history of minor injury secondary to syncope and higher BNP levels were independent CS predictors in patients receiving ICM for syncope. These results emphasized the utility of ICM implantation early in the diagnostic journey of patients presenting with CS predictors requiring specific treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirohisa Saito, a pediatrician turned researcher, made significant contributions to the field of allergy and immunology. During his time at Johns Hopkins University, he developed a method for culturing human mast cells, a process that had taken 18 years to achieve. After returning to Japan, Saito continued his research on mast cells and made advancements in understanding their gene expression. He also conducted clinical research and wrote several randomized controlled studies. Saito's contributions include establishing a culture method for human mast cells, elucidating their gene expression, studying the function of IL-33, and validating a preventive strategy for atopic march. [Extracted from the article]

With the aim of providing an efficient platform for the one‐step construction of nitrogen‐containing polycyclic frameworks, we report a heterogeneous platinum‐catalyzed oxidative α,β‐C(sp3)−H dual functionalization of saturated cyclic amines. This method involves a tandem oxidative dehydrogenation/hetero Diels‐Alder reaction under aerobic mild conditions, providing tetracyclic octahydro‐dipyrroloquinoline frameworks in good yields. The reaction was applied to the synthesis of natural products incargranine B aglycone and seneciobipyrrolidine in one step. This study provides efficient and rapid access to nitrogen‐containing fused tetracyclic compounds in a highly atom‐economical fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is caused by constriction of the celiac artery (CA) by the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. Ligament release improves perfusion of the CA, resulting in resolution of abdominal symptoms. A 51-year-old female had postprandial abdominal pain for 10 years and underwent computed tomography (CT) scan showing severe stenosis of the CA with pancreatoduodenal arcade aneurysm formation. MALS was diagnosed, and open median arcuate ligament incision was performed to decompress the CA. Intraoperative ultrasonography showed bidirectional turbulent flow in the common hepatic artery (CHA). The median arcuate ligament was uneventfully incised, and compression of the CA released. The perfusion in the CHA was changed to an antegrade direction, and the flow increased. Seven days after the laparotomy, the patient was discharged uneventfully. Follow-up CT scan 20 days after operation showed a diminished pancreatoduodenal arcade aneurysm and inferior pancreatoduodenal artery. Epigastric pain and postprandial distress symptoms were improved. In conclusion, perfusion of the CHA became normalized after median arcuate ligament release. Surgical intervention for MALS not only improved blood flow in the tributaries but also diminished the pancreatoduodenal arcade aneurysm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)-mediated mucosal immunity is important for the host because it contributes to reducing infection risk and to establishing host–microbe symbiosis. BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a transcriptional repressor with physiological and pathophysiological functions that are of particular interest for their relation to gastrointestinal diseases. However, Bach1 effects on IgA-mediated mucosal immunity remain unknown. For this study using Bach1-deficient (Bach1−/−) mice, we investigated the function of Bach1 in IgA-mediated mucosal immunity. Intestinal mucosa, feces, and plasma IgA were examined using immunosorbent assay. After cell suspensions were prepared from Peyer's patches and colonic lamina propria, they were examined using flow cytometry. The expression level of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which plays an important role in the transepithelial transport of IgA, was evaluated using Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Although no changes in the proportions of IgA-producing cells were observed, the amounts of IgA in the intestinal mucosa were increased in Bach1−/− mice. Furthermore, plasma IgA was increased in Bach1−/− mice, but fecal IgA was decreased, indicating that Bach1−/− mice have abnormal secretion of IgA into the intestinal lumen. In fact, Bach1 deficiency reduced pIgR expression in colonic mucosa at both the protein and mRNA levels. In the human intestinal epithelial cell line LS174T, suppression of Bach1 reduced pIgR mRNA stability. In contrast, the overexpression of Bach1 increased pIgR mRNA stability. These results demonstrate that Bach1 deficiency causes abnormal secretion of IgA into the intestinal lumen via suppression of pIgR expression. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: The transcriptional repressor Bach1 has been implicated in diverse intestinal functions, but the effects of Bach1 on IgA-mediated mucosal immunity remain unclear. We demonstrate here that Bach1 deficiency causes abnormal secretion of IgA into the intestinal lumen, although the proportions of IgA-producing cells were not altered. Furthermore, Bach1 regulates the expression of pIgR, which plays an important role in the transepithelial transport of IgA, at the posttranscriptional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: bronchial epithelial cells; IFNAR1; IL-33; miR-29; soluble ST2 EN bronchial epithelial cells IFNAR1 IL-33 miR-29 soluble ST2 2264 2267 4 07/02/21 20210701 NES 210701 Bronchial asthma is characterized by reversible airflow obstruction due to chronic airway inflammation, and frequent lower respiratory viral infections in early life are a significant risk factor for development of the disease. MicroRNA-29s suppressed both soluble ST2 release and IFNAR1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells In particular, since we found that miR-29s may be involved in the regulation of IL-33 through sST2 release, it would be interesting to clarify the relationship between miR-29s and type 2 innate lymphoid cells, which are the main target cells of IL-33. [Extracted from the article]

Delayed deep mesh infection is a rare complication and the precise mechanism of its development is unknown. We report a case of delayed deep mesh infection after inguinal hernia repair. A 65-year-old man was admitted for treatment of colon cancer. He had a history of bilateral hernioplasty repaired with mesh-plugs 6 years previously. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scan showed positive findings in the right inguinal region similar to cancer. He had no complaints or findings to suspect mesh infection. Postoperative computed tomography scan over time revealed a fluid collection with inflammation. Eleven years after hernia repair, the patient presented with inflammation in the right inguinal region and emergency operation was performed. An abscess cavity was found and the mesh-plug covered with granulation tissue was removed. The patient remains free of recurrence of inguinal hernia or inflammatory changes after 3 years of follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Successful synthesis of the bridgehead-functionalized triptycene quinones. • 9-Acyloxyanthracenes reacted with 1,4-benzoquinones and 1,4-naphthoquinones efficiently. • Sc(OTf) 3 and FeCl 3 remarkably enhanced the reactivity of 9-acylanthracenes in the Diels-Alder reactions. • The 9-acyloxyanthracenes were easily prepared by the direct oxidative acyloxylation of aromatic C H bonds. Abstract Herein, we show that bridgehead-functionalized triptycene quinones can be rapidly and conveniently prepared in good to high yields by Lewis acid–catalyzed cycloaddition of 1,4-benzoquinones and 1,4-naphthoquinones to 9-acyloxyanthracenes and probe the substrate scope of this transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A drawback of visual assessment for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the subjectivity and reproducibility of the results. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling in response to optimal pharmacotherapies and the definite or discrepant mid-wall LGE with visual assessment in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A total of 65 patients who had been hospitalized with newly diagnosed DCM and had undergone CMR, were enrolled. When the visual assessment of the presence or absence of mid-wall LGE was confirmed by the two observers, patients were classified into either the positive- (n = 20) or negative-LGE (n = 29) groups. If there was discordance between the diagnoses of the two observers, patients were classified into the discrepant-LGE (n = 16) group. LV reverse remodeling was defined as an increase in LV ejection fraction by at least 10% concomitant with a decrease in the LV end-diastolic dimension by at least 10%. Among the three groups, the frequency of early LV reverse remodeling within a 1-year follow-up was significantly different (p = 0.0068). The frequency of LV reverse remodeling within a 1-year follow-up was 59, 31, and 15%, and over 2 years was 83, 62, and 40%, in patients with negative-, discrepant-LGE, and positive-LGE, respectively. The survival rate for composite end-points of cardiovascular mortality, sustained ventricular tachycardia, appropriate cardioverter-defibrillator discharge, or rehospitalization for decompensated heart failure was lower in positive-LGEs than in negative-LGEs (p =0.0011), whereas, there were no significant differences between both negative- and discrepant-LGEs, and discrepant- and positive-LGEs. This study showed that the discordance for LGE visual assessment occupied an intermediate position between positive and negative for LGE in LV reverse remodeling in patients with DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tolvaptan (TLV) is a newly developed oral vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist that is mostly used for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) refractory to conventional diuretic therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of outpatient TLV dose on cardiac mortality in patients discharged after hospitalization for ADHF. One hundred and five patients with ADHF who had been treated with TLV for the first time during hospitalization were retrospectively divided into three groups based on outpatient TLV use and dose. The non-TLV group comprised patients who were not treated with TLV after discharge (n = 36). Patients who continued TLV after discharge were further classified into two groups: low-dose (LD)-TLV (3.75 mg/day, n = 27) and high-dose (HD)-TLV (7.5 or 15 mg/day, n = 42). The primary endpoint was cardiac mortality. Secondary endpoint included the composite of all-cause mortality or re-hospitalization due to worsening of ADHF. There were no significant differences in demographic variables other than body mass index (p = 0.0026), echocardiographic data, laboratory data other than serum chloride before TLV administration (p = 0.041), serum sodium (p = 0.040) and potassium (p = 0.027) at discharge, and concomitant medications among the three groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival rate was lower in HD-TLV than in non-TLV, whereas LD-TLV showed the highest survival rate among the three groups (p = 0.0001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis of the clinical characteristics used for predicting cardiac mortality revealed that LD-TLV (hazard ratio [HR] 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.93, p = 0.040) and HD-TLV (HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.06-6.26, p = 0.035) were significant predictors after adjustment for predictive covariates. In conclusion, the judgement of the continuation of LD-TLV according to patient hemodynamics and severity of congestion may not cause worsened prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We successfully converted an antibody single-chain variable fragment and a full-sized antibody to Quenchbodies, which are a type of powerful fluorescent immunosensor, through ultraviolet-based photochemical crosslinking of an indole-3-butyric acid-conjugated fluorescent dye to the nucleotide-binding sites near the antigen-binding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the association between duration of the coronary occlusion and high-intensity signal (HIS) on noncontrast T1-weighted imaging using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imager among patients with angiographic coronary total occlusion.Methods: The signal intensity of the coronary target area divided by the signal intensity of the left ventricular muscle near the target area at each site (TMR) was measured. Areas with a TMR >1.0 were defined as HIS. Thirty five lesions from 33 patients were divided into the following three groups: subacute occlusion (up to 3 months; n = 7), short-duration chronic total occlusion (SD-CTO: 3-6 months; n = 9) and long-duration CTO (LD-CTO: ≥6 months; n = 19).Results: All subacute occlusion lesions showed a HIS within the occlusion site. Among patients with CTO, the frequency of a HIS within the occlusion site was significantly higher in SD-CTO than in LD-CTO lesions (p = 0.013). In multivariate analyses, only an occlusion duration of less than 6 months was an independent factor associated with the presence of HIS (odds ratio 7.6, 95% CI 1.1-54.5; p = 0.044).Conclusions: The presence of a HIS in the occlusion site was associated more with SD-CTO than with LD-CTO among patients with CTO.Key Points: • All subacute occlusion lesions show a high-intensity signal on T1-weighted imaging. • HIS within occlusion sites is associated with subacute or short-duration total occlusion. • T1-weighted imaging for coronary total occlusion may be useful for intervention strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis for disease relapse after first hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT1) is poor. Here, we present a retrospective multicenter study to evaluate the clinical outcome and the prognostic factors for second hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT2). The cohort in this study comprised 60 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia, who underwent HCT2 due to hematological relapse after HCT1. The overall survival (OS) at two years, non-relapse mortality (NRM), and relapse mortality (RM) were 30.3%, 40.9%, and 28.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis for OS identified the use of a donor other than matched-related (MR) donor (hazard ratios [HR] = 4.10, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.72–9.74,p = .001) and high disease status (HR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.28–6.56,p = .011) as the adverse risk factors for HCT2. On analyzing the combination of factors during HCT1 and HCT2, MR donor, reduced intensity conditioning regimen, and standard status were found to be significant as favorable prognostic factors for OS. Therefore, evaluating these prognostic factors would be helpful in taking decisions regarding post-relapse management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel, practical protocol for the aerobic direct C-H acetoxylation of arenes, employing a recyclable heterogeneous rhodium catalyst, is reported herein. The trifluoroacetoxylation of 2-amido-substituted anthracenes proceeded at the 9-position with exclusive regioselectivity. The oxidation of variously substituted anthracenes and other polycyclic aromatics with molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant proceeded under mild conditions, providing products in good to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a heterogeneous catalytic oxidative homocoupling reaction of dimethoxyanilides under an oxygen atmosphere. The resulting homo-dimers are useful for the construction of heterocycles, demonstrating the potential of heterogeneous metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic skin disorder among infants and young children. It is characterized by chronic relapsing eczema with itch and is caused by skin barrier dysfunction and immunological dysregulation. Scratching of the lesion site can damage the skin and increase epithelial permeability, thereby allowing large molecular weight antigens to be absorbed transcutaneously. However, a recent study demonstrated that Langerhans cells are localized close below the skin surface and extend dendrites vertically to penetrate the tight junctions (TJs) in erythematous lesions, even though the TJs were functionally intact. Therefore, epidermal barrier disruption per se is not critical for antigen uptake by Langerhans cells. In contrast, 2 critical damage-associated patterns-IL-33 and IL-1alpha-are reportedly released from damaged epithelial cells. Dendritic cells activated by IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) (induced by IL-1 alpha) express MHC class II and costimulatory molecules and facilitate naive T cell differentiation into IL-5- and IL-13-secreting Th2 cells. IL-33 and TSLP also activate type 2 innate lymphoid cells, induce large amounts of IL-5 and IL-13, and participate in the pathogenesis of AD. Primary prevention and proactive treatment of AD are critically important for preventing epicutaneous sensitization in AD patients. However, future studies are required to elucidate the most beneficial primary prevention strategies, including the indicated patient cohort and the timing and method of their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerobic, heterogeneously catalyzed oxidative intramolecular coupling reaction of aromatic compounds is reported here. Using commercially available, recyclable heterogeneous metal catalysts, the coupling reactions of o-terphenyls and 1,ω-biarylalkanes proceeded quickly under mild conditions, i.e., at room temperature under oxygen as a co-oxidant almost all within 1 h, to provide the corresponding coupled products like triphenylenes and phenanthrenes in good to excellent yields. This reaction is an easily handled, practical, and atom-economical coupling method, which is of great importance in modern organic syntheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first heterogeneously catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling of aryl amines is reported herein. 2-Naphthylamine analogues were reacted with various electron-rich arenes using a heterogeneous Rh/C catalyst under mild aerobic conditions, thus affording nonsymmetrical biaryl amines in excellent yields with high selectivities. This reaction provides a mild, operationally simple, and efficient approach for the synthesis of biaryls which are important to pharmaceutical and materials chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first heterogeneously catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling of aryl amines is reported herein. 2-Naphthylamine analogues were reacted with various electron-rich arenes using a heterogeneous Rh/C catalyst under mild aerobic conditions, thus affording nonsymmetrical biaryl amines in excellent yields with high selectivities. This reaction provides a mild, operationally simple, and efficient approach for the synthesis of biaryls which are important to pharmaceutical and materials chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many investigators have reported that the total amount of coronary calcium correlates with the overall magnitude of atherosclerotic plaque burden in the entire coronary tree and is a powerful predictor of future cardiovascular events. However, the development and spatial distribution of coronary calcifications remain unclear. We investigated the spatial distribution of calcifications throughout the coronary tree during coronary artery evaluation using coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). A further aim was to assess the progression of existing calcifications and the development of new deposits in a follow-up study. The study population consisted of 287 patients for the cross-sectional study using CTA to evaluate the spatial distribution of calcifications by parent coronary arteries. Next, we analyzed a CTA dataset of 57 patients who had undergone two CTA examinations. In this group, the two CTA images were used for assessing the progression of existing calcifications and the development of new deposits. The coronary calcifications tended to be clustered within the proximal and middle portions. Moreover, in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), small calcifications were located more toward the inner pericardial side. Finally, new calcium deposits developed within the proximal and middle portions of the LAD and left circumflex coronary artery, but those in the right coronary artery were likely to appear evenly from the proximal to the distal portion. This study shows the characteristic patterns of the longitudinal and circumferential distribution of calcifications by parent coronary arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bongkrekic acid (BKA), isolated from the bacterium Burkholderia cocovenenans, is an inhibitor of adenine nucleotide translocator, which inhibits apoptosis, and is thus an important tool for the mechanistic investigation of apoptosis. An efficient total synthesis of BKA has been achieved by employing a three-component convergent strategy based on Kocienski-Julia olefination and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. It is noteworthy that segment B has been prepared as a new doubly functionalized coupling partner, which contributes to shortening of the number of steps. Torquoselective olefination with an ynolate has also been applied for the efficient construction of an unsaturated ester. Furthermore, it is revealed that 1-methyl-2-azaadamantane N-oxyl is an excellent reagent for final oxidation to afford BKA in high yield. Based on the total synthesis, several BKA analogues were prepared for structure-activity relationship studies, which indicated that the carboxylic acid moieties were essential for the apoptosis inhibitory activity of BKA. More easily available BKA analogues with potent apoptosis inhibitory activity were also developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protease has been shown to be an effective food additive for improving the quality of gluten-free rice bread. In this study, we found that bacillolysin (Protin SD-NY10, metallo protease), papain (cysteine protease), and subtilisin (Protin SD-AY10, serine protease) increased the specific volume of gluten-free rice breads by 30–60% compared with untreated breads. These proteases also decreased crumb hardness by 10–30% compared with untreated breads. Many fine bubble cells were observed in the crumb of the protease-treated rice breads using scanning electron microscopy. Optical microscopic observation revealed fine networks of small protein aggregates stained by Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) in the rice batter of the improved gluten-free rice breads. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of protein in the rice batter suggested that the amount of low molecular weight proteins (less than 10 kDa) increased with the use of Protin SD-NY10, Protin SD-AY10 and papain treatments compared with untreated rice batter. Thus, we considered that the small proteins aggregates were formed through disulfide bonds. This fine network was effective for retaining CO 2 gas during the fermentation process, resulting in an increase in the specific volume and a decrease in the crumb hardness of gluten-free rice bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively studied patients who relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) to identify factors influencing outcomes. Of the 296 patients (196 with AML and 100 with ALL), 102 (34%) experienced relapse at a median of 222 days (range: 30-2,748) after SCT. Multivariable analysis showed that high disease risk (hazard risk [HR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-3.24; p = 0.010), unrelated donor (HR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.10-2.80; p = 0.018), and interval of < 180 days from SCT to relapse (HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.51; p = 0.004) were independent factors of 2-year post-relapse survival (PRS). These factors were used as a prognostic index for PRS. The 2-year PRS in patients of score 0, score 1, score 2, and score 3 was 38%, 19%, 3%, and 0%, respectively ( p < 0.001). Our new prognostic index may be helpful for selecting the treatment for relapsed patients after SCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the magnetic resonance T1-weighted imaging, some investigators have shown that coronary artery high-intensity signals (HISs) are associated with vulnerable plaque morphology and an increased risk of future cardiac events. Although previous studies used different PMR (the ratio between the signal intensities of coronary plaque and cardiac muscle) cutoff values to detect HIS, the association between PMR itself and plaque morphology has not been fully investigated. Methods and Results We prospectively investigated the association between PMR values and plaque morphology detected by optical coherence tomography in consecutive 106 patients with angina pectoris. The lesions with almost all of the vulnerable features such as lipid-rich, thin-cap fibroatheroma, plaque rupture, thrombus, macrophage infiltrations, intimal vasculature, and absence of calcification had significantly higher PMR; the only exception was the presence of cholesterol crystals. PMR increases linearly with the number of vulnerable features (p < 0.0001, Rho = 0.504). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the absence of calcification (p = 0.0027), and the presence of thrombus (p = 0.0071) and intimal vasculature (p = 0.019) were independently associated with higher log-transformed PMR. There was a stepwise increase in PMR of the culprit lesions in proportion to the accumulation of the number of adverse plaque characteristics defined as non-calcified plaque, thrombus, and/or intimal vasculature. Conclusion These results suggest that not only the presence of HIS, but also the elevated PMR itself may be used as a quantitative marker of plaque vulnerability in clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease. We recently described an animal model in which repeated epicutaneous applications of a house dust mite extract and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B induced eczematous skin lesions. In this study we showed that global gene expression patterns are very similar between human AD skin and allergen/staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced mouse skin lesions, particularly in the expression of genes related to epidermal growth/differentiation, skin barrier, lipid/energy metabolism, immune response, or extracellular matrix. In this model, mast cells and T cells, but not B cells or eosinophils, were shown to be required for the full expression of dermatitis, as revealed by reduced skin inflammation and reduced serum IgE levels in mice lacking mast cells or T cells (TCRβ−/− or Rag1−/−). The clinical severity of dermatitis correlated with the numbers of mast cells, but not eosinophils. Consistent with the idea that T helper type 2 (Th2) cells play a predominant role in allergic diseases, the receptor for the Th2-promoting cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin and the high-affinity IgE receptor, FcɛRI, were required to attain maximal clinical scores. Therefore, this clinically relevant model provides mechanistic insights into the pathogenic mechanism of human AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several coronary angiographic studies have reported that enlarged and tortuous epicardial coronary arteries are characteristic of patients with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy (LVCH). Recently, we showed that small volumes opacified by contrast medium can be accurately measured by 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and that there is a direct relationship between the coronary artery volume and left ventricular (LV) mass. However, the relationship of coronary artery volume with LV mass in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unknown. The present study was designed to investigate this issue. Thirteen patients with DCM and 18 patients with LVCH who underwent MSCT angiography were included in this analysis. The coronary arteries were segmented on a workstation, and the appropriate window settings obtained from the results of the phantom experiments were applied to the volume-rendered images to calculate the total coronary artery volume (right and left coronary arteries). The absolute coronary lengths and volumes in patients with LVCH and DCM were greater than those in controls. The coronary artery volumes adjusted for LV mass in patients with DCM were found to be smaller than those in patients with LVCH or in controls, and these values did not differ between patients with LVCH and controls (DCM 4.1 ± 0.9, LVCH 5.4 ± 1.4, controls 5.5 ± 2.3 ml/100 g of LV mass, P < 0.005; DCM vs LVCH, P < 0.01; and DCM vs control, P < 0.0005). This study showed that the increase in the coronary artery volume in patients with LVCH matched the increase in LV mass, but a decreased coronary volume with regard to LV mass was characteristic of patients with DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The stereocontrolled conjugate allylation to an optically pure γ-butenolide provided direct and reliable access to a trans-fused series of xanthanolide sesquiterpenoids and allowed for the enantioselective total syntheses of xanthatin and 11,13-dihydroxanthatin to be efficiently achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on the study regarding impact of Wx/ae brown rice on lipid and glucose metabolism in mice. It mentions that in order to examine impact of the brown rice, type2 diabetic mice were fed with high-fat diet containing Wx/ae brown rice and Koshihikari brown rice. The study conclude that the as compared to Koshihikari brown rice intake of brown rice is more beneficial as it more effective in preventing rise in plasma level of lipid and glucose.

Abstract: Isotopic ZnO thin films were deposited on the c-plane of ZnO single crystals by pulsed laser deposition. The isotopic abundance of Zn in the films was determined with a secondary ion mass spectrometry before and after the films was diffusion annealed. The diffusion profiles across the film/substrate interface behaved smooth features. The zinc diffusion coefficient (D Zn) was obtained by analyzing the slope of the profile in the annealed sample. The temperature dependence of D Zn was determined to be D Zn(cm2/s)=8.0×104exp(−417[kJ/mol])/RT, where R and T are gas constant and temperature. The zinc ion diffusion coefficients were of the same order as that in a ZnO single crystal. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical values indicated that the zinc ions diffused in the thin film and the single crystal through a vacancy mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Kaki-tannin, a highly polymerized-tannin from the young fruits of persimmon (Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya’), has been shown to have bile acid-binding activity. To verify the effect of kaki-tannin on the metabolism of lipid and glucose in type 2 diabetes, type 2 diabetic NSY/Hos mice were fed an AIN76-modified high fat diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) kaki-tannin for 8weeks. Kaki-tannin induced a 2-fold increase in fecal bile acid excretion and was significantly effective in the prevention of a rise in plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels. Kaki-tannin treatment also prevented fatty liver. To identify the molecular mechanism underlying these effects, gene expression analysis was performed on liver, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and skeletal muscle. The genes related to cholesterol metabolism, including 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, were increased in the liver of the kaki-tannin group. Interestingly, the uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene and the UCP3 gene were significantly increased in the BAT of the kaki-tannin group, which was also confirmed at the protein level. These findings indicated that induction of UCP1 and UCP3 in the BAT by kaki-tannin treatment might influence the energy metabolism, thus contributing beneficial effects to type 2 diabetic NSY/Hos mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

People act more prosocially when they know they are watched by others, an everyday observation borne out by studies from behavioral economics, social psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. This effect is thought to be mediated by the incentive to improve one's social reputation, a specific and possibly uniquely human motivation that depends on our ability to represent what other people think of us. Here we tested the hypothesis that social reputation effects are selectively impaired in autism, a developmental disorder characterized in part by impairments in reciprocal social interactions but whose underlying cognitive causes remain elusive. When asked to make real charitable donations in the presence or absence of an observer, matched healthy controls donated significantly more in the observers presence than absence, replicating prior work. By contrast, people with high-functioning autism were not influenced by the presence of an observer at all in this task. However, both groups performed significantly better on a continuous performance task in the presence of an observer, suggesting intact general social facilitation in autism. The results argue that people with autism lack the ability to take into consideration what others think of them and provide further support for specialized neural systemsmediating the effects of social reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CCL23 (MPIF1/CK-BETA-8) is a novel CC chemokine that plays important roles in the inhibition of myeloid progenitor cell development, the selective recruitment of resting T lymphocytes and monocytes, and the potentiation of VEGF-induced proliferation and migration of human endothelial cells. Since eosinophils participate in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling, we examined CCL23 production and release by human eosinophils in vitro. Methods: Using Ficoll and antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads, eosinophils and other blood cells were purified from peripheral blood samples obtained from normal subjects and mildly allergic patients. Eosinophils were cultured in the presence of 10 ng/ml granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), 10 ng/ml IL-5, 100 ng/ml IFN-γ, 100 ng/ml IFN-α, or immobilized secretory IgA (sIgA). Total mRNA was extracted after 6 h of culture, and mRNA expression was measured using a microarray and RT-PCR. The CCL23 concentrations in the supernatants and cell lysates after 24 and 48 h of culture were measured by ELISA. Results: CCL23 mRNAs (both CK-β8-1 and CK-β8) were constitutively expressed in fresh eosinophils, and their expression levels were higher than in other types of blood cells. CCL23 mRNAs were significantly increased by stimulation with GM-CSF and IL-5 and slightly by IFN-α and immobilized sIgA. Fresh eosinophils contained trace amounts of CCL23 protein. CCL23 was significantly released into the supernatant when the eosinophils were stimulated with GM-CSF or IL-5 but not with IFN-γ or immobilized sIgA. Conclusion: Our data suggest that eosinophils produce and release CCL23 and may be involved in some in vivo physiological and pathological conditions. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ X-ray diffraction measurements of a magnetically oriented microcrystal suspension (MOMS) of l-alanine (space group P212121) were performed with and without rotation of the suspension in a static magnetic field (1 T). The easy magnetization axis (||c*) aligned uniaxially parallel to the applied field in the case without rotation, while the hard magnetization axis (||b*) aligned uniaxially parallel to the rotating axis in the case with rotation. As a result, two fiber diffraction patterns were obtained, which exhibited sharp diffraction spots with half widths of ca. 2−3°. In-situ X-ray diffraction measurements of a magnetically oriented microcrystal suspension (MOMS) of l-alanine (space group P212121) were performed with and without rotation of the suspension in a static magnetic field (1 T). The easy magnetization axis (||c*) aligned uniaxially parallel to the applied field in the case without rotation, while the hard magnetization axis (||b*) aligned uniaxially parallel to the rotating axis in the case with rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants with Th2 predisposition is thought to increase the risk of allergic sensitization, recurrent wheezing, and bronchial asthma during childhood. We attempted to clarify the molecular mechanisms by which Th1/Th2 predisposition in the host alters RSV infection and facilitates airway inflammation. Methods: A549 human airway epithelial cells were inoculated with live or UV-treated RSV after pretreatment with either a combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon-γ (Th1-primed) or a combination of TNF-α and interleukin-4 (Th2-primed) for 48 h. The gene and protein expression profiles of RSV-infected A549 cells were examined. Results: GeneChip analysis indicated that, at 96 h after inoculation with RSV, the expression of 62 genes was specifically enhanced (more than 2-fold by normalized data) in Th2-primed cells compared to that in unprimed or Th1-primed cells. An increase in mRNA and protein levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 among those 62 genes was confirmed by real-time PCR and cytometric bead assay, respectively. RSV replication was markedly diminished in Th1-primed airway epithelial cells but not in Th2-primed cells, which was presumably caused at least in part by the early induction of antiviral genes. Conclusions: These results suggest that Th1/Th2 predisposition in the host prior to RSV infection critically regulates inflammatory reactions in the airways through alteration of gene expression, and that MCP-1/CCL2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severe RSV infection and the subsequent development of asthma in Th2-predisposed hosts. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum(salalen) complex 1 [salalen = half-reduced salen, salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)] was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for asymmetric oxidation of cyclic dithioacetals in the presence of 30% hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. In the reaction of a series of 2-substituted 1,3- dithianes bearing alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups as the substituent, the trans-monoxides were obtained in high yields with 19:1 → >20:1 dr (diastereomeric ratio) and 98-99% ee (enamtiomeric excess). The reaction of nonsubstituted 1,3-dithiane also proceeded in a highly enantioselective manner to give the monoxide with a small formation of the trans-1,3-dioxide, an overoxidation product. Five-membered 1,3- dithiolanes and seven-membered 1,3-dithiepanes also underwent oxidation to give monoxides with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. It was found that the equilibrium between the two chairlike conformers of dithianes has relevance to the observed diastereoselectivity in the first oxidation process, and the dioxide formation in the oxidation of 1,3-dithiane and its stereochemistry also can be explained by the conformational equilibrium of the product monoxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zinc self-diffusion along the growth direction was analyzed for the isotopic multilayer ZnO thin film ((64ZnO/68ZnO)6 64ZnO) deposited by pulsed laser deposition. The isotopic distribution was measured using a secondary ion mass spectrometry. The amplitude of the 64Zn abundance in the depth profile was reduced by annealing at 993 K for several hours due to interdiffusion between the 64ZnO and 68ZnO layers. The diffusion profiles at the isotopic interfaces were analyzed using a periodic equation. The obtained zinc self-diffusion coefficients at several isotopic interfaces along the growth direction showed that the self-diffusion coefficients increased towards the film/substrate interface. A similar trend was also found in the lateral direction. The variation among the self-diffusion coefficients was related to the film thicknesses at the analysis positions. Since zinc self-diffusion is controlled by a vacancy-mediated mechanism, the variation in zinc diffusivity along the growth direction can be attributed to the effect of compressive biaxial stress. These findings are useful for producing high-quality ZnO devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent experimental and clinical studies have indicated that bile acid-binding agents are effective not only for treating hypercholesterolemia, but also for type 2 diabetes. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of cholestyramine, a bile acid-binding agent, on type 2 diabetes, we examined gene expression of the livers of cholestyramine-treated type 2 diabetic model mice. Type 2 diabetic NSY/Hos mice were fed a high fat diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) cholestyramine for 8 weeks. Cholestyramine treatment prevented the increase in body weight, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin levels, and hepatic steatosis. DNA microarray analysis was performed on the liver, which revealed that the genes related to synthesis of cholesterol and its derivatives were increased and the genes regulated by liver X receptors, such as the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 gene, were decreased in the group treated with cholestyramine. Expression of the genes related to carbohydrate metabolism was little changed in the cholestyramine group. Furthermore, we performed real-time RT-PCR analysis, which highly correlated with DNA microarray data (r =0.957, P <0.001). This study provides a valuable basis for further research on the biological functions of bile acid-binding agents in models of type 2 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Activation of cell surface CD30 by immobilized anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) induces extremely rapid and intense apoptosis in human eosinophils in vitro. This anti-CD30 mAb-induced eosinophil apoptosis was inhibited by the addition of inhibitors of p38 and ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). However, the signal transduction pathways other than for MAPKs remain unclear. In the present study, we tried to clarify the molecules involved in the induction of apoptosis after cross-linking of CD30. Methods: Purified human eosinophils were suspended in Iscove’s minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 1 ng/ml IL-5 and then cultured for 4 h in plates precoated with anti-CD30 mAb (clone Ber-H8) in the presence or absence of various signal transduction inhibitors. Eosinophil apoptosis was assessed using annexin V and flow cytometry. Results: The addition of inhibitors of caspase-3, caspase-8, pan-caspases, nuclear factor κB and protein kinase C at reasonable concentrations did not alter anti-CD30 mAb-induced eosinophil apoptosis in vitro. However, apoptosis was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors: wortmannin at very high concentrations (>1 μM) significantly and LY294002 at a reasonable concentration partially inhibited that apoptosis. Conclusions: Anti-CD30 mAb-induced eosinophil apoptosis is likely to be mediated mainly through MAPKs and partially through PI3K, but independent of caspase activation. Downstream signaling molecules of MAPK activation in eosinophils have to be clarified in future studies. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify key genes involved in the complex multistep process of hepatotumorigenesis, we reduced multivariate clinicopathological variables by using the Long–Evans Cinnamon rat, a model with naturally occurring and oxidative stress-induced hepatotumorigenesis. Gene expression patterns were analyzed serially by profiling liver tissues from rats of a naive status (4 weeks old), through to those with chronic hepatitis (26 and 39 weeks old) to tumor development (67 weeks old). Of 31 099 probe sets used for microarray analysis, 87 were identified as being upregulated in a stepwise manner during disease progression and tumor development. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and statistical analyses verified that IQGAP1 and vimentin mRNA expression levels increased significantly throughout hepatotumorigenesis. A hierarchical clustering algorithm showed both genes clustered together and in the same cluster group. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses showed similar increases in protein levels of IAGAP1 and vimentin. Finally, pathway analyses using text-mining technology with more comprehensive and recent gene–gene interaction data identified IQGAP1 and vimentin as important nodes in underlying gene regulatory networks. These findings enhance our understanding of the multistep hepatotumorigenesis and identification of target molecules for novel treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Correlation between the photophysics and the structures of three Ag(l)-bis(diphosphine) complexes ([Ag(dppbz)2]NO3 (1·NO3), [Ag(dppe)2]NO3 (2·NO3), and [Ag(dppp)2]NO3 (3·NO3) (dppbz = 1,2-bis(diphenyt- phosphino)benzene, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenytphosphino)propane) has been investigated using temperature-dependent emission measurements and electrochemical and theoretical methods. All three Ag(l)-bis(diphosphine) complexes have relatively low oxidation potential, which allows metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) contribution in the lowest excited slate of the tetrahedral geometry, which is difficult in other Ag(l) complexes. Both 1 · NO3 and 2 · NO3 show orange phosphorescence with moderate quantum yield in air- free methanol at room temperature, while 3·NO3 is less emissive in solution at room temperature. In all three complexes the temperature-dependent luminescence measurements in EtOH/MeOH 4:1 (v/v) solution indicate the blue-shift of the emission maximum and the increase of the emission intensity on lowering the temperature. In particular, the sequential emission spectral change with decreasing temperature is observed in 1· NO3 and 2·NO3. In the glass state at 90 K, all three complexes show intense blue phosphorescence. The theoretical calculation using density functional theory (DFT) suggests that the orange and blue emissions mainly originate from the ³MC excited state based on a square-planar geometry and the ³IL+³MLCT excited state based on a tetrahedral geometry, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An oxygen isotope-based heterostructure zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film, Zn16O/Zn18O/Zn16O, was made by pulsed laser deposition on an a-face sapphire substrate. The isotope-enriched Zn18O layer was made by irradiation of the isotope oxygen radical (18O*). The isotopic ratio in the heterostructure film was analyzed via secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The ratio of exchange from 16O to 18O was approximately 70% when the oxygen isotope was irradiated as a radical, while it was approximately 10% when the oxygen isotope was supplied as 18O2 gas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Amphiregulin (AREG) plays critical roles in mammary gland development, immune responses against nematode infection, and mucous production in the lung. Since remarkable eosinophil infiltration has been shown at all of these tissue sites, we examined AREG production by human eosinophils in vitro. Methods: Using Ficoll and antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads, eosinophils and other blood cells were purified from peripheral blood samples obtained from normal or mild allergic patients. Eosinophils were cultured in the presence of 10 ng/ml of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), 10 ng/ml of IL-5, 100 ng/ml of IFN-γ or immobilized secretory IgA. Total mRNA was extracted after 6 h of culture, and mRNA expression was measured using a microarray and RT-PCR. The AREG concentration in the supernatant and cell lysate after 48 h of culture was measured using ELISA. Results: AREG mRNA was constitutively expressed in fresh eosinophils, and the expression level in the eosinophils was higher than that in other types of blood cells. AREG mRNA increased significantly upon stimulation with GM-CSF and IL-5 but not with IFN-γ. AREG mRNA expression in GM-CSF-stimulated eosinophils was enhanced by dexamethasone. Fresh eosinophils did not contain AREG protein. AREG was significantly released into the supernatant when the eosinophils were stimulated with GM-CSF, but not with IFN-γ or immobilized secretory IgA. Conclusion: Our data suggested that eosinophils produce and release AREG, and participate in some physiological and pathological conditions in vivo. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The induction of the decidualization of endometrial stromal cells is possible in an in vitro cell culture system. However, thus far, methods differ according to species or cell type, and a more stable or universal system has not yet been developed. The purpose of the present study has been to establish an in vitro decidualization system in primary cultured rat endometrial stromal cells (RES). The RES were treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate and dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (MPA treatment), estradiol and progesterone, or arachidonic acid. After 24 h of treatment, cells responded to all of the stimulations by expressing desmin mRNA. However, decidual/trophoblast prolactin-related protein (dPRP) mRNA was only expressed in the MPA-treated cells. Desmin and dPRP mRNA were not expressed after MPA treatment of the RES derived from immature rat uteri. However, mRNA from both desmin and dPRP were expressed in RES derived from gonadotrophin-injected immature rats. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 mRNA did not change after the decidual treatment of RES examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. However, the results of gelatin zymography showed that the active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 significantly increased after in vitro decidualization ( P < 0.05). We conclude that MPA treatment is the most effective method for stimulating decidualization in RES. Use of this system has revealed that sexual maturation and gonadotrophins are important for RES with regard to decidualization. Furthermore, the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 might increase during decidualization without a corresponding increase of the expression of these genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellular ontogeny of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remains poorly understood because their isolation from and their identification in early developing small embryos are difficult. We attempted to dissect early developmental stages of HSCs using an in vitro mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation system combined with inducible HOXB4 expression. Here we report the identification of pre-HSCs and an embryonic type of HSCs (embryonic HSCs) as intermediate cells between ESCs and HSCs. Both pre-HSCs and embryonic HSCs were isolated by their c-Kit+CD41+CD45- phenotype. Pre-HSCs did not engraft in irradiated adult mice. After co-culture with OP9 stromal cells and conditional expression of HOXB4, pre-HSCs gave rise to embryonic HSCs capable of engraftment and long-term reconstitution in irradiated adult mice. Blast colony assays revealed that most hemangioblast activity was detected apart from the pre-HSC population, implying the early divergence of pre-HSCs from hemangioblasts. Gene expression profiling suggests that a particular set of transcripts closely associated with adult HSCs is involved in the transition of pre-HSC to embryonic HSCs. We propose an HSC developmental model in which pre-HSCs and embryonic HSCs sequentially give rise to adult types of HSCs in a stepwise manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates young persimmon fruit's (YP) hypolipidemic impact on apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Research findings show that the supplementation of the mice's diet with YP resulted in the elevation of fecal bile acid excretion and a drop in the mice's levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and plasma chylomicron.

Background: Basophils are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation; however, the factors associated with basophil death are not fully understood. Fas (CD95) is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily and is known to induce apoptosis in activated T cells, neutrophils and eosinophils. In the present study, the expression and function of Fas in human basophils were investigated in vitro. Methods: Human cultured basophils were obtained by culturing cord blood-derived CD34+ cells in the presence of 2.5 ng/ml of IL-3 for 5–6 weeks. The expression of Fas was measured using flow cytometry. Cell viability and morphological changes after the incubation of basophils with anti-Fas mAb (clone CH11, IgM) in the presence of 1 ng/ml of IL-3 were measured using the trypan blue dye exclusion test and light microscopy, respectively. Results: Human cultured basophils constitutively and significantly expressed Fas on their cell surfaces. Treatment with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb) significantly reduced basophil viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. When basophils were incubated with 10 ng/ml of anti-Fas mAb or control for 72 h, the basophil viability was 27.3 ± 8.8% and 89.3 ± 5.2%, respectively (p < 0.01). Anti-Fas mAb-treated basophils were shrunken and exhibited condensed nuclei, consistent with apoptosis. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that human basophils express functional Fas on their cell surfaces, and signaling via Fas may regulate basophil survival in vivo. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although IL-3 is commonly used for culture of human progenitor-derived mast cells together with Stem cell factor (SCF) and IL-6, the effect of IL-3 on human mast cell differentiation has not been well elucidated. Human bone marrow CD34+ progenitors were cultured for up to 12 weeks in the presence of rhSCF and rhIL-6 either with rhIL-3 (IL-3 (+)) or without rhIL-3 (IL-3 (-)) for the initial 1-week of culture. Total cell number increased at 2 weeks in IL-3 (+), as compared to IL-3 (-), but changes in the appearance of mast cells were delayed. When IL-3 was present for the initial 1-week culture, granules looked more mature with IL-3 than without IL-3. However, tryptase and chymase contents, and surface antigen expression (CD18, CD51, CD54, and CD117) were not altered by IL-3. Surface expression and mRNA level of FcεRIα and histamine release by crosslinking of FcεRIα did not differ from one preparation to the next. GeneChip analysis revealed that no significant differences were observed between IL-3 (+) and IL-3 (-) cells either when inactivated or activated by aggregation of FcεRIα. These findings indicate that initial incubation of human bone marrow CD34+ progenitors with IL-3 does not affect the differentiation of mast cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium niobate, KNbO3 (KN), ceramics were prepared by the modified conventional ceramic fabrication process to characterize their piezoelectric properties. KN single crystal has high electromechanical coupling factor k33 = 0.66. On the other hand, the difficulty in obtaining dense and nondeliquescent KN ceramics by conventional methods limits our knowledge of the piezoelectricity of this ceramic. The KN ceramics showed the piezoelectric properties such as the electromechanical coupling factor k33, the piezoelectric constant, d33, and the mechanical quality factor, Qm, were 0.49, 91.7 pC/N and 325, respectively. This sample was poled at a DC electric field of 5 kV/mm at 150°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]